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[Q] Update & Debrand Desire S

Hello, I'm new to the Android scene having come from the iPhone so have a few questions before updating my HTC Desire S.
I would like to install the basic non-branded version of Android 2.3.5 with Scenes 3.0.
What I have is a HTC Desire S on Orange UK, Android 2.3.3, Sense 2.1, software 1.47.61.1
Now before the update came out I rooted my phone with Revolutionary and am S-OFF
with HBOOT-6.98.1002 and RADIO-3805.06.02.03_M I also installed superuser and I was about to install a custom ROM to get rid of the Orange bloatware.
But would I be able to achieve this by just installing a RUU .exe, ie this one ?
RUU_Saga_S_HTC_Europe_2.10.401.8_Radio_20.4801.30.0822U_3822.10.08.04_M_release_225161_signed.exe
or do I need to find the latest Europe ROM and flash with ROM Manager?
apologies for my ignorance I've been reading the forum but I'm still a newbie to Android, I would like to get some advise so I don't brick my phone

Ctrlloki said:
Hello, I'm new to the Android scene having come from the iPhone so have a few questions before updating my HTC Desire S.
I would like to install the basic non-branded version of Android 2.3.5 with Scenes 3.0.
What I have is a HTC Desire S on Orange UK, Android 2.3.3, Sense 2.1, software 1.47.61.1
Now before the update came out I rooted my phone with Revolutionary and am S-OFF
with HBOOT-6.98.1002 and RADIO-3805.06.02.03_M I also installed superuser and I was about to install a custom ROM to get rid of the Orange bloatware.
But would I be able to achieve this by just installing a RUU .exe, ie this one ?
RUU_Saga_S_HTC_Europe_2.10.401.8_Radio_20.4801.30.0822U_3822.10.08.04_M_release_225161_signed.exe
or do I need to find the latest Europe ROM and flash with ROM Manager?
apologies for my ignorance I've been reading the forum but I'm still a newbie to Android, I would like to get some advise so I don't brick my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First if you run this RUU or any non brand specific over your branded phone you will brick it.
Second: using RUU /a proper one/ will bring you back to Stock, and you will lose your root and S-OFF. But in your case running RUU will brick the phone because you have a Revolutionary bootloader /6.98.1002/ which has a protection and cannot be overwritten with RUU.
Third - custom ROM is a modified software (which is always rooted) that can be flashed via custom recovery (look at the sticky guide for beginners) The RUU is a Stock software (used in the past by HTC for updates)
Anyway if you want to debrand you can do this with a Goldcard and the RUU, mentioned by you but an earlier version like 1.28.401.1 or 1.47.401.4 (they can be unlocked with Revolutionary, the latest - 2.10.401.8 cannot), then S-OFF and root again/flash a custom ROM.
You can use the latest with a Goldcard, but then to gain root you will have to use htcdev.com to unlock the bootloader (which will send info about this to HTC and probably void your warranty - during the process you have to confirm your agreement with that)

Thanks for the quick reply and heads up on the Goldcard.
So after some reading on the Goldcard I take it that all I have to do is make myself a SD Goldcard and have it in the phone, then run the 2.10.401.8 RUU this will install Android 2.3.5 + Sense 3 unbranded but automatically S-OFF & un-root the phone.
(I'm not worried about losing these at this time)
but do I need to change anything about my Revolutionary bootloader "6.98.1002" before doing the above ?
Cheers

Ctrlloki said:
but do I need to change anything about my Revolutionary bootloader "6.98.1002" before doing the above ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you should replace your bootloader with an Engineering one like 0.98.2000 (link in my signature) or 2.00.2002
you can use Android flasher for that (link in the Index thread)
Then I suggest you to use an older European version to debrand (1.28 or 1.47) instead of RUU and use custom ROMs in order to keep the S-OFF and root
There are plenty of custom ROMs based on the latest official Sense 3.0 that you can flash instead the original (and you will have no bloatware on it)

Thanks for the info amidabuddha. I will give it a try tonight.

Just a small clarification if there is a term confusion:
You should follow this procedure ONLY IF you want to debrand the phone completely (i.e. change the version to an unbranded of all system components: hboot, misc, etc.) on low level
In case that under debrand you mean clean OS, without carrier specific software you need just to flash any Sense 3.0 based custom ROM, flash with ROM Manager and you are done. Then if you don't like the Orange splash screen you can replace it with Android flasher to another. Basically there is no difference whether you are branded or not to use custom ROMs. Branded means that your system version will stay Orange with any ROM running on it.
So you will stay branded and you want to return to Stock someday you will have to use the Orange RUU (but this is healthier in order to keep your warranty)

One X cid questions

So i used the method of boot loader unlock 2.20 which changes the CID to 1111111 so I can unlock the bootloader right, my question is how do I get back to stock AT&T ICS(My one X came with ICS)?
My Hboot Version: 1.14
Current ROM: Cyanogen mod 10.1
Original ROM: Stock AT&T ICS Build 2.20
Boot-loader: Unlocked

Just flash the stock rooted ROM. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671237

Just remember to S-OFF if you intend to take the OTA if you're not S-OFF already or you will brick.

exad said:
Just remember to S-OFF if you intend to take the OTA if you're not S-OFF already or you will brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I'm Defiantly S-Off lol so I will either install the stock rooted one from the index of roms but if I wanted to return fully to stock non rooted how can I do that?

Vicpdx18 said:
Oh I'm Defiantly S-Off lol so I will either install the stock rooted one from the index of roms but if I wanted to return fully to stock non rooted how can I do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ruu

Vicpdx18 said:
Oh I'm Defiantly S-Off lol so I will either install the stock rooted one from the index of roms but if I wanted to return fully to stock non rooted how can I do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why would you want to do that? Root lets you do more, and unrooting just takes away those benefits. You're doing extra steps to get a phone that is less capable. The only good reasons to go back to stock:
- Return for warranty service
- To install the OTA (you need to S-off, otherwise SuperCID will cause a brick) for the purpose of upgrading the "extra" firmware not included in the ROM itself

[Q] Stock/Custom ROM Flashing help

Hello All,
Sorry for my lack of knowledge. I've been searching for answers for quite some time but all was getting a bit vague. So I have to put my questions here.
1. I have HTC One S S4, 4.1.1 stock, HBOOT 2.15.0000, Rooted with bootloader unlocked, CID = BM_001 (Bell Mob Canada), Software No. 3.16.666.9, TWRP Recovery, made a backup of System and Boot using TWRP
*Rooted and bootloader unlocked using AIO Tool by Hasoon
Now I have some questions regarding stock and custom ROM flashing.
2. If I have to "unroot" or revert to stock ROM, do I have to do the following?
- Lock Bootloader
- Flash stock recovery (I suppose extracting it from the OTA zip?)
- Flash the OTA zip (I downloaded stock OTA_Ville_U_JB_45_S_BM_3.16.666.9_1.11.50.05.28_10.27.50.08L_release_308167fun0bzhoz2tch0mh.zip, there was no RUU for this carrier)
- OR flashing the firmware.img from the OTA zip?
I am all confused about how I will flash stock firmware as there is no RUU for Bell Mobility JB, just the OTA which is 600+ MB.
Will that be all?
3. Can I flash a Stock ROM other than BM?
- Is there an International carrier free version that I can flash?
- Any drawbacks of this process?
4. If I want to go with flashing a custom ROM, will I have to something further? E.g
- S-off
- SuperCID (Not possible with HBOOT 2.15)
5. Other than battery Issue, I believe there’s this Camera issue which don’t understand in particular. Is there no ROM which can provide the same Camera functionality as Stock? What’s the ROM that provides the closest functionality to that of the Stock?

khan.orak said:
Hello All,
Sorry for my lack of knowledge. I've been searching for answers for quite some time but all was getting a bit vague. So I have to put my questions here.
1. I have HTC One S S4, 4.1.1 stock, HBOOT 2.15.0000, Rooted with bootloader unlocked, CID = BM_001 (Bell Mob Canada), Software No. 3.16.666.9, TWRP Recovery, made a backup of System and Boot using TWRP
*Rooted and bootloader unlocked using AIO Tool by Hasoon
Now I have some questions regarding stock and custom ROM flashing.
2. If I have to "unroot" or revert to stock ROM, do I have to do the following?
- Lock Bootloader
- Flash stock recovery (I suppose extracting it from the OTA zip?)
- Flash the OTA zip (I downloaded stock OTA_Ville_U_JB_45_S_BM_3.16.666.9_1.11.50.05.28_10.27.50.08L_release_308167fun0bzhoz2tch0mh.zip, there was no RUU for this carrier)
- OR flashing the firmware.img from the OTA zip?
I am all confused about how I will flash stock firmware as there is no RUU for Bell Mobility JB, just the OTA which is 600+ MB.
Will that be all?
3. Can I flash a Stock ROM other than BM?
- Is there an International carrier free version that I can flash?
- Any drawbacks of this process?
4. If I want to go with flashing a custom ROM, will I have to something further? E.g
- S-off
- SuperCID (Not possible with HBOOT 2.15)
5. Other than battery Issue, I believe there’s this Camera issue which don’t understand in particular. Is there no ROM which can provide the same Camera functionality as Stock? What’s the ROM that provides the closest functionality to that of the Stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-you cant flash ota trough twrp, you have to wait for a ruu
(or get s-off, then you can flash older ruu and do normal ota trough stock rom)
first flash recovery then lock
your CID allows what you can flash + if no s-off you can go lower than your current state/hboot
for flashing only custom roms s-off of supercid is not needed, you might need an updated firmware for the new kernel on asop.
if you want only stock, there are also stock custom roms (with/without bloatware) that are recovery flashable
try facepalm or moonshine if you want soff.

real187 said:
-you cant flash ota trough twrp, you have to wait for a ruu
(or get s-off, then you can flash older ruu and do normal ota trough stock rom)
first flash recovery then lock
your CID allows what you can flash + if no s-off you can go lower than your current state/hboot
for flashing only custom roms s-off of supercid is not needed, you might need an updated firmware for the new kernel on asop.
if you want only stock, there are also stock custom roms (with/without bloatware) that are recovery flashable
try facepalm or moonshine if you want soff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Maybe S-Off is the last resort.

[Q] att update problem

i have one problem, i installed venom rom 2.40 for my icecreamsandwich mobile,i also flashed ota,can i update to jelly bean,i am in india and using unlocked htc onex att with vodafone,when icheck about>software updates>check now>then it is cheking long time but doesnt give me answer what should i do? i have hboot 1.13 ,iota 2.4 to 2.41

You will typically not receive OTA updates if you are not in the intended country for the device (i.e. not in the US for the AT&T branded model).
Also, having a custom ROM will often prevent you from receiving OTA notifications. Additionally, OTA will fail, even if you somehow were successful in downloading it, if custom recovery is installed (stock recovery is required for OTA installation).
Furthermore (and possibly most importantly) if you are SuperCID (likely, since you are rooted and AT&T) and S-on, the Jellybean OTA or RUU will brick your phone. So you should probably be thankful, that you did not get the OTA and installed it.
Since you are already rooted, bootloader unlocked, and have custom recovery; if you want to be on Jellybean, I would just advise to install the updated version of ViperXL in the Development forum section. Or another Jellybean custom ROM.
Another option, if you want stock Jellybean, is to flash a rooted stock ROM. But I personally don't recommend it. Custom ROMs like ViperXL and others (CleanROM, etc.) are based on stock, but cleaned of all the bloatware, and with some really nice features and functionality added.
Alternately, if you still want to go completely stock Jellybean, you must either change back to the AT&T CID, or S-off. Then download the RUU and run it. Again, if you try to run the RUU with SuperCID and S-on, you will brick the device (not fixable short of JTAG). So you must either change from SuperCID, or S-off before running the RUU.
There are some upsides and downsides to running the JB RUU:
Good:
- Radio, and other firmware (in addition to the ROM) will be updated.
- JB RUU is recommended prior to installing some JB custom ROMs
Bad:
- You will be on stock recovery again, and need to install custom recovery again if you want to install custom ROMs
- Touch panel firmware will be upgraded, so AOSP ROMs will not work without downgrading the touch panel firmware
- You will need to root again (or install a rooted custom ROM)
- Tons of AT&T bloatware and broken functionality (such as WiFi hotspot and tethering)

[Q] How to Debrand M4

Hi All
I have a totally stock M4 4.2.2 phone from Voda UK
(it has the boot logo from Voda along with pre-loaded network apps)
I just want to make it a stock European version...(UK ideally) with no network logos or apps
End wish is a stock 4.4.4 with root (ideally towelroot or similar) so if I want to...I can unroot and leave untouched/stock
As stated...no htcdev done or anything with unlocking bootloader
Advice please?

!SINGH! said:
Hi All
I have a totally stock M4 4.2.2 phone from Voda UK
(it has the boot logo from Voda along with pre-loaded network apps)
I just want to make it a stock European version...(UK ideally) with no network logos or apps
End wish is a stock 4.4.4 with root (ideally towelroot or similar) so if I want to...I can unroot and leave untouched/stock
As stated...no htcdev done or anything with unlocking bootloader
Advice please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid that once you go root ( unless you only use temproot ) you can't go back to absolute stock.
To "transform" it to a European version you'll have to do Super CID, which requires unlocked bootloader & s-off.

htc_one_mini_m4 said:
I'm afraid that once you go root ( unless you only use temproot ) you can't go back to absolute stock.
To "transform" it to a European version you'll have to do Super CID, which requires unlocked bootloader & s-off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. What about..
S-Off....
SuperCiD
flash with stock European rom
Set CID back to the European one...(so it doesn't brick)
Re-lock the bootloader
S-On
That way... I have a stock European Rom 4.4.4 on a stock One Mini
?

!SINGH! said:
Well.. What about..
S-Off....
SuperCiD
flash with stock European rom
Set CID back to the European one...(so it doesn't brick)
Re-lock the bootloader
S-On
That way... I have a stock European Rom 4.4.4 on a stock One Mini
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely.
If I'm not mistaken ( I'm not a phone freak, just a computer hardware engineer & mediocre software programmer ) you can't re-lock the bootloader like stock.
It displays "Re-Locked" once locked again with fastboot or another tool.
You'll have a stock image, but you won't have the applications that are preloaded in the data partition which gets erased during the Bootloader unlocking process, and that blocks you from flashing any newer OTA updates via the classic method ( like a totally stock phone )