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[Q] going to start experimenting with my Nexus s

Finally got a nexus s, & wanna start experimenting with root & ROMs, but i used to htc sense phones in which i can just use stock rom exe to go back to stock ROM, how do i do the same thing with my nexus s, i mean if something goes wrong is there any way of going back to stock ROM,
don't say just do the nandroid, because that means rooting first, can somebody please help me on this one

starting experimenting
if you want experimenting with your NS you have to root the phone first. It is really easy to root the nexus s, just have a look at this tutorial:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=895545
and then you can make a nandroid backup, like what you said.
if somethings goes wrong anyway, there is a way to go to stock as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884093
just try, in worst case you can go to stock

The answer is Nandroid.
Nexus phones are different. Super easy.
Fastboot OEM unlock
Accept the warning
Fastboot flash recovery blah.img
Make nandroid, mount it back it up etc. Then flash whatever rom u want.
If u want to go back to stock, nandroid recover then
Fastboot OEM lock
say yes and you're back to stock.
-Nexus S

It is NOT necessary to oem unlock the phone to flash clockwork or a custom rom. See this method here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931865
Also, if you're going to oem unlock, be aware it completely wipes all data off the phone, including anything on the sdcard you may have put there (like pics from the camera).
Finally, the most bizarre thing about the original post is that you're willing to flash custom roms, but not to root? Huh? You're aware that most custom roms come PRE-ROOTED, aren't you? What's the difference? Just curious....
By the way, Google's own blog states they intentionally made this phone easy to root and add customizations to...it's extremely safe and easy.

distortedloop said:
It is NOT necessary to oem unlock the phone to flash clockwork or a custom rom. See this method here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931865
Also, if you're going to oem unlock, be aware it completely wipes all data off the phone, including anything on the sdcard you may have put there (like pics from the camera).
Finally, the most bizarre thing about the original post is that you're willing to flash custom roms, but not to root? Huh? You're aware that most custom roms come PRE-ROOTED, aren't you? What's the difference? Just curious....
By the way, Google's own blog states they intentionally made this phone easy to root and add customizations to...it's extremely safe and easy.
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Click to collapse
thanks for the info, i said, i want a way to going back, i want root, why the hell not?

polandy posted above a perfect guide to return back to stock just as shipped through manufacturer. Just make sure you relock the BOOTLOADER for any warranty purposes. Now you can flash all you want and can go back to "stock". Here is the link again, http://theunlockr.com/2011/01/20/how-to-unroot-the-nexus-s/

dryspuri said:
thanks for the info, i said, i want a way to going back, i want root, why the hell not?
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I misunderstood you. You can flash cwm without rooting first, I think you could try nandroid before rooting.

Don't forget we have Odin now to return to stock......
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

sarge363 said:
Don't forget we have Odin now to return to stock......
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock version of a European ROM from an unknown (though not necessarily untrusted) source...
Sent from my MacBook Pro using Chrome

sarge363 said:
Don't forget we have Odin now to return to stock......
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do u do that? I had Samsung galaxy s first so I know what Odin is, can you please post the link to rom or image.

dryspuri said:
How do u do that? I had Samsung galaxy s first so I know what Odin is, can you please post the link to rom or image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search is your friend, but here it is for ya: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=947950

distortedloop said:
Stock version of a European ROM from an unknown (though not necessarily untrusted) source...
Sent from my MacBook Pro using Chrome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not know there was a European version of the Nexus S..... build says GRH78 which is stock for "US"......
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

sarge363 said:
I did not know there was a European version of the Nexus S..... build says GRH78 which is stock for "US"......
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
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I didn't say a there was European version of the Nexus S (yet)...but it's well known that there is one coming. I said this was a European version of the ROM.
Did you read the thread that has the files? The first post says that the guy obtained it from Samsung service center in England. Then someone asked if there was a US version, and no one corrected him in saying that this one was or wasn't. Granted, Samsung England could easily have access to US ROMs from the Samsung mothership, so that alone is not proof it is European.
However, if you download the rar file from that thread, and unrar it, you'll see that it contains a file named "CSC_I9020_EUR.tar" which is clearly a EURopean CSC file, making this a European ROM.
The PDA file's images may be 100% the same as a stock US phone, but until someone flashes this stuff from Odin and somehow runs a diff against a stock US ROM, I'm not assuming it's the same thing just on faith. You're welcome too, of course.
What's interesting to me is that there is a CSC at all. I don't think our Nexus S uses it, or at least it doesn't use it in the same way as the Samsung issued ROMS do. CSC is carrier specific customizations, if you're not familiar with it; it's a way to add bloatware and carrier settings to the phone.

[Q] Rooting Nexus S without unlocking bootloader

I've seen many different rooting methods for the nexus s but unfortunately they don't allow rooting without unlocking the bootloader like the samsung vibrant allows is there anyway I can root my phone without unlocking the bootloader?
why I don't want to unloack the boot loader because I'm fine with the stock ROM on my nexus s. I was really into installing ROMs and things with my Vibrant but the Nexus S feels really complete so I feel like I don't need to unlock my boot loader
Also for the first time I have decent signal in my house after switiching from my blackberry to android so I don't wanna change my baseband and my battery life is good too so I don't want to mess with the kernel

Really? You posted in the same incorrect forum twice with the same question cut and pasted. Nice work!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

You know you can re-lock the bootloader with a fastboot command, right? And the little open lock goes away.

i'm sorry i accidentally reposted i pmed the moderator right away because i didn't know how to delete the post and this is the right section its a question...

i just have one question i can relock right but if i do unlock the bootloader will it change my kernel or baseband settings? i really couldn't care about the warranty and such

it's like opening the door....if you do nothing inside, nothing will happen

yes i get that but i can't flash back to the original recovery as of now and so no changes to the kernel and baseband alright thanks!!

also is there some sort of a "ODIN" availabale for nexus s because thats what I used to always flash my samsung vibrant back to stock. will OTA updates be affected if I root and unlock the bootloader?

anishs said:
also is there some sort of a "ODIN" availabale for nexus s because thats what I used to always flash my samsung vibrant back to stock. will OTA updates be affected if I root and unlock the bootloader?
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Click to collapse
Yes you can use Odin with Nexus S, but consider it the last resort because normally you can do everything via adb and fastboot -- that's the advantage of having a Google phone.
For OTA updates, I'm pretty sure it will not work because OTA update requires stock recovery but rooting requires you to flash a custom recovery.

suksit said:
Yes you can use Odin with Nexus S, but consider it the last resort because normally you can do everything via adb and fastboot -- that's the advantage of having a Google phone.
For OTA updates, I'm pretty sure it will not work because OTA update requires stock recovery but rooting requires you to flash a custom recovery.
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thanks for that reply it explained everything can you just tell me if flashing a custom recovery change my baseband or kernel that's all i need to know now

@anishs no
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

thanks to everyone for helping a noob with a nexus s

[Q] are these the current tools to root/unlock?

Got lucky ended up with a 1.85 firmware device from att refurbished yesterday. I just want to double check that I'm not missing anything.
So from stock I need to use the one click root below first, then after this use the supercid bl unlock method and I'm good? Then I'll be able to get twrp recovery on there and start flashing?
One click root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1644167
Supercid unlock bootloader
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1672284
Is there any files or numbers I need to back up before doing anything?
Anything I need to avoid doing that would cause me to lose root permanently?

Use the manual root method, seems to work better for most, myself included.

Ya what he said. I tried to root my phone 4x using that method it did not work. Finally used another method I found on the web. Try this one. Www.onexroot.com. there you will find the tutorial of how to. Not the one click root method. But the other. Also tells u how to unlock bootloader. I had to open 2 windows for this. I also went to xda and take a look at this one " there both the same except you got the step by step video tutorial .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4pg9PNLfEk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://onexroot.com/one-x-root/how-to-unlock-bootloader-and-root-att-htc-one-xhtc-one-xl/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671396
U have to do this step above in order to unlock your bootloader ...that's just the way at&t is...if you have telus or rogers then just unlock bootloadee via HTC dev. Do this and you will be good. Oh and a peace of advice don't do what I almost Did...DON'T FLASH AN INTERNATIONAL ROM!!!. just stay in the "At&t, rogers one xl, talar" or whatever its calld. You'll have a $700 paperweight
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app

chuko303 said:
Oh and a peace of advice don't do what I almost Did...DON'T FLASH AN INTERNATIONAL ROM!!!. just stay in the "At&t, rogers one xl, talar" or whatever its calld. You'll have a $700 paperweight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one of the most valuable pieces of advice you'll find on here!
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

Thanks everyone, I'll use the suggested manual root, already saw some bad stories of people flashing international roms. I've got the att forum bookmarked so I won't accidentally flash an international rom.
I saw people talking about safely upgrading to 2.20 firmware to keep root, is there any reason to go to 2.20 if I plan on flashing cm10 or AOKP or is that just if I want the latest stock ROM with root?

JBLogic said:
Thanks everyone, I'll use the suggested manual root, already saw some bad stories of people flashing international roms. I've got the att forum bookmarked so I won't accidentally flash an international rom.
I saw people talking about safely upgrading to 2.20 firmware to keep root, is there any reason to go to 2.20 if I plan on flashing cm10 or AOKP or is that just if I want the latest stock ROM with root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't unless you like flashing a boot IMG every time before a Rom via fast boot or terminal emulator

new root method

dear all,
has anybody tried this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1940630

Already rooted, going to try it on a demo phone at work,
sent from my giant f$%&en Q

I tried it today works great, thanks posting it here i wanted root but didnt want unlock it.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app

Thanks a lot for confirming this as I am in the same boat. I will eventually unlock based on the fact that I hear you can't have custom recovery unless you unlock. I also came from a samsung epic and I haven't quite gotten the moto lingo down so I don't quite follow the boot and fastboot stuff yet. I think i have pieced together that moto has a better stock recovery than Samsung therefor you don't necessarily need a custom recovery to flash stuff if unlocked, but please correct me if I have assumed to much. Thx again.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app

bryanfritz1 said:
Thanks a lot for confirming this as I am in the same boat. I will eventually unlock based on the fact that I hear you can't have custom recovery unless you unlock. I also came from a samsung epic and I haven't quite gotten the moto lingo down so I don't quite follow the boot and fastboot stuff yet. I think i have pieced together that moto has a better stock recovery than Samsung therefor you don't necessarily need a custom recovery to flash stuff if unlocked, but please correct me if I have assumed to much. Thx again.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unlocked and trashed the stock recovery and ported TWRP immediately after getting the device...
BUT with that said, typically stock recoveries will only flash signed/stock stuffs. So I doubt you'll be able to install anything aftermarket with their stock recovery... Obviously I don't know if this is true or not, I never even had stock reco on long enough to find out .

This worked great for me. No unlocked bootloader prior to running the script.
Now if only I could get wifi tether working...

bryanfritz1 said:
Thanks a lot for confirming this as I am in the same boat. I will eventually unlock based on the fact that I hear you can't have custom recovery unless you unlock. I also came from a samsung epic and I haven't quite gotten the moto lingo down so I don't quite follow the boot and fastboot stuff yet. I think i have pieced together that moto has a better stock recovery than Samsung therefor you don't necessarily need a custom recovery to flash stuff if unlocked, but please correct me if I have assumed to much. Thx again.
Sent from my XT897 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
no stock recovery can flash OTA's and thats all
i was wondering how long it would take people to find this . reason why i dindt post it? next OTA that comes and wipes it out youve gutta wait until a new exploit is found... or unlock the bootloader and flash a recovery.

Install ota rootkeeper from the market and you will keep root through an update. Works great. I obviously haven't used the app on the photon q but it worked on a few other devices.
Having said that, sometimes updates come with different bootloaders and sometimes you don't want a newer bootloader.

plz help! cannot install any rom

rooted razr hd on most current ota...installed most recent safestrap since cannot unlock bootloader...created a rom slot 1 and try to flash a rom but they all fail...originally trying http://true-android.blogspot.com/2013/12/update-motorola-droid-razr-hd-xt926-to_16.html but it failed so tried slimkat but also failed....idk what to do please help

I'm actually having a similar issue in the same situation with hd maxx. Rooted with locked bootloader so used Safestrap. I was able to install the rom but can't boot into it. I'm just seeing a black screen. Let me know if you find a way to get the rom loaded correctly.

r4zrm4xxx said:
rooted razr hd on most current ota...installed most recent safestrap since cannot unlock bootloader...created a rom slot 1 and try to flash a rom but they all fail...originally trying http://true-android.blogspot.com/2013/12/update-motorola-droid-razr-hd-xt926-to_16.html but it failed so tried slimkat but also failed....idk what to do please help
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jigz23 said:
I'm actually having a similar issue in the same situation with hd maxx. Rooted with locked bootloader so used Safestrap. I was able to install the rom but can't boot into it. I'm just seeing a black screen. Let me know if you find a way to get the rom loaded correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the info in that blog is inaccurate. All of those "how-to's" state that you need SafeStrap, except for Pac that says you need CWM. I'm hoping it's just a verbage mix up and he meant to say "TWRP" instead of "SafeStrap." If he meant SS, he's going to make a lot of soft-bricks. Those ROMs should not work unless you have an unlocked bootloader. They won't work with a locked bootloader and SafeStrap. The OP of those how-to's needs to dig in a little more. All of the threads for those respective ROMs on XDA and elsewhere specifically state that you need an unlocked bootloader. Root =/= unlocked bootloader. Heck, even the CM Wiki states that you need an unlocked bootloader. If your BL was unlocked and you were using SafeStrap, you would probably get those ROMs to work. However, since you cannot unlock your BL (and haven't been able to since the May update), you probably won't be able to use those ROMs. I think the person that threw that blog together did it pretty hastily, without researching. The original post was put up just a few hours ago and it hasn't been very long since the root exploit popped up.
With all of that^^^ being said, there are only a few SS compatible ROMs out there and they're all stock based. I believe Rage HD and Nexesque will work on SS. There is also a DST ROM running around that should work. DST is a debloated stock ROM with no VZW crap in it.
CM wiki: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Xt926_Info

RikRong said:
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the info in that blog is inaccurate. All of those "how-to's" state that you need SafeStrap, except for Pac that says you need CWM. I'm hoping it's just a verbage mix up and he meant to say "TWRP" instead of "SafeStrap." If he meant SS, he's going to make a lot of soft-bricks. Those ROMs should not work unless you have an unlocked bootloader. They won't work with a locked bootloader and SafeStrap. The OP of those how-to's needs to dig in a little more. All of the threads for those respective ROMs on XDA and elsewhere specifically state that you need an unlocked bootloader. Root =/= unlocked bootloader. Heck, even the CM Wiki states that you need an unlocked bootloader. If your BL was unlocked and you were using SafeStrap, you would probably get those ROMs to work. However, since you cannot unlock your BL (and haven't been able to since the May update), you probably won't be able to use those ROMs. I think the person that threw that blog together did it pretty hastily, without researching. The original post was put up just a few hours ago and it hasn't been very long since the root exploit popped up.
With all of that^^^ being said, there are only a few SS compatible ROMs out there and they're all stock based. I believe Rage HD and Nexesque will work on SS. There is also a DST ROM running around that should work. DST is a debloated stock ROM with no VZW crap in it.
CM wiki: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Xt926_Info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks a lot for the very helpful and informative info I appreciate it much. Looking into as ROMs now hopefully bootloader can be unlocked in near future
Sent from my XT912 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

r4zrm4xxx said:
..... hopefully bootloader can be unlocked in near future
Sent from my XT912 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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while someone may have tripped and fell into a big pile of root, thats not going to happen for the bootloader. you can bank on that.

i had this issue today with safestrap 3,65 when flashing any stock roms on slot 1 and it was a no go, i installed safestrap ver 3.12 and that did the trick for me.