Root The "Fix everything" thread for the Virgin Mobile HTC EVO

[joe_blow]

Summary
With the new ROMS out there, that is modern Midnight ROM and HTCCM10 you need a phone that can boot both Android 4.0 ( the phone's stock version ) and modern Cyanogenmod CM10 and some day CM10.1 based ROMS. This requires the correct hboot of 1.04 ENG or 1.50. Then there is the matter of "do I have the latest phone firmware?" What about recovery? I want to make nDroid backups etc. So instead of spending your day flashing 2,4, 10 files we made one file that contains the correct hboot, the latest firmware with the newest radio files and also the latest recovery program(s). So one file to align your phone to allow it to run the best ROMs!

Warnings

1. You must be S-OFF to do this! If you don't know what that is, stop and find out and come back when you do
2. Not responsible for you breaking your phone, you need to know what you are doing and take responsiblity!
3. There is absolutly NO technical support, intellegent questions get intellegent answers ONLY!
4. This is NOT a RUU replacement ( if you don't know what RUU is STOP and go no further! ) You need a working phone that get at least to the boot loader ( thus it maybe able to recover your phone from there )
5. PLEASE NOTE: Phone will NOT WORK after flashing these file! Yes you heard me, now that I have your annotation: do not forget to re-format your cache ( along with delvik ) after the flash. This is because when you flash a hboot that mount point is removed!

What is this good for?

• After you recover from installing a RUU and want to bring your phone back to where it was ( recover to your last nDroid backup ). This one file will update the firmware to where it needs to be.
• You want to bring your phone into alignment that is so that the tested ROMs will work best. You want your phone to be at the latest and best of everything, and you want to do it in ONE step!

Tested ROMs
ROMs this was tested with and are known to work ( please message me if you are confident it works with a ROM not listed, I will give you credit )

• Midnight 148 to current ( this is a ICS 4.0 Stock ROM with and without Sense )
• Midnight J ( all ) this is a CM10 JB 4.1.2 ROM a mix of the best that's avable.
• HTCCM10 ( all ) this is a CM10 JB 4.1.2 ROM based on Pure Code builds.

Why there are two files?
The only difference is the recovery.img file used. This is the program that runs when you go to recovery. I have added 4ext for those people using that and twrp for those using it. Pick the recovery you like.

How to install a PG86IMG.zip

1. Just take one of the two files listed. place on your sd card in the root directory. Do not decompress it, just re-name it to "PG86IMG.zip" I recommend using a separate 2gb card. You will need to remove the file just after install, thus swapping cards is the easy way to accomplish this.
2. Reboot phone to boot-loader. By now you know how to do this, but to make sure you know what I mean, pull battery and replace, next hold volume down then power at the same time. You should then see the white boot loader screen with ascii text. it should scan the file and ask if you what to install if it does not you are NOT s-off go fix that!
3. It will install one by one, let it, it takes time, don't panic. When done it will ask to reboot, you will let it, but pull the battery AS soon as you see the white HTC logo!
4. Now making sure you removed the PG86IMG.zip file again reboot in to the boot loader. This time go to "recovery". If this does not work don't panic During testing on one occasion I needed to pull the battery a second time. Once in recovery ( either version ) you will see messages about unable to mount cache, using the program clear cache and also dalvik cache. Once done reboot the phone to the ROM.
5. If all when well you will boot as Android boots it will re-build the Android dalvik cache. This is a sign that the phone gods are smiling down on you and your done! Enjoy your new up-to-date phone!

Command line version for the hard core people out there!
Yes this file can be installed from a PC from the command line just like this!

[htc_evo_v_4g]$ sudo fastboot erase cache
[sudo] password for joe_blow:
erasing 'cache'...
OKAY [ 3.385s]
finished. total time: 3.385s
[htc_evo_v_4g]$ sudo fastboot oem rebootRUU
...
(bootloader) Start Verify: 0
(bootloader) Start Verify: 0
(bootloader) erase sector 130560 ~ 131071 (512)
OKAY [ 3.323s]
finished. total time: 3.323s
[htc_evo_v_4g]$ sudo fastboot flash zip VM_OTA-1.14_Hboot-jb1.50_twrp-233_PG86IMG.zip
sending 'zip' (16741 KB)...
OKAY [ 3.550s]
writing 'zip'...
(bootloader) zip header checking...
(bootloader) zip info parsing...
(bootloader) checking model ID...
(bootloader) checking custom ID...
(bootloader) start image[hboot] unzipping for pre-update check...
(bootloader) start image[adsp] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,12
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,25
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,38
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,50
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,63
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,75
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,88
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,adsp,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,adsp,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,adsp,100
(bootloader) start image[hboot] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,hboot,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,hboot,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,hboot,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,hboot,100
(bootloader) start image[recovery] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,recovery,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,recovery,50
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,recovery,75
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,recovery,99
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,recovery,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,recovery,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,recovery,100
(bootloader) start image[rpm] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,rpm,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,rpm,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,rpm,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,rpm,100
(bootloader) start image[sbl1] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,sbl1,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,sbl1,100
(bootloader) signature checking...
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,sbl1,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,sbl1,100
(bootloader) start image[sbl2] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,sbl2,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,sbl2,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,sbl2,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,sbl2,100
(bootloader) start image[sbl3] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,sbl3,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,sbl3,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,sbl3,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,sbl3,100
(bootloader) start image[tz] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,tz,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,tz,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,tz,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,tz,100
(bootloader) start image[radio] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,6
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,11
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,17
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,23
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,29
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,35
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,41
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,47
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,53
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,58
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,64
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,70
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,76
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,82
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,88
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,94
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,99
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,radio,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,radio,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,radio,94
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,radio,100
(bootloader) start image[rcdata] unzipping & flushing...
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,rcdata,0
(bootloader) [RUU]UZ,rcdata,100
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,rcdata,0
(bootloader) [RUU]WP,rcdata,100
OKAY [ 53.739s]
finished. total time: 57.289s
[htc_evo_v_4g]$ sudo fastboot reboot
rebooting...

finished. total time: 1.667s
$

Download:
NOTE: You must check the MD5SUM on the SD card or where you will be flashing! These files have been tested. If you flash a broken or incorrect file, you could damage your phone, which maybe recovered with a RUU, or it may not. Don't take any chances!

HTC EVO V 4G "Firmware" that is contains:
Virgin updates From the 1.14.652.0 OTA (Over the Air) Radio + Firmware
jBear hboot 1.50.5050
4ext touch recovery ( see: 4ext.net ) v1.0.0.5 RC9
VM_OTA-1.14_Hboot-jb1.50_4ext-1005_PG86IMG.zip - 18.65 MB
MD5SUM: 5ae5ead3ef6cbc7fb4e1382904005794

HTC EVO V 4G "Firmware" that is contains:
Virgin updates From the 1.14.652.0 OTA (Over the Air) Radio + Firmware
jBear hboot 1.50.5050
TWRP touch recovery ( please see TeamWin Projects - TWRP 2.3 - HTC Evo 3D (CDMA) | TeamWin )
VM_OTA-1.14_Hboot-jb1.50_twrp-233_PG86IMG.zip - 16.35 MB
MD5SUM: 5cc84e3cb157008fec6998d556bf37ed

HTC EVO V 4G "Firmware" (Update to new TWRP v2.4.1.0 which supports CM10.1 ROMs) that is contains:
Virgin updates From the 1.14.652.0 OTA (Over the Air) Radio + Firmware
jBear hboot 1.50.5050
TWRP touch recovery ( please see TeamWin Projects - TWRP 2.4 - HTC Evo 3D (CDMA) | TeamWin )
VM_OTA-1.14_Hboot-jb1.50_twrp-241_PG86IMG.zip - 16.41 MB
MD5SUM: 680ef62b46e40dd554ef0785b747fd03


Dedication
This work is dedicated to the hard work of g60madman and xthedakmanx for there ineradicable ROMs! There work has inspired me to attempt this. Hope it helps guys, keep up the awesome work!

Thanks
Special thanks to ramjet73 for his assistance and guidance on this project! He is the man behind all the hboot voodoo, that is he helped me understand how things are put together.

Maker suggestions
That is this both zip files were designed to allow you to pull out and put in what img files you want for your phone setup! That is if a new version of 4ext is out, remove the recovery.img file and put in the new one. Create a file with just what you need, removing the hboot img file will allow you to not need to format the cache. Have fun and stay safe but most of all SHARE what you find with others as they have shared with you!

Sources I used
giving credit where credit is due:
Radios and firmware updates were from http://androidforums.com/cdma-evo-3d-all-things-root/648902-radios-hboot-firmware-all-downloads.html
Hboot sources were from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1817513
4ext was from there site ( please support them financially ) finacally 4EXT Development
TWRP is from TeamWin Projects - TWRP 2.4 - HTC Evo 3D (CDMA) | TeamWin

 

[Prinny]

Nice writeup and guide! Good job!

 

[Piznick64]

the two zip files, do i go into bootloader or recovery to install them? i have mobster's unlock potental HD 1/19/12

 

[Hyperfludd]

Seems I've gotten myself into a bootloop..wiping cache/dalvik didn't help. Before this I was running MidnightRom Senseless 1.0.9. According to bootloader I've got 1.50.5050 hboot onto my phone. Could the version of my ROM (Not the latest) be the source of the loops? I'm pondering on just wiping and installing Midnight J, but I wanted to ask someone for their input before trying anything further.

 

[joe_blow]

Seems I've gotten myself into a bootloop..wiping cache/dalvik didn't help. Before this I was running MidnightRom Senseless 1.0.9. According to bootloader I've got 1.50.5050 hboot onto my phone. Could the version of my ROM (Not the latest) be the source of the loops? I'm pondering on just wiping and installing Midnight J, but I wanted to ask someone for their input before trying anything further.

Not sure if that ROM requires hboot 1.57 you can install just that part, please see this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1817513
Look for ramjet73's "pick your boot loader"

 

[joe_blow]

the two zip files, do i go into bootloader or recovery to install them? i have mobster's unlock potental HD 1/19/12

Pick only one file you don't need both please see which recovery you want.
Probably will not work with that ROM since it requires the newer hboot 1.57
Suggestion is to remove the hboot file from the zip first so it does not put you in a boot loop.
It will then flash the recovery, radios and firmware.

 

[Ksou]

Hi Joe , so after flashing this zip( awesome job by the way ) I can flash the MidnightRom: Jellybean 1.0.6 1/21/2013 rom .

I'm coming from the Motorola Triumph so I'm use to a far easer route .

What I'm thinking is .

1.Activate phone on stock .
2. Do all the needed steps to get to S-OFF( with Twrp )
3. Flash this fix everything zip .
4. Whipe the cache ,
4. Flash MidnightRom
5. Flash GAPPS .
6. Enjoy a far better phone

 

[ramjet73]

What I'm thinking is .

I think that's exactly what joe_blow intended. His all-in-one zip file will update all your firmware including a custom hboot and recovery after gaining S-OFF so you can go straight to flashing ROM's without doing the original "fix everything" thread. Your steps are exactly what he had in mind for new Evo V 4G users, and he has provided the option for TWRP2 (touch) or 4EXT recovery.

ramjet73

 

[Ksou]

Thank you ramjet73 . I'm going to buy my Evo V next month . The crap VM forces on you( uninstallable apps , buggy OS) makes it worth it to install a custom rom .

The only thing is I'm running Ubuntu(actually I have all 3 OS's at my house, but I don't want to install the whole android SDK on my 32Bit Windows 7 install ) so some of the steps are going to be a bit harder to follow , but I'm game !

 

[ramjet73]

The only thing is I'm running Ubuntu(actually I have all 3 OS's at my house, but I don't want to install the whole android SDK on my 32Bit Windows 7 install ) so some of the steps are going to be a bit harder to follow , but I'm game !

Well you're in luck because you can root and do the JuopunutBear wire trick to get S-OFF using Linux. I have a post here that elaborates a little bit in my rooting and S-OFF guide for Windows users on XDA. You won't need to flash the RUU if you root and gain S-OFF right after getting the phone since it will still have the stock ROM. And if you decide to do it on Windows I have an all-in-one download in that guide that contains all the files you need.

Good luck with your Evo V 4G!

ramjet73

 

[Ksou]

Well you're in luck because you can root and do the JuopunutBear wire trick to get S-OFF using Linux. I have a post here that elaborates a little bit in my rooting and S-OFF guide for Windows users on XDA. You won't need to flash the RUU if you root and gain S-OFF right after getting the phone since it will still have the stock ROM. And if you decide to do it on Windows I have an all-in-one download in that guide that contains all the files you need.

Good luck with your Evo V 4G!

ramjet73

Ok, so ,
Activate
HTC Unlock ,
Flash Recovery.img
BACKUP
Flash Super User
WireTrick
Flash this fix all zip
Flash midnight rom .

Push come to shove I'll install the Android SDK on the 32 bit Win7 i have laying around .

 

[Ksou]

Hate to ask again, but just to confirm, the steps I just listed out will work right .


Really wish I could S-OFF from my mac, lol

 

[OverByter]

Hate to ask again, but just to confirm, the steps I just listed out will work right .


Really wish I could S-OFF from my mac, lol

Perfect!

 

[miked6875]

Thank's Joe. Worked like a charm. Great job.

 

[wigginst]

Worked great. Had to get a replacement phone so rooted, s offed and did this all in a row. In about 2 hours I was back to my midnight j Rom from my old phone with no issues. Thanks for this!

 

[kemo1990]

my phone is S-offed but it doesnt ask me to install the file


unlock
s-off
copied filed to SD root and changed name

 

[Brian706]

my phone is S-offed but it doesnt ask me to install the file

Then there are a couple choices for what the problem is. The file isn't named exactly right: PG86IMG.zip Make sure it's named PG86IMG and the file extension is .zip
Sometimes people name the file PG86IMG.zip which ends up being this:
PG86IMG.zip.zip

The other possible problem is that it isn't on the root of the sd card. It has to be on the root (not in any folders).

Are you booting into the bootloader with volume down +power, or using command prompt and typing adb reboot bootloader? If you are using command prompt, it actually puts you into fastboot rather than the bootloader.

 

[kemo1990]

Then there are a couple choices for what the problem is. The file isn't named exactly right: PG86IMG.zip Make sure it's named PG86IMG and the file extension is .zip
Sometimes people name the file PG86IMG.zip which ends up being this:
PG86IMG.zip.zip

The other possible problem is that it isn't on the root of the sd card. It has to be on the root (not in any folders).

Are you booting into the bootloader with volume down +power, or using command prompt and typing adb reboot bootloader? If you are using command prompt, it actually puts you into fastboot rather than the bootloader.

renamed the file and that made it work, followed the instructions and now im stuck in a bootloop
-phone is stock all i changed was s-off and unlock

 

[ramjet73]

renamed the file and that made it work, followed the instructions and now im stuck in a bootloop
-phone is stock all i changed was s-off and unlock

The all-in-one file installs an hboot that is compatible with the GB and AOSP ROM's and most of the ICS Sense based ROM's, but not with the stock ROM. You either need to flash a custom ROM at this point, or if you want to stay on the stock ROM re-flash the JBear 1.57.5757 hoot.

ramjet73

 

[kemo1990]

The all-in-one file installs an hboot that is compatible with the GB and AOSP ROM's and most of the ICS Sense based ROM's, but not with the stock ROM. You either need to flash a custom ROM at this point, or if you want to stay on the stock ROM re-flash the JBear 1.57.5757 hoot.

ramjet73

yup working fine now,thanks broseiden

 

[Essjay22]

nothing to see here

 

[necromage9]

So i recently applied this zip to upgrade my evo v from the engineering hboot to Jbear. For radio it says 1.09 something; is this correct?

 

[remanifest]

So i recently applied this zip to upgrade my evo v from the engineering hboot to Jbear. For radio it says 1.09 something; is this correct?

HBOOT and radio are two entirely different things.

 

[Brian706]

So i recently applied this zip to upgrade my evo v from the engineering hboot to Jbear. For radio it says 1.09 something; is this correct?

Well changing the hboot won't change the radio but 1.09.00.0706 is the most current radio.

 

[ramjet73]

So i recently applied this zip to upgrade my evo v from the engineering hboot to Jbear. For radio it says 1.09 something; is this correct?

Yes, that's correct.

The all-in-one zip files contain the current version of a custom recovery (4EXT or TWRP2), the JBear 1.50.5050 hboot and all the current VM firmware, which should bring your firmware level (baseband version) to 1.09.00.0706.

ramjet73