Dangers of switching roms? (Verizon) - RAZR HD Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have the xt926, and I'm interested in flashing a new ROM. The only thing that worries me is when I trade in the phone for a new one in december, will they not accept it if it's not in factory state? Is it possible to get it exactly the way it was when it arrived?
Also, where are the basic instructions for installing a ROM on KK? I rooted and unlocked the bl, but now I'm unsure what to do.... Do I need a recovery? A specific recovery? How do I use one? Should I follow the CM11 instructions here on XDA, or on the CM11 website?
It seems like everything is fragmented and the dev section is a mess....

The only thing you can't undo is the bootloader unlock. So if they're not going to take it because of that your already too late. Might as well enjoy the ride. There are several good guides on these forums for roming it. Step one learn to install a custom recovery
Edit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53245455

Related

[Q] First Android, Some Thoughts/Concerns

So for a while now, while anticipating getting my hands on a Nexus S of my own, I've been lurking in the forums and reading up on various things. I know for sure that I will be flashing custom ROMS and rooting my device. However, as this is my first android ever, do you guys think I should flash roms on it right away or should I stick with stock android and learn the OS first.
I was thinking that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the tweaks/improvements that are found in various custom ROMS if I didn't have experience with vanilla android. I am interested in hearing your opinions.
One other thing I was very confused about was whether or not you could flash custom roms/kernels without actually unlocking the Bootloader. I have read and read and the answer seems to be yes, but from my understanding it only works if your not on 2.3.3? (Sorry if this question has been answered time and time again, but the amount of information on this forum has been mindblowing, and I get more and more confused as I read on.)
it depends on the phone really. for the bootloader lock but usually yes for any rom changes you need to install a custom recovery and that requires bootloader access
Personally, I find one day is enough to find out all about the stock ROM.
If the phone you get is already running 2.3.3, then I'm unsure whether you can simply flash an older bootloader and root/flash custom ROMs without unlocking. If you get a phone running < 2.3.3, then you are in luck. Currently I'm running CM7 with the bootloader still locked.
yeah you'll get the hang of using the stock rom in no time. The Nexus S is my first android phone and everything has been so easy...i've flashed roms, unlocked the bootloader, rooted, flashed kernels and recovered using the nandroid backups. All so so so easy.

Noob question - How to install CWM recovery?

I'm coming from an iPhone and have been reading and re-reading threads on rooting to make sure that I do it correctly. I think I'm all set to use Odin and have all the files downloaded. Seems pretty straightforward.
The only question I have is; how do I get CWM recovery installed?? I had a Droid X years ago and bought Rom Manager Premium, can I download and use that??
Thanks.
P.S. Sorry if this is a super noob question. I just don't wanna brick my phone.
follow my guide in the developoment section or click link in sig...all you do is download the ez recovery app from playstore..you must be rooted first!
droidstyle said:
follow my guide in the developoment section or click link in sig...all you do is download the ez recovery app from playstore..you must be rooted first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just went to the play store and looked at that ez recovery app, friggin sweet!!! Thanks!
I'll root and backup later on today!! This app makes it easy cause I'm not familiar with adb commands.
I just came from a Verizon HTC Rezound to the Verizon Samsung GS3, and I am a bit confused at the differences between the two. It appears things like rooting and ROM flashing are done WAY differently on the S3. I managed to get it rooted and have TB and SU working without an issue, and I was able to flash a custom recovery with ROM Manager, but still have some confusion about the inner workings of this phone.
1. Does this phone have an HBOOT?
2. Can I do Nandroid backups on this phone?
3. What is this flash counter I keep seeing mentioned?
Thanks in advance.
wmaudio said:
I just came from a Verizon HTC Rezound to the Verizon Samsung GS3, and I am a bit confused at the differences between the two. It appears things like rooting and ROM flashing are done WAY differently on the S3. I managed to get it rooted and have TB and SU working without an issue, and I was able to flash a custom recovery with ROM Manager, but still have some confusion about the inner workings of this phone.
1. Does this phone have an HBOOT?
2. Can I do Nandroid backups on this phone?
3. What is this flash counter I keep seeing mentioned?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know he probably should have created a new thread for this question. However, I too am curious as to the answers to these questions. Is there anyone familiar with HTC devices that can explain the differences? Especially 2 and 3 as the term flash counter has me rather frightened. I am looking to purchase a new phone and really want the GS3 but not if I can only flash the ROM a few times.
toolfan2k4 said:
I know he probably should have created a new thread for this question. However, I too am curious as to the answers to these questions. Is there anyone familiar with HTC devices that can explain the differences? Especially 2 and 3 as the term flash counter has me rather frightened. I am looking to purchase a new phone and really want the GS3 but not if I can only flash the ROM a few times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, don't jack my thread!!!
After finding out the issue was a bit of user error I got CWM to flash correctly.
toolfan2k4 said:
I know he probably should have created a new thread for this question. However, I too am curious as to the answers to these questions. Is there anyone familiar with HTC devices that can explain the differences? Especially 2 and 3 as the term flash counter has me rather frightened. I am looking to purchase a new phone and really want the GS3 but not if I can only flash the ROM a few times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you follow the methods in my guide you wont trip the flash counter...most new android devices have a counter that counts how many times custom software was flashed on the device. there are ways to reset it aswell...best advice is to start doing alot of reading! my guide will get you where you want to go, but i dont have the time or patience to explain all the differences between samsung and htc for flashing roms. i will say samsung is much harder to brick thanks to odin.

[Q] Lots of Questions about Bootloaders, Recovery & Roms

Hi Everyone,
I have had my XT925 for a few years now and I usually come on XDA and check out whats happening on here.
I have finally reached the point where my phone has slowed down to a snails pace.
So in order to breath new life into it I am hoping to install a custom rom but I am so lost it is not even funny.
I have tried doing research but there is just so much out there and I am feeling lost. (Sorry to be a noob)
I am hoping someone can help me out with the questions I have.
1. I have a Fido (Rogers) XT925, it is my understanding that if I go to Motorola's website I can unlock the bootloader there (not that I really know what that does as of yet)
2. After I unlock the bootloader, do I then need to root first? or do I install a Custom Recovery? What do I install? I am very lost at this point.
3. After that I assume that the rest is pretty easy I either install CM11 or Slimkat from what I am reading.
Again any help is greatly appreciated. I am fairly technical but the most I have done to this phone is root it a while back (I lost root since, I got stuck in a boot loop)
Thanks again ahead of time!
davidjames4 said:
Hi Everyone,
I have had my XT925 for a few years now and I usually come on XDA and check out whats happening on here.
I have finally reached the point where my phone has slowed down to a snails pace.
So in order to breath new life into it I am hoping to install a custom rom but I am so lost it is not even funny.
I have tried doing research but there is just so much out there and I am feeling lost. (Sorry to be a noob)
I am hoping someone can help me out with the questions I have.
1. I have a Fido (Rogers) XT925, it is my understanding that if I go to Motorola's website I can unlock the bootloader there (not that I really know what that does as of yet)
2. After I unlock the bootloader, do I then need to root first? or do I install a Custom Recovery? What do I install? I am very lost at this point.
3. After that I assume that the rest is pretty easy I either install CM11 or Slimkat from what I am reading.
Again any help is greatly appreciated. I am fairly technical but the most I have done to this phone is root it a while back (I lost root since, I got stuck in a boot loop)
Thanks again ahead of time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your phone was running acceptably some time ago, a simple factory reset (after you backup data!!!) will get it back to that condition.
or you can go the custom route. answers to your questions below.
1. yes
2. the recovery you need will depend on weather you are on JB or KK now. both can be found in the dev or orig dev forums. after install you can flash a su zip from the new recovery to gain root.
3. if you are on JB now you will need a JB base rom, if you are on KK now you will need a KK base rom. where it can get confusing is, just because it says in the rom 4.4 or whatever, that doesent necessarily mean the base it KK although it can be.
Okay thank you going to attempt tonight but don't be surprised if there is a post later on saying help I bricked my phone
Sent from my XT925 using XDA Free mobile app
Also if anyone wants to help me step by step on Skype or something in an hour or two I would be very grateful!
Sent from my XT925 using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] Nexus 5 rooted unlocked. Questions on getting to 4.4.4

Before you ask, yes, I have searched. I also went through each page of the "Here are the similar threads we found:" section before posting. That is actually why I am posting. I see too many different answers.
A little background: I know my way around android in general and have been flashing roms since my G1. I used to be the "rom test dummy" for JesusFreak (yeah, im an oldtimer) so I am not afraid of flashing roms. I am currently running on a windows machine, but I have linux available if that is any easier. I am comfortable in either.
My question: I have a Nexus 5 with 4.4.2 (stock) KOT49H and I want to update finally. Each time I have tried the OTA it gave errors, and I eventually found that is because the rom looks for modifications. Out of the posts I have found here, I have seen some say you have to flash all the way back to stock and then start updating. I have also seen posts that say there are tools that will read your device info and decide what to flash. I have seen some that say you can flash a new (stock) rom over the current rom.
I have no problem backing up the device (I have paid premium) if needed. If I can flash without wipe, GREAT. If not, no big deal. My main thing is that I would like a safe route. This is my main phone so I need it to work. I would also prefer one of the shorter (of the safe) methods. I saw a guide a few minutes ago that seemed to say that you should flash 4x during the process. Once to clean the rom, once to downgrade, and 2 more to upgrade. I am hoping I read that one wrong, but that sounds un-needed. Is there a stock 4.4.4 rom that I can just flash on top of my current 4.4.2 and get it all done in one jump?
Darkrift said:
Before you ask, yes, I have searched. I also went through each page of the "Here are the similar threads we found:" section before posting. That is actually why I am posting. I see too many different answers.
A little background: I know my way around android in general and have been flashing roms since my G1. I used to be the "rom test dummy" for JesusFreak (yeah, im an oldtimer) so I am not afraid of flashing roms. I am currently running on a windows machine, but I have linux available if that is any easier. I am comfortable in either.
My question: I have a Nexus 5 with 4.4.2 (stock) KOT49H and I want to update finally. Each time I have tried the OTA it gave errors, and I eventually found that is because the rom looks for modifications. Out of the posts I have found here, I have seen some say you have to flash all the way back to stock and then start updating. I have also seen posts that say there are tools that will read your device info and decide what to flash. I have seen some that say you can flash a new (stock) rom over the current rom.
I have no problem backing up the device (I have paid premium) if needed. If I can flash without wipe, GREAT. If not, no big deal. My main thing is that I would like a safe route. This is my main phone so I need it to work. I would also prefer one of the shorter (of the safe) methods. I saw a guide a few minutes ago that seemed to say that you should flash 4x during the process. Once to clean the rom, once to downgrade, and 2 more to upgrade. I am hoping I read that one wrong, but that sounds un-needed. Is there a stock 4.4.4 rom that I can just flash on top of my current 4.4.2 and get it all done in one jump?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easiest way(if running a custom recovery).. find a rooted stock here in the andtoid development section, and dirty flash(no wiping) it over what you have. you won't lose any data dirty flashing.
if your completely stock, easiest way.. flash the 4.4.4 factory img via fastboot. but you will lose your data.
simms22 said:
easiest way(if running a custom recovery).. find a rooted stock here in the andtoid development section, and dirty flash(no wiping) it over what you have. you won't lose any data dirty flashing.
if your completely stock, easiest way.. flash the 4.4.4 factory img via fastboot. but you will lose your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but can you point to a 4.4.4 rooted stock? I have been searching through the roms and most seem to be customized, not stock. Ive gone through about 7 pages now in http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development
I havent flashed a rom in a year or 2 since buying Nexus 4/5 devices (hey, they just work) so I am a little out of the loop.
**Edit: I just found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...-android-4-4-3-ktu84m-rooted-busybox-t2557523 - Maybe I missed it the first time. I think its because the URL says 4-4-3, so I skipped it.
Darkrift said:
Thanks for the info, but can you point to a 4.4.4 rooted stock? I have been searching through the roms and most seem to be customized, not stock. Ive gone through about 7 pages now in http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development
I havent flashed a rom in a year or 2 since buying Nexus 4/5 devices (hey, they just work) so I am a little out of the loop.
**Edit: I just found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...-android-4-4-3-ktu84m-rooted-busybox-t2557523 - Maybe I missed it the first time. I think its because the URL says 4-4-3, so I skipped it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats a good one.. if i go with stock, its going to be a @bigxie rom. and i was around as well for jesus freke
Awesome, thanks. I will flash that when I get home after making a backup.
I struggled with this and finally succeeded by flashing first to 4.4.3, THEN to 4.4.4. Now running like a top.
bltzfsck said:
I struggled with this and finally succeeded by flashing first to 4.4.3, THEN to 4.4.4. Now running like a top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome!

Updated to 6.0.1, CAN THIS BE UNDONE??

First, I'd like to say that while I'm not new to this, I AM quite rusty. So before you call me retarded for doing what I did, I already know. Now...
I have been just daily driving along on 4.4.2 for a good few years on my phone but I just got a Tab4 and rooted it and noticed that the TWRP version I wound up with was newer than on my phone, and had a few more options. Sooo, I tried to Odin the TWRP to my phone and caused all kinds of problems. Wouldn't boot. So I downloaded everything I could get my hands on to try to Odin onto the G900V to get it up and running again. The ONLY this I could flash was this...
PD1_Full_Factory_Restore_No_Aboot.tar
So now the phone is on the 6.0.1 which I figured was great but quickly noticed that not everything was working. No WiFi, no Camera, no Back and Recent keys, and no extsdcard recognition, so obviously unacceptable. Is this too new to be undone? I spent all night last night and today reading through the various forums, and I haven't seen it directly addressed.
Here are my questions...
1. Can I root this and fix the issues from there? If so, with what tool?
2. If I cannot yet root this, how do I downgrade from this kernel/firmware to something that is at least stable for this device?
Point me in the right direction, I'm not a total newb. I've rooted many devices, many times, but I really haven't been keeping up on anything for some time. Any help would be awesome, I'll pour some beer out for you, Thx in advance.
~Chris
I tried all of these, none will flash via Odin but the one that got me to where I am (PD1)
mods, please delete this post #2.
I edited it all into #1
Odin back to stock
I did something similar, which is what I get for just reading the instructions instead of the warnings at the top of a post.
I tried a number of things, but ended up using odin to do a complete wipe and go back to stock.
Thanks for the reply.
AFAIK this IS a stock ROM, but as I said this was the only thing I could get to flash after I tried to flash a new TWRP. Nothing else will go.
Being a bit rusty myself, it caught my ear when you mentioned the full wipe, I never performed a wipe of any sort during my efforts.
Could that be the problem?
Also, someone please refresh my memory, what piece is it that actually determines whether a device is rootable?
Is it the kernel? Is this one rootable? What is the modern method for acquiring root? I was using towelroot back in the 4.4.2/4.4.4 days.
Thanks
UPDATE : It also will not make a phone call. Hitting the CALL button or trying to answer when it rings will cause the phone to reboot, lol
Someone please get me back to a custom recovery, I've got some great TWRP backups and a ****load of titaniumBU
Just downgrade to PB1 using the stock TAR and unlock your bl from there...
Thank you for the PB1 advice.
Should I be able to accomplish this via Odin?
Is a full wipe/reset required?
Thank you for the PB1 tip
Got that handled, all is up and running, but not rooted
Gunna have to wait till after work for that stuff
Thanks again
OK so now I'm fully stock PB1, where do I want to go from here to acquire root?
Which of these 2 threads shall I follow?
[GUIDE] Unlocking the Galaxys S5 Bootloader using DEV Bootloader [KK-MM], OR...
Working Root Method For 5.0 Lollipop Roms [OE1] [OG5] [OK3] [PB1] [3-3-16]
I ask because above I was advised to "downgrade to PB1 using the stock TAR and unlock your bl from there..."
My question arises from the fact that I had this phone rooted for YEARS before I messed it up, and the thread proclaiming that "S5 bootloader unlock is here!" seems to be only 3 months old. Leading me to wonder, do I need an unlocked bootloader, or merely to acquire root? Seems like a valid question to me. I just want to make sure in advance before proceeding.
SO in summary, this is the question...
Which of these 2 threads shall I follow?
[GUIDE] Unlocking the Galaxys S5 Bootloader using DEV Bootloader [KK-MM], OR...
Working Root Method For 5.0 Lollipop Roms [OE1] [OG5] [OK3] [PB1] [3-3-16]
Also, what file system do I want for my SDcard?
Thank You
cjschriver3 said:
OK so now I'm fully stock PB1, where do I want to go from here to acquire root?
Which of these 2 threads shall I follow?
[GUIDE] Unlocking the Galaxys S5 Bootloader using DEV Bootloader [KK-MM], OR...
Working Root Method For 5.0 Lollipop Roms [OE1] [OG5] [OK3] [PB1] [3-3-16]
I ask because above I was advised to "downgrade to PB1 using the stock TAR and unlock your bl from there..."
My question arises from the fact that I had this phone rooted for YEARS before I messed it up, and the thread proclaiming that "S5 bootloader unlock is here!" seems to be only 3 months old. Leading me to wonder, do I need an unlocked bootloader, or merely to acquire root? Seems like a valid question to me. I just want to make sure in advance before proceeding.
SO in summary, this is the question...
Which of these 2 threads shall I follow?
[GUIDE] Unlocking the Galaxys S5 Bootloader using DEV Bootloader [KK-MM], OR...
Working Root Method For 5.0 Lollipop Roms [OE1] [OG5] [OK3] [PB1] [3-3-16]
Also, what file system do I want for my SDcard?
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS86FHqY6rE with appropriate files worked! Tremendous help for me.
Miilliiee said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS86FHqY6rE with appropriate files worked! Tremendous help for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for that. Being able to see the video helped a lot, not because I can't read, but just because I was able to see what was SUPPOSED to happen at each step.
All fixed up now. Thx again.

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