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Rooting Nexus S [Help]

A while back, I always rooted and unrooted my Nexus S with no problems at all. Now whenever I try to root it, it just goes wrong. I've tried TWRP & CWM, CWM used to always work but now it just messes up. Both TWRP and CWM both give me an error that say Installation Aborted when I try to install a custom rom. I've redownloaded the rom from different browsers and even different PCs but nothing working, still that same error. Does anyone have a guide that is 100% to work without any errors during the process?

What guide are you using?

paul96 said:
What guide are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used this one: http://nexusshacks.com/nexus-s-root/how-to-root-nexus-s-or-nexus-s-4g-on-ics-or-gingerbread/

1. Make sure you're running one the more recent versions of the custom recovery. You probably are but there are issues with older versions so just make sure.
2. Boot into what ever recovery you pick and do a full wipe. That is everything gets wiped but your SD card. Factory reset. Format /system etc.
3. Flash your ROM and gapps if they are seperate.
You should not get any errors. If your recovery is current and your flashing a new rom onto a fully wiped system and you still get a error either you're screwing something up or you may have a hardware problem.
To rule out a hw problem flash the factory images with fastboot. If those flash normally and everything works it is almost certainly user error.

albundy2010 said:
1. Make sure you're running one the more recent versions of the custom recovery. You probably are but there are issues with older versions so just make sure.
2. Boot into what ever recovery you pick and do a full wipe. That is everything gets wiped but your SD card. Factory reset. Format /system etc.
3. Flash your ROM and gapps if they are seperate.
You should not get any errors. If your recovery is current and your flashing a new rom onto a fully wiped system and you still get a error either you're screwing something up or you may have a hardware problem.
To rule out a hw problem flash the factory images with fastboot. If those flash normally and everything works it is almost certainly user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks Do you recommend that I root my Nexus S or should I wait for the Jelly Bean update? I've rooted before and I enjoyed it but now I don't see that many reasons to root, do you have any good reasons?

I have many. My reasons for root don't matter. If you don't have a reason for root then don't root. Its that simple really.
Make sure you're on a stock 4.0.4 rom. When the ota is out install it.
If you want just root on either os at any time just flash su.zip from custom recovery. Its that simple. Having root on a stock rom does not affect the ota process.

albundy2010 said:
I have many. My reasons for root don't matter. If you don't have a reason for root then don't root. Its that simple really.
Make sure you're on a stock 4.0.4 rom. When the ota is out install it.
If you want just root on either os at any time just flash su.zip from custom recovery. Its that simple. Having root on a stock rom does not affect the ota process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are your reasons for root? Please share?

Getting rid of stuff I don't want in a ROM.
Apps that do things that require root.Titanium backup/autoruns adaway ( ad blocker app alone could be its one point) etc
Changing kernel settings. Bid/bin clocks volts etc.
Being able to have a replacement launcher use the ICS style widget drawer.
Lastly , I simply just can't see having a computer that I don't have root/admin rights to. Its my damn device and I do what I want.

albundy2010 said:
Getting rid of stuff I don't want in a ROM.
Apps that do things that require root.Titanium backup/autoruns adaway ( ad blocker app alone could be its one point) etc
Changing kernel settings. Bid/bin clocks volts etc.
Being able to have a replacement launcher use the ICS style widget drawer.
Lastly , I simply just can't see having a computer that I don't have root/admin rights to. Its my damn device and I do what I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh cool. There is this project that some members from XDA are working on called Sense4All and they are porting Sense to many devices. Im probably going to wait until a fully functionable release is available for the Nexus S. I do like AOKP a lot, so that might be a reason for why I'll root.

You seem to be a little confused with some terms. Root is simply being able to grant superuser permission.
You don't need to root to flash a custom rom on a nexus. Just a unblocked bootloader. You could run aokp or any other rom without root if you wanted to.

albundy2010 said:
You seem to be a little confused with some terms. Root is simply being able to grant superuser permission.
You don't need to root to flash a custom rom on a nexus. Just a unblocked bootloader. You could run aokp or any other rom without root if you wanted to.
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Click to collapse
Oh, I never knew that, haha. Is it possible to flash a custom kernel with an unlocked bootloader or does that require root access?

m1l4droid said:
No you just need a custom recovery. But using that kernel's mods, like BLN, OC, UV, touchwake, etc, requires apps that need root, like NSTools, SetCPU, etc.
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Oh alright. Now I really wanna root + install a custom rom. Do any of you have a full 100% fully working guide for rooting Nexus S and which rom should I flash first? I already know what kernel I want.

http://forums.acsyndicate.net/showthread.php?2024-ACS-Nexus-S-One-Click-Root-V4-0

leap_ahead said:
http://forums.acsyndicate.net/showthread.php?2024-ACS-Nexus-S-One-Click-Root-V4-0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! I rooted my phone with CWM recovery installed and Paranoid Android + gapps installed

What is better OTA or full Flash

Hi All,
I have updated to JB by a OTA update. This file is 194MB in size.
Now i see on the Asus site a file i can download: WW_epad_user_10_4_4_16_UpdateLauncher.zip of 466MB in size.
Can someone tell me the difference? And will it better to flash the latest one of 466MB so my whole tablet software will be replaced insteed of updating?
Cheers,

160bpm said:
Hi All,
I have updated to JB by a OTA update. This file is 194MB in size.
Now i see on the Asus site a file i can download: WW_epad_user_10_4_4_16_UpdateLauncher.zip of 466MB in size.
Can someone tell me the difference? And will it better to flash the latest one of 466MB so my whole tablet software will be replaced insteed of updating?
Cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think full flash is definitely better. It's like a complete clean install and I recommend you should backup and do a factory reset. Update is good for if you going between version like ICS, but once you jump to another OS like JellyBean, I highly recommend full upgrade with factory wipe. Some people may disagreed but for a trouble free, a clean install would be the one to use.

I would be interested in doing a full flash myself because I'm having some issues with JB (see my post)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1920130
and I think I'm the only one with this problems (at least nobody as answered to my thread yet)
I'm with JB (updated from ICS, not full flash), root and custom recovery (CWM)
Can someone direct me/us as to how to do it?

buhohitr said:
I think full flash is definitely better. It's like a complete clean install and I recommend you should backup and do a factory reset. Update is good for if you going between version like ICS, but once you jump to another OS like JellyBean, I highly recommend full upgrade with factory wipe. Some people may disagreed but for a trouble free, a clean install would be the one to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And any idea if i hold my root. Have backup with VooDoo Rootkeeper and SuperSU?

160bpm said:
And any idea if i hold my root. Have backup with VooDoo Rootkeeper and SuperSU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should able to. I would also run a full backup with Tibu.
---------- Post added at 02:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:00 PM ----------
cmbandeira said:
I would be interested in doing a full flash myself because I'm having some issues with JB (see my post)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1920130
and I think I'm the only one with this problems (at least nobody as answered to my thread yet)
I'm with JB (updated from ICS, not full flash), root and custom recovery (CWM)
Can someone direct me/us as to how to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I replied to your post. Make a backup and try a factory reset first.

Did the full flash. Reboot.. .A total new welcome and setup screen... Installed VooDoo and root was there still
Now i can play around with a real clear installed JB

160bpm said:
Did the full flash. Reboot.. .A total new welcome and setup screen... Installed VooDoo and root was there still
Now i can play around with a real clear installed JB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice!!!

How to start?

Hi!
I just bought Nexus S i9023 and don't know how to start flashing roms, kernels etc. I was reading about that I must unlock bootloader first, flash cwm recovery and then i can finally flashing roms. Is it right? I have few questions about this device, here they are:
1. How are kernels flash? Is it flashing by recovery like update.zip?
2. I have Gingerbread currently, but I want to update to JB, can I first off apply the update in recovery or I have to update to ICS first? Can you provide me a link to updates?
3. http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/9ZGgDXDi.zip this is JellyBean for i9023, right?
4. What are the kernel and rom combo most stable and fast?
5. Internal memory is working like a SD card, so if I will make a nandroid backup, it will not erase my data while doing full wipe ... ?
6. I'm currently using my private MIUI GB on my Xperia X8, which was ported from SGS. Is there any multilanguage MIUI GB rom anywhere?
7. Which is the flashing order? Kernels first? Or roms?
Thanks for replies, guys!
:cyclops:

Yes, you must unlock the bootloader, which will wipe EVERYTHING on your phone before you can flash your desired recovery and root. Kernels are flashed through recovery, after a ROM is flashed, otherwise it will generally be overwritten if a new ROM is flashed. No need to go to ICS to get to jb if you are flashing a full ROM. The memory referred to as internal is not what is used as an SD card. The SD/USB memory is the external memory. A nandroid doesn't back this up.
Sent from my ns4g using Tapatalk 2

p1gp3n said:
Yes, you must unlock the bootloader, which will wipe EVERYTHING on your phone before you can flash your desired recovery and root. Kernels are flashed through recovery, after a ROM is flashed, otherwise it will generally be overwritten if a new ROM is flashed. No need to go to ICS to get to jb if you are flashing a full ROM. The memory referred to as internal is not what is used as an SD card. The SD/USB memory is the external memory. A nandroid doesn't back this up.
Sent from my ns4g using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
I just picked up a secondhand i9020T. It's running stock jelly bean, but it looks like the previous owner had some custom ROMs installed. The bootloader is unlocked and clockwork mod recovery is installed. I don't seem to have root access. Can I just flush a full ROM, like CM10 through clockwork even though I don't have root access? Will doing that provide root in CM10, or is that going to cause a problem. Thanks.

naguziew said:
I just picked up a secondhand i9020T. It's running stock jelly bean, but it looks like the previous owner had some custom ROMs installed. The bootloader is unlocked and clockwork mod recovery is installed. I don't seem to have root access. Can I just flush a full ROM, like CM10 through clockwork even though I don't have root access? Will doing that provide root in CM10, or is that going to cause a problem. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might could get by just flashing cm10 and gapps, but I would start by flashing superuser, or super su for jb.
Sent from my ns4g using Tapatalk 2

Yo, thanks, I successfully unlocked my bootloader and flashed cwm, then installed fresh miui jb and gapps. I searching for good kernel for daily usage, with good performance, can you recommend me any?
cheers

p1gp3n said:
You might could get by just flashing cm10 and gapps, but I would start by flashing superuser, or super su for jb.
Sent from my ns4g using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
So i'm a little confused. The stock rom as of now has the superuser app, but when I open something that tried to pull root access (titanium backup or root checker for example) the superuser app does not come up, and root access is not available. Thoughts? When I flashed ROMs on my old transform, root seemed to travel with the kernel - but I just want to make sure I can flash a rooted ROM+kernel through recovery without having root access. Sorry if these questions are a bit naive - I'm trying to work through the other guides and Q+A to try to figure this out, but I'm still not clear. Also, sorry for sort of hijacking your thread, but the topic seemed like a good fit. Thanks in advance for all help.
*Edit - Fixed root access in stock rom by flashing new SU app through CWM from link posted in second post of this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1918490&highlight=have+clockworkmod+but+no+root

Last question, if I flashed JellyBean based rom, can I flash Gingerbread based by following the steps like formatting system etc. in recovery previously?

The su app from the play store is just an app. as you found, flashing the su zip is the only way to actually get the su access.
Anytime you flash a new rom, it is highly recommended that you perform a full wipe, after making a nandroid, of course. The steps I follow are factory reset/data wipe (this will also take care of cache & dalvic cache since they are on the data partition) then go to mind and storage to format /system & /boot.
If you haven't already I suggest using titanium backup & the pro key if you can. I have it set to automatically backup everything every 2 days, and I also make a new one each time I get ready to flash anything. Don't restore any system apps per data off you change roms though. The only reason I backup the system stuff is so I can restore my texts & call log with the proper time stamps.
Sent from my ns4g using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Trouble installing CWM after OTA 4.3 Update

Hi guys,
Looking for some advice.
I previously had my phone rooted on 4.2 and everything was working great. For some reason I decided to install the OTA 4.3 update before reading here what it did. Before that though, I did a full backup through CWM.
Anyway, I'm now having trouble re-installing CWM to get back into recovery mode and go back to my backup.
When I try flashing it through Odin, it says Failed, and it seems like the phone blocked it because it is a recovery system.
Currently, when I boot up, I get the Custom logo, and when I try to go into recovery mode, it gets blocked and says it's unauthorized software, so I don't think I really installed the update right.
So, is there anyway to get CWM back on the phone to revert to my backup, or is there a way to flash the whole backup from a PC? The file is still intact on my SD card.
Thanks!

phlass said:
Hi guys,
Looking for some advice.
I previously had my phone rooted on 4.2 and everything was working great. For some reason I decided to install the OTA 4.3 update before reading here what it did. Before that though, I did a full backup through CWM.
Anyway, I'm now having trouble re-installing CWM to get back into recovery mode and go back to my backup.
When I try flashing it through Odin, it says Failed, and it seems like the phone blocked it because it is a recovery system.
Currently, when I boot up, I get the Custom logo, and when I try to go into recovery mode, it gets blocked and says it's unauthorized software, so I don't think I really installed the update right.
So, is there anyway to get CWM back on the phone to revert to my backup, or is there a way to flash the whole backup from a PC? The file is still intact on my SD card.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is currently no way for you to flash CWM onto your S3 now that you have TW 4.3 VRUMCL1 update. If you want root, you will need to use Saferoot. If you wish to flash custom roms, you are currently only able to flash custom TW 4.3 roms via the use of SafeStrap. With Safestrap installed, you will be using a customized version of TWRP. Any and all of your CWM backups are incompatible and wasting storage space. Links to everything I just mentioned are contained in our TW 4.3 discussion thread.
Note that when you use Saferoot to gain root access, the tool is in the S4 section however it states that there is nothing in the tool itself that is S4 specific and that it should work on other 4.3 devices. It does work. Search in the discussion thread or in Saferoot thread to see confirmation.
Edit: to work around the Yellow triangle issue, you'll want to use ThePagel's soft brick thread.
Edit #2: Also, being that you are on TW 4.3 update, you absolutely can not downgrade your firmware using pre-existing Odin stock images. You can only use the official, VRUCML1 tar that is about 1 GB.

SlimSnoopOS said:
There is currently no way for you to flash CWM onto your S3 now that you have TW 4.3 VRUMCL1 update. If you want root, you will need to use Saferoot. If you wish to flash custom roms, you are currently only able to flash custom TW 4.3 roms via the use of SafeStrap. With Safestrap installed, you will be using a customized version of TWRP. Any and all of your CWM backups are incompatible and wasting storage space. Links to everything I just mentioned are contained in our TW 4.3 discussion thread.
Note that when you use Saferoot to gain root access, the tool is in the S4 section however it states that there is nothing in the tool itself that is S4 specific and that it should work on other 4.3 devices. It does work. Search in the discussion thread or in Saferoot thread to see confirmation.
Edit: to work around the Yellow triangle issue, you'll want to use ThePagel's soft brick thread.
Edit #2: Also, being that you are on TW 4.3 update, you absolutely can not downgrade your firmware using pre-existing Odin stock images. You can only use the official, VRUCML1 tar that is about 1 GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok great. Thanks for the help.

phlass said:
Ok great. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't hesitate to post back if you're stuck or need a little more clarification

Quick question about going from 4.1 to 4.4 (Been gone for a while)

So like the title says I have been out of the ROM game for a little bit. Every couple of months I check in and see whats new and flash something else.
I was on the Jelly Beans ROM (Build 16 I think) and Android 4.1. I did some searching last night as was going to try flashing Gummy ROM…bad idea. I am guessing I needed something prior to jumping up to a 4.4 base. I booted to recovery and wiped everything and tried to flash with no luck. So the phone would not boot and I could only get into recovery and download mode. I did not have my micro SD adapter in order to get jelly beans back on it to flash so I ended up having to use odin to flash a stock rooted 4.1 image. Finally got everything back up and running but I still want to try some of the 4.4 ROMs. So what exactly do I need first in order to flash one? (Modem maybe)…if you know for sure why that happened and what I need to do please let me know. Thanks!
My Current "About Phone" Info...
Android Version - 4.1.2
Baseband version - I535VRBMB1
Jelly Beans - Build 20
P.S. I have tried doing the research and nothing I have found has been clear but one thing I came across is the official 4.3 update was bad news and broke the root methods? So should I stay away from 4.3 ROMs and is the old root method blocked in 4.4 as well or is that a different case since it wasn't actually released for our phone. If that makes sense lol

aholeinthewor1d said:
So like the title says I have been out of the ROM game for a little bit. Every couple of months I check in and see whats new and flash something else.
I was on the Jelly Beans ROM (Build 16 I think) and Android 4.1. I did some searching last night as was going to try flashing Gummy ROM…bad idea. I am guessing I needed something prior to jumping up to a 4.4 base. I booted to recovery and wiped everything and tried to flash with no luck. So the phone would not boot and I could only get into recovery and download mode. I did not have my micro SD adapter in order to get jelly beans back on it to flash so I ended up having to use odin to flash a stock rooted 4.1 image. Finally got everything back up and running but I still want to try some of the 4.4 ROMs. So what exactly do I need first in order to flash one? (Modem maybe)…if you know for sure why that happened and what I need to do please let me know. Thanks!
My Current "About Phone" Info...
Android Version - 4.1.2
Baseband version - I535VRBMB1
Jelly Beans - Build 20
P.S. I have tried doing the research and nothing I have found has been clear but one thing I came across is the official 4.3 update was bad news and broke the root methods? So should I stay away from 4.3 ROMs and is the old root method blocked in 4.4 as well or is that a different case since it wasn't actually released for our phone. If that makes sense lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need the latest recoveries to flash kk roms. cwm is here https://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
and twrp is here http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/102. make sure you download the d2vzw version
if you're rooted you should have no problems flashing 4.4 rom. I recommend beanstalk from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2354113. has worked great for me. you have to also update the modem to ML1 from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788313
as always do a nandroid before you do anything and you should backup your sd card to your computer. they probably will move post this to another thread.
good luck

dandydon414 said:
you need the latest recoveries to flash kk roms. cwm is here https://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
and twrp is here http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/102. make sure you download the d2vzw version
if you're rooted you should have no problems flashing 4.4 rom. I recommend beanstalk from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2354113. has worked great for me. you have to also update the modem to ML1 from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788313
as always do a nandroid before you do anything and you should backup your sd card to your computer. they probably will move post this to another thread.
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahh I didn't even think of that? I do know for a fact whatever version of CWM i had was not recent..Are you sure that is the only issue? so with a newer recovery...like I have now that I fixed my phone..I can flash a 4.4 ROM no problem? I could have sworn I remember hearing something about needing a certain modem...or something similar

aholeinthewor1d said:
ahh I didn't even think of that? I do know for a fact whatever version of CWM i had was not recent..Are you sure that is the only issue? so with a newer recovery...like I have now that I fixed my phone..I can flash a 4.4 ROM no problem? I could have sworn I remember hearing something about needing a certain modem...or something similar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. flash the ML1 modem. I provided the link in my previous post. it's a fact that earlier recoveries won't flash kk roms. I found out the hard way myself. hopefully you'll have titanium or rom toolbox to backup your apps with data.

dandydon414 said:
yes. flash the ML1 modem. I provided the link in my previous post. it's a fact that earlier recoveries won't flash kk roms. I found out the hard way myself. hopefully you'll have titanium or rom toolbox to backup your apps with data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot!!.. So how do I know if my recovery is new enough? I was never a fan of the touch recoveries because I felt like it would be easier to do something on accident so I haven't tried one in a while...I am using clockwork mod recovery 6.0.4.5. Is that new enough??
Also one lasttttt question I swear...can someone give me a quick list of the different recovery options that are out there now...and maybe list some features of each...thank you

aholeinthewor1d said:
Thanks a lot!!.. So how do I know if my recovery is new enough? I was never a fan of the touch recoveries because I felt like it would be easier to do something on accident so I haven't tried one in a while...I am using clockwork mod recovery 6.0.4.5. Is that new enough??
Also one lasttttt question I swear...can someone give me a quick list of the different recovery options that are out there now...and maybe list some features of each...thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that recovery is fine. i've only used cwm and twrp.. had some problems with philz recovery so I ditched it. basically they're all the same. twrp lets you name your back where as cwm just uses some default name which of course you can change with a file manager. twrp also wipes all 3 (system, cache and dalvik) with one swipe where as cwm requires 3 separate operations. I really haven't done much in recovery other than wiping and flashing. I'm actually on the latest twrp and have had no problems flashing kk roms. keep in mind that you can't backup in cwm and restore it using twrp and vice versa. it's really more a personal preference as far as I'm concerned.