I bought a used XT925 today. While the previous owner did go to some trouble to clean it, it still has a bunch of apps and some settings that I really don't want. Also, as a privacy paranoiac, I'm worried that there may be something malicious (however slight the possibility).
The device is rooted and running JB 4.1.2. I would love to factory reset it but having read a few reports of people losing root or worse (here, here, here and here, to list just a few) that plan seems ill-advised.
I've been toying with trying to script some kind of fs compare against a fs from a rom, but I'm not sure if this is even feasible. So far the only other thing I can think of to do is uninstall all the apps and manually sift through and delete all the other junk in the filesystem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on returning my device to the most "virgin" state possible while retaining root?
triplexdoubledadevelopers said:
I bought a used XT925 today. While the previous owner did go to some trouble to clean it, it still has a bunch of apps and some settings that I really don't want. Also, as a privacy paranoiac, I'm worried that there may be something malicious (however slight the possibility).
The device is rooted and running JB 4.1.2. I would love to factory reset it but having read a few reports of people losing root or worse (here, here, here and here, to list just a few) that plan seems ill-advised.
I've been toying with trying to script some kind of fs compare against a fs from a rom, but I'm not sure if this is even feasible. So far the only other thing I can think of to do is uninstall all the apps and manually sift through and delete all the other junk in the filesystem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on returning my device to the most "virgin" state possible while retaining root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simplest way is to use RSD Lite to send your device back to stock 4.1.2 -- then you can use the recently posted root method to gain root back. It should take < 15 minutes to do, most of that spent flashing with RSDLite. It'll actually take longer to download all the ADB drivers, Moto drivers, etc -- if you don't have them already.
triplexdoubledadevelopers said:
I bought a used XT925 today. While the previous owner did go to some trouble to clean it, it still has a bunch of apps and some settings that I really don't want. Also, as a privacy paranoiac, I'm worried that there may be something malicious (however slight the possibility).
The device is rooted and running JB 4.1.2. I would love to factory reset it but having read a few reports of people losing root or worse (here, here, here and here, to list just a few) that plan seems ill-advised.
I've been toying with trying to script some kind of fs compare against a fs from a rom, but I'm not sure if this is even feasible. So far the only other thing I can think of to do is uninstall all the apps and manually sift through and delete all the other junk in the filesystem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on returning my device to the most "virgin" state possible while retaining root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats up,
Cpudan80 is right, your best bet is to flash stock 4.1.2, and to reroot. And it does take about 15 minutes if you don't already have drivers and stuff, but I can help you out, by linking you to my utility, which essentially does the heavy lifting of finding all of the programs and stuff, and puts it together into one convenient package.
Find it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2241788
Cpudan80 said:
Simplest way is to use RSD Lite to send your device back to stock 4.1.2 -- then you can use the recently posted root method to gain root back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr.Parkinson said:
Cpudan80 is right, your best bet is to flash stock 4.1.2, and to reroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the replies! Would you link me to that root method, Cpudan80? All of the root methods I've been able to find say that you must flash 4.0 or CWM first in order to root, then protect root and upgrade to JB again. Is there a new better way which doesn't require downgrading?
triplexdoubledadevelopers said:
Thanks for the replies! Would you link me to that root method, Cpudan80? All of the root methods I've been able to find say that you must flash 4.0 or CWM first in order to root, then protect root and upgrade to JB again. Is there a new better way which doesn't require downgrading?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a thread on here somewhere -- but here's the thread I followed (after using RSDLite to go back to clean 4.1.2). No hard steps at all, just run a bat file - press enter and viola - you're rooted.
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/15208-root-motochopper-yet-another-android-root-exploit/
Cpudan80 said:
There's a thread on here somewhere -- but here's the thread I followed (after using RSDLite to go back to clean 4.1.2). No hard steps at all, just run a bat file - press enter and viola - you're rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing, thanks! I had seen that exploit at one point when I was considering getting an earlier RAZR version and was looking into how easy it was to root it. I thought that exploit didn't work with the XT925 since there was no link to it in the forum (and searches only revealed many tales of failed root attempts and downgrades). Thanks again!
Related
Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.
wilee1928 said:
Hi, I just got my Nexus S, this is my first Android device, I've been an iPhone user for the last 3 years.
So my question is:
should I root it right now?
or should I just play with stock Android for a while?
if root: what should I install/do with it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.
kenvan19 said:
Well, there is no reason not to root it. If you root you can do whatever you want. I suggest you check out the different apps, roms, kernels, or mods you can get because there are far too many choices and different kinds of things you can do with root for anyone to tell you what or how should you use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).
wilee1928 said:
i forgot another thing.
if i root it, is there a way to "unroot" it? just in case there is something wrong with the phone and needs repair (warranty).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making it seem untainted is as easy as flashing a stock rom and relocking the bootloader.
Always yes.
root.
I might suggest playing with the stock android for a bit first since this is your first android device. That way you can get acquainted and get a feel of what you want or expect from a custom rom or applications that require root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Look around and see if of interest you then root.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Rooting gives you access to some incredibly powerful and useful applications that many of us can't live without.
There's really no reason not to root. It's stupid simple to do, and easily reversed with a few terminal commands to delete the su binary, busybox and its symlinks and the superuser.apk. I don't believe it's even an issue with warranty service. Google's endorsed rooting and hacking the phone (thanks kevnan for shoving that one down my throat again last night), and part of why they made it so easy to do.
Until recently, if you wanted to root, it was really a bad idea not to do it right away because the earlier methods (still) have you doing the fastboot oem unlock command, which will WIPE EVERYTHING on your phone, including all the stuff on your /sdcard (pictures, music, etc), and all your apps' data (like Angry Birds scores) that can't be backed up without root.
We've recently found a method that doesn't require you to wipe the phone, and is just as effective as the earlier methods (really all we're doing is skipping that oem unlock step), so it's not as time critical to root right away as it used to be.
Good luck with the phone; it's fantastic, even on stock ROMs (my choice to use), despite a few annoying quirks!
Sent from Safari browser because Chrome browser frequently won't cooperate with xda forums.
My first post!!!
Anyway, I wanted to know if the GS3DebugFSRoot rooting method removes all the bloat on the phone? Should I just go with this method or should I go the Odin method?
MisterBigs said:
My first post!!!
Anyway, I wanted to know if the GS3DebugFSRoot rooting method removes all the bloat on the phone? Should I just go with this method or should I go the Odin method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, Welcome to XDA!
Back to your question, I am pretty sure that the GS3DebugFSRoot rooting method does not remove all the bloat from the phone. I personally think that the rooting method is better than the odin method, because it is faster and is a smaller download (waaaay smaller). However, the root you get from GS3DebugFSRoot is as good as any other root (because of the way root works). You can use that root access to remove the bloat you do not want.
In addition, after using Noxious Ninja's root method, you can use the root you get to flash a recovery to your phone, which you can use from there to flash many roms/mods/hacks/themes/etc such as CyanogenMod
It doesn't remove anything, just adds root/SU.
Thanks mustbepbs and yosterwp.
yosterwp, you lost me there. Isn't here a major thread of bricking or some other damage to the phone if I start removing some of the bloat myself? If I root the phone how would I know what can be safely removed?
Here is a list of what I'm looking for:
I want to be able to install APKs
I don't want any of the bloat from Verizon or Samsung
I would like to us HotSpot tethering
I don't think I need any custom mods
I do would like the ability to set it back to stock (with no trace of it having been rooted if possible)
Whoops! I guess a went a bit ahead of myself in that post. I'll look into your list in the order the criteria is put.
1. Umm, I believe you can install any apk you want even without root access (Go to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources and check the box). Now if the application requires SU, that's a different story and need SU access.
2. [This answers one of your main concerns too] I forgot where I found this thread, but I bookmarked this spreadsheet on Google Docs. It is a table showing what is safe to remove, what's risky to remove, and what you should not remove. However, if you are rooting for the sake of flashing a custom ROM, then you should forget removing the bloat, as the custom rom should be devoid of bloat to start.
3. HotSpot Tethering should already be on your phone without root or anything... Go to Settings > Mobile Hotspot.
3.5. If you are talking about not using that (because your plan prohibits it) --I'd rather not be the one who encourages violating contracts...
4. If you want to return to stock without a trace of being rooted, get ready for a HUGE download. Go to this thread and use your preferred downloading method. And remember to grab Odin from the link on the page. Thank the OP if you can. Then boot your phone into download mode. [(in computer with phone plugged in) adb reboot download] and then fire up Odin. In odin, hit PDA and then navigate to the large download. Finally just to make sure the flash counter appears to have not changed, go to this thread.
You should be good to go from there. I make no guarantee that my instructions will work for you, but it should point you in the right direction. And if you have any questions, let the forum know!
Wow! thanks for all the info.
One more question. What's your take on whether I need a Recovery tool?
I'm a software developer (web and Windows) and am planning on getting into coding on Android so I'm also looking for a crash course for that too. If you have a link for that I would greatly appreciate it.
MisterBigs said:
Wow! thanks for all the info.
One more question. What's your take on whether I need a Recovery tool?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just have Odin installed and on hand. While the easy root solution is nice, it's still a good idea to be familiar with Odin as you're going to NEED it if you get yourself in a pickle or want to go back to fully stock.
MisterBigs said:
Wow! thanks for all the info.
One more question. What's your take on whether I need a Recovery tool?
I'm a software developer (web and Windows) and am planning on getting into coding on Android so I'm also looking for a crash course for that too. If you have a link for that I would greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If by recovery tool, you mean Odin, then i definitely would suggest getting Odin and the stock images for your phone. Hopefully you will never need it, but it is always good to have on hand. Familiarize yourself with it, especially if you are rooted.
If you are talking about a recovery partition, that is a definite must have when rooted! You can make complete backups of your phone in case something goes wrong as well. And it can do much more.
Now for the android crash course
If you are talking about developing apps, there is a user on YouTube, mybringback, who does excellent videos on developing apps on android for absolute beginners like me. I am not the greatest Dev (in C++ and Java), but his videos gave me a good foot into Java.
If you are talking about developing for the actual android system, then honestly, I have no clue. Many places will tell you how to download and build the source, but not much else... I am still trying to find a site that explains the source...
Hope that helps
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Cool. Thanks guys.
I'll be watching some videos now
Dear friends,
as i have been hanging out in this forum, i have learnt a lot. But still, i cannot understand the attitude why people treat, reply or explain everything in a way that assumes all of us are android experts.
TF700 is my first android device(have been using Apple before) so I really need to improve-or create- fundamental knowledge. Just for your information, replying messages like; "ok now Unlock the Root system instead OTA .21 and blablablabla?" (btw. i am well aware of the fact that this sentence is totally meaningless)
Whatever, my point is it would be wonderful to have a fundamental knowledge thread, also keeping your great posts too at the same time.
Cheers!!
archonur said:
Dear friends,
as i have been hanging out in this forum, i have learnt a lot. But still, i cannot understand the attitude why people treat, reply or explain everything in a way that assumes all of us are android experts.
TF700 is my first android device(have been using Apple before) so I really need to improve-or create- fundamental knowledge. Just for your information, replying messages like; "ok now Unlock the Root system instead OTA .21 and blablablabla?" (btw. i am well aware of the fact that this sentence is totally meaningless)
Whatever, my point is it would be wonderful to have a fundamental knowledge thread, also keeping your great posts too at the same time.
Cheers!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a newbie too -- bought the tf101 a couple of months ago - loved it -- told my husband he could have it - I was buying the 700 ! and was lucky enough to be able to order one (we live in Canada..... Tiger Direct.ca had them)
I have learned a lot from this forum -- glad I found it --- but I won't be "unlocking" anything ! the only thing I know how to "root" are my house plants !!! lol !! we don't even own smart phones yet -- we still have dumb phones !!! but I have my TF700 !!!
You mean sth like this?
seems hard, but it's not.
It seems tough in the beginning for noob, but actually you're going to get it. You should read the "Index" pointing out by d14b0ll0s to gain some basic knowledge and familiar with the terminology then you should be fine. Couple key words I want to point out that you should know. Currently TF700 came with a locked boot loader, meaning you not able to flash (install) custom firmware from our developers. This is a biggest issue at the moment. Sure there're workaround but it's a pain in the as...and unstable(could brick your pad if you not doing it right). When you see numbers like 21,22,26, they are firmware version number. The latest should be 26. OTA stands for "over the air" and we referred to firmware push to our pad by Asus, not manually download and install ourselves. Rooted is a process that you gain access as a administrator on your pad (you have full access to your phone), with rooted privilege you can almost do anything with your pad, like uninstall Asus embed software, do a full backup of your entire OS (operating system), modified system files etc... CWM is a tool you installed on your pad in order to flash (install) custom firmware. So at the minimum you should have root, and in the future when new custom firmware arrived, you can install cwm and used this tool to flash them. Keep in mind that with locked boot loader, you can't flash custom firmware. Finally, once you're rooted or have custom firmware installed, your pad will no longer can accepted OTA firmware (firmware push to your pad by Asus). In this case you need to roll back to stock (re installed factory firmware and no root), before you can do OTA update. Currently, I suggest you should stay on the side line and waiting for the OTA 4.1.1 JB (new Operating System called Jelly Bean, version 4.1.1 will be push to your pad by Asus). After reading this post you should be ready to play... good luck!
Sorry, but I don't get it, what is it about Verizon? Is it because you bought yours from Verizon? Mine comes from ASUS and I believe the OTA updates are from ASUS servers. Is it the US-specific thing that you mentioned?
Yeah... Everything is pretty easy even for people that have no clue what they are doing. My suggestion right now is to root but not unlock. Rooting is as simple as running the .bat file and following on screen directions (assuming you are using Windows). The only thing you need to do after the program is finished is to open up the Superuser app (might be SuperSU) and restart after that for safe measure.
Unlocking does VOID YOUR MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY (and possibly all others you may have purchased). Make sure you know what you want to do with an unlocked device before you do it. Personally, I am waiting for a stable JB build before I unlock. But the choice is ultimately up to you.
d14b0ll0s said:
Sorry, but I don't get it, what is it about Verizon? Is it because you bought yours from Verizon? Mine comes from ASUS and I believe the OTA updates are from ASUS servers. Is it the US-specific thing that you mentioned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry you're right, must not awake yet. ASUS that is. Thanks bro.
Your going to be fine try learning how to build aosp from source in a time limit
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Skullmonkey said:
Yeah... Everything is pretty easy even for people that have no clue what they are doing. My suggestion right now is to root but not unlock. Rooting is as simple as running the .bat file and following on screen directions (assuming you are using Windows). The only thing you need to do after the program is finished is to open up the Superuser app (might be SuperSU) and restart after that for safe measure.
Unlocking does VOID YOUR MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY (and possibly all others you may have purchased). Make sure you know what you want to do with an unlocked device before you do it. Personally, I am waiting for a stable JB build before I unlock. But the choice is ultimately up to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with Skullmonkey on this. Until you are ready for really hacking the system, all you really need is to root the system (run the DebugFS) to get "administrator access to your device".
You might want to read what buhohitr wrote several times as there is much to be gleaned from it. If it helps, copy/paste the contents of buhohitr's repsonse to a notepad text document and go through it word-for-word, isolate those that you find questionable or troublesome, then research what those words are. Anything that is "super difficult" you can just post back here in the Q&A section and I'm sure someone will help you in no time.
another noob question: does rooting the device void manufacturing warranty?
It does not. Only unlocking the device does.
Sent from my Transformer Infinity!
So if I root my Infinity...
...which pre-included apps can I get rid of?
Also which preloaded apps are best to bump off if I dare a root?
I have never dabbled with android down in the file system much for fear of doing something irreparable.
Well, to the OP: we already have quite a few 'basic' threads going on here, and no one forces you to embark on the more advanced stuff, do we? Just read up on it, and when you feel like you can make the jump, pick it up little by little. We're not all experts in here, but most of us can follow directions of the gurus really good, and we have the advantage of knowing how to save our butts when the excrement impacts the ventilator. (And most of us learnt it the hard way, by bricking and breaking...)
You should be fine in the regular forums, and as the others have said, stay out of the development sections until you feel secure enough to dabble around with unlocking and so on.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T
buhohitr said:
Currently, I suggest you should stay on the side line and waiting for the OTA 4.1.1 JB (new Operating System called Jelly Bean, version 4.1.1 will be push to your pad by Asus). After reading this post you should be ready to play... good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the method for unrooting/reflashing to stock at the moment? I rooted because I wanted to use Titanium Backup right after I got back up to .26. If we haven't figured out how to custom flash roms by the time jellybean comes out, I'll need to go back to stock. I would *hate* to have to lose all my apps, and its possible that titanium backup from 4.0.3 to 4.1.1 might royally screw up the system in doing a restore. So, if that's the case, I guess I'll reflash someway and lose everything? Doh.
spinaldex said:
What's the method for unrooting/reflashing to stock at the moment? I rooted because I wanted to use Titanium Backup right after I got back up to .26. If we haven't figured out how to custom flash roms by the time jellybean comes out, I'll need to go back to stock. I would *hate* to have to lose all my apps, and its possible that titanium backup from 4.0.3 to 4.1.1 might royally screw up the system in doing a restore. So, if that's the case, I guess I'll reflash someway and lose everything? Doh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone figure out a way to go back from root back to stock yet so that when Jelly Bean comes out we can upgrade?
spinaldex said:
Anyone figure out a way to go back from root back to stock yet so that when Jelly Bean comes out we can upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One method to get rid of root would be factory reset (power on while holding both the power and volume down while booting and running a factory reset.) But you could probably temporarily unroot with voodoo ota root keeper and then reroot once you install the upgrade to jelly bean with its root keeper.
Sent from my DROIDX using xda app-developers app
ekalb10 said:
One method to get rid of root would be factory reset (power on while holding both the power and volume down while booting and running a factory reset.) But you could probably temporarily unroot with voodoo ota root keeper and then reroot once you install the upgrade to jelly bean with its root keeper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not true. Funny I've been responding to the same kind of "advice" a few minutes ago in another thread.
Temporarily unrooting through Root Keeper should work, but rooting has prevented updating firmware only for some users. I was rooted and installed updates both manually and through OTA without experiencing any issues. Getting to stock /system partition basically means restoring stock configuration files (like build.prop etc.), removing /system/xbin/su and any copies made by RootKeeper, as well as things that install to /system like BusyBox.
Even if you're rooted you should be able to update firmware manually through stock recovery (power down, power up, hold power and volume down, release, press volume up, etc., with microSD formatted FAT32 and with EP201_768_SDUPDATE on it, it's already in the how-to threads in the general section).
d14b0ll0s said:
That's not true. Funny I've been responding to the same kind of "advice" a few minutes ago in another thread.
Temporarily unrooting through Root Keeper should work, but rooting has prevented updating firmware only for some users. I was rooted and installed updates both manually and through OTA without experiencing any issues. Getting to stock /system partition basically means restoring stock configuration files (like build.prop etc.), removing /system/xbin/su and any copies made by RootKeeper, as well as things that install to /system like BusyBox.
Even if you're rooted you should be able to update firmware manually through stock recovery (power down, power up, hold power and volume down, release, press volume up, etc., with microSD formatted FAT32 and with EP201_768_SDUPDATE on it, it's already in the how-to threads in the general section).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I was just misinformed on the factory reset, sorry if I confused anyone.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
d14b0ll0s said:
That's not true. Funny I've been responding to the same kind of "advice" a few minutes ago in another thread.
Temporarily unrooting through Root Keeper should work, but rooting has prevented updating firmware only for some users. I was rooted and installed updates both manually and through OTA without experiencing any issues. Getting to stock /system partition basically means restoring stock configuration files (like build.prop etc.), removing /system/xbin/su and any copies made by RootKeeper, as well as things that install to /system like BusyBox.
Even if you're rooted you should be able to update firmware manually through stock recovery (power down, power up, hold power and volume down, release, press volume up, etc., with microSD formatted FAT32 and with EP201_768_SDUPDATE on it, it's already in the how-to threads in the general section).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1 I have rooted several tablets/phone over the last two years and backed it up using voodoo rootkeeper with ZERO issues updating firmware/OTAS. The only thing that happens after updating is that I loose root, but that's where voodoo OTA rootkeeper comes to play. Only a handful of people have had problems. Some are legit while others have messed/modded their device prior to updates. (like removeing system apps or modding build. Props)
"60% of the time, it works everytime. "
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
Unroot it again ??
If there are problems with the tablet and it must be repaired on warranty, then I need to unroot it again.
How do I unroot it again ??
Regards Peder
This might belong in the other "[Root] Jelly Bean" thread - I'll leave that to the moderators to figure out.
Can anyone vouch for the veracity of this method?
tutznet. com/ root-asus-transformer-tf700-android-41-jelly-bean. html (forgive the extra spaces - I'm too new to be able to post a URL.]
Honestly, I read all 39+ pages of that thread mentioned above, and I'm not confident I know what to do, and in what order, so I'm leery of trying it out. A noob like me can easily create an expensive brick if I screw it up. But this one seems sort of "plug-n-play" and is appealing for that reason. If you folks here validate it, I might try it out.
n4ogl said:
This might belong in the other "[Root] Jelly Bean" thread - I'll leave that to the moderators to figure out.
Can anyone vouch for the veracity of this method?
tutznet. com/ root-asus-transformer-tf700-android-41-jelly-bean. html (forgive the extra spaces - I'm too new to be able to post a URL.]
Honestly, I read all 39+ pages of that thread mentioned above, and I'm not confident I know what to do, and in what order, so I'm leery of trying it out. A noob like me can easily create an expensive brick if I screw it up. But this one seems sort of "plug-n-play" and is appealing for that reason. If you folks here validate it, I might try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=32293050&postcount=1
That would be a portion of the method laid out in the above thread...
n4ogl said:
This might belong in the other "[Root] Jelly Bean" thread - I'll leave that to the moderators to figure out.
Can anyone vouch for the veracity of this method?
tutznet. com/ root-asus-transformer-tf700-android-41-jelly-bean. html (forgive the extra spaces - I'm too new to be able to post a URL.]
Honestly, I read all 39+ pages of that thread mentioned above, and I'm not confident I know what to do, and in what order, so I'm leery of trying it out. A noob like me can easily create an expensive brick if I screw it up. But this one seems sort of "plug-n-play" and is appealing for that reason. If you folks here validate it, I might try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instruction is assumed that you already unlocked and have custom recovery installed. If you provide your setup we can help.
1. Are you unlocked?
2. Do you have custom recovery installed like either twrp or cwm?
3. What os version you are running currently? I assumed you're on JB?
Thanks for the offer of assistance. I bought the TF700 on ICS, and immediately did the following (based on advice I hopefully gleaned correctly from this board):
- Factory Data Reset three times (by booting with the volume key held down, etc.), even wtih nothing personal done to it (like add my name as Owner, or install anything).
- Loaded the full update downloaded from the ASUS site and flashed (correct term?) accordingly. Those instructions, at least, I could figure out.
- Another FDR.
- Used as normal on the current version of JB. I believe it had a minor JB upgrade shortly after that, which I let it perform through the "You have an update" process.
As it sits, the TF700 works quite well for me, but I use Titanium Backup on my Droid Razr Maxx (for which I rooted using one of those "automated root" programs that worked well), and I'd like to use it here. And Root File Manager (also found on the Droid).
As a noob, the instructions for that other method (using CWM and SuperSU) look like they presume too much knowledge on my part of what to install and when, and I'm leery of creating an expensive brick. For example, there is something in there about "fastboot," but that is completely over my head.
buhohitr said:
The instruction is assumed that you already unlocked and have custom recovery installed. If you provide your setup we can help.
1. Are you unlocked?
2. Do you have custom recovery installed like either twrp or cwm?
3. What os version you are running currently? I assumed you're on JB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
n4ogl said:
Thanks for the offer of assistance. I bought the TF700 on ICS, and immediately did the following (based on advice I hopefully gleaned correctly from this board):
- Factory Data Reset three times (by booting with the volume key held down, etc.), even wtih nothing personal done to it (like add my name as Owner, or install anything).
- Loaded the full update downloaded from the ASUS site and flashed (correct term?) accordingly. Those instructions, at least, I could figure out.
- Another FDR.
- Used as normal on the current version of JB. I believe it had a minor JB upgrade shortly after that, which I let it perform through the "You have an update" process.
As it sits, the TF700 works quite well for me, but I use Titanium Backup on my Droid Razr Maxx (for which I rooted using one of those "automated root" programs that worked well), and I'd like to use it here. And Root File Manager (also found on the Droid).
As a noob, the instructions for that other method (using CWM and SuperSU) look like they presume too much knowledge on my part of what to install and when, and I'm leery of creating an expensive brick. For example, there is something in there about "fastboot," but that is completely over my head.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that complicated, if you have someone leaded you. Again, I need you to answer the following question, so I can point you to the right direction; Do you plan to use custom rom/kernel? (if yes, you need to unlock your device, which void warantty) or you just want root?
buhohitr said:
It's not that complicated, if you have someone leaded you. Again, I need you to answer the following question, so I can point you to the right direction; Do you plan to use custom rom/kernel? (if yes, you need to unlock your device, which void warantty) or you just want root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I want to do is root it. While I know there are some advantages to a custom ROM or Kernel, that's NOT what I forecast doing*. I plan to leave it on JB.
* = Caveat: Eventually ASUS will stop supporting this tablet, at which time I will probably look at custom ROMs if I still own it (and haven't EBay'd it).
n4ogl said:
All I want to do is root it. While I know there are some advantages to a custom ROM or Kernel, that's NOT what I forecast doing*. I plan to leave it on JB.
* = Caveat: Eventually ASUS will stop supporting this tablet, at which time I will probably look at custom ROMs if I still own it (and haven't EBay'd it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you already on JB, the only way you could root is to downgrade back to ICS (version .30). Here is general guide line:
1. Download full package firmware .30 from Asus site
2. Then use root tool to root,
3. Download and installed SuperSU to replace the old superuser
4. Download Voodoo OTA root keeper to preserve root (If you have a paid SuperSU version, you just have to click on "preserve root" and it automatically saved root for you).
5. Let the OTA upgrade to JB
6. Once done, use root keeper to restore root.
Here is the link to details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833212
buhohitr said:
Since you already on JB, the only way you could root is to downgrade back to ICS (version .30). Here is general guide line:
1. Download full package firmware .30 from Asus site
2. Then use root tool to root,
3. Download and installed SuperSU to replace the old superuser
4. Download Voodoo OTA root keeper to preserve root (If you have a paid SuperSU version, you just have to click on "preserve root" and it automatically saved root for you).
5. Let the OTA upgrade to JB
6. Once done, use root keeper to restore root.
Here is the link to details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833212
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not true my friend
you can unroot without downgrading to version .30
just take a look in the general section there is a HOWTO
sent from my cutting board
jokapo said:
not true my friend
you can unroot without downgrading to version .30
just take a look in the general section there is a HOWTO
sent from my cutting board
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's looking to ROOT, but not to unlock!
I rooted and unlocked allready on JB
sent from my cutting board
Could you share the steps/sequence (in detail, not like the way they are described in that 40+ page thread, which is (IMHO) sparsely)?
jokapo said:
I rooted and unlocked allready on JB
sent from my cutting board
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might wanna try out this thread then http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1969303
The goal: Get my sluggish phone (Razr Maxx HD, JB 4.1.2, currently 9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US, rooted, bootloader locked) to be less sluggish.
The proposed method: Wipe phone and start over.
The "problem": Because I am rooted and want to stay that way, I am aware that I can't just do a factory reset. I believe that I need to unroot first, then wipe, then reroot. But there are many more possible methods to do this than there were before and I'm having trouble figuring out which might be the best method for me (or which will even work, at all).
Background: If I had just blindly done what I did the last time I wiped (I think I was starting from ICS 0.7.2 last time, not JB), I would have backed up everything, used DROID_RAZR_HD_Utility1.10 which I have from before (dates appear to be 1/28/2013) to go back to 0.6.25.X926., and, using the zip files I have from before, go from 0.6.25 to 0.7.2 to 9.1.41 to 9.16.6. (I was never able to successfully take OTA updates). Like this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024423 BUT, now that I'm on JB, it's not clear to me that I can even do this. One post is telling me that if I'm on 9.16.6, I should NOT use Droid Razr HD Utility 1.10. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=33610625#post33610625 and when I found the thread for the 1.21 utility, it also says no 9.16.6.
I've been wandering around the relevant posts that are linked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2247250
but for whatever reason, this is just making my head spin. I'm more confused about what I can and cannot do, than I was before I started. I think too many OTA versions have passed me by... I was happy with the way things were working so I just didn't care about updates, KitKat, etc. I don't have a good feel for how many versions there are between 9.16.6 and current.
My actual question: I think I could really use some help narrowing down my options. Do I have any options at all? If so, can anyone suggest what my realistic options actually are? I don't care if I end up in JB or KitKat at the end; I do want to be able to restore some of the data from some of my apps using Titanium Backup and/or MyBackup Pro; and I want to be rooted when I am done. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, dlc
dlc2001 said:
The goal: Get my sluggish phone (Razr Maxx HD, JB 4.1.2, currently 9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US, rooted, bootloader locked) to be less sluggish.
The proposed method: Wipe phone and start over.
The "problem": Because I am rooted and want to stay that way, I am aware that I can't just do a factory reset. I believe that I need to unroot first, then wipe, then reroot. But there are many more possible methods to do this than there were before and I'm having trouble figuring out which might be the best method for me (or which will even work, at all).
Background: If I had just blindly done what I did the last time I wiped (I think I was starting from ICS 0.7.2 last time, not JB), I would have backed up everything, used DROID_RAZR_HD_Utility1.10 which I have from before (dates appear to be 1/28/2013) to go back to 0.6.25.X926., and, using the zip files I have from before, go from 0.6.25 to 0.7.2 to 9.1.41 to 9.16.6. (I was never able to successfully take OTA updates). Like this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2024423 BUT, now that I'm on JB, it's not clear to me that I can even do this. One post is telling me that if I'm on 9.16.6, I should NOT use Droid Razr HD Utility 1.10. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=33610625#post33610625 and when I found the thread for the 1.21 utility, it also says no 9.16.6.
I've been wandering around the relevant posts that are linked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2247250
but for whatever reason, this is just making my head spin. I'm more confused about what I can and cannot do, than I was before I started. I think too many OTA versions have passed me by... I was happy with the way things were working so I just didn't care about updates, KitKat, etc. I don't have a good feel for how many versions there are between 9.16.6 and current.
My actual question: I think I could really use some help narrowing down my options. Do I have any options at all? If so, can anyone suggest what my realistic options actually are? I don't care if I end up in JB or KitKat at the end; I do want to be able to restore some of the data from some of my apps using Titanium Backup and/or MyBackup Pro; and I want to be rooted when I am done. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, dlc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to get rid of the slowness of the phone i recommend going to a lolipop rom , LP has to be the quickest my phone has ran... ever.
-step 1 use rsd lite to flash [4.4.2] 183.46.10 fxz (make sure it ends with a 10 not a 14 or 15 or you wont be able to unlock bootloader)
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/45494-fxz-442-1834610/
-step 2 root and unlock use TR.apk (root)and motopocalypse.apk (bootloader unlock)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783912
-step 3 use ADB fastboot to Flash custom recovery, i personally use twrp there are others you can use if you decide to do the research
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/51883-recoverytwrp-2810-11-01-14/
-step 4 flash LP custom rom, i use blisspop, it seems to have the most updates at the moment . it has really impressed me
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/60153-rom502lollipopmsm8960-kkbl-blisspop-official/
that rom comes with supersu built in so you will have root. if your reason for having root is to have exposed, it doesnt work on lolipop so stop at sstep 3 and either flash a KK custom rom or just flash supersu which will give you root on stock kitkat
OK, I will spend a little more time absorbing/reading and then I'll give it a shot, thanks muchly. I want to do some backups just in case, so it'll take a while...
Couple of followup questions based on the reading I've done so far from the links you provided, just so I know what I'm doing before I do it:
1. I think I get Steps 1 and 2. After Step 2 I am rooted and on stock KK, correct? So if I stop there do I still need to "flash supersu" per your comment at the end? Does the root in step 2 put supersu in my apps, and if not can I not just install it from google play?
2. Seems like I can use the Step 1 method to flash back to JB (or any other FXZ I can find) if I want. If I do that, is there any way to root JB, or is this trip I'm about to take, a one-way trip? Just to clarify, JB hasn't always been slow for me... it's just slowed down recently. Not saying I want to go back to JB for sure, but I like to know what options I am closing off when I move forward, and reviews of KitKat are not universally splendid.... I hear you about the custom ROM but for various work-related reasons I may be better off staying stock (well, stock + root) for a while at least.
Again, thank you for your help.
dlc2001 said:
OK, I will spend a little more time absorbing/reading and then I'll give it a shot, thanks muchly. I want to do some backups just in case, so it'll take a while...
Couple of followup questions based on the reading I've done so far from the links you provided, just so I know what I'm doing before I do it:
1. I think I get Steps 1 and 2. After Step 2 I am rooted and on stock KK, correct? So if I stop there do I still need to "flash supersu" per your comment at the end? Does the root in step 2 put supersu in my apps, and if not can I not just install it from google play?
2. Seems like I can use the Step 1 method to flash back to JB (or any other FXZ I can find) if I want. If I do that, is there any way to root JB, or is this trip I'm about to take, a one-way trip? Just to clarify, JB hasn't always been slow for me... it's just slowed down recently. Not saying I want to go back to JB for sure, but I like to know what options I am closing off when I move forward, and reviews of KitKat are not universally splendid.... I hear you about the custom ROM but for various work-related reasons I may be better off staying stock (well, stock + root) for a while at least.
Again, thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can install it from playstore, but once your bootloader is unlocked you can always root by flashing in custom recovery. you dont need exploits anymore
All done, worked great!