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Easy way to root New DCharge running factory stock EE4?

I just got a new Droid Charge today. It has the factory stock EE4, and I would like to root it. I have been reading and research this forum, and I am looking for some additional info.
Is there a way to root directly from factory EE4, or is it even possible from this point to go to stock ED1 root using Odin and update update update to ED4 from there?
Eager to get my root on!
Thanks.

Install one of the Voodoo kernels from the development section... they automatically root you on boot.
If you don't want the Voodoo file system converts ions, be due to read the instructions inch how to disable it.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

If you don't want Voodoo, install my novoodoo kernel.

Try this. Should have all the links you need right now. I won't be able to keep it up to date because it's locked, but it's still valid today

distortedloop said:
Install one of the Voodoo kernels from the development section... they automatically root you on boot.
If you don't want the Voodoo file system converts ions, be due to read the instructions inch how to disable it.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a complete noob to Android before Friday. Didn't know a thing. Got all the OTA updates and was at stock EE4. I basically spent several days reading the forums and trying to understand everything. After doing so I was successful!
So, this is what I did. You need to use something that can be flashed with Odin first.
1. Flash JTs kernel (only) not one of the EE4 ROMs. I found that trying to flash an entire ROM didn't work in Odin because it couldn't find a PIT file even though I wasn't telling it to re-partition.
2. Then I flashed the entire EE4 deodexed with JT's kernel (posted by DroidXIcon) which included a working CWM.
3. Once you can recovery boot to CWM you're golden.
4. I went ahead and flashed the GummyCharged (and its awesome!)
5. I'm about to flash the PBJ kernel after seeing the speed improvements posted here in the forum.
One thing I found was that SuperUser wasn't working quite right from the ROM so I went to the market and updated it, which when I re-ran Superuser asked if I wanted to install an update at which point it requested root access and I was able to grant it. From then on, any application (titantium backup) that requested root, the notification appeared properly.
Cheers and Best of Luck!

[Q] New to Charge, some questions.

I purchased a Charge today, and I'm trying to make sense of the options. I was spoiled with the ease by which one could modify my first Android phone, the Eris. I was just getting comfortable with the methods used to modify Motorola phones with my latest Droid X, and now I find myself a Samsung owner. Having spent the better part of the last two days reading threads, I'm starting to piece together the world of Charge. I'm hoping those here with more experience can validate some of my assumptions and fill in the blanks where needed on the items below.
1) How do you translate EE4, EP1W... etc? I assume these align to versions of Android, but what tells me what version (example: does EE4 = 2.2.1?)?
2) Flashing data onto the phone... I see instructions on both Odin and ClockWork Recovery (CWR). So, Odin is a PC based program which is used to flash .tar or .tar.md5 files onto the phone and CWR is initially installed via Odin. From there, one could use CWR to flash ROMs that are are stored on the flash card of your phone. Is there a version of CWR that can create a complete backup of the current status of your phone (similar to a NAND backup on the Eris)? Does the current version of CRW successfully restore these backups? I assume Odin vs. CMR is just preference, depending on how the cook wanted to create the ROM, correct? Is it possible to remove CWR once it is installed, i.e. is there a stock recovery available to be flashed via Odin?
3) Rooting... From what I can tell, rooting this phone is achieved by replacing the stock kernel with a kernel modified to grant root access, either directly or as packaged with a ROM, with either CWR or Odin, correct? I have come across previous posts speaking of "one click" methods that appear to no longer be valid, and methods only for EE4, etc. I cannot discern what is the correct method by which to obtain root access on a phone that is purchased as of today (15Oct11) (which goes to question 1, what does EE4 mean). Ideally, I would like to obtain root access without changing ROMs. Is this achieved by using Odin (or CWR) to flash a rooted kernel? Can anyone provide input here?
4) ROMs / kernels / compatibility..... The "Flashing Roms with Odin 1.82 GB 2.3.4 edition" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1160580) and "Get a rooted version of EE4" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14692818) threads give good descriptions of how to flash a ROM and the HOW TO thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1107797) contains links to several ROMs, but reading through the posts I've noticed little mention of weather the ROM provides root access and what else is required with the ROM (additional flash for correct kernel or radio). Is it to be assumed all of the ROMs posted include root? Do each of the ROMs require a kernel with root access be installed before or after? What are the compatibility concerns with different ROMs and different kernels? Another "New to Charge" thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285473&page=2) states that as long as the ROM is matched to the kernel (i.e. Gingerbread ROM with Gingerbread kernel) there will be no issues, but are there any other compatibility concerns?
Thanks for any help you guys can provide to help me get up to speed with the Charge.

I'll try and help you out here. You are right, EE4/EP1W/EP3 all refer to the version of Android with EP3 being the latest leaked build of version 2.3.5. As for your second question some roms are ODIN only such as the EP3 roms/radios/ect. I believe all the EE4 roms are able to be flashed just by using CWR. The GB roms require you to use odin due to the file containing a kernal and radios specific to GB. I have found that the backup and recovery functions do work in CWR but as a safety precaution I also purchased Samsung Odin Maker created by P3Droid from the market. The app allows you to create a complete odin file of all settings and info stored on your phone that you can use in case something ever goes wrong. On the note of things going potentially wrong I would also search the forums for the stock EE4 odin file as well as the PIT file. This is going to be needed in the occurance of something going wrong while flashing a rom or needing to return the phone back to stock. If I can find the links for those files I will post them here for ya.
Sent from my HUMBLE by Danalo1979 using XDA App

dandaman96 said:
I purchased a Charge today, and I'm trying to make sense of the options. I was spoiled with the ease by which one could modify my first Android phone, the Eris. I was just getting comfortable with the methods used to modify Motorola phones with my latest Droid X, and now I find myself a Samsung owner. Having spent the better part of the last two days reading threads, I'm starting to piece together the world of Charge. I'm hoping those here with more experience can validate some of my assumptions and fill in the blanks where needed on the items below.
1) How do you translate EE4, EP1W... etc? I assume these align to versions of Android, but what tells me what version (example: does EE4 = 2.2.1?)?
2) Flashing data onto the phone... I see instructions on both Odin and ClockWork Recovery (CWR). So, Odin is a PC based program which is used to flash .tar or .tar.md5 files onto the phone and CWR is initially installed via Odin. From there, one could use CWR to flash ROMs that are are stored on the flash card of your phone. Is there a version of CWR that can create a complete backup of the current status of your phone (similar to a NAND backup on the Eris)? Does the current version of CRW successfully restore these backups? I assume Odin vs. CMR is just preference, depending on how the cook wanted to create the ROM, correct? Is it possible to remove CWR once it is installed, i.e. is there a stock recovery available to be flashed via Odin?
3) Rooting... From what I can tell, rooting this phone is achieved by replacing the stock kernel with a kernel modified to grant root access, either directly or as packaged with a ROM, with either CWR or Odin, correct? I have come across previous posts speaking of "one click" methods that appear to no longer be valid, and methods only for EE4, etc. I cannot discern what is the correct method by which to obtain root access on a phone that is purchased as of today (15Oct11) (which goes to question 1, what does EE4 mean). Ideally, I would like to obtain root access without changing ROMs. Is this achieved by using Odin (or CWR) to flash a rooted kernel? Can anyone provide input here?
4) ROMs / kernels / compatibility..... The "Flashing Roms with Odin 1.82 GB 2.3.4 edition" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1160580) and "Get a rooted version of EE4" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14692818) threads give good descriptions of how to flash a ROM and the HOW TO thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1107797) contains links to several ROMs, but reading through the posts I've noticed little mention of weather the ROM provides root access and what else is required with the ROM (additional flash for correct kernel or radio). Is it to be assumed all of the ROMs posted include root? Do each of the ROMs require a kernel with root access be installed before or after? What are the compatibility concerns with different ROMs and different kernels? Another "New to Charge" thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285473&page=2) states that as long as the ROM is matched to the kernel (i.e. Gingerbread ROM with Gingerbread kernel) there will be no issues, but are there any other compatibility concerns?
Thanks for any help you guys can provide to help me get up to speed with the Charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lockett said:
I'll try and help you out here. You are right, EE4/EP1W/EP3 all refer to the version of Android with EP3 being the latest leaked build of version 2.3.5. As for your second question some roms are ODIN only such as the EP3 roms/radios/ect. I believe all the EE4 roms are able to be flashed just by using CWR. The GB roms require you to use odin due to the file containing a kernal and radios specific to GB. I have found that the backup and recovery functions do work in CWR but as a safety precaution I also purchased Samsung Odin Maker created by P3Droid from the market. The app allows you to create a complete odin file of all settings and info stored on your phone that you can use in case something ever goes wrong. On the note of things going potentially wrong I would also search the forums for the stock EE4 odin file as well as the PIT file. This is going to be needed in the occurance of something going wrong while flashing a rom or needing to return the phone back to stock. If I can find the links for those files I will post them here for ya.
Sent from my HUMBLE by Danalo1979 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well that answers 1 and 2... 3) no you do not necessarily need to flash a custom kernel or rom to gain root however you are right that the roms/kernels will root you. there are no one click root methods that work properly with the Charge, at most will give you temp root that you will lose on next bootup. If you want root but to stay stock all you need to do is Odin CWM onto your phone and flash this: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/34782489/su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip and presto when you boot your phone you'll be rooted. Also the 'EE4' they put on the box with the build date is the build thats on the phone when they ship it, I guess so they can keep track in their system or check if you return it.
4) those are good threads with reliable steps on how to flash though the rom/kernel links in them may be a little dated, I would look at the individual rom thread in the Development section for the most up to date. As stated before most if not all roms and kernels will root you when flashed or Odined, but if not (and it happens occasionally) just flash that superuser I linked in CWM and it'll root you. No the roms do not require a kernel to be installed first, as a matter of fact most rom packages will contain a kernel that will install itself with the rom. For the most part kernels and roms are independent as long as the android version is the same, for example only GB kernels can be flashed with GB roms and Froyo kernels with Froyo roms etc. You can read up in the kernel threads on any issues with compatibility.
Hope this helps

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

Help with my Rogers Infuse 4g

I am a noobie that is true. I recently rooted my phone because the gpps was not working and the steps to improve gps did not work. It may be that my phone is defective.
So I went to the thread that detailed how to unroot my phone and bring it back to stock but it is confusing to me.
Here is my dillemma:
"Okay so from the help of GTG I removed the Root off the stock rom."
What is GTG??
There are a list of things to do. Do you all of them?
1. INFUSE 4G -- BACK TO STOCK 2.3.3 GINGERBREAD METHOD --
2. RETURN TO UXKG3 KERNEL:
3. MAKE SURE VOODOOLAG FIX IS DISABLED!
So, what do I do? It is a bit cryptic and I need a fairly detailed step by step to bring my phone back to stock.
Thanks!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1326143
So did you read the info and directions...?
Gtg is the name of the dev that put together the method and thread where you got your info from...

I took a gamble and figured that I just need to follow step 1. I am hoping that it works...
I did what the Odin steps detailed. factory reset my phone. Tried to remove Superuser and busybox but could not. Now what? Do I go to step 2. ?
I read through the thread on Rogers and the last post reads:
"Thanks, but I don't want to flash an unsigned kernel first, as that will void my warranty. I need a pure stock package because I'm just moving from non-root AT&T to non-root Rogers."
So does it really bring my phone back to stock? And if I can't remove Superuser and Busybox from system I can't return my phone to rogers.

Yes...
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

Ok I have tried countless times following the steps to bring my Rogers phone back its retail stock condition and I am not at all successful. Can someone who has done this please write the steps out in a manner that even a non developer could follow?

Basically what you are doing is the same thing as rooting the phone, but instead of the rooted kernel you are using the unrooted kernel (the second link in the root thread)
So it's like this:
Rooted Kernel = Odin_Infused_Gingerbread_Kernel_v1.zip
Stock Kernel = Odin_Stock_Rogers_UXKG3_Kernel.zip
they are both flashed the same way, through odin.
Before you start anything you have to make sure voodoo lagfix is disabled (check if there is a voodoo folder on your internal memory, check if there is a disable-lagfix folder inside. If not, make one)
What you want to do is flash the rooted kernel first, then the stock kernel. You then do as is said in the instructions:
Download Root explorer from market & locate and delete:
/system/xbin/su
/system/xbin/busybox
/system/app/Superuser
after that factory reset (settings > privacy > factory reset) and you will lose root and be completely stock.

I, myself am having trouble finding a working link to download:
Odin_Stock_Rogers_UXKG3_Kernel.zip
Does anyone know where I can download this, please?

its in the OP of that thread:
http://minus.com/moAvVibed/

threi_ said:
its in the OP of that thread:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I was able to get my phone back to stock and started over. ICS is back on my phone. Hopefully this will be the last issue for a little while!

Stock GB Rogers to JB questions

I've been sitting on my stock Rogers Infuse 4G since I got it, hoping that they would at the very least release an update to ICS. I've pretty much given up all hope, especially now since the Infuse was listed as one of the "violators" in the recent lawsuit. So, in giving up there, I've started to try and get up to speed with what's available in terms of custom ROMs for the Infuse, etc...
I previously had a Captivate (seems like I pick the wrong phones) and have kept that one stock as well (now my wife's phone) aside from the official 2.3.3 update Samsung came out with for it. I checked in here once in a while to try and keep track of some of the updates as I thought about going for a custom rom, but I never had the balls to try anything (I've only ever flashed one phone in my life, and it was bought 2nd hand for $20 ) since I actually *must have* a working phone due to having a kid (daycare calls are kind of important!). However checking today, it seems like I am totally out of the loop and I just don't have the time to try and wade through thousands of pages on various threads to find out what the current "ways" are and such... but I know what I want to achieve so I'm hoping you folks are nice enough to at the very least give me a "search you noob" and point me to some threads :silly:
Since I'm totally stock, from what I'm gathering I think I need (and really I more of need a complete checklist of things to do rather than a "do it for me" kind of thing) to do is:
1) jot down my modem and apn settings and such (already done)
2) back up everything i need, pop out sd card (know how to do this)
3) wipe/clear to factory default (... and this)
4) back up the current rom - everything in case I want to return back to exactly the way the phone is stock
5) figure out what i need to do to flash CWM or something so I have the necessary recovery mode options?
6) flash to ICS (since from what I gather, I need to do that if I want to go to JB)?
7) follow instructions I found on the unnoficial CM10 JB thread to flash to JB
?) flash a new kernel? (is this done already during a rom flash; are there any new kernels?)
As commented, I can figure out 1-3 since I'm not stupid, but I have no idea what is even needed to do 4, nor do I know exactly all the tiny, necessary, steps to do the rest after that... especially since reading some things it seems like most of this is for AT&T users and since I'm on Rogers with a I997R (I assume the R means Rogers), I don't want to mess up my modem or other things to prevent the phone working for me... and these are the steps I'm hoping people can help me with.
So far, in prep, I've noted my phone info (basically everything in Phone settings) and I can back up all my apps and such that I care about, and I've downloaded the unofficial CM10 JB download and the Google apps apk as well, and on the same thread was a link to a 1-click ICS flash or something... so I got that too. Since I want to end up with JB, I'm not too concerned (or should I be?) with it being AT&T stuff to get to ICS, since it's the JB flash that I'd really want to ensure works for me.
Is anyone willing to help me out? I really wish I didn't have to be the "next loser" to make a thread like this but I just haven't had the time to be able to keep up with all the info going around (voodoo mods and whatever else?!) to be able to make sense of all this myself!
Thank you!

This looks like a good place for you to start
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1197248&highlight=how+to+root+rogers

First thing to do of course is read, read, read. Understanding what you are doing and why you are doing it is the most valuable resource you can have.
The gist of it is though: to install the custom updated roms, you need root. For Rogers infuse users that is very easy to do; all you have to do is install a rooted kernel in odin. After you do that you make a nandroid (and/or EFS) backup, and install whatever rom you want. CM9 and CM10 have their own kernel, so don't worry about that.
adfurgerson posted the step-by-step guide above me, although the links in the OP may be down. I have the mirrors here: http://minus.com/moAvVibed/
the 3 files in there are:
Odin_Infused_Gingerbread_Kernel_v1.zip - This is the rooted kernel you are flashing
Odin_Stock_Rogers_UXKG3_Kernel.zip - This is the stock rogers unrooted kernel if you want to unroot and go COMPLETELY stock for whatever reason (I doubt you will ever need to use this tbh)
Odin_UXKG3_rooted_no_bootloaders_v2.zip - The stock Rogers FIRMWARE. If you ever mess up you use this to "start from scratch". You will still be rooted though if you don't use the stock kernel above.
So yeah, just flash the kernel in odin as described in the above thread and you will have root + cwm.
From there you reboot into cwm (turn off, turn on holding vol+ and vol- buttons) and make a nandroid backup of your stock rogers rom (or an EFS backup with the infuse toolkit: click here), flash CM9 as per the instructions in the OP, and finally CM10 as per the instructions in the OP.
Also remember:
1. The infuse is almost impossible to hard brick. The only real way to do so is to improperly flash bootloaders, which a rogers infuse user will never have to do. Only AT&T users coming from Froyo have to do it. So keep that in mind.
2. On the chance that you get soft-bricked (screen won't go past samsung logo for example) you can always go back to flashing the stock rom/rooted kernel again in odin and start all over again.

The only thing that I can add to Threi's excellent reply is to mention the one click to ICS. It is in the first post of Scott's CM10 thread,it should give you the ICS recovery that is needed to flash JB without flashing a full ICS ROM.

I suppose I should have mentioned that I also have rooted my phone already (used SuperOneClick, worked fine). Is there any reason why I would use that "rooted kernel" versus just having root on my phone (ie, having su installed... dunno what else it did, I don't think it did anything to my kernel)?
I guess my biggest unknown is all the backup processes that can be done and how to do them? Is "nandroid" a one stop shop for doing backups of everything? Although there's the complete stock Rogers rom linked above (which I'll nab anyways!), I was thinking I would try to make a complete copy of my own phone (just in case)... I guess next step is to search for "nanroid"
Are there any other backup tools I could use/check out (not apk backup tools... those are easily located in the app store, or performed with adb myself).

j.smith said:
I suppose I should have mentioned that I also have rooted my phone already (used SuperOneClick, worked fine). Is there any reason why I would use that "rooted kernel" versus just having root on my phone (ie, having su installed... dunno what else it did, I don't think it did anything to my kernel)?
I guess my biggest unknown is all the backup processes that can be done and how to do them? Is "nandroid" a one stop shop for doing backups of everything? Although there's the complete stock Rogers rom linked above (which I'll nab anyways!), I was thinking I would try to make a complete copy of my own phone (just in case)... I guess next step is to search for "nanroid"
Are there any other backup tools I could use/check out (not apk backup tools... those are easily located in the app store, or performed with adb myself).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a kernel is how you obtain cwm which allows you to flash custom ROMs(cwm is clockwork mod recovery). A nandroid is a backup you create in cwm that is copy of your phone that will return your phone to the exact state it was at the time backup was made.

adfurgerson said:
Flashing a kernel is how you obtain cwm which allows you to flash custom ROMs(cwm is clockwork mod recovery). A nandroid is a backup you create in cwm that is copy of your phone that will return your phone to the exact state it was at the time backup was made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, perfect description. I didn't realize I had to get a new kernel to have CWM... and I'm guessing because of signing and such, that a custom kernel (with CWM) is required in order to flash a non-signed rom, which is why you couldn't just do it on stock, right?
Ok, so now armed with that info that clears up a lot, I guess I have just one question left (which I can probably find the answer to with some searching). I have read what that voodoo lagfix is and is this something that is standard now on all kernels (because if it can cause issues, I'd rather just have a kernel without it)? Are there any "rooted" kernels without the lagfix built in so I don't have to remember about disabling the lagfix? ...or is there a way to install CWM on to my current kernel?
*edit* Ok, I realize I might be a bit too picky about the voodoo lagfix thing. I found two good threads on dealing with Rogers specifically, so I'll read over those (and suck it up about voodoo) and see how it goes. Since my vacation got unfortunately cancelled due to a sick kid, I have some time to experiment this weekend... hopefully ending up with JB on my phone!

Glad to see your on you're on the way to JB. After you install a custom kernel be sure to make a nandroid in the backup and restore option of CWM before you flash a ROM. That is like your safety net, if you wiped everything and had a bad download that wouldn't install, you will have a nandroid to restore.

adfurgerson said:
Glad to see your on you're on the way to JB. After you install a custom kernel be sure to make a nandroid in the backup and restore option of CWM before you flash a ROM. That is like your safety net, if you wiped everything and had a bad download that wouldn't install, you will have a nandroid to restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just flashed the rooted cwm kernel and performed a backup. I read somewhere that you can/should back up your efs in case you lose your imei... so I'm just going to quickly look in to that, then i wipe and do some flashes to jb... shouldn't take long hopefully!

Ok, I seem to be stuck at trying to get the one-click ICS install to work. I've got the EZUpdater package to ensure I have the right drivers, yet everything I try with the one-click seems to tell me that the drivers aren't installed and then launches an installer which also doesn't seem to detect the phone... yet EZUpdater will run fine, etc...
I'm just about to reboot and launch device driver in a mode to list all hidden/previously installed devices and nuke them from history to hopefully purge my system of all traces of any drivers and install EZUpdater one more time to get the drivers installed.
Any reason why my phone wouldn't show up in this one-click (it uses heimdall or whatever) program, but seems to work in most everything else (adb even runs fine)?
*edit*
Got it all working! I couldn't get the one-click ICS to work for the life of me... it just didn't see the drivers even though they were there and working. I guessed maybe it had to do with me running Windows 7 x64 and having x64 drivers, but the one-click maybe being 32bit. I even tried installing the x64 Java JRE but didn't seem to make any difference.
I ended up having to flash CM9 which worked fine, then going to CM10. Had no issues doing that... wish I had just tried that before since that one-click wasted hours of my day and got me somewhat frustrated!

[Q] Want to wipe and keep root in 9.16.6 Razr Maxx HD - what are my options?

The goal: Get my sluggish phone (Razr Maxx HD, JB 4.1.2, currently 9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US, rooted, bootloader locked) to be less sluggish.
The proposed method: Wipe phone and start over.
The "problem": Because I am rooted and want to stay that way, I am aware that I can't just do a factory reset. I believe that I need to unroot first, then wipe, then reroot. But there are many more possible methods to do this than there were before and I'm having trouble figuring out which might be the best method for me (or which will even work, at all).
Background: If I had just blindly done what I did the last time I wiped (I think I was starting from ICS 0.7.2 last time, not JB), I would have backed up everything, used DROID_RAZR_HD_Utility1.10 which I have from before (dates appear to be 1/28/2013) to go back to 0.6.25.X926., and, using the zip files I have from before, go from 0.6.25 to 0.7.2 to 9.1.41 to 9.16.6. (I was never able to successfully take OTA updates). Like this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024423 BUT, now that I'm on JB, it's not clear to me that I can even do this. One post is telling me that if I'm on 9.16.6, I should NOT use Droid Razr HD Utility 1.10. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=33610625#post33610625 and when I found the thread for the 1.21 utility, it also says no 9.16.6.
I've been wandering around the relevant posts that are linked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2247250
but for whatever reason, this is just making my head spin. I'm more confused about what I can and cannot do, than I was before I started. I think too many OTA versions have passed me by... I was happy with the way things were working so I just didn't care about updates, KitKat, etc. I don't have a good feel for how many versions there are between 9.16.6 and current.
My actual question: I think I could really use some help narrowing down my options. Do I have any options at all? If so, can anyone suggest what my realistic options actually are? I don't care if I end up in JB or KitKat at the end; I do want to be able to restore some of the data from some of my apps using Titanium Backup and/or MyBackup Pro; and I want to be rooted when I am done. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, dlc

dlc2001 said:
The goal: Get my sluggish phone (Razr Maxx HD, JB 4.1.2, currently 9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US, rooted, bootloader locked) to be less sluggish.
The proposed method: Wipe phone and start over.
The "problem": Because I am rooted and want to stay that way, I am aware that I can't just do a factory reset. I believe that I need to unroot first, then wipe, then reroot. But there are many more possible methods to do this than there were before and I'm having trouble figuring out which might be the best method for me (or which will even work, at all).
Background: If I had just blindly done what I did the last time I wiped (I think I was starting from ICS 0.7.2 last time, not JB), I would have backed up everything, used DROID_RAZR_HD_Utility1.10 which I have from before (dates appear to be 1/28/2013) to go back to 0.6.25.X926., and, using the zip files I have from before, go from 0.6.25 to 0.7.2 to 9.1.41 to 9.16.6. (I was never able to successfully take OTA updates). Like this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024423 BUT, now that I'm on JB, it's not clear to me that I can even do this. One post is telling me that if I'm on 9.16.6, I should NOT use Droid Razr HD Utility 1.10. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=33610625#post33610625 and when I found the thread for the 1.21 utility, it also says no 9.16.6.
I've been wandering around the relevant posts that are linked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2247250
but for whatever reason, this is just making my head spin. I'm more confused about what I can and cannot do, than I was before I started. I think too many OTA versions have passed me by... I was happy with the way things were working so I just didn't care about updates, KitKat, etc. I don't have a good feel for how many versions there are between 9.16.6 and current.
My actual question: I think I could really use some help narrowing down my options. Do I have any options at all? If so, can anyone suggest what my realistic options actually are? I don't care if I end up in JB or KitKat at the end; I do want to be able to restore some of the data from some of my apps using Titanium Backup and/or MyBackup Pro; and I want to be rooted when I am done. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, dlc
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to get rid of the slowness of the phone i recommend going to a lolipop rom , LP has to be the quickest my phone has ran... ever.
-step 1 use rsd lite to flash [4.4.2] 183.46.10 fxz (make sure it ends with a 10 not a 14 or 15 or you wont be able to unlock bootloader)
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/45494-fxz-442-1834610/
-step 2 root and unlock use TR.apk (root)and motopocalypse.apk (bootloader unlock)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783912
-step 3 use ADB fastboot to Flash custom recovery, i personally use twrp there are others you can use if you decide to do the research
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/51883-recoverytwrp-2810-11-01-14/
-step 4 flash LP custom rom, i use blisspop, it seems to have the most updates at the moment . it has really impressed me
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/60153-rom502lollipopmsm8960-kkbl-blisspop-official/
that rom comes with supersu built in so you will have root. if your reason for having root is to have exposed, it doesnt work on lolipop so stop at sstep 3 and either flash a KK custom rom or just flash supersu which will give you root on stock kitkat

OK, I will spend a little more time absorbing/reading and then I'll give it a shot, thanks muchly. I want to do some backups just in case, so it'll take a while...
Couple of followup questions based on the reading I've done so far from the links you provided, just so I know what I'm doing before I do it:
1. I think I get Steps 1 and 2. After Step 2 I am rooted and on stock KK, correct? So if I stop there do I still need to "flash supersu" per your comment at the end? Does the root in step 2 put supersu in my apps, and if not can I not just install it from google play?
2. Seems like I can use the Step 1 method to flash back to JB (or any other FXZ I can find) if I want. If I do that, is there any way to root JB, or is this trip I'm about to take, a one-way trip? Just to clarify, JB hasn't always been slow for me... it's just slowed down recently. Not saying I want to go back to JB for sure, but I like to know what options I am closing off when I move forward, and reviews of KitKat are not universally splendid.... I hear you about the custom ROM but for various work-related reasons I may be better off staying stock (well, stock + root) for a while at least.
Again, thank you for your help.

dlc2001 said:
OK, I will spend a little more time absorbing/reading and then I'll give it a shot, thanks muchly. I want to do some backups just in case, so it'll take a while...
Couple of followup questions based on the reading I've done so far from the links you provided, just so I know what I'm doing before I do it:
1. I think I get Steps 1 and 2. After Step 2 I am rooted and on stock KK, correct? So if I stop there do I still need to "flash supersu" per your comment at the end? Does the root in step 2 put supersu in my apps, and if not can I not just install it from google play?
2. Seems like I can use the Step 1 method to flash back to JB (or any other FXZ I can find) if I want. If I do that, is there any way to root JB, or is this trip I'm about to take, a one-way trip? Just to clarify, JB hasn't always been slow for me... it's just slowed down recently. Not saying I want to go back to JB for sure, but I like to know what options I am closing off when I move forward, and reviews of KitKat are not universally splendid.... I hear you about the custom ROM but for various work-related reasons I may be better off staying stock (well, stock + root) for a while at least.
Again, thank you for your help.
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Click to collapse
yes you can install it from playstore, but once your bootloader is unlocked you can always root by flashing in custom recovery. you dont need exploits anymore

All done, worked great!