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[Q] CM9! > VKL1! > IMEI found! > Unlock?????

Hi. I had an Evo 4G and CM9 mastered. My first mistake was getting an iPhone.
I now have an i717. It was rooted but I didnt recognize it so I immediately put in clockwork and CM9. I lost imei but it reappeared after putting in the radio vkl1 a second time.
I have some db's in the signal meter in settings so its getting something. The number isnt showing from the tmo sim though. The phone was never unlocked.
I do not get a prompt to unlock when I reboot. Did I need to unlock first? I thnk I know the answer.
What should I do? I can pay $10 or whatever but I shouldnt have to. Im not sure if I need to use this odin thing to get to a stock ATT rom or something before I can unlock? Please help. thanks in advance.

I say u should go to odin and unroot then reroot it just to be on the safe side. Then u could unlock it if u want but unrooting it should work. It always works for me
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA

neko_tensai said:
Hi. I had an Evo 4G and CM9 mastered. My first mistake was getting an iPhone.
I now have an i717. It was rooted but I didnt recognize it so I immediately put in clockwork and CM9. I lost imei but it reappeared after putting in the radio vkl1 a second time.
I have some db's in the signal meter in settings so its getting something. The number isnt showing from the tmo sim though. The phone was never unlocked.
I do not get a prompt to unlock when I reboot. Did I need to unlock first? I thnk I know the answer.
What should I do? I can pay $10 or whatever but I shouldnt have to. Im not sure if I need to use this odin thing to get to a stock ATT rom or something before I can unlock? Please help. thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The i717 is the Galaxy Note, not the Skyrocket. Did you put a Skyrocket rom on the Note or was that just a typo?

.........
At this point I have paid cellunlock dot net to give me an unlock code.
Probably a common problem was that my USB cable was not in good status, using a usb extension, so I had failed flashing of firmware til late last night.
This morning I was able to install a stock ATT firmware. Now I receive a prompt for the unlock code. I cannot put CM9 back on it or do anything with it until I unlock it, so I am waiting.
**devpro**. you said no need to unlock? Im not sure. It certainly didnt ask for an unlock code when I was on cm9, but I could not make calls.
Could anyone clarify? Do I need to unlock if I am rooted, using tmo on att note?
I dont care much for odin or that kies crap. I prefer reboot to recovery, clockwork, rom manager and put cm9 on it. In critical situations its a life saver.
So im waiting on the unlock code or to find out i dont need it but i bet I do, especially since i travel overseas a lot.
???

If you're on T-Mobile, and using an AT&T phone you will need to unlock it.

neko_tensai said:
This morning I was able to install a stock ATT firmware. Now I receive a prompt for the unlock code. I cannot put CM9 back on it or do anything with it until I unlock it, so I am waiting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am doing the same thing with my Skyrocket. I got impatient waiting for the unlock code and rooted it, flashed CWM, custom radio, and CM9 on it. Then realized that after putting in non-AT&T SIM I wasn't getting unlock prompt. Keypad codes to bring up prompt don't work either. Hoping return to stock fixes it and I can just restore the CM9 from backup.
neko_tensai said:
**devpro**. you said no need to unlock? Im not sure. It certainly didnt ask for an unlock code when I was on cm9, but I could not make calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You absolutely have to unlock whether you're prompted or not. Rooting and installing non-stock software on it appears to result in lack of access to the unlock prompt (guessing UCLE2 radio but it may have just been CM9 in general).
I'll let you all know how it goes.

Success
Returned to stock using k0nane's method and Odin here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1342348, shut down, removed battery, inserted non-AT&T ROM, booted up, and was prompted for the unlock code.
Note: Those that are planning on using k0nane's method above should use the file he links to (SGH-I727-UCKJ2-k0nane.tar), another archive I grabbed via a different thread boot-looped my phone and I ended up having to do some extra work.

[Q] Root only

Received SGS3 "SCH-I535MBCVZW" Developer Edition which should be Carrier & Bootloader unlocked
Unit has v4.0.4
I'm a bit confused of which item in the guides I need to do and which i don't. Mainly I don't understand what give this phone Dev. Edition status and what would cause it to lose that capability.. don't care about carrier unlock but the bootloader being unlocked I think would be handy.
I think Root is all I'm after but not sure the order to get there as I'm not sure what make this phone a Dev.Edition
Do I activate then let verizon update to 4.1.1 or do something else
Once at 4.1.1 then put SuperSU on SD Card and do what.. guide would me Flash the VRALEC bootchain but don't think that's what I should do.
To just use SuperSU I need the custom recovery screen.. confused!
Any help would be great.. most of my confusion is the fact I bought a unlock bootloader not sure how to keep it that way.
Much Thanks

Bilboz said:
Received SGS3 "SCH-I535MBCVZW" Developer Edition which should be Carrier & Bootloader unlocked
Unit has v4.0.4
I'm a bit confused of which item in the guides I need to do and which i don't. Mainly I don't understand what give this phone Dev. Edition status and what would cause it to lose that capability.. don't care about carrier unlock but the bootloader being unlocked I think would be handy.
I think Root is all I'm after but not sure the order to get there as I'm not sure what make this phone a Dev.Edition
Do I activate then let verizon update to 4.1.1 or do something else
Once at 4.1.1 then put SuperSU on SD Card and do what.. guide would me Flash the VRALEC bootchain but don't think that's what I should do.
To just use SuperSU I need the custom recovery screen.. confused!
Any help would be great.. most of my confusion is the fact I bought a unlock bootloader not sure how to keep it that way.
Much Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should just need to flash recovery of choice and then flash the SuperSU zip in the thread. Bootloader is already unlocked. That is only difference for that phone. Need to do some research but Verizon should not be able to lock it with update or it will not update. Not sure. Would check sites like SamMobile and Samsung to see what is required for update. If it locks then that was a lot of money for nothing but I doubt that Verizon can lock it.

[Q] Questions about unlocking, rooting and modems.

I'm sorry if this questions have been asked before. I read through many pages on the Q&A section of this phone and didn't come with clear answers to my questions.
This is the first time I will attempt to unlock, root and flash a ROM on an Android phone.
First of all, I've read and I still don't know if I can flash a custom ROM, or one of those Brazil/Orange JB images available and be able to have the phone unlocked to use with different carriers. Jelly Bean hasn't been released to this phone here in Mexico yet.
1.- I don't mind unlocking the bootloader with Motorola solution. Is this the best way to unlock it?
2.- Flashing a custom ROM or a stock one makes the phone unlocked so I can use it with different carriers?. If the answer is yes, what ROM do you recommend. Are those Brazil/Orange images good for any user or its better to stick with third-party ROMs?
3.- If the answer to number 2 is NO, what should I do in order to unlock the phone? I need to be able to use in Mexico (the phone if from Telcel) and also use it on the United States (with AT&T). I've read about modem files that had to do with carriers but I'm not sure if I need special files to unlock this phone? If this is needed, where do I start or where do I find this files?
4.- If there is something else I need to know (and I didn't asked here) about unlocking the phone and flashing a stock or third-party ROM and have it unlocked to work with other carriers, please let me know by replying.
What are you guys using to backup the factory image? I haven't fiddled with Android for a while after flashing a Kindle Fire many times. I got a Nexus 7 and I haven't needed to root, unlock or try third party ROMs. The last time I used TWRP to backup the image of the Kindle Fire I think.
Thanks in advance

ajua said:
I'm sorry if this questions have been asked before. I read through many pages on the Q&A section of this phone and didn't come with clear answers to my questions.
This is the first time I will attempt to unlock, root and flash a ROM on an Android phone.
First of all, I've read and I still don't know if I can flash a custom ROM, or one of those Brazil/Orange JB images available and be able to have the phone unlocked to use with different carriers. Jelly Bean hasn't been released to this phone here in Mexico yet.
1.- I don't mind unlocking the bootloader with Motorola solution. Is this the best way to unlock it?
2.- Flashing a custom ROM or a stock one makes the phone unlocked so I can use it with different carriers?. If the answer is yes, what ROM do you recommend. Are those Brazil/Orange images good for any user or its better to stick with third-party ROMs?
3.- If the answer to number 2 is NO, what should I do in order to unlock the phone? I need to be able to use in Mexico (the phone if from Telcel) and also use it on the United States (with AT&T). I've read about modem files that had to do with carriers but I'm not sure if I need special files to unlock this phone? If this is needed, where do I start or where do I find this files?
4.- If there is something else I need to know (and I didn't asked here) about unlocking the phone and flashing a stock or third-party ROM and have it unlocked to work with other carriers, please let me know by replying.
What are you guys using to backup the factory image? I haven't fiddled with Android for a while after flashing a Kindle Fire many times. I got a Nexus 7 and I haven't needed to root, unlock or try third party ROMs. The last time I used TWRP to backup the image of the Kindle Fire I think.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking BL doesn't change the unlocked status of the phone for carriers. If you want to unlock it to use with different carriers you'll have to pay the unlock fee to whoever you choose to unlock with.
1. Answered above.
2. Custom ROMs or ROMs from different carriers won't unlock the carrier.
3. I believe there is some sort of file modification to have it unlocked. Not sure what you have to do but if I remember correctly its risky and affects IMEI.
Sent from my RAZR HD XT925

saloums7 said:
Unlocking BL doesn't change the unlocked status of the phone for carriers. If you want to unlock it to use with different carriers you'll have to pay the unlock fee to whoever you choose to unlock with.
1. Answered above.
2. Custom ROMs or ROMs from different carriers won't unlock the carrier.
3. I believe there is some sort of file modification to have it unlocked. Not sure what you have to do but if I remember correctly its risky and affects IMEI.
Sent from my RAZR HD XT925
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the bootloader won't change the locked status. As this is the first time flashing a phone, not a tablet, I thought that using a custom ROM or one from different carrier would work for this.
I've tried other SIMs on the phone (it's my sister's, not mine) but the phone didn't asks for a code when a SIM from a different carrier is inserted. I haven't bought any code because of this.
Anyone has a suggestion on what to do to have the phone unlocked to use with different carriers?

[Video Guide] How To Root Galaxy S4 I337 / I337m Easy & User Friendly

Hey folks. It's me again :victory: So I've got another super easy video guide on how to root your shiny new Samsung Galaxy S4 I337 or I337m.
This guide is using djrbliss's Motochopper tool. This tool has made it easier than ever to root a device! So BIG thanks goes out to him!
Links to everything can be found in the video description.
Enjoy

Here is a couple of more. I figure its better to keep them all in one place so people can decide which guide they want to use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2257039
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2257058
I think there might be a couple more out there but this should help people to answer any possible question about rooting that they could ever have.
If you have the AT&T OTA (MF3) for the SGH-I337 S4, the method in the OP does not work. Here is a method for rooting MF3:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577
For Canadian MG1 Firmware, try CF Auto-Root download for the SGH-I337M:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2293800

Just sold my Rogers S2 LTE because I upgraded to the S4. My quick question, if I ROOT and retain the original Samsung Recovery will I be able to still get and do official firmware upgrades? This is the only thing stopping me from going forward with rooting.

You can still get updates, but you will loose your root access with each update.

thanks: im now rooted and sim unlocked for free!

Slade8525 said:
thanks: im now rooted and sim unlocked for free!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, how did you sim unlock it for free, do you mind sharing?

yeah sure!
similar method worked for my GS III; havent tested the GS IV with different sim just yet but GF's old GS III is working just fine for her sister in Canada (Bell i think). GF found it actually, and did it to hers 1st. ill know if it works when we leave for work in Montreal next week or if i bum a t-mobile cell from a friend.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2282683

Stoneyguy said:
You can still get updates, but you will loose your root access with each update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WRONG, I am unable to update my device, it says that my phone has been modified, and yes, I have rooted it with this video.

Whenever I try this method, when it goes to push the exploit, it says error multiple devices or something. when I only have the S4 plugged in. Followed step by step.

Dragosmp said:
WRONG, I am unable to update my device, it says that my phone has been modified, and yes, I have rooted it with this video.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is rooted and still shows official in phone status. There is a post on how to regain that status while still maintaining your root.

Stoneyguy said:
My phone is rooted and still shows official in phone status. There is a post on how to regain that status while still maintaining your root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post a link to where it shows how to regain the status will maintaining the root?

rsarwar said:
Could you post a link to where it shows how to regain the status will maintaining the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link has already been posted on the first page.

thanks worked great just rooted min in 5 min

Safe to root?
Excuse my ignorance, but on another thread it was suggested that in the absence of recovery and a backup image rooting might be premature. Is the general consensus now that it is safe to root? There seems to be some backup images around thought I don't know if they have been tested, and I haven't heard about recovery.
sblevine

Newbie here... couple of questions
I have the same concern as the member above... is it already possible to restore the phone if something goes bad? Is there instructions anywhere around this forum? where?
Also, once you root the phone you can proceed to download a ROM and install it... when a new ROM version is available and I download and install it, do I lose the root?
What is the best (if more than one is already available) for the ATT S4?
Thank you all and sorry for the "newbieness"....
Cheers:good:

speed2001 said:
I have the same concern as the member above... is it already possible to restore the phone if something goes bad? Is there instructions anywhere around this forum? where?
Also, once you root the phone you can proceed to download a ROM and install it... when a new ROM version is available and I download and install it, do I lose the root?
What is the best (if more than one is already available) for the ATT S4?
Thank you all and sorry for the "newbieness"....
Cheers:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, rooting gives you certain superuser privileges. You can use Titanium Backup to freeze and restore bloatware, AdBlock to block advertisements, etc. Some phone tracking software and remote desktop control software requires root as well.
You cannot modify the basic operating system (ROM) until the bootloader is unlocked. You can overwrite the files, but that will brick your device since the bootloader checks signatures.
There is a bootloader exploit for the ATT S4 that will be released within the next week. The developer was waiting until the Verizon version of the S4 was available so more people would be able to use the exploit before it was patched.
Do not accept an OTA update for your device as that is how they will patch the bootloader exploit.
1. Root your device.
2. Carrier unlock your device.
3. Install custom ROM when bootloader is exploited later this week.

Relys said:
No, rooting gives you certain superuser privileges. You can use Titanium Backup to freeze and restore bloatware, AdBlock to block advertisements, etc. Some phone tracking software and remote desktop control software requires root as well.
You cannot modify the basic operating system (ROM) until the bootloader is unlocked. You can overwrite the files, but that will brick your device since the bootloader checks signatures.
There is a bootloader exploit for the ATT S4 that will be released within the next week. The developer was waiting until the Verizon version of the S4 was available so more people would be able to use the exploit before it was patched.
Do not accept an OTA update for your device as that is how they will patch the bootloader exploit.
1. Root your device.
2. Carrier unlock your device.
3. Install custom ROM when bootloader is exploited later this week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, thanks for the reply. I was under the impression that the bootloader was already exploited. Pure BS those protections that always end up broken like the IOS ones. What I would like is to have the S4 as factory released and load a good ROM without any problems and no bloatware. If not for the warranty I would buy an unlocked phone elsewhere.
Well, let's wait for the exploit next week. I don't want to brick my phone and not able to restore it. I will keep checking back.
Cheers and thanks again
Speed

Relys said:
No, rooting gives you certain superuser privileges. You can use Titanium Backup to freeze and restore bloatware, AdBlock to block advertisements, etc. Some phone tracking software and remote desktop control software requires root as well.
You cannot modify the basic operating system (ROM) until the bootloader is unlocked. You can overwrite the files, but that will brick your device since the bootloader checks signatures.
There is a bootloader exploit for the ATT S4 that will be released within the next week. The developer was waiting until the Verizon version of the S4 was available so more people would be able to use the exploit before it was patched.
Do not accept an OTA update for your device as that is how they will patch the bootloader exploit.
1. Root your device.
2. Carrier unlock your device.
3. Install custom ROM when bootloader is exploited later this week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the bold above, I am honestly not that interested in the Custom ROMS right now, only rooting and with this method it does not install any custom recovery, right? As well, if I root via this method will I be able to still do the OTA updates since Samsung recovery is untouched? I know and understand that I will likely loose root, but I can always re-root, right?
I am itching to root and this is the only thing stopping me as there seems to be much confusion about this.
BTW I am on Rogers (Canada) i337M if it makes a difference

rsarwar said:
Regarding the bold above, I am honestly not that interested in the Custom ROMS right now, only rooting and with this method it does not install any custom recovery, right? As well, if I root via this method will I be able to still do the OTA updates since Samsung recovery is untouched? I know and understand that I will likely loose root, but I can always re-root, right?
I am itching to root and this is the only thing stopping me as there seems to be much confusion about this.
BTW I am on Rogers (Canada) i337M if it makes a difference
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been a bit confused as well despite reading hundreds of posts and watching referenced videos (I've also been hesitant to ask questions given the culture of this board). Here is what I hope is accurate, please correct where I am wrong:
We can root I337 now.
Doing a simple root now is reversible, ie, can be un-rooted.
The bootloader unlock is needed primarily for custom roms.
If one does not desire a custom rom, there is no reason to wait to root.
And, a few questions:
Does rooting wipe out apps, settings, and/or data?
Will an AT&T android system update remove the root?
If so, can we just root again?
Thank you for clarifications. I'm sure there are many that are not posting with some of these questions. I will be glad to put together a noobie's guide if I can get a handle on all of this. It is all out there somewhere, but very fragmented, and often one post is contradicted by another.

zekeblue said:
I've been a bit confused as well despite reading hundreds of posts and watching referenced videos (I've also been hesitant to ask questions given the culture of this board). Here is what I hope is accurate, please correct where I am wrong:
We can root I337 now.
Doing a simple root now is reversible, ie, can be un-rooted.
The bootloader unlock is needed primarily for custom roms.
If one does not desire a custom rom, there is no reason to wait to root.
And, a few questions:
Does rooting wipe out apps, settings, and/or data?
Will an AT&T android system update remove the root?
If so, can we just root again?
Thank you for clarifications. I'm sure there are many that are not posting with some of these questions. I will be glad to put together a noobie's guide if I can get a handle on all of this. It is all out there somewhere, but very fragmented, and often one post is contradicted by another.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your assumptions are correct:
1. Yep.
2. Yes, you can delete busybox and su in your system directory to get your phone switch your phone from "Custom" to "Official" status. If you install SuperSu and remove Superuser you can have root while keeping "Official" status.
3. Correct.
4. If you **** up while messing around with root you can recover to stock ROM via Odin or Kies. There is no reason to wait for root.
To answer your questions.
1. No, nothing changes. You just enable superuser privileges.
2. Typically yes. Don't accept OTA's until your know they're safe.
3. It depends if they patch the exploit or not.

[Q] in desperate need of help with the verizon M8...!

i recently bought the m8 from verizon, upon purchase it was activated with a verizon simcard and after a few days i went overseas. now i am using it outside of the US with a non verizon simcard. i have a few issues with it:
1. cant use the phone as a wireless hot spot or tether its internet connection via USB-error message saying that i have a non verizon sim installed
2. cant get rid of all the verizon bloatware or any other bloatware
3. cant root - i came from galaxy s2 which was the easiest thing to root ever
4. every time i reboot the phone it alerts me that i inserted a non verizon simcard (is there any chance that the phone will lock up because of that??)
5. what is s-off?????
thank you very much for any help!!

In order to gain perm root use sunshine to unlock bootloader and then install custom recovery. Then flash SU. After that you can edit the default.XML to make necessary changes or you could flash a ROM with all the needed hacks installed. Already. Sunshine will cost 25 bucks but well worth the investment. There are a tin of discussions here on how to achieve the results you are trying to attain as well as step by step instructions.

udiperets said:
i recently bought the m8 from verizon, upon purchase it was activated with a verizon simcard and after a few days i went overseas. now i am using it outside of the US with a non verizon simcard. i have a few issues with it:
1. cant use the phone as a wireless hot spot or tether its internet connection via USB-error message saying that i have a non verizon sim installed
2. cant get rid of all the verizon bloatware or any other bloatware
3. cant root - i came from galaxy s2 which was the easiest thing to root ever
4. every time i reboot the phone it alerts me that i inserted a non verizon simcard (is there any chance that the phone will lock up because of that??)
5. what is s-off?????
thank you very much for any help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5. what is s-off?????, this is the most import question in your list as it is the key to making your device as flexible as you would like it to be. This may not be the technical definition but I will give you the gist.
S in S-off basically stands for Security. The device has a mechanism coded in to it that is meant to prevent users from doing irreparable damage to the phones operating system. Removing the security when the phone is "S-off'ed" so to speak, allows end users to make any and all manner of change to the phones software. HTC has aggreed to exclude the Verizon version of the M8 from their developers access platform. Other M8's can have their bootloaders unlocked throught the HTCdev website. Bootloader unlock allows rooting, and roms to be flashed, with some limitations, and more hassles and annoyances then straight S-off. S-off gives you total control, and ease of use at the expense of possibly turning your phone into a brick. But if you look through the forums, you will not find very many people complaining about ruining their phones. If you use caution, read everything thoroughly, and ask questions, you will be safe. Once you are S-Off you can either run a custom rom, or learn what to change in the stock rom to enable features as you see fit.
Once S-off'ed, install TWRP (Custom Recover). I would then flash SuperSU zip file to get root. After that you flash the tether fix, or flash a rom with stock hotspot, fix your APN settings to work with your simcard, and every thing else.
Links are to Devs download sites read and follow their directions. I'm using all of the following on my M8, thats all I can say.
Sunshine Dev Site for S-off: http://theroot.ninja/
TWRP custom recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/development/twrp-blank-os-fix-t2879306
superSU.zip dev site for root: http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu
Titanium Backup in the Play Store can remove Verizon Bloat once the phone is S-off and Write Protection removed, you will learn as you go.

mc_365 said:
5. what is s-off?????, this is the most import question in your list as it is the key to making your device as flexible as you would like it to be. This may not be the technical definition but I will give you the gist.
S in S-off basically stands for Security. The device has a mechanism coded in to it that is meant to prevent users from doing irreparable damage to the phones operating system. Removing the security when the phone is "S-off'ed" so to speak, allows end users to make any and all manner of change to the phones software. HTC has aggreed to exclude the Verizon version of the M8 from their developers access platform. Other M8's can have their bootloaders unlocked throught the HTCdev website. Bootloader unlock allows rooting, and roms to be flashed, with some limitations, and more hassles and annoyances then straight S-off. S-off gives you total control, and ease of use at the expense of possibly turning your phone into a brick. But if you look through the forums, you will not find very many people complaining about ruining their phones. If you use caution, read everything thoroughly, and ask questions, you will be safe. Once you are S-Off you can either run a custom rom, or learn what to change in the stock rom to enable features as you see fit.
Once S-off'ed, install TWRP (Custom Recover). I would then flash SuperSU zip file to get root. After that you flash the tether fix, or flash a rom with stock hotspot, fix your APN settings to work with your simcard, and every thing else.
Links are to Devs download sites read and follow their directions. I'm using all of the following on my M8, thats all I can say.
Sunshine Dev Site for S-off: http://theroot.ninja/
TWRP custom recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/development/twrp-blank-os-fix-t2879306
superSU.zip dev site for root: http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu
Titanium Backup in the Play Store can remove Verizon Bloat once the phone is S-off and Write Protection removed, you will learn as you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I do the s-off with sunshine, pay 25$ and later on will need to format the phone back to factory settings, will I need to pay again to s-off it a second time?

udiperets said:
If I do the s-off with sunshine, pay 25$ and later on will need to format the phone back to factory settings, will I need to pay again to s-off it a second time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the S-Off is permanent unless you deliberately put S-On. In addition the the license is for the life of that device.
The non-verizon sim is annoying but has no effect on the phone whatsoever (been using my M8 in Afghanistan with a Roshan SIM for the past 5 months)

4. every time i reboot the phone it alerts me that i inserted a non verizon simcard (is there any chance that the phone will lock up because of that??)
No, it's a "global" phone. It's the notification they have show up for roaming and non-verion SIMs. I don't live in the US and use my Verizon m8 everyday without a Verizon sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to get the notification for the hotspot as well, but my hotspot still worked fine despite their warning. I'm rooted and s-off though so that might make a difference.
The answer to all you other questions can be easily found in like two seconds on here, such as how to root it. I don't think you even bothered to read the top stickied threads. Once you're rooted you can remove all the Verizon stuff, switch to a ROM that has it removed, or use ROM cleaner to get rid of it in a Verizon based ROM.