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HELP 730v HELP trying...... to get to WM6.1

Assistance required by a Guru.
USB + Power + active synch (MDC)
I’ve used
Herm Unlock v3
Magic Unlocker
CheetahUnlocker
They all run ok
I’m pretty sure the device is unlocked!
SD card is FAT32, CHEEIMG.nbh resides at the root.
Reset + left button
Rainbow screen appears
CHEE100
IPL-0.20
CHEE100
SPL-1.40.01iNex
And that is as far as It gets!!!!
it just sits there and does nothing can anyone assist ?

a011528 said:
Assistance required by a Guru.
And that is as far as It gets!!!!
it just sits there and does nothing can anyone assist ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actualy you should first understand that even if your Trëo is compatible with wm6.1 you must be sure that it is compatible with the rom that you are trying to install,
Next you should try to download the rom again so you can be sure that the rom you are trying to load is not corrupted...
and if all this is done you will probably need to try out the USBcable install mode!
Realy hope that you can solve your problem
[[]]

ROM, is the third different source (same version) to ensure no corruption.
USBcable install mode, can you provide any further details?

a011528 said:
ROM, is the third different source (same version) to ensure no corruption.
USBcable install mode, can you provide any further details?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
strange that you can't install that, it's usually very simple and fast...
let me see if I understand, you are saying that you are trying to install the file when it is connected to your computer but the "cheeming" is on the SD card?!
If that's what you are doing just unplug the USB cable, you can't sync and use your SD at the same time... Just use the POWER cable and repeat all the process...
If that doesn't work for you, you should create a folder on your computer desktop and copy the "cheeming" to that folder, next copy whatever program you have used to change the SPL to that same folder.
Make a backup of the original files from your mobile, I hope you wont need them, but you should backup anyway...
then run the program and "cross your fingers"...
in about 5 or less minutes it should be done, and your treo should be runing your new WM6.1
This is the "risky" way, because you can "brick" your Treo, and I can assure you that it isn't easy to "unbrick"!
Hope you can do it with the SDcard method.
If I can help in any other way, please post or add on msn.
[email protected]

how i flash with usb
couple things to do. download a kaiser custom ruu. unrar or unzip your new rom you want to flash. best to have seperate folder to do this. rename the rom file to RUU_signed.nbh then run the kaiser ruu and follow the steps. very simple to do. make sure active sync is enabled before doing this.

JesusFreke please read this.

Well today i had everything setup like i wanted. I had JFv1.41 rc33 version install on my g1 and a custom Theme. I wanted to switch my them for a new more looking one. So i download a new custom and install it. to my surprise i install an old them which i install. Boot the phone and got the T Mobile G1 logo and that it i get stoke there. So here why i made this tread to tell JesusFreke in the next or when ever he could add a USb toggle in recovery mode. I am stoke with this till 2 days. This will help allot of first g1 noob. Thanks for your time.

ok
A: next time make sure you download a theme that works with your version of JF
B: why didnt you put this under JF's thread?
C: if you have an update.zip(or something that can be renamed and used as such) you can go to the recovery console, type "mount sdcard", then use the basic linux commands to put it on the top directory of the sdcard and restart and load it up, thus fixing your phone. If not, you should keep on somewhere on your phone just in case such a need arises

[email protected] said:
ok
A: next time make sure you download a theme that works with your version of JF
B: why didnt you put this under JF's thread?
C: if you have an update.zip(or something that can be renamed and used as such) you can go to the recovery console, type "mount sdcard", then use the basic linux commands to put it on the top directory of the sdcard and restart and load it up, thus fixing your phone. If not, you should keep on somewhere on your phone just in case such a need arises
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you want to be a smart ha here i go.
A) People can make mistake
B)I did that because i wanted to make Jf read this thread and it will help people like me who don't really have the knowledge on using Linux easy.
C)I don't really know that much of using linux like u.

I'm sure many people send JF many PM's wanting the same thing as you do. Do you think he has the time or want to answer a question that someone else might be able to answer?

Making mistakes is something you need to be more careful about. Having root means the phone will let you do whatever you want. This means safety features that are made to protect you from yourself are not active. Read about what you are doing before doing it. That is the message n00bs need to be given.
Put the sd card in your computer, place the .nbh file on it, reboot into bootloader and downgrade your phone. Then work your way back up to JF 1.4x and read more carefully before you install themes. I know my way around the G1 very well (if I dont say so myself) but I still do not install themes. They are nice, but they are not at the point where installation is as easy or system friendly as they could be.

Blue*lable said:
C)I don't really know that much of using linux like u.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never really used Linux myself, as it seems more complicated than it's worth most of the time, but I've had no problems so far using a rooted G1, or installing custom firmwares, etc. I haven't tried themes, but from what little I've read into it, not only does it seem fairly straight forward, but I've also noticed quite a few of them warn the user that they need to be running the Lite version of JF 1.4x before they install a theme because otherwise there simply isn't room. That said, it's not up to JF to babysit everyone that decides to delve into the unknown.

I dont understand what your problem is,
if u dont know about linux buy an microsd to SD adapter, extract microsd from your phone and use a computer to copy JF's latest update.zip to your card and then upgrade usual way
what is the problem?

JesusFreke if your reading this I just wanted to say "Hi" and "Thanks" and ... and.... Ummm ...

Everyone in here relax.
Try not to direct threads to a specific person. This is a developement thread. You want a specific someone to read something, send them a PM. If you are lucky he will read it, if he doesnt have them turned off.

Hello all - real quick question for rom extract and update build

I have been messing around with a G1 I have had on loan for a little bit and just bought the Google Magic / Ion from ebay the one release from dev convention but anyway I want to start messing around with that one for a little and was wondering how I would be able to pull the current build from it and turn into a update.zip or img that i would be able to flash back and will also post online to try other builds and so forth. This one seems like is speical for that phone as has a custom boot screen and so forth not really sure about the rest of features or anything. and also already being fully unlocked is nice if I want to stay with T-Mo or bounce ship but also to get a start on software dev. Any help on how to pull the build and package in an update file would be very helpfull and like I said if it can be done and you guys want I will post it online too.

YES i would like to know too how to create the update.zip from a nand backup. thanx

I think after doing more research I should be able in theory to follow haykuros guide and obtain root and pull the files with adb but that would be like a rooted backup then I guess. I think that should work. But was wondering about just like a stock backup of possible.

I think it is impossible to make a non-root backup from what I have seen, as the backup process itself is only made possible by having root access.
The reason why it was not possible is that, if you are able to backup the whole thing, you may be able to crack the apps downloaded from app market (considering that they are java programs, and consider how -easy- to crack java programs).

On further tests without doing mods to phone it is capable of fast boot I know I can pull system and data imgs for different aspects would it be possible to pull recovery and maybe or how I might be able to turn that to a nbh

Well I was able to find recovery files from htc at the following address:
http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/google-io-device.html
But I am pretty sure that this does not include the spl. Is there a way I can pull it from the phone.

This also may be moot as I was looking thru the rooting files. Does not look like the bootloader is replaced at all but yeh if anyone can say how to backup I will post for all as well.

I do not know if I understood what you all want
but you dont need to make a update.zip from your nand backup
just put the files of your nandroid backup - the img files - into your tools folder of the android sdk
open your windows cmd
change to the tools folder of your android sdk
start your phone in fastboot (the one with the skaterboards)
connect your phone to the pc
and enter the following commands
fastboot erase system -w
fastboot erase boot
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash userdata data.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot reboot
with this you will put the files from your nandbackup on your phone and everything is restored

Yeh I have nandroid backups of my g1 muliple times and was never really worried about it. This great community has had 3 different versions of the SPL on the pages. I was looking to try and make a full nbh file of it like for rc29 on dream or a way to pull the bootloader as well. All other default images, radio, system , data, is pulled with adb and then also can be downloaded from htc but do not include spl at all. Not sure if rooting it will change the spl but would like to pull anyway to see what can tweak on it.

Rogers HTC Dream - froyo update

Question to those who have updating their Dream from Rogers, was it at all slow or where their noticeable improvements?
I have one at my disposal but running stock OS (1.5/1.6 i assume). Anyone have a nice and easy to follow tutorial to update this phone without hassles? Also does updating android OS require rooting the device?
Thanks in advance.

Bloodyskullz said:
Question to those who have updating their Dream from Rogers, was it at all slow or where their noticeable improvements?
I have one at my disposal but running stock OS (1.5/1.6 i assume). Anyone have a nice and easy to follow tutorial to update this phone without hassles? Also does updating android OS require rooting the device?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this:
http://theunlockr.com/category/howto/android_how_tos/htc-g1-dream-how-tos/
Follow instructions. This seems to me to be the easiest guide. Be careful of the Rogers/T-Mobile thing. Seems there are different radio's and such. I don't know anything about Rogers. As far as Roms, I use HTCclay's Superfly TCBY. Lot of memory left on phone. Just try a few to see which you like. Good Luck.
By the way, you do have to be rooted. The guide will walk you through it.

crz6662 said:
try this:
http://theunlockr.com/category/howto/android_how_tos/htc-g1-dream-how-tos/
Follow instructions. This seems to me to be the easiest guide. Be careful of the Rogers/T-Mobile thing. Seems there are different radio's and such. I don't know anything about Rogers. As far as Roms, I use HTCclay's Superfly TCBY. Lot of memory left on phone. Just try a few to see which you like. Good Luck.
By the way, you do have to be rooted. The guide will walk you through it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say to try the ROM in my sig (the stock ROM)
works for g1 and 32B Magic

he is going to need the EBI1 kernel to go with the rom.

Ok I am reviving this thread because I want to make sure I am following the right steps in doing so. Don't want to mess this up.
Successfully rooted the phone following video I found in the second post of this thread. Can't link you to it because I am still a new member =S! I checked the radio version of the phone and it is 3.22.20.17. Which ROM is recommended?As I said, I just want to get rid of this terrible stock rom from rogers and put froyo (which in turn also allows me to get touch screen keyboard activated) on here.
Thanks in advance.

With that radio you will need to flash ebi1 kernels after you flash the roms.
I completely forgot that Rogers blocked the virtual keyboard with their firmware. That's such bull****.
Sent from my HTC Hero using XDA App

asb123 said:
With that radio you will need to flash ebi1 kernels after you flash the roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you have more information in the link in your sig. Question: Can you re up the RS link you have there? Also, rooting the phone just means that you have the app called Superuser?
Now I get quite lost the moment you start explaining the options HTC Dream users have. Is there a recommended ROM to download for this phone considering its specs?
I completely forgot that Rogers blocked the virtual keyboard with their firmware. That's such bull****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is sad that rogers has done this. Do whatever they can to screw the consumers over. Just found out it is 1.5.

Any help on this?

Ok still lost on trying to do this and want to follow the set up from cyanogen but its really complicated. I don't want to make a backup of contacts and stuff because it wasn't originally my phone.
Do I still need the amon_ra's recovery?

Bloodyskullz said:
Ok still lost on trying to do this and want to follow the set up from cyanogen but its really complicated. I don't want to make a backup of contacts and stuff because it wasn't originally my phone.
Do I still need the amon_ra's recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think of what you need to do:
1) Obtain root access so that you can flash a new recovery
2) Replace recovery so that you can flash new SPL
3) Flash new SPL so that you can be more compatible with roms / kernels
4) Flash a new rom (IE/ Cyanogenmod 6), and a compatible EBI1 kernel (for instance, Brian Crook's ones on the Cyanogenmod website)
Without getting into huge detail, you do it in this order to prevent your device from being unable to boot / recover.

You can flash the new RADIO and SPL from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=831139
Along with that, you use the appropriate supported +14MB EBI0 kernel.
More RAM is good

Well that makes sense.
Now I am following the Cyanogen wiki link (can't post there) and it says to launch flash rec but I can't understand from where I have to do this. Anyone care to help? And how does the Andriod SDK help?

Bloodyskullz said:
Well that makes sense.
Now I am following the Cyanogen wiki link (can't post there) and it says to launch flash rec but I can't understand from where I have to do this. Anyone care to help? And how does the Andriod SDK help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Andriod sdk has the adb component needed to initiate commands to your device from your computer. then you need the android windows usb drivers.after installing sdk to see if you have connection with your device, open console on your computer start>run>type cmd and hit enter at the prompt type adb you should get several lines back kind of an options menu. at next prompt type adb devices. if your device is recognized you will get back:
device XXXXXXXX (this will be an actual number).
if you dont get any devices back with your phone attached to usb then you probably need the driver. just google it.
as for flashrec I dont believe I used this. I used exploid to gain root and install 1.33.2005 spl

Where do I get the android driver for windows (7 64bit specifically)? Adb command aint working in my cmd.
So what do I do about flashrec? Man updating this thing is driving me nuts. So many unexpected curves.

I also have Windows 7 64bit and I didn't need a driver it just works for me. Please tell us exactly what you are typing in and what output you are getting. You could also try the instruction to install the usb driver here:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/win-usb.html
What is your build number in settings? If it is 1.89.631.1 you are following the wrong guide. (see the top of that guide)

beav_35 said:
I also have Windows 7 64bit and I didn't need a driver it just works for me. Please tell us exactly what you are typing in and what output you are getting. You could also try the instruction to install the usb driver here:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/win-usb.html
What is your build number in settings? If it is 1.89.631.1 you are following the wrong guide. (see the top of that guide)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I type in ADB command it just states that the command is not recognized (even when SDK is open).
Build number 1.85.631.5.
Now when I turn on phone it accepts it after I plug it into computer. I can mount sd card to copy files without issue.
Do I need another tutorial (preferably video since its easier for me but text is just fine)?

Bloodyskullz said:
When I type in ADB command it just states that the command is not recognized (even when SDK is open).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesn't mean that it can't find your phone, it means that it can't find the adb.exe.
Bloodyskullz said:
Build number 1.85.631.5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a pre-911 build. Don't see too many of those any more. Rogers harassed everyone into updating.
Bloodyskullz said:
Now when I turn on phone it accepts it after I plug it into computer. I can mount sd card to copy files without issue.
Do I need another tutorial (preferably video since its easier for me but text is just fine)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial76.html
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=502010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3SpI7m7mFI

Does the zip file for the android SDK make a difference if I can't install it through the .exe? It keeps saying that it doesnt detect the Java SDK when I try to install.

Yes, you can use the .zip. Extract it, run setup.exe, install Platform-tools, cd to the platform-tools directory then you can use adb. Fastboot is in the tools directory. That was just changed in the 2.3 sdk update so I don't know if the guide has been updated yet.

beav_35 said:
Yes, you can use the .zip. Extract it, run setup.exe, install Platform-tools, cd to the platform-tools directory then you can use adb. Fastboot is in the tools directory. That was just changed in the 2.3 sdk update so I don't know if the guide has been updated yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only .exe file in the zip is the SDK Manager which isnt exactly an install.

[Q] 100% Original Stock ROM backup before root?

Hi there,
I am new to xda and new to Android hacking.
What I wanna ask is, (I guess it's of most newbies concern as well), can we have a 100% backup of our system (stock ROM)? Obviously, it is important because:
If we perform an official (OTA) update to a new Android version. And we don't like it. It is possible to get back to the old original one which we are used to. (not everybody likes new things, and/or not every new thing is good)
If our phones are having some problems. And we have to give it back to the company for a fix. In most cases they will flash a new ROM for us. If we wanna keep using the old one (explained in #1), we have to keep a copy of it by ourselves.
If we want to try new custom ROMs, we may want to switch it back after trying.
Whenever we do any modifications, it's always better to keep a backup/roll-back point. In case anything goes wrong, we have a safeguard.
For the official warranty issue.
Yup I do see there are some official stock ROMs downloads for some particular phones. But those are not really a backup of our original ROMs. And it's always hard to verify if those downloads are the original official releases. And, if those downloads are 100% stock ROMs, this means some guys out there could make it, so what is the way to do so?
Or, how those mobile phone companies do it in their labs?
I have been doing researches on this topic for a few days. Some posts claim that their methods are "backup stock ROM" or "backup before rooting". But after digging into it, they requires rooting and/or flashing CWM. Here comes a few questions:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
In addition, I have found some related pieces. which could be useful to anyone viewing this post, and might be useful for you to solve this (my) question. :fingers-crossed:
* as I'm a new user, I can't post links directly. Please delete the blank spaces in between.
ht tp://www .modaco .com/topic/351269-backup-original-rom/
In reply #5, user C3C0 raised a method of backing up the original stock ROM without root. But it seems he is flashing CWM and that method is only for ZTE Skate.
adb backup tool of Android SDK
At the first sight i came across this approach, I thought it is the official method to do whole system (ROM) backup (WOW - how nice!). But after studying for a few more posts, I think adb backup can only backup app+app_data, and possibly some system settings only. Am I correct? And also, adb backup is only for ICS (Android 4.0), isn't it?
adb backup usage: ht tp://forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=1420351
(But mentioned in the bottom of #1 the poster is having some issues on using adb backup. Perhaps there are some bugs and not reliable(?)
One more question on adb backup: Can it backup just one app+app_data, and restore just one app+app_data, without affecting other things? If yes, we don't need to root and don't need Titanium Backup (which requires root) for backup app+app_data. Isn't it?
** In case I have said anything or any terms wrongly in this thread, please DO correct me, for helping me and helping others.
P.S. i am using LG Optimus 3D.
Thanks a lot, wholeheartedly,
midnite_

Backup phone before root
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er

ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ya,
It's so nice that you are having the same concern as I do.
As far as i know, the approaches of rooting differ from phones to phones. So we may have to find our own specific rooting method in the phone model sub-forums. It won't be hard for your popular S3
I would like to have a look at that Mr. Robinson's thread. If he can backup the stock ROM, those app+app_data wont a big issue (i guess).
cheers,
midnite_

midnite_ said:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, http://www.android.com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.

wildstang83 said:
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, ht tp://www .android .com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out ht tp://developer .android .com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: ht tp://developer .android .com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Wildstang,
Thanks very much for your warm welcome and very informative reply. So are you a Flashaholics or Crackflashers yet?
As I am a newbie, please forgive me if I am asking dumb questions.
As far as I understand,
The steps of root is
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
** does "flash a custom recovery" means "flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk"?
"Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk" is just "add SU binary to system/bin" and "add Superuser.apk to system/app". Then why not just copy them into place?
I just found on the web that "flashing" means replacing the OS of the phone with a new ROM. Would that still keeping the stock ROM?
To have a backup of the original stock ROM, can I
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
3. Perform the backup
And later, after I have flashed a new ROM, or whatever I do, as long as I didn't brick it, when I want to rollback my phone to its original, I can
1. Restore the backup
2. Delete "SU binary in system/bin" and "Superuser.apk in system/app"
3. re-lock the bootloader
Is this correct?
I don't mean to challenge you. But does adb pull \ really backup the system, or just all the files?
Thanks very much again!
midnite_

Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.

bump... midnite_ r u still around?

Hi Descent2,
Yes i am still around but i am busy with other stuffs at this moment. Thanks very much for your reply. You have studied a lot and you really did good summarisations. Very informative and I learnt a lot from it. Hope some of the masters or experienced ones would come by and bring us out of the mist
cheers,
midnite_
Descent2 said:
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

check here
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
mf2112 said:
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You must unlock your bootloader then flash a custom recovery. You will then use that custom recovery to make a backup of your rom. That backup will be stored on your sd card.
Now, I have tried to help you and so have a couple other folks. You expect us to just give you answers step by step. I am sorry but this is simply not how XDA works. XDA is set up in a way which makes it for any users to find quickly what they want to know. Use the search feature on the site and you will find many answers. I tell you to go do your own research now and be proud of what you learn on your own. And if you cannot, please do not try to modify your phone further, you may just brick it if you aren't careful.

midnite_ said:
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put in the GS3 links since the OP was using that phone. Every phone will be different so I don't think a general way or guide would be practical.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium