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I hate me [n00b question]

So I have a I-9020A with at&t. I have rooted followed by flashing -su and roms instructions using instructions on the net. But after following that process and then going backwards (flashing stock w/ no root locking bootloader) I have realized after that I have more questions.
So first: Unlocking the Bootloader erases the phone. Unlocking the bootloader is needed to flash CWM and SU. I have read many many things about NANDROID, how is NANDROID different from CWM?
So I guess my next question is: How does one remove SU? In the process of rooting and flashing CWM and ROMs I make a backup prior to going to deep... that Backup will have SU, I have unrooted, but SU is still on the phone and I cannot seem to remove it.
Another question is: where are the data files on the phone for apps like Plants vs Zombies? I would like to move them off my phone prior to root, though I'm not sure if that is possible (is it?).
The last question is: If I wanted to muck around with ICS and the source code, is it as simple as flashing the source as explained on the google site? because they make it sound rather easy.
Thanks for any and all help,
toonhead

toonhead85 said:
So I have a I-9020A with at&t. I have rooted followed by flashing -su and roms instructions using instructions on the net. But after following that process and then going backwards (flashing stock w/ no root locking bootloader) I have realized after that I have more questions.
So first: Unlocking the Bootloader erases the phone. This process is needed to flash CWM (but not -su?). I have read many many things about NANDROID, but I have no idea what that is except a backup of a stock rom. When I power my phone off and press Vol up and power on then go to recovery I get an Android w/ a triangle with an exclamation and cant do anything at that point.
So I guess my next question is: How does one backup a stock rom (like you would using CMW) without rooting? or is there not a way and I should just except that when I root for the first time I should expect to loose everything and take off things like pics ect before hand.
The last question is: If I wanted to muck around with ICS and the source code, is it as simple as flashing the source as explained on the google site? because they make it sound rather easy.
Thanks for any and all help,
toonhead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you should have read more.
When you open the bootloader (the lock) it will wipe your personal data off the phone (not SD storage). This just means you get it as if you just bought it from the store. There is no way around it but happens only once and you'll never have to do it again. Unless you lock it back
Once the bootloader is unlocked you can now flash a custom recovery such as CWM which will let you manage and back up your phone with whatever ROM you want/have.
Once recovery is on your device you also have to root the phone. For this you'll need a zip flashable file with the superuser apk and SU binary files. Flash it in recovery and you should be good to go.
The last step is to install a ROM of your choice. You can just run what the phone has and it will work fine and even take updates without a problem. However, every time you want to flash something you'll need to flash CWM again because the stock image flashes the default recovery on reboot. There is a file you can delete to prevent this from happening. I forgot the path so look around. However, I would recommend you flash a stock ROM which already comes loaded with good stuff and all other things are done for you Just stop by the development section and pick a ROM you like.
Naroid is just a backup.
Oh, and BTW, mocking around with ICS... I would leave that for later. First get your head around basic flashing/rooting stuff. Changing the source code requires knowledge of code and even phone hardware. I'm guessing it's not for you just yet

obsanity said:
Sounds like you should have read more.
When you open the bootloader (the lock) it will wipe your personal data off the phone (not SD storage). This just means you get it as if you just bought it from the store. There is no way around it but happens only once and you'll never have to do it again. Unless you lock it back
Once the bootloader is unlocked you can now flash a custom recovery such as CWM which will let you manage and back up your phone with whatever ROM you want/have.
Once recovery is on your device you also have to root the phone. For this you'll need a zip flashable file with the superuser apk and SU binary files. Flash it in recovery and you should be good to go.
The last step is to install a ROM of your choice. You can just run what the phone has and it will work fine and even take updates without a problem. However, every time you want to flash something you'll need to flash CWM again because the stock image flashes the default recovery on reboot. There is a file you can delete to prevent this from happening. I forgot the path so look around. However, I would recommend you flash a stock ROM which already comes loaded with good stuff and all other things are done for you Just stop by the development section and pick a ROM you like.
Naroid is just a backup.
Oh, and BTW, mocking around with ICS... I would leave that for later. First get your head around basic flashing/rooting stuff. Changing the source code requires knowledge of code and even phone hardware. I'm guessing it's not for you just yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was going to write something similar. toonhead85 you should do a bit more research and reading before you start hacking on your phone. youve hearts in the right place, but youre not quite ready just yet. at least take small steps at first

A little more clarification or nandroid backups:
Nandroid is a specific type of backup of the phone's system files. I think that includes system rom and radio. I not sure if any data is included in the backup. You should make a nandroid backup of the stock rom bbefore you flash any custom roms. If something goes wrong with a rom flash or if you want to restore to a previous stock or custom rom, you can restore from the backups you have made. You create these nandroid backups by booting into recovery and selecting the backup option (I think maybe named backup and restore). Backups are usually found on your SD card, but you can copy them to your computer to save additional copies.
If you want to also backup apps, get a good backup program from the market. Two that I have used are Titanium Backup for Root and MyBackups for Root. They can backup and restore apps and data as well as system data.

Thanks for all of the amazing replys. I do know that I am not at the point where I wanna muck around in the system to much as this is my one and only phone. But I would like to at some point.
But something I wanna know is this: If in flash CWM, can I use it without root? Say to make a backup of the stock rom before flashing SU? I only ask because I am currently at work and can't test the idea.
Another question is this: I know how to get to the stock recovery, but from what I read you use the VOL UP to get the "Menu". When I push any (hardware) button I get nothing and the image being displayed is an Android with a triangle and there is an exclimation point in it. Any thoughts?

a nandroid saves everything in your phone, just how it is at that moment. and when you restore it, your phone goes back to that very moment you made that nandroid backup. all your data remain. everything. its like you didnt do anything in between backing up and restoring

simms22 said:
a nandroid saves everything in your phone, just how it is at that moment. and when you restore it, your phone goes back to that very moment you made that nandroid backup. all your data remain. everything. its like you didnt do anything in between backing up and restoring
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and you need root to use NANDROID? Or just an unlocked bootloader and to flash it over?

toonhead85 said:
and you need root to use NANDROID? Or just an unlocked bootloader and to flash it over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlocked bootloader

FANTASTIC!!! Thank you all so very much!!

simms22 said:
unlocked bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And CWM recovery.
You don't need root to backup but remember that when you reboot it will flash back to stock recovery (the triangle). You can simply repeat the adb command to flash CWM again.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G

And CWM recovery.
You don't need root to backup but remember that when you reboot it will flash back to stock recovery (the triangle). You can simply repeat the adb command to flash CWM again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I could flash unlock my bootloader > flash CWM > Make a backup and save it to my computer then when i reboot my phone it would automatically reflash the stock recovery? and if this is correct, then all i would need to do is flash CWM to restore the saved backup?
So here's a question, is it the action of flashing SU that keeps the phone from removing CWM and reinstalling stock recovery?

You must rename the /system/etc/install-recovery.sh file or it will keep replacing the stock recovery. See this post, item 2.

Going to root, am I doing it right?

I am on stock 4.0.4 with a locked bootloader. I want to have root with the stock rom, nothing else just root.
So I am gonna use the tool provided here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544940
I have already installed drivers and have the tool downloaded.
Then I would like to flash the stock google 4.0.4 rom that will let me receive OTA updates. Is this the right file?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1569509
Or can I just flash the stock rom from here?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572307
I heard there are problems flashing stock rom with CWR if the stock recovery isnt removed? Thats why I dont know if I should flash the stock image.
Is the process of flashing rom with CWR recovery the same as with stock recovery?
My phone is the i9023.
Thanks a bunch in advance.

Gambler_3 said:
I am on stock 4.0.4 with a locked bootloader. I want to have root with the stock rom, nothing else just root.
So I am gonna use the tool provided here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544940
I have already installed drivers and have the tool downloaded.
Then I would like to flash the stock google 4.0.4 rom that will let me receive OTA updates. Is this the right file?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1569509
Or can I just flash the stock rom from here?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572307
Is the process of flashing rom with CWM recovery the same as with stock recovery?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Baseband version? under about phone

billchen0014 said:
baseband version? Under about phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i9023xxki1.
Sorry should have specified my phone in the OP.

Best way is to do it manually. You can find all of the steps required here. The only difference is that you should be flashing the latest recovery from here and the latest superuser.zip file when flashing with recovery.
Note, unlocking bootloader will cause loss of EVERYTHING on the device that you have put on there (sdcard, apps, data partition, etc).

Harbb said:
Best way is to do it manually. You can find all of the steps required here. The only difference is that you should be flashing the latest recovery from here and the latest superuser.zip file when flashing with recovery.
Note, unlocking bootloader will cause loss of EVERYTHING on the device that you have put on there (sdcard, apps, data partition, etc).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You suppose thats better to do manually so I will have latest version of recovery and superuser?
And yes I am aware of the data loss waited sometime to finish all my games now I am ready to lose all my app data.

Harbb said:
Best way is to do it manually. You can find all of the steps required here. The only difference is that you should be flashing the latest recovery from here and the latest superuser.zip file when flashing with recovery.
Note, unlocking bootloader will cause loss of EVERYTHING on the device that you have put on there (sdcard, apps, data partition, etc).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do it this way. The one click is fine but using Android SDK and going through all that will help you in the long run. This way you know the process in case something goes wrong. It may be confusing at first but worth it. It will teach you a lot more than flashing a one click!
I learnt a lot from this and feel much more experienced and capable because of it. I know I will be able to solve any major issues using Android Debug Bridge (adb).

Okay then I am gonna try the manual way and gonna take out time for it. Now I just need to know what do I flash once I have unlocked bootloader and installed CWR?
I just want the stock google rom and receive OTA if nexus S continues to be supported by google.

You won't need to reinstall the ROM if you are currently on 4.0.4. The ROM stays there as-is. Feel free to do your wipes in recovery and reflash stock 4.0.4 through CWM if you must. You flash CWM to your phone and then superuser through CWM.
Steps:
Setup ADB/fastboot
Bootloader --> fastboot oem unlock --> agree
Bootloader --> fastboot flash recovery recovery.img --> this will give you CWM
Recovery --> flash superuser.zip and, if you must, wipe and reflash ICS (flash su AFTER this if done)
Reboot --> bingo
Also note, with stock ROMs it will replace your current recovery with stock recovery on each boot. If you want to keep CWM, delete /system/etc/flash-recovery.sh when you first boot. You'll have to reflash recovery afterward and it will stick.

Oh I was of the impression that unlocking bootloader wipes everything means it wipes the OS as well. That is nice if it's just data and not the OS, dont think I would reflash it if it's not needed.
Can you explain what you mean by will have to reflash recovery? I will have to do that even if I delete that file on first boot? And whats the drawback if I dont delete that file and stick with stock recovery?

As soon as you boot into stock android it will replace the recovery. So if that file is there on first boot, it will replace it while booting and you will be without CWM (stock instead). After first boot you can delete the file (you can reflash a ROM which has this deleted, or delete it yourself from a stock ROM, or even use adb or a recovery-based file manager to delete the file, then you won't have this problem at all) and it will no longer reflash stock recovery, but you would already have the stock one and need to flash CWM one more time to get it to stick. Easiest way is to just flash CWM and delete it within android imo, saves mounting commands and the such.
No downside really. If you need to flash something for one reason or another you'll just have to reflash CWM before you do so. Once rooted, ROM Manager can do this for you within android anyway.

I had already downloaded and installed the drivers from the one click root thread and my computer shows the android adb thing when I connect my phone with USB debugging.
But as you guys suggested I am gonna do the manual way. So do I just skip the installing driver on computer in the part 1 of this guide?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1007782

In my bootloader menu why is it showing my phone as an i9020?? Is it normal?

Gambler_3 said:
In my bootloader menu why is it showing my phone as an i9020?? Is it normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you have a Nexus S with amoled. That's the i9020. The i9023 is SLCD.

DeuXGod said:
Because you have a Nexus S with amoled. That's the i9020. The i9023 is SLCD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has the i9023 to my knowledge. It is completely normal, though. Bootloader and recovery for i9020 and i9023 series are the same, this can be attributed to the issue with 4.0.3 recovery backlight not turning on.
If fastboot recognises your phone in the bootloader (the fastboot menu), your drivers are installed an working perfectly.

Finally got to the unlock bootloader screen, didnt do it just yet but now I know how to do it.
I must say the guide is a bit outdated, the software has changed quite a bit seems. The most frustrating part was that the fastboot file is actually in the platform tools folder instead of the tools folder which I didnt figure for a while. I will hold off rooting when I have a whole day off because once I lose everything I would be very anxious to get my phone back to normal which will take time.
Thanks for the help harbb, if I have any problem flashing recovery and superuser I will come back for more help.
And yes I have the LCD version i9023.

Btw the guide said the fastboot will be in the tools folder but the tools folder had a read me that "adb has moved to the platform tools folder" this is how I figured to go to that folder and thats where the fastboot file actually was.
Now it says I should put the recovery image in the tools folder so should I do that or put it in the platform tools folder?

In the instructions for the flashing recovery I am not understanding one thing.
6 - Then back on the SNS select Power Off (Reboot also works)
Part 4 - Root
1 - Power ON the SNS
So after flashing recovery I have to reboot? Since I am on stock rom that would bring back the stock recovery so how would I flash superuser then?
If I delete the stock recovery can I still get OTA updates?

fastboot and adb is now in platform tools, that is correct. Easiest way is to put your recovery in there too so you don't have to type in the absolute file path to it, don't put it in tools.
Don't power off or reboot the phone. After you flash recovery go straight into the recovery menu and root, flash custom ROMs, kernels, etc. You can transfer files to flash via the mounts and storage --> mount usb storage menu. After this feel free to reboot.

Harbb said:
fastboot and adb is now in platform tools, that is correct. Easiest way is to put your recovery in there too so you don't have to type in the absolute file path to it, don't put it in tools.
Don't power off or reboot the phone. After you flash recovery go straight into the recovery menu and root, flash custom ROMs, kernels, etc. You can transfer files to flash via the mounts and storage --> mount usb storage menu. After this feel free to reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to update that I successfully unlocked and rooted. Thanks a bunch mate.

Gambler_3 said:
Just wanted to update that I successfully unlocked and rooted. Thanks a bunch mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good work, been wandering what you were up to on this
Hope you enjoy the possibilities.

[Q] Uber noob stuck and scared

So I've been reading these forums for days on end now before I touch my phone again. Is my order of things to do correct? (HTC One XL (AT&T))
1. Root
2. Supercid
3. Unlock bootloader
---Currently here---
4. Install CWM/make a backup
5. Relock bootloader
6. Flash a RUU (1.88?)
7. Unlock bootloader
8. Flash a rom
9. Enjoy
As shown above, I rooted, have su on my screen and I can get into the bootloader by vol down+power. I had a scare trying to install RUU 1.85 but I think it failed because my bootloader is unlocked?
Basically everything I do on my phone scares me now. I opened my bootloader today so I can see what stock recovery looked like. I got some weird icons that scared me. I cannot stay where I am because I cannot get OTA updates, and I cannot flash updates myself. HELP!
Thanks, people on this forum are awesome, but you all know too much to be able to write a proper noobs guide.

Valitri said:
So I've been reading these forums for days on end now before I touch my phone again. Is my order of things to do correct? (HTC One XL (AT&T))
1. Root
2. Supercid
3. Unlock bootloader
---Currently here---
4. Install CWM/make a backup
5. Relock bootloader
6. Flash a RUU (1.88?)
7. Unlock bootloader
8. Flash a rom
9. Enjoy
As shown above, I rooted, have su on my screen and I can get into the bootloader by vol down+power. I had a scare trying to install RUU 1.85 but I think it failed because my bootloader is unlocked?
Basically everything I do on my phone scares me now. I opened my bootloader today so I can see what stock recovery looked like. I got some weird icons that scared me. I cannot stay where I am because I cannot get OTA updates, and I cannot flash updates myself. HELP!
Thanks, people on this forum are awesome, but you all know too much to be able to write a proper noobs guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those steps are correct EXCEPT for 5, 6 and 7. You don't need those if you're flashing a custom rom, only if you're staying official and using an RUU. We can flash insecure boot.img files now which allow us to jump around firmware versions without blowing up. Just make sure you do a factory reset from recovery before flashing a new custom rom to prevent any weird bugs (you can use Titanium Backup to backup all your apps). Also, I would personally recommend flashing TWRP over CWM. It's a little more friendly in terms of UI and has a bit more functionality baked in.
Edit: And just FYI, the RUU did fail because your bootloader was unlocked. And now you know.

Are you on 1.85 already? If so you are set. But if you aren't, relock the downloader by connecting your phone to your computer via USB in fastboot and typing fastboot OEM lock, upgrade to 1.85 and then unlock the bootloader once again.

stnguyen09 said:
Those steps are correct EXCEPT for 5, 6 and 7. You don't need those if you're flashing a custom rom, only if you're staying official and using an RUU. We can flash insecure boot.img files now which allow us to jump around firmware versions without blowing up. Just make sure you do a factory reset from recovery before flashing a new custom rom to prevent any weird bugs (you can use Titanium Backup to backup all your apps). Also, I would personally recommend flashing TWRP over CWM. It's a little more friendly in terms of UI and has a bit more functionality baked in.
Edit: And just FYI, the RUU did fail because your bootloader was unlocked. And now you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming why the RUU failed. I was scared because it never said it failed or errored. I let it run for 90+ minutes and finally did a hard reset on my phone.
I downloaded Titanium but I don't understand where the backups go. How to save them or how to use them for recovery. I also don't understand how people talk about this phone having an SD card when it doesn't.
I saw TWRP and it looked like the better option but I thought a lot of the roms needed CWM to flash from. I guess I really don't fully understand how to flash a rom then.
This is so weird because I jailbroke my iPhone 3g, and tried multiple roms on my cousins Droid X a long time ago.
Easy question. If you stick with roms, any reason to ever relock the bootloader?
Thanks

Lilshaun said:
Are you on 1.85 already? If so you are set. But if you aren't, relock the downloader by connecting your phone to your computer via USB in fastboot and typing fastboot OEM lock, upgrade to 1.85 and then unlock the bootloader once again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on 1.73
As the previous poster said, if I want custom roms I shouldn't even bother with the RUU? Is the RUU just a way to get the most updated factory settings because of root? Also do RUUs cancel root?

Valitri said:
Thanks for confirming why the RUU failed. I was scared because it never said it failed or errored. I let it run for 90+ minutes and finally did a hard reset on my phone.
I downloaded Titanium but I don't understand where the backups go. How to save them or how to use them for recovery. I also don't understand how people talk about this phone having an SD card when it doesn't.
I saw TWRP and it looked like the better option but I thought a lot of the roms needed CWM to flash from. I guess I really don't fully understand how to flash a rom then.
This is so weird because I jailbroke my iPhone 3g, and tried multiple roms on my cousins Droid X a long time ago.
Easy question. If you stick with roms, any reason to ever relock the bootloader?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. You never need to relock the bl unless you're RUU'ing
2. TWRP and CWM do the same thing, what you can do with one you can pretty much assume you can do with the other
3. Titanium Backup (I refer to it as TiBu) stores the backup files on your phone in a Titanium Backup folder on your sd card. You use the TiBu app itself to batch restore your apps. So this mean you're gonna have to redownload it manually from the Play Store after a factory wipe. You also have the option or restoring your apps with data and also restoring system data. In my experience, restoring system data is always a bad idea and will cause weird behavior. Restoring app data also sometimes has weird consequences, depending on the app, so I usually just restore my apps without data and individually restore data to apps I know will have no issue and are a pain to set up again.
4. We refer to it as an sd card because it technically still is one, just soldered onto the board.
5. Yes, RUU will get rid of root. It returns your phone to its factory state (except it doesn't touch your user data)
---------- Post added at 02:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 PM ----------
Lilshaun said:
Are you on 1.85 already? If so you are set. But if you aren't, relock the downloader by connecting your phone to your computer via USB in fastboot and typing fastboot OEM lock, upgrade to 1.85 and then unlock the bootloader once again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Upgrading to 1.85 isn't necessary since we can flash boot.img and jump between versions

Thank you. I will run a backup from titanium and download it to my computer. Then I will flash TWRP, then try some roms.

Valitri said:
Thank you. I will run a backup from titanium and download it to my computer. Then I will flash TWRP, then try some roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can have TiBu sync to a Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box account too. The scheduling feature is real nice. I have mine running the 2 default scheduled backup tasks every morning at 6am and then automatically uploading to Google Drive provided that I am plugged in and on WiFi.
I have it run every morning just in case I do something stupid during the day.
Oh and make sure to watch your internal storage space. CWM/TWRP backups take up A LOT of space, around 1GB (that's off the top of my head, I know it's around there somewhere). Manage your backups carefully, deleting ones you don't need.

you dont need to bootloader unlock before you upgrade to 1.85. just get the unlock code and then, with a locked bootloader, update RUU to 1.85. then afterwards unlock bootloader with unlock code.bin.

Valitri said:
Thank you. I will run a backup from titanium and download it to my computer. Then I will flash TWRP, then try some roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium is just for backing up apps not the entire phone. Sorry if you knew that, it just sounded like you didn't.
You need to flash TWRP and do a backup with it. This will backup your entire phone. In case you ever run into issues you know that you have a backup of your phone from when it was fully functional. This stays on your phone and if you ever need to restore it you do so from within TWRP.

pside15 said:
Titanium is just for backing up apps not the entire phone. Sorry if you knew that, it just sounded like you didn't.
You need to flash TWRP and do a backup with it. This will backup your entire phone. In case you ever run into issues you know that you have a backup of your phone from when it was fully functional. This stays on your phone and if you ever need to restore it you do so from within TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, think of a TWRP/CWM backup as the equivalent of a Windows System Restore Point or a Mac Time Machine Backup. It's pretty much a snapshot of your system that you can jump back to in order to revert anything you did that screwed things up.

[Q] Root without CWM

Background:
I got myself a second-hand I9020T a couple of days back which had CWM recovery and a 4.0.4 Userdebug testkeys build on it. As circumstances turned out, I flashed the phone to the factory 4.1.2 (from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images), but didn't note down the details of the old 4.0.4 ROM.
I rather like stock roms. However, I like stock roms with root even more.
Questions:
I wanted to know if there was any method to root my Nexus S without resorting to using ClockworkMod recovery? I'm hoping for a z4root kind of method which doesn't mess around with the boot loader.
Does such a method even exist.
I'm hoping that I don't have to mess around with the boot loader, yet get root access and all the power to do direct querying of my SMS DB.
Note: I can install CWM recovery, but I'd rather not. It's just the superficial choice I'm making, not a well informed decision.

samveen said:
Background:
I got myself a second-hand I9020T a couple of days back which had CWM recovery and a 4.0.4 Userdebug testkeys build on it. As circumstances turned out, I flashed the phone to the factory 4.1.2 (from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images), but didn't note down the details of the old 4.0.4 ROM.
I rather like stock roms. However, I like stock roms with root even more.
Questions:
I wanted to know if there was any method to root my Nexus S without resorting to using ClockworkMod recovery? I'm hoping for a z4root kind of method which doesn't mess around with the boot loader.
Does such a method even exist.
I'm hoping that I don't have to mess around with the boot loader, yet get root access and all the power to do direct querying of my SMS DB.
Note: I can install CWM recovery, but I'd rather not. It's just the superficial choice I'm making, not a well informed decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to mess with the bootloader itself, just the recovery.
And no, you will need a custom recovery to flash chainsDD superuser or chainfire SuperSU. There's TWRP also available and popular, if you simply do not like CWM.

polobunny said:
You don't have to mess with the bootloader itself, just the recovery.
And no, you will need a custom recovery to flash chainsDD superuser or chainfire SuperSU. There's TWRP also available and popular, if you simply do not like CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is is possible to install the SU update (whichever of the 2) and go back to the stock recovery?

samveen said:
Is is possible to install the SU update (whichever of the 2) and go back to the stock recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I don't see why would one want to do that, but that's possible.
Once you're done with your flashing, you can flash stock Jellybean recovery from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2032337

Kernel question

I recently had to get a replacement phone sent to me from verizon. I'm on 4.4.4 I bought and used sunshine for unlock and s-off. I have flashed twrp and super su for root. I have not touched the kernel so I am still on stock kernel which has write protection. There are kernels out that have this disabled. What I'm trying to find information on is how do I flash one of these. I can't seem to find info on this. I got the original m8 on launch day and have done this months ago and I remember having to put certain things on the SD card and renaming them to something along the lines of (0BP6.img).
Is this correct. I also remember having to adb certain things to the phone. I'm just trying to avoid a brick. Any help is appreciated

Preston2291 said:
I recently had to get a replacement phone sent to me from verizon. I'm on 4.4.4 I bought and used sunshine for unlock and s-off. I have flashed twrp and super su for root. I have not touched the kernel so I am still on stock kernel which has write protection. There are kernels out that have this disabled. What I'm trying to find information on is how do I flash one of these. I can't seem to find info on this. I got the original m8 on launch day and have done this months ago and I remember having to put certain things on the SD card and renaming them to something along the lines of (0BP6.img).
Is this correct. I also remember having to adb certain things to the phone. I'm just trying to avoid a brick. Any help is appreciated
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Most kernels r flashed in recovery.

Tigerstown said:
Most kernels r flashed in recovery.
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So I should just be able to download a sense 4.4.4 kernel and flash in recovery then I can nandroid backup and then start flashing custom roms? I just didn't know if I was able to flash one in recovery coming from stock which is write protected without problems.

Preston2291 said:
So I should just be able to download a sense 4.4.4 kernel and flash in recovery then I can nandroid backup and then start flashing custom roms? I just didn't know if I was able to flash one in recovery coming from stock which is write protected without problems.
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have you tried to flash a ROM already? Cause I have been with HTC sense way way back. An I never have had this issue...I just pick a stock ROM an flash it... But you could fast boot a stock insecure boot using fast boot I guess if that's what you want to do.

Tigerstown said:
have you tried to flash a ROM already? Cause I have been with HTC sense way way back. An I never have had this issue...I just pick a stock ROM an flash it... But you could fast boot a stock insecure boot using fast boot I guess if that's what you want to do.
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I haven't tried to flash a stock rom no because I wasn't sure. And I don't want to wipe system and data with a write protected kernel because I'll be screwed. Or do you mean dirty flash a stock rom with the insecure kernel? I just don't want to not have write protection removed and then wipe and soft brick because I can't write to the system with a new rom

Preston2291 said:
I haven't tried to flash a stock rom no because I wasn't sure. And I don't want to wipe system and data with a write protected kernel because I'll be screwed. Or do you mean dirty flash a stock rom with the insecure kernel? I just don't want to not have write protection removed and then wipe and soft brick
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If you r s-off unlocked an flashed twrp then flashed SuperSU zip. Myself I just back a backup now verify backup is there an flash a ROM...or you could flash a stock insecure kernel 1st if you want to be extra safe.

Tigerstown said:
If you r s-off unlocked an flashed twrp then flashed SuperSU zip. Myself I just back a backup now verify backup is there an flash a ROM...or you could flash a stock insecure kernel 1st if you want to be extra safe.
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Just flashed a stock insecure kernel. How is a way to test if I have write access?

Preston2291 said:
Just flashed a stock insecure kernel. How is a way to test if I have write access?
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Don't know. Never check has I have never had a issue ever once an have own 7+ different HTC devices.

Tigerstown said:
Don't know. Never check has I have never had a issue ever once an have own 7+ different HTC devices.
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Thing is I bricked my last m8 because I flashed a stock recovery and rom to get the 4.4.4 update. And I wiped system and data to re install a rom and couldn't write to system and the phone wouldn't do anything but sit at the HTC screen because it was bricked. That's why I'm concerned with the kernel.

Preston2291 said:
Thing is I bricked my last m8 because I flashed a stock recovery and rom to get the 4.4.4 update. And I wiped system and data to re install a rom and couldn't write to system and the phone wouldn't do anything but sit at the HTC screen because it was bricked. That's why I'm concerned with the kernel.
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You should be able to just flash pretty much any sense based rom and have what you want. Write protection is removed in all of them, or, at least in all the ones I've tried.
That said, if you've already flashed a kernel that has write protection removed, you should be able to check it by just copying any file to the system folder. A text file, picture, anything. Then reboot the phone and check to see if the file you copied to the system folder is still there. If so, you're good to go. If not, write protection is still being enforced.