Root [QUESTION] How to Backup WiMax RSA keys

[Matlock]

I had a fellow ROOTer on the IRC unrevoked channel ask me for help to Backup the EVO WiMax RSA Keys. He showed me the thread he was using (http://forum.ppcgeeks.com) to do this. I was unable to complete a backup using this method. I'd like to add a a how-to like this to the http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies-extras.html Thread for everyone to have.

As anyone successfully done a WiMax RSA Key Backup? If so, let us know!

 

[L8AGIN]

I used this method just recently, already rooted, it went pretty smoothly.
Good way to backup WiMax RSA keys. Works before Rooting, and on stock OEM Roms. - xda-developers

 

[Matlock]

Same method as I posted.

I read that Amon_RA is able to make a wimax.img from recover. Is this correct?

 

[akazabam]

Same method as I posted.

I read that Amon_RA is able to make a wimax.img from recover. Is this correct?

Yes, it does. From what I understand, the new clockwork does too. Of course, the wimax.img from a RA nandroid would only be restorable from RA. If you'v messed around with hboot versions, it won't do you any good, either.

I suppose that's the benefit of doing it this other way.

 

[Mr. Ed]

tried doing it via terminal emulator..

no go

actually getting a little worried lol.. I can't seem to verify I have my RSA keys...but I was just using 4g a few days ago

 

[akazabam]

tried doing it via terminal emulator..

no go

actually getting a little worried lol.. I can't seem to verify I have my RSA keys...but I was just using 4g a few days ago

Hmm, that's definitely not normal. What happens when you run "grep RSA /dev/mtd/mtd0"? Is it still just hanging? Are you not in a 4g area to test it, now? Did you ever make a nandroid backup with RA when you knew it was working (to get a wimax.img)?

I'll try this other backup method in a little bit when I have a few minutes.

EDIT: I see you didn't update to the latest wimax, either. Did you change anything recently (beyond the normal stuff that couldn't cause rsa key loss)?

 

[Mr. Ed]

just splash screens, finally got the grep RSA to work just minutes ago but stll get the above when I run wimax_mtd

 

[akazabam]

just splash screens, finally got the grep RSA to work just minutes ago but stll get the above when I run wimax_mtd

So, you verified you have your keys, but the wimax_mtd command still doesn't work? That's strange. That output looks like there's a problem with your keys. It's not getting far at all. Do you happen to have a nandroid backup with RA that you can go back to as a test?

 

[Matlock]

Did a Nand backup while I was at work, and ClockworkMod 3.0 does in-fact backup the WiMax.img from the device. weather or not it fully works is not something I want to find out. But it seems to be the right size and format. I have no way of opening up the file, so no way to verify what I am looking at anyway. Not to mention, wouldn't know what the heck I was looking at. hahah

 

[Mr. Ed]

just did a aman ra backup to be safe.

hey matlock...I got error messages when trying the method above...but just looked at my sd card and I do have the RSA_key file there but with no data

very odd

 

[Matlock]

Very odd.

You have the ability to grab a 4G signal, but the RSA file is blank. Try maybe flashing ClockworkMod and making a backup, then going back to Amon_RA. See if the ClockworkMod backup as the wimax.img file with data in it. If not, we have a paradox on our hands!

*bows down to Mr. Ed's EVO*

 

[akazabam]

In linix/unix a ">" will redirect stdout (standard output) to whatever you put after the ">". In this case, it's a file. If you got errors, it will still create the file, as that's what you told it to do. Since it couldn't gather the output it needed, stdout was blank, so it wrote a blank file. That's why you have the file anyway. What is the error that you got?

 

[Mr. Ed]

backed up in clockwork this morning just to be safe. all appears to be good.

I would believe my phone being odd and quirky...though it is much better after my last creation.

I am running a sort of Frankenstein ROM where I took some elements of some guys blue themed ROM and replaced elements of Mynn's

it runs super smooth and looks awesome as a "tron" theme.

I am going to start teaching myself how to cook themes next week wooohoo

 

[Matlock]

Post a sample of your TRON-ish theme! I am kind of tempted to use Myms to see how well it runs. But I am waiting for cyanogenmod 7. ;-)

backed up in clockwork this morning just to be safe. all appears to be good.

I would believe my phone being odd and quirky...though it is much better after my last creation.

I am running a sort of Frankenstein ROM where I took some elements of some guys blue themed ROM and replaced elements of Mynn's

it runs super smooth and looks awesome as a "tron" theme.

I am going to start teaching myself how to cook themes next week wooohoo

 

[Mr. Ed]

Post a sample of your TRON-ish theme! I am kind of tempted to use Myms to see how well it runs. But I am waiting for cyanogenmod 7. ;-)

i apologize i just noticed this...I will send you what I have.

there are two ways to do it...

one was using matted blues/myns/folder organizer/launcher pro and some dloaded icons, custom icons, and wallpapers....oh and a modified widget locker.


the other way...frankentron I am trying to make flashable some how
i took the services.jar from a guys neon blue them and replaced the services.jar in myns. it worked but killed some things like the notifications toggle etc.



btw..I never realized I was mentioned in rfd thread...thank you! I am going to start a petition to get my screen name fixed so that people can actually get to my profile lol


thinking about this a little more..I am really shocked someone has not made a tool that simply backs up the wimax keys

 

[luigic81]

Yes, it does. From what I understand, the new clockwork does too. Of course, the wimax.img from a RA nandroid would only be restorable from RA. If you'v messed around with hboot versions, it won't do you any good, either.

I suppose that's the benefit of doing it this other way.

does Amon ra automatically back up the wimax keys when you do a nand? or is there a different procedure to do this in amon? Thanks

 

[akazabam]

does Amon ra automatically back up the wimax keys when you do a nand? or is there a different procedure to do this in amon? Thanks

It depends on the version. I'm still using RA 1.8 (if it isn't broken, don't fix it), so the wimax partition is automatically backed up every time I make a nandroid backup. In the newer versions, you are prompted for what to backup. You'll have to select wimax if you want to back it up. Of course, as long as you've made at least one backup with it included, you're good, just keep that particular backup in a safe place .

 

[luigic81]

It depends on the version. I'm still using RA 1.8 (if it isn't broken, don't fix it), so the wimax partition is automatically backed up every time I make a nandroid backup. In the newer versions, you are prompted for what to backup. You'll have to select wimax if you want to back it up. Of course, as long as you've made at least one backup with it included, you're good, just keep that particular backup in a safe place .

I think I have atleast 1 backup from 1.8, I'm on 2.1.1 now and these are my only options
"Backup/Restore
Nand backup :: Make a selective Nandroid backup
Nand restore :: Restore a Nandroid backup
Backup Google proprietary system files :: Makes a backup of the Google proprietary system files in /cache/google
Restore Google proprietary system files :: Restores the Google proprietary system files from /cache/google"

 

[akazabam]

When you select the option to a nand backup, it should prompt you to select which partitions to backup (data, system, cache, wimax, etc.)

EDIT: wait, 2.1.1, you say. Maybe that option wasn't until 2.2.1.

EDIT2: Yeah, I just looked at the changelog. That's option came with RA 2.2. You can update to it if you want. Otherwise, 2.1.1 should behave just like 1.8.0 in that it will just backup wimax every time.

 

[luigic81]

When you select the option to a nand backup, it should prompt you to select which partitions to backup (data, system, cache, wimax, etc.)

EDIT: wait, 2.1.1, you say. Maybe that option wasn't until 2.2.1.

EDIT2: Yeah, I just looked at the changelog. That's option came with RA 2.2. You can update to it if you want. Otherwise, 2.1.1 should behave just like 1.8.0 in that it will just backup wimax every time.

awesome thanks!

 

[dan330]

ok...
so.. just for my curiosity..
what does one do.. if they loose these Keys and dont have a backup? is the phone hosed? or can Sprint help get it back on?

 

[akazabam]

ok...
so.. just for my curiosity..
what does one do.. if they loose these Keys and dont have a backup? is the phone hosed? or can Sprint help get it back on?

There's no way for you to regenerate the unique keys put on the phone when it was first flashed. HTC *probably* has a way to do it, but there's no way you can do it, and if you go through the proper channels, you'll probably just end up with a new phone.

 

[dan330]

reading the link to get a backup these keys.. it says.. to do it... before root.

I have root and myn's warm rom.

is there an easier method?

some one said.. that a nandroid in recovery mode.. will backup these keys.
true?

 

[frenchy714]

reading the link to get a backup these keys.. it says.. to do it... before root.

I have root and myn's warm rom.

is there an easier method?

some one said.. that a nandroid in recovery mode.. will backup these keys.
true?

Yes, Amon RA recovery and newer versions of CW backup youre Wimax RSA keys when performing nandroid backups.

 

[dan330]

then I can relax