Database Info

Just bought my G tablet

I have a few questions.
Can I use google voice on this for video chat?
Which rom can I install to make this feel more like my Droid 2.
Do I need clockwork mod installed before I root.
Is there a guide to rooting this?
Once I completely customize my gtab, is there always going to be a way to do a factory reset on the event I need to send it in for repairs or what not?
So far this seems like a new tab, my first tab ever. I am sickend by the UI and that is the very first thing I would like to change, I have looked around aand it looks like there are 3 different roms to choose from.
I will greatly appreciate any and all answers for my quesions.
Thanks.

Welcome! Read, Search, and read some more. As has been quoted oft times before "search is your friend". Each of the subjects listed is readily answerable here from previous posts. If you get stuck, research some more, and if still you are stumped ask away. Lots of good people here will help but they appreciate a little homework being done upfront first. Have fun and jump in.

1) Not yet. Wait for Honeycomb and we should be in business.
2) Depends on what rom you're running on your Droid 2. If you run Cyanogen there, then install Cyanogen on your tab and it'll be identical. Otherwise if you're running more or less stock on your Droid, then there's probably not going to be an exact match.
3) You don't have to "root" per se. The bootloader is already unlocked, so, in essence, you're already rooted. Just install clockwork and you're good to go.
4) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950 will give you restore instructions.
5) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245 tells you how to get up and going with custom roms.
6) Out of the available options, I'd currently recommend VEGAN, though of course it's somewhat of a matter of opinion.
Welcome to the forums, and glad you're here. Let us know if you have other questions.

Search is your friend!
steveninspokane said:
I have a few questions.
Can I use google voice on this for video chat?
Search for Google Voice...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=908967&highlight=google+voice
I don't use Google Voice. Am waiting on the Skype App to add video. In the meantime Yahoo! Messenger works.
Which rom can I install to make this feel more like my Droid 2.
I don't own a Droid 2 but there are several polls indicating VEGAn Tab is the most "rommed" of the images available...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=911749&highlight=[POLL]
Do I need clockwork mod installed before I root.
See next question...
Is there a guide to rooting this?
The custom ROMs give you root access...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
Once I completely customize my gtab, is there always going to be a way to do a factory reset on the event I need to send it in for repairs or what not?
Search for NVFLASH... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950&highlight=NVFLASH
So far this seems like a new tab, my first tab ever. I am sickend by the UI and that is the very first thing I would like to change, I have looked around aand it looks like there are 3 different roms to choose from.
Stock plus Enhancement Pack
TNT Lite
Cyanogen Mod
VEGAn Tab
Notion Ink Adam
ZPad Clean
Plus a few custom Kernels... see the "development" forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=844
I will greatly appreciate any and all answers for my questions.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I can't ask this there because I have less then 10 posts
But on the guide about installing closkworkmod, I am having an extremely difficult time.
Entering ClockworkMod:
If you want to get into ClockworkMod you need to shut down your device, then press the Power and Volume+ button (the same way you did to install ClockworkMod).
However, when I do that, it is just installing some thing again.
And I don't even know if I installed cwm in the first place.
I unzipped the update.zip and the Recovery folder to the root of the tablet, followed the instructions it showed it updating something, and now trying to enter cwm, all it ever does is repeat the update.

steveninspokane said:
I can't ask this there because I have less then 10 posts
But on the guide about installing closkworkmod, I am having an extremely difficult time.
Entering ClockworkMod:
If you want to get into ClockworkMod you need to shut down your device, then press the Power and Volume+ button (the same way you did to install ClockworkMod).
However, when I do that, it is just installing some thing again.
And I don't even know if I installed cwm in the first place.
I unzipped the update.zip and the Recovery folder to the root of the tablet, followed the instructions it showed it updating something, and now trying to enter cwm, all it ever does is repeat the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Delete the update and try to boot into recovery again.

also, nothing shows up in my root folder on the tablet, and when I downloaded the internal to my tablet, and I tried to copy from downloads and paste in to the root folder, it says paste failed.
EDIT*
So I deleted the clockwork d/l from sdcard/downloads, and tried to boot into recovery, It showed me the same install box, however I had deleted the install zip.
So I am pretty sure I didn't install cwm in the first place.
I don't know how to get the update.zip into the right location, and I don't have a microSD to install it from.

Cancel that, I don't know what I was doing wrong.
It is now installed.

Voodoo Lagfix, rooting, etc

I'm trying to root my g/f's Charge, and there is an immense amount of information on this forum about it, so much so, I am getting confused. I have an Incredible and I am more than comfortable rooting/kernels/roms with it, but I am having a hard time with the Charge. My g/f just wants a rooted Charge (she has EE4), running stock. (she is afraid she will have problems/glitches with her phone like I have with experimental stuff with my Incredible).
So, I can follow the directions for rooting here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1122657 but I am very confused on how/when to install(or whatever you do) the voodoo lag fix. Is voodoo lagfix just a kernel or something else? If it's a kernel, once I have CWM recovery, if I flash voodoo lagfix, will it give me root access? I know I seem rather lost, but any help would be most appreciated. I'm trying to find the simpliest/lowest maintanance/less problematic way to get her root access without her having problems with it when I am not around.
Thanks

jprakes said:
I'm trying to root my g/f's Charge, and there is an immense amount of information on this forum about it, so much so, I am getting confused. I have an Incredible and I am more than comfortable rooting/kernels/roms with it, but I am having a hard time with the Charge. My g/f just wants a rooted Charge (she has EE4), running stock. (she is afraid she will have problems/glitches with her phone like I have with experimental stuff with my Incredible).
So, I can follow the directions for rooting here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1122657 but I am very confused on how/when to install(or whatever you do) the voodoo lag fix. Is voodoo lagfix just a kernel or something else? If it's a kernel, once I have CWM recovery, if I flash voodoo lagfix, will it give me root access? I know I seem rather lost, but any help would be most appreciated. I'm trying to find the simpliest/lowest maintanance/less problematic way to get her root access without her having problems with it when I am not around.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Voodoo lagfix is just a version of kernel that you can install that changes the filesystem. If you just want stock, just flash a non voodoo kernel and u will still have root.
There are pre-made packages which should make it easier on u by cutting back steps. Grab the rooted EE4 package here.
All you have to do is extract the tar, then flash in Odin and you're good to go.

So, couple more newb questions (sorry). Installing a new kernel will not wipe her phone as long as I don't data wipe correct? Also, I keep reading that the voodoo lagfix is a lot faster, but is it really stable and pretty worry free? Like I said, it's for my g/f, and I'm not around all the time to help with it if she has problems. I mainly want to install Titanium backup and get rid of most of the bloatware and hope that the voodoo fix will make it quicker in general.
But my understanding so far is, run Odin, install CWM, then install the kernel of my choice for root access. Again, sorry for the questions. The guides that are out are really helpful, but I get confused at some of it and Odin/Samsung are a whole new animal to me.
I'm sure there will be more questions to come. Thanks ahead of time.

jprakes said:
So, couple more newb questions (sorry). Installing a new kernel will not wipe her phone as long as I don't data wipe correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. It's recommended that you wipe cache & dalvik though (will not affect what you see).
jprakes said:
Also, I keep reading that the voodoo lagfix is a lot faster, but is it really stable and pretty worry free? Like I said, it's for my g/f, and I'm not around all the time to help with it if she has problems. I mainly want to install Titanium backup and get rid of most of the bloatware and hope that the voodoo fix will make it quicker in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Voodoo lagfix converts the filesystem to one that is the Linux standard which improves I/O performance. As far as being worry free, I can't guarantee she won't run into problems down the road, whether it's with an OTA update or other program she downloads that is not compatible with the changed filesystem. If you want to be safer than sorry, I'd say to just skip it altogether.
jprakes said:
But my understanding so far is, run Odin, install CWM, then install the kernel of my choice for root access. Again, sorry for the questions. The guides that are out are really helpful, but I get confused at some of it and Odin/Samsung are a whole new animal to me.
I'm sure there will be more questions to come. Thanks ahead of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need to do is run Odin and flash the extracted ROOTED EE4 package I linked above. This package already has a rooted kernel AND CWM baked in. But normally yes, those would be the next steps.
Just be sure to fully read the Odin instructions and follow them accordingly if it's your first time.

If you want root access without losing ANY of the stock stuff (i.e. kernel, recovery) this is another option that may work for you:
Go to this site, download the su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip file and put it on your g/fs sd card.
Assuming the drivers are installed on the computer being used and USB Debugging (under Settings > Applications > Development) is checked on the phone, start Odin 1.83 (this is the version I used at least).
With the phone OFF (some say take out the battery, some say leave it in), connect phone to computer while holding the volume-down button - should now enter "Download" mode (yellow android on screen).
After UNchecking Auto-Reboot (and replacing the battery if you took it out), under PDA flash 0817_charge_recovery.tar.md5 (found here).
If ODIN says it was successful, disconnect phone, but DO NOT RESTART PHONE YET!!
Hold down vol up + home key + power - you will see the samsung logo, but continue holding all three until it goes away then comes back (I've seen other combinations mentioned, but this is what has worked for me).
If done correctly, you should now boot into CWM recovery. To flash in CWM simply select "install zip from sdcard", then "choose zip from sdcard" and navigate to wherever you put the su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip file on the sd card and select it. Once done select reboot system now (may have to select Go Back to get to this option - I can't recall).
What is nice about this approach is that once you reboot your phone, the CWM you flashed in ODIN will be overwritten by the stock recovery, making your phone exactly as it was prior to ODIN - with the exception of being rooted and Superuser installed. Also, this is a "brief" listing of steps - I agree with d-loko that you should read up on using ODIN if you haven't used it before.
Hope this helps, and if not, or if it wasn't what you were looking for ... feel free to disregard!

d-loko said:
Correct. It's recommended that you wipe cache & dalvik though (will not affect what you see).
Voodoo lagfix converts the filesystem to one that is the Linux standard which improves I/O performance. As far as being worry free, I can't guarantee she won't run into problems down the road, whether it's with an OTA update or other program she downloads that is not compatible with the changed filesystem. If you want to be safer than sorry, I'd say to just skip it altogether.
All you need to do is run Odin and flash the extracted ROOTED EE4 package I linked above. This package already has a rooted kernel AND CWM baked in. But normally yes, those would be the next steps.
Just be sure to fully read the Odin instructions and follow them accordingly if it's your first time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping my last question, and it concerns sdcard problems. Will the rooted EE4 package give her problem free access with her sdcard while using the phone AND when connecting to her computer, or do I need to use lagfix. The SDcard problem/solutions are confusing me a bit.
dwitherell said:
If you want root access without losing ANY of the stock stuff (i.e. kernel, recovery) this is another option that may work for you:
Go to this site, download the su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip file and put it on your g/fs sd card.
Assuming the drivers are installed on the computer being used and USB Debugging (under Settings > Applications > Development) is checked on the phone, start Odin 1.83 (this is the version I used at least).
With the phone OFF (some say take out the battery, some say leave it in), connect phone to computer while holding the volume-down button - should now enter "Download" mode (yellow android on screen).
After UNchecking Auto-Reboot (and replacing the battery if you took it out), under PDA flash 0817_charge_recovery.tar.md5 (found here).
If ODIN says it was successful, disconnect phone, but DO NOT RESTART PHONE YET!!
Hold down vol up + home key + power - you will see the samsung logo, but continue holding all three until it goes away then comes back (I've seen other combinations mentioned, but this is what has worked for me).
If done correctly, you should now boot into CWM recovery. To flash in CWM simply select "install zip from sdcard", then "choose zip from sdcard" and navigate to wherever you put the su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip file on the sd card and select it. Once done select reboot system now (may have to select Go Back to get to this option - I can't recall).
What is nice about this approach is that once you reboot your phone, the CWM you flashed in ODIN will be overwritten by the stock recovery, making your phone exactly as it was prior to ODIN - with the exception of being rooted and Superuser installed. Also, this is a "brief" listing of steps - I agree with d-loko that you should read up on using ODIN if you haven't used it before.
Hope this helps, and if not, or if it wasn't what you were looking for ... feel free to disregard!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the alternative option, much appreciated. I don't have a problem with using CWM, I have it on my rooted Incredible, so I'm very used to it. But I do like having options, so thanks for the reply.

jprakes said:
I'm hoping my last question, and it concerns sdcard problems. Will the rooted EE4 package give her problem free access with her sdcard while using the phone AND when connecting to her computer, or do I need to use lagfix. The SDcard problem/solutions are confusing me a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the file found here in CWM after ODINing the EE4 package - that should do the trick. Just make sure it's on the sd card before ODINing the EE4 package - just in case!
jprakes said:
thanks for the alternative option, much appreciated. I don't have a problem with using CWM, I have it on my rooted Incredible, so I'm very used to it. But I do like having options, so thanks for the reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I'm a fan of options as well!

[Q] Rooted but CMW not working

Hello, i've got a prob. I have rooted my Tab 7.0plus and have installed SU, titanium backup and and Rom Manager (Full Version)
I can back up my through Titanium fine but I just cant get CWM to work as it should. If I choose Backup existing Rom, it asks for confirmation then the phone shuts down but instead of going ito recovery it just reboots.
Same thing happens if I choose reboot into recovery.
I can't get into recovery by pressing and holding power and vol- either
Any ideas? I am a Novice so please be gentle.
Cheers

what variant of GT+ do you have?

Root != CWM
You need to actually install CWM. Read the Development thread on it, and spend some time searching, because if you don't and post a dumb question in gary's thread, he WILL bust out the flamethrower. Just spend a day or two reading through threads and Googling before posting or flashing anything and you should be fine.
Also - Don't use ROM Manager, it causes problems on many devices. ROM Manager != CWM.

I followed the instructions to the letter! I know I have root su grants permissions but there is no way to get into recovery. I cant back up or restore what other recovery would you experts suggest? wi-fi 62100

Which instructions did you follow? link?
How do you know you have 'su' permissions? Have you installed the 'superuser' application from the market? Does it work?
"Backup from existing ROM" is _NOT_ an option from within CWM Recovery. It's an option from within "ROM Manager" (which is an application by CWM.) CWM Recovery is a completely different boot mode of the tablet.
Please don't use ROM Manager on this tablet. It won't work and the results might be interesting.
If you don't want to fiddle with volume up/down and power buttons to get into recovery, I'd suggest a nice little app in the android market called "Quick Boot." It also requires the tablet is rooted (and superuser is installed), but will let you reboot directly into recovery.
After you've booted into recovery, the screen will be black with text on it. It won't be the "tablet experience" you might be used to. The banner might include something like "CWM-based Recovery." If so, you are really in CWM Recovery. If it says something like "Android system recovery (3e)", you don't have CWM Recovery installed.
Now, I'm going to try and be friendly here. That's something hard for me. Just ask around and people will tell you that all devs are Divas or something. (I prefer to think of myself as more sarcastic than diva.. but whatever.)
Advice:
Don't install CWM Recovery (or ROM Manager) on your tablet. You aren't ready. That isn't insulting - but it's honest. You don't go sky diving before you learn how to wear a parachute. Search for topics like "ODIN" so you know how to restore your tablet if you screw things up or you want to get back to a factory state for some reason. Even ask around here for links to threads that give a good intro to "ODIN", "Recovery" and other android "hacking" topics.
(Surely someone has typed up a good thread on that stuff somewhere for some device... haven't they? I realize that a search would be too broad to get any reasonably usable results.)
After you feel comfortable with destroying your tablet and bringing it back from the dead, check the thread in my signature titled "CWM-based Recovery for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus GT-P6210"
Take care
Gary

Thanks Gary but i'm afraid it's knackered. I just got a black screen and it wont boot or go into recovery or anything. It's a shame though it took me ages to save up for it.

Now is the time to go into ODIN... You can probably get the device into download mode and reflash it...
Good luck
Gary

Thanks mate, fixed it. you saved my bacon!

nixey55 said:
Thanks mate, fixed it. you saved my bacon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had nothing whatsoever to do with your bacon.

[Q] Rooting, Flashing, Upgrade services needed!

I've searched & found 'How to....' threads on here but TBH I'm not a techy and most of it doesn't make sense to me.
I did try to upgrade from 4.0.4 to 4.1 this week and almost succeeded until some 'signature not recognised' message appeared. So I'm going to attempt another way (if possible/allowed) and ask if there's anybody out there who'd be willing to root (whatever that means), flash (ditto) and upgrade to 4.1 for me in return for payment.
I really hope this isn't against forum rules - it's a genuine, last-ditch attempt.
I live in the West Mids but travel a big chunk of the country each week so could possibly deliver the thing.
Here's hoping for an avalanche of replies.....

Can anyone tell me why I get the 'signature not verified' message please?
I've downloaded the upgrade from an October thread on this forum.

Which xoom do you have (wifi, 3g/4g, international, family)? Are you rooted yet?

dfib1 said:
Which xoom do you have (wifi, 3g/4g, international, family)? Are you rooted yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying!!
It's the wi-fi model. As for 'is it rooted?' - I would say not. One, because it's hardly been used and two, because I have no idea what 'rooted' means.

junctiontwo said:
Thanks for replying!!
It's the wi-fi model. As for 'is it rooted?' - I would say not. One, because it's hardly been used and two, because I have no idea what 'rooted' means.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I took so long to answer.
As for being rooted if you are the only one to have own the xoom and don't know what it means then you are most likely not rooted. Root is like getting administrator rights in windows. It gives you the ability to customize your device, install custom roms and also completely screw up your device .
You should be able to go to settings-about tablet--update (or system update) and it will check for your update and ask you to start the download and install. If this does not happen then you can flash back to Honeycomb (which I can walk you through this will also wipe all your data or maybe for a fresh start) and let your device automatically update to ICS (4.04) and the JB (4.1).
I can also walk you through rooting and installing a custom JB rom like you asked for free.

dfib1 said:
Sorry I took so long to answer.
As for being rooted if you are the only one to have own the xoom and don't know what it means then you are most likely not rooted. Root is like getting administrator rights in windows. It gives you the ability to customize your device, install custom roms and also completely screw up your device .
You should be able to go to settings-about tablet--update (or system update) and it will check for your update and ask you to start the download and install. If this does not happen then you can flash back to Honeycomb (which I can walk you through this will also wipe all your data or maybe for a fresh start) and let your device automatically update to ICS (4.04) and the JB (4.1).
I can also walk you through rooting and installing a custom JB rom like you asked for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't apologise - you're the only one to answer!
I've tried the system update and have been told that there are none. (In my ignorance I actually thought it would update to 4.1.2 automatically!).
Your offer to walk me through the rooting & upgrade is extremely generous and I accept without hesitation.
If it's flashed back to HC, will it default back to ICS or move to JB?
A huge 'Thanks'.
James
PS. Having tried numerous times very recently to upgrade there's no data to erase so that's not an issue....

I am going to give you the steps to unlock your xoom, install a recovery, root, install CWM Rogue Touch recovery (better than the one you used to root) and then install stock JB.
Now that we are talking root I am going to ask a moderator to moved this thread to the root section.
Here is how I rooted my xoom.
follow the directions here but instead of doing step 1 follow this for adb install http://www.support-4-you.com/main/i...ged-adb-installation&catid=40:how-tos&Itemid= it is a 1 click adb install then follow from step 2 on.
When you are done there you can install CWM Rogue Touch screen recovery
Download CWM Rogue Touch zip and put on the root of your external sd card. ( if you don't have a sd card we will do it another way just let me know)
Boot into recovery by turning your xoom off.
1. press power
2. when the moto dual core logo comes on wait 3 seconds and press volume down
3. recovery should be displayed across the top press volume up.
You can skip steps 1- 3 now that you are rooted if you download Quick Boot open it, select recovery and the grant Super user permission
4. go to install zip from sd card (just like when you rooted) and find the CWM Rogue Touch Zip and install
5. reboot your xoom
6. you now have CWM Rogue Touch installed.
To install JB on your xoom you do need an sd card for this part
DownloadJB stock for wifi xoom and copy to your sd-card
Here is the thread discussing this [JB]Stock Android 4.1.1 JRO03H, Root, via CWM Recovery (US Wi-Fi MZ604) and also there steps for installing it but I will post them for you here.
boot into recovery
select backup and let it backup your current system (a Parachute)
then select wipe factory/data ( I Can't remember excactly what it says because I use a different one)
then select install zip from sd card
locate the JB rom you copy to your sd-card and install.
reboot system (it will take some time the first time)
sign in to android with your gmail account.
You are on JB
Good luck and don't worry if something goes wrong we can get you out of 99.99% of any issues that arise.

dfib1 = I cannot thank you enough.....
The frustrating thing is I'm about to leave the house and am working away until the weekend so can't try it until then! I'll let you know the outcome.
Have a great day :good:

If you need help with his excellent guide just post here or hit with a pm
Sent from my Xoom using xda app-developers app

Ok, a quick mid-procedure question....
(I'm doing something fundamentally wrong because I can't quite finish the upgrade).
Do I install the folders onto the Xoom from the SD in a zipped or un-zipped state? I've tried both but no luck so far in completing the task.
I've rooted successfully as my PC recognizes the device. I believe I've installed CWM ok - is there a way to confirm this?
On the final 4.1 install I get the 'installation aborted' message as 'signature not verified'. One thing I may be doing wrong is installing the wrong files? On selecting the JRO03H folder I'm then given file choices and I'm clicking on what I think are the most obvious. I can post a list of the choices if it helps?
Sorry to be such a newbie pain - I realize that these questions are irritating to those 'in the know'!

did you reboot after fastbooting the recovery? the recovery says clockwork at the top. It should also be touch screen controlled
When you move the zip over leave it as a zip on you xoom and when you flash the recovery will unzip it for you.

what step are you up to?

Sorry for the late update. I've tried the whole procedure several times from the very beginning, even removing previously installed Rogue & JB software, but STILL get the same error messages as previously described. I've re-booted at the right time according to the instructions but this still makes no difference, and have checked the 'USB de-bugging' option.
I did make a couple of basic errors in the Command function to begin with but realised these & corrected them. My device serial no. appeared so I assume I rooted successfully? I'm able to change Developer settings which I couldn't before. I even installed the USB drivers independently via the Motorola website.
I have a free day today so am going to make a bucket of coffee, make myself comfortable and start again.
One quick point - I'm in the UK and assume you two helpful guys are in the US? Looking at numerous sites it seems our respective Xoom models have different procedures which is maybe why this isn't working?
Thank you again for your seemingly endless patience.......

i believe you are getting these issues because you might still be running the stock recovery.
lets just backup and start fresh.
You followed the instructions mentioned before and I assume you have adb and fastboot installed.
Connect your xoom and make sure usb debugging is on.
open up a command line and type adb reboot bootloader
I'm going to assume because of the previous steps you unlocked the bootloader if not type in the command line fastboot oem unlock
You can download the recovery from here http://bit.ly/iLRAIV
If unlocked at the bootloader type fastboot flash recovery recovery-Tiamat-R4c-100611-1150-cwm.img Note:make sure the img file is in the same folder where your fasboot.exe is in the sdk
after it has been flashed reboot device by hold volume up and power.
Move the JB stock rom into your sd card. you can download the rom from here http://www.mediafire.com/?qhbhlbvu859bv0f
after the device restarts type adb reboot recovery
in recovery Wipe everything except the sd card. Then flash the above jb rom. In theory everything should work. If you keep getting the error get back to us because Im going to give up and guide you through the install of the Team EOS Jellybean 4.1 rom that I know works without issues. PM if you want to have my direct contact info for gtalk so we can discuss further for any issues.

OK I've just tried another 8 times to root the thing, c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y following the instructions step-by-step.
1. I don't have the 'from SD card' option, instead have 'from USB drive'. I have a 16Gb flash drive connected via an adaptor for the Xoom which doesn't appear to prevent anything as it reads the contents of the card just fine, unless you can tell me otherwise?
2. In Recovery I get these options:
* reboot system now
* apply update from USB drive
* wipe data/factory reset
* wipe cache partition
3. Even when trying the very first install (Rogue), I get:
--Install /sdcard ...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E: signature verification failed
Installation aborted
I love a challenge and always get a buzz when I manage to do something that is foreign to me i.e computers. On this occasion however I'm fast getting to the stage where I think it'd be easier to leave things at 4.0.4.
My reason for wanting the upgrade in the first place is because I'm comparing this tablet to my work-supplied Galaxy Tab 2 running 4.1.1. Realistically I don't think the two will ever be comparable and I'm probably foolish to think this could be the case. It only remains to say that I am so very grateful to both of you for taking so much time & effort in talking me though the procedures.
I consider myself pretty 'switched on' but this has me foxed!
Cheers guys - have a great weekend. Hope the snow doesn't cause you problems!

here are the outline of the steps
1. unlock your xoom
2. fastboot a recovery to install custom recovery on your xoom
3. reboot into new recovery
4. flash universal root zip to root your phone
5. reboot phone that is now rooted.
6. reboot phone into custom recovery again
7. flash jb update
I think you have missed step 1 or 2.
When you type fastboot oem unlock what does it say?

Hmmm, I MAY be one step closer?
After typing' fastboot oem unlock' the tablet has gone into 'Starting Fastboot protocol support' but appears to be stuck. Do I wait until it's done it's thing?
OR would it be a whole lot easier for all concerned if we tried your other suggestion dfib and flashed back to HC and then to JB?

What if you type adb devices? Does a bunch of numbers show up or does it say waiting for device?

Hold the front page!!!!!!!
I just watched a video on how to unlock and it's worked. You were quite correct - I had missed your point 1 above and probably point 2. I'm moving onto the next bit now....

Great let us know what happens. I will be around for a while.

Most directions "how to root" seem to be from 2012...

On July 20th 2013, I bought a new Verizon Galaxy S3 i535 (no contract due to I need unlimited data). As a 50 year old guy, I admit that I never rooted before. I decided to do some research on the web which also included this XDA site. By the way, this is the best site!!
As someone who never rooted, I found multiple different ways of rooting which caused great confusion. Some told me to download Odin, while some did not. Some told me to download a superSU or something like that, while other directions did not, and so on and on......
But what really concerns me is that most of the directions were written back in 2012. Should this be a concern?
I don't want to seem like a retard or impose, but would someone do a video skype with me and walk me thru rooting my phone for the very first time? Perhaps during that skype session I could ask a few questions? I would pre download all files so that the session would not take too long.
Any volunteers?
Respectfully,
Bryan

All you need to Do is visit this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42791826
Those are the most straight forward directions you can find. And it will Root, unlock your bootloader, and install a custom recovery.

thank you for the reply. this is yet another way off rooting. why does this not use Odin? will this method allow me to undo or fix something if something goes bad?

BKSinAZ said:
thank you for the reply. this is yet another way off rooting. why does this not use Odin? will this method allow me to undo or fix something if something goes bad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't use Odin because it doesn't need to. The one click solution includes all the tools needed to make the necessary changes to your phone.
If something goes wrong, then you would use Odin to go back to stock no matter what root /unlock method you used. This is because Odin has the lowest level access to your phone, and can rescue it as long as you can boot into download mode.
As long as you don't flash files intended for other phones (including s3s from other carriers) your phone should be safe.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and Help issues go in Q&A and Help section
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

funnyperson1 said:
It doesn't use Odin because it doesn't need to. The one click solution includes all the tools needed to make the necessary changes to your phone.
If something goes wrong, then you would use Odin to go back to stock no matter what root /unlock method you used. This is because Odin has the lowest level access to your phone, and can rescue it as long as you can boot into download mode.
As long as you don't flash files intended for other phones (including s3s from other carriers) your phone should be safe.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok... here is one of my last questions before I begin the root process....
Do I need to make a backup of my stock phone? There are no pictures or music, but do I need to make a backup in anyway first so if things go bad I can return to stock?

BKSinAZ said:
Ok... here is one of my last questions before I begin the root process....
Do I need to make a backup of my stock phone? There are no pictures or music, but do I need to make a backup in anyway first so if things go bad I can return to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to pop in here and help out. Once you do the casual root process, it will also install a recovery for you. You can make a nandroid backup with your recovery and just keep that somewhere safe. There are also directions on how to recover and return your phone to Verizon here. Hope that answers your question.

BKSinAZ said:
Ok... here is one of my last questions before I begin the root process....
Do I need to make a backup of my stock phone? There are no pictures or music, but do I need to make a backup in anyway first so if things go bad I can return to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as I said above, as long as you can reach download mode on your phone you can always Odin back to stock. If you somehow break download mode, then your phone is pretty much bricked without sending it out to someone with a JTAG programmer. The risk of that happenning though is minimal unless you flash a ROM intended for a different device (such as the international i9300 S3).

funnyperson1 said:
No, as I said above, as long as you can reach download mode on your phone you can always Odin back to stock. If you somehow break download mode, then your phone is pretty much bricked without sending it out to someone with a JTAG programmer. The risk of that happenning though is minimal unless you flash a ROM intended for a different device (such as the international i9300 S3).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK... did exactly what you and the directions stated. Upon the phone booting up, there is a 'padlock' and the option to swipe. When I swipe, I am not as the home screen that I am accustomed to. I am in the Team Win Recovery Project" with the only option to 'select zip to install" and 6 buttons to press (install, backup, mount, advanced, wipe, restore, settings, reboot)
This was an unexpected step and was wondering what to do next?.... or did I mess things up?

BKSinAZ said:
OK... did exactly what you and the directions stated. Upon the phone booting up, there is a 'padlock' and the option to swipe. When I swipe, I am not as the home screen that I am accustomed to. I am in the Team Win Recovery Project" with the only option to 'select zip to install" and 6 buttons to press (install, backup, mount, advanced, wipe, restore, settings, reboot)
This was an unexpected step and was wondering what to do next?.... or did I mess things up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you were successful in rooting and unlocking your phone's bootloader. The program you are seeing (TWRP recovery) allows you to flash roms/mods (install), backup your phone, wipe and restore your phone. However, this shouldn't be what you see on bootup unless you pressed volume up while booting. Your stock ROM may have been wiped during the root process.
I suggest you dive into the world of Custom ROMs with CleanROM which is basically a de-bloated and tweaked version of the stock ROM.
Download the file from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
Use your PC to put it on a microSD card. In TWRP recovery, perform a Factory Reset (from the Wipe Menu), then navigate to the external_sdcard and install CleanROM (from install menu). Wipe caches and reboot once installation is finished. You should boot straight into CleanROM.

funnyperson1 said:
It sounds like you were successful in rooting and unlocking your phone's bootloader. The program you are seeing (TWRP recovery) allows you to flash roms/mods (install), backup your phone, wipe and restore your phone. However, this shouldn't be what you see on bootup unless you pressed volume up while booting. Your stock ROM may have been wiped during the root process.
I suggest you dive into the world of Custom ROMs with CleanROM which is basically a de-bloated and tweaked version of the stock ROM.
Download the file from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
Use your PC to put it on a microSD card. In TWRP recovery, perform a Factory Reset (from the Wipe Menu), then navigate to the external_sdcard and install CleanROM (from install menu). Wipe caches and reboot once installation is finished. You should boot straight into CleanROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems that when I went into the backup area and made a backup (a backup of what, I do not know because I am totally new to this) and after the backup the phone rebooted to the normal home screen with all the normal icons. I even just received a phone call so I guess all is good.
I don't know what to do now that my phone is rooted. My goal was just to uninstall unwanted programs etc, So when I get the courage, I will use the CLEANROM.
Question.... do I now have to constantly update my existing root or Cleanrom once installed? Do I now avoid Verizon or Samsung updates?

BKSinAZ said:
OK... did exactly what you and the directions stated. Upon the phone booting up, there is a 'padlock' and the option to swipe. When I swipe, I am not as the home screen that I am accustomed to. I am in the Team Win Recovery Project" with the only option to 'select zip to install" and 6 buttons to press (install, backup, mount, advanced, wipe, restore, settings, reboot)
This was an unexpected step and was wondering what to do next?.... or did I mess things up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're not ready to flash roms just touch reboot and you'll be back to your stock jellybean. In regards to the padlock, I also got that after using CASUAL and underneath the padlock it says custom. I haven't gotten a definitive answer about that but the general consensus is that it's nothing to worry about. I suppose it's just Verizon letting you know that they detected changes to your phone.
Do yourself a favor and read for days and days before you start flashing roms. You'll find the answers here and YouTube.

BKSinAZ said:
It seems that when I went into the backup area and made a backup (a backup of what, I do not know because I am totally new to this) and after the backup the phone rebooted to the normal home screen with all the normal icons. I even just received a phone call so I guess all is good.
I don't know what to do now that my phone is rooted. My goal was just to uninstall unwanted programs etc, So when I get the courage, I will use the CLEANROM.
Question.... do I now have to constantly update my existing root or Cleanrom once installed? Do I now avoid Verizon or Samsung updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. The backup you made is what is called a "nandroid" backup. By default it includes the Android System, your apps, and associated application data and settings. This is great because it basically includes everything you need to restore your phone to it's previous state. So if you were to flash a custom ROM and ended up not liking it you could always restore this backup and it would restore your phone to how it is now.
Being rooted allows you to install and use applications from the Play store that require root. There are tons of them. The one I use most often is called Titanium Backup. It's primary purpose it to backup and restore your data and applications on an individual basis. I use it mostly to save my text messages and game save data between ROM flashes. It also allows you to uninstall, wipe data, and freeze (disable) any application on your phone.
Right now since you are still running stock rooted, you want to avoid installing any official updates, otherwise you may have to re-root. Beanstown may have disabled system updates through the rooting method, but I am not sure. If a new update is released, keep your eyes on the forums here, someone will create a flashable zip of the new firmware that maintains root/unlocked bootloader, you can then flash that in TWRP. Also once you flash a custom ROM like CleanROM, they removed the Samsung Firmware updater most likely so you don't have to worry about it.