[Q] [Help] need some clarifications

[Q] [Help] need some clarifications - Sony Xperia M2

Hey there, so i have d2303 and i tried to root my phone by flashing jb 4.3 and using towelroot. All went okay i got the root status green, but after i updated back to KK and i lost the root. I did download SuperSu but honestly i dont know what i have to do with it so i just updated via sony pc companion. I've read too much stuff for the past 4 hours and all that info messed up with my head badly, I can unlock bootloader but i wanted to gain root access first so i can backup TA so i can be able to lock the bootloader in case i needed to use my warranty. Is there any hero who can give a nice detailed tut on how the heck to get root access in android 4.3 that will stay on 4.4.2 Also i would be glad if someone explain how to install that CWM because when i read the thread i got lost completely. ill quote the parts that i dont get
download the kernel and put in fastboot directory. [where is that directory]
Open terminal/CMD, go to to dir with boot.img and type: fastboot flash boot boot.img[what terminal]
How to Root
Install Kernel with CWM above. [install with cwm above, i mean the heck, inst the kernel that installs cwm]
download the latest SuperSU update.zip from: ... and save on your SD card
reboot into recovery and flash the supersu package.[flash it with cwm i assume?]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah pretty much the whole thing is confusing me. Im counting on you xda gods to help a moron like me to get the phone going.
P.S im whiling to unlock the bootloader before i can back up the DRM keys but only if there is no other option

Go back to JB, get root and backup your DRM keys. Then flash stock KK firmware, unlock bootloader, download Android SDK, unzip it, put the boot.img inside sdk\platform-tools of the extracted folder, hold shift while inside that folder then right click choose " Open command windows here ". Then type the command he instructed you and you have CWM ready. Flash the SuperSU zip inside CWM and you will have root

vusun123 said:
Go back to JB, get root and backup your DRM keys. Then flash stock KK firmware, unlock bootloader, download Android SDK, unzip it, put the boot.img inside sdk\platform-tools of the extracted folder, hold shift while inside that folder then right click choose " Open command windows here ". Then type the command he instructed you and you have CWM ready. Flash the SuperSU zip inside CWM and you will have root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats it, everything i wanted to know put together in 2 sentences . Thanks mate, you just made my life easier lol, cheers

Related

[Q] Nexus S stuck on Google logo and unlock bootloader screen

I know there have been similar threads, and I'm sorry that I'm raising another one. But reading to all those old topics didn't help me.
It's a friend's i9020T, bought in the US, so returning it back would be a real problem. He never unlocked bootloader, never applied any custom ROMs or Recovery, always updated it over OTA, and sometime in November, after reboots, phone started to hang on Google logo. Usually, it helped to remove the battery and wait some time, but it doesn't any more. We tried to remove it for a full day, didn't helped.
I tried going into recovery and doing full wipe and cache wipe - didn't help
I tried to unlock the bootloader, can select 'Yes', apply it via Power button, but the phone hangs.
If I want to flash anything with fastboot (boot, system img), it complains about locked bootloader
I tried Odin as well, but can't trick the phone into download mode with both volume up and down, again reports to unlock the bootloader
Is there any way to and how to fix this? I cannot transfer anything to internal memory, have stock recovery?
Thanks a lot to all of those who are willing to help, and I've really want to somehow fix the phone, because I don't have here in Serbia where to repair it. Several mobile providers only imported i9023, so they can't fix i9020T

I'm having the exact same problem with a GT-i9020 so would be interested in any help on this!

May need to format phone. Basically reflash latest update via boot loader. Wipe system to factory. And wipe sd
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using Tapatalk

RANDYRKELLY said:
May need to format phone. Basically reflash latest update via boot loader. Wipe system to factory. And wipe sd
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but I downloaded 2.3.6 stock from here, unpacked in the same folder where adb and fastboot are, and tried to do fastboot flash boot boot.img and so, and didn't work, was bugging me that bootloader isn't unlock

Highl1 said:
but I downloaded 2.3.6 stock from here, unpacked in the same folder where adb and fastboot are, and tried to do fastboot flash boot boot.img and so, and didn't work, was bugging me that bootloader isn't unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem dude u don't unpack it. U need to leave as a update zip. Look on xda for the stock 4.0.3 update zip or wait till I provide link. U go thru stock recovery if unrooted, and flash with it. To unlock boot loader u need to be in fastboot and type fastboot oem unlock. But u wait first. Lets get it booted. I'll find link.
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using Tapatalk

Read here
http://www.androidcentral.com/how-manually-update-your-gsm-nexus-s-ice-cream-sandwich
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using Tapatalk

RANDYRKELLY said:
That's the problem dude u don't unpack it. U need to leave as a update zip. Look on xda for the stock 4.0.3 update zip or wait till I provide link. U go thru stock recovery if unrooted, and flash with it. To unlock boot loader u need to be in fastboot and type fastboot oem unlock. But u wait first. Lets get it booted. I'll find link.
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll wait for your link and instructions, it's obvious that I am doing something wrong
Thanks mate!

RANDYRKELLY said:
Read here
http://www.androidcentral.com/how-manually-update-your-gsm-nexus-s-ice-cream-sandwich
Sent from my Full Android on Crespo using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I have stock recovery and can't copy anything to internal memory, since my phone doesn't boot

Highl1 said:
I know there have been similar threads, and I'm sorry that I'm raising another one. But reading to all those old topics didn't help me.
It's a friend's i9020T, bought in the US, so returning it back would be a real problem. He never unlocked bootloader, never applied any custom ROMs or Recovery, always updated it over OTA, and sometime in November, after reboots, phone started to hang on Google logo. Usually, it helped to remove the battery and wait some time, but it doesn't any more. We tried to remove it for a full day, didn't helped.
I tried going into recovery and doing full wipe and cache wipe - didn't help
I tried to unlock the bootloader, can select 'Yes', apply it via Power button, but the phone hangs.
If I want to flash anything with fastboot (boot, system img), it complains about locked bootloader
I tried Odin as well, but can't trick the phone into download mode with both volume up and down, again reports to unlock the bootloader
Is there any way to and how to fix this? I cannot transfer anything to internal memory, have stock recovery?
Thanks a lot to all of those who are willing to help, and I've really want to somehow fix the phone, because I don't have here in Serbia where to repair it. Several mobile providers only imported i9023, so they can't fix i9020T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First download this : http://www.4shared.com/zip/2L09-JyW/Root_Nexus_S.html
Just unpack , connect your device and click run.bat - that will root your phone and installed new ClockWordMod Recovery
After that you need : remove install-recovery.sh just in .....
run in windows-> Start->at the search bar write cmd and navigate into your android sdk is installed
For me :
C:/"Programs and Files (x86)"/Android/android-sdk/tools/>adb shell
# rm /system/etc/install-recovery.sh
#exit
or with Root Explorer into system/etc/install-recovery.sh just renam it (ex. : .sh.old)

surdu_petru said:
First download this : http://www.4shared.com/zip/2L09-JyW/Root_Nexus_S.html
Just unpack , connect your device and click run.bat - that will root your phone and installed new ClockWordMod Recovery
After that you need : remove install-recovery.sh just in .....
run in windows-> Start->at the search bar write cmd and navigate into your android sdk is installed
For me :
C:/"Programs and Files (x86)"/Android/android-sdk/tools/>adb shell
# rm /system/etc/install-recovery.sh
#exit
or with Root Explorer into system/etc/install-recovery.sh just renam it (ex. : .sh.old)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing mate, I ran it, click two times in console, can't unlock the bootloader, I always get stuck on it

Trying to update the drivers for Nexus S : http://www.4shared.com/rar/_bgEMHqk/Nexus_S_Drivers_x86__x64.html
and after that try to run.bat...Good luck!

I'll try today, but my problem is that adb cannot find the device, fastboot can

I would try downloading the full OTA from this thread, rename it to update.zip (for easy typing), place it in a directory where you can run fastboot, then use the command:
Code:
fastboot update update.zip

I got an error
archive does not contain 'android-info.txt'
archive does not contain 'android-product.txt'
error: update package has no android-info.txt or android-product.txt
Should I create android-info.txt (how?) and place it into the zip (where?)
Thanks.
<edit> I saw this topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1131588 and followed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884416&highlight=STOCK but that as well complains about a locked bootloader </edit>

Is the problem solved？

szk5230 said:
Is the problem solved？
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so far, I'm still having trouble with the phone, and no solution so far helped

Highl1 said:
I got an error
archive does not contain 'android-info.txt'
archive does not contain 'android-product.txt'
error: update package has no android-info.txt or android-product.txt
Should I create android-info.txt (how?) and place it into the zip (where?)
Thanks.
<edit> I saw this topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1131588 and followed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884416&highlight=STOCK but that as well complains about a locked bootloader </edit>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry my bad, haven't tried that before either...

If it bugs you the bootloader isn't unlcoked before flashing can't you just use
fastboot oem unlock
then commence with flashing your stock image?
Edit - Nevermind...I see you tried that.

any other suggestion? I'm out of ideas

I had this problem in December. I tried everything you tried without any luck so eventually took it back for warranty repair. Unfortunately I had some water damage from 9 months before so they wouldn't touch it. Luckily I got it replaced on my phone insurance but they said it couldn't repaired.
As far as I know it's a hardware fault. With CWM it looked like I could transfer files into the sd but they would disappear! I was able to use Fastboot and Odin but no joy. I had the same errors when trying to apply update using fastboot and never found answers about the "missing" files.
Sorry to come with bad news and good luck! I'm worried it'll happen to my replacement handset so keen to know if you resolve it.

CWM Recovery v5.5.0.4 for A70x

EDIT FROM THE ARCHANGEL: DO NOT USE THIS RECOVERY IT WILL BRICK YOUR TAB,btw i pulled the links
CWM Recovery v5.5.0.4 for A70x
Attention!
At the moment CWM recovery is not workable! Its use can lead to non-functionality of your tablet! For details see here.
Original article is published on this site and created by ZeroNull and steaven_zw (4pda.ru).
How to:
1. Boot your device.
2. On a tablet: "Settings" -> "Applications" -> "Development" -> "USB debugging" switch on. Connect the tablet to your PC. Be sure to install the latest driver for the tablet.
3. Download the archive and extract it to any convenient location on your computer.
4. Unlock your bootloader for fastboot, follow here. Then reboot a tablet.
5. Open the directory with the unpacked archive. Execute file:
for windows with the rights of administrator:
Code:
flash-cwm.bat
Recovery is installed.
Reboot again with Volume- and see whether you can still access recovery (or use the following command):
Code:
adb reboot recovery
PS: If you can not use this instruction, look here.

You're the man.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

should the boot image be patched our does that not matter

Works great thanks for your awesome work again.:good:

Quick questions for you ZeroNull:
Do we have to unlock bootloader first (I suppose we do) ?
Do we have to be rooted first (I suppose we don't) ?
If we don't have to be rooted first, can we root after just by flashing the supersu.zip by Chainfire from recovery (I would suppose we can) ?
Thanks a lot, again.
EDIT: I just checked and saw that the recovery in this package is the same size as the "rooting.img" in the generic root package from you. I suppose that means it is a temp recovery that you use to root the tab ? Which means we can gain root from recovery so flashing supersu from this recovery should work... just trying to understand what's going on, for my own knowledge
EDIT 2: I just opened the .bat file and saw there was some disabling at the end for recovery.sh
I also opened an Acer rom and saw inside the zip that there was some stuff about recovery.sh
From what I can understand, it looks like you disable something that Acer wants to do. What is it exactly ?
If I reflash an Acer stock rom from CWM recovery, will the recovery be reflashed with stock one, or does your script takes care of that ?
Again, just trying to understand.

Still looking for a stock .017 US ROM image...
Latoc said:
Quick questions for you ZeroNull:
Do we have to unlock bootloader first (I suppose we do) ?
Do we have to be rooted first (I suppose we don't) ?
If we don't have to be rooted first, can we root after just by flashing the supersu.zip by Chainfire from recovery (I would suppose we can) ?
Thanks a lot, again.
EDIT: I just checked and saw that the recovery in this package is the same size as the "rooting.img" in the generic root package from you. I suppose that means it is a temp recovery that you use to root the tab ? Which means we can gain root from recovery so flashing supersu from this recovery should work... just trying to understand what's going on, for my own knowledge
EDIT 2: I just opened the .bat file and saw there was some disabling at the end for recovery.sh
I also opened an Acer rom and saw inside the zip that there was some stuff about recovery.sh
From what I can understand, it looks like you disable something that Acer wants to do. What is it exactly ?
If I reflash an Acer stock rom from CWM recovery, will the recovery be reflashed with stock one, or does your script takes care of that ?
Again, just trying to understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are apparently still running the stock .017 US ROM, could you make (and post or PM me) a backup copy that could be used to re-flash to stock?
Thanks,
I am currently flashed and running the .025_EMA_CUS1 ROM with teh new CWM recovery... all went very well!

You'll have to unlock the boot-loader to flash a recovery, but you don't need to be rooted for this to happen.You root the operating system to gain access behind the scenes....A recovery such as CWM (this) is the first step for you to flash non signed ROMs (modified) without the system denying you. Then you can flash an already rooted (or tweaked) ROM once they are available, but as of right now there aren't any.
So unlock boot-loader, flash this, then root your ROM...

bucklyv said:
Since you are apparently still running the stock .017 US ROM, could you make (and post or PM me) a backup copy that could be used to re-flash to stock?
Thanks,
I am currently flashed and running the .025_EMA_CUS1 ROM with teh new CWM recovery... all went very well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but I'm currently running this: SDs_Acer_AV043_A700_RV07RC06_EMEA_FR.zip
It is a french leak, but you can get it from the rom thread so I'm not going to be able to help you much on this.
By the way, did you root before pushing this recovery or did you just unlock the bootloader ?

Itchiee said:
You'll have to unlock the boot-loader to flash a recovery, but you don't need to be rooted for this to happen.You root the operating system to gain access behind the scenes....A recovery such as CWM (this) is the first step for you to flash non signed ROMs (modified) without the system denying you. Then you can flash an already rooted (or tweaked) ROM once they are available, but as of right now there aren't any.
So unlock boot-loader, flash this, then root your ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok cool.
Last question then: can I root by just flashing supersu.zip from CWM ?

Latoc said:
Ok cool.
Last question then: can I root by just flashing supersu.zip from CWM ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you'll have to use one of the scripts in the rooting threads unless someone creates a flashable root.
The script I used automatically installed su and busy box.

Latoc said:
Sorry, but I'm currently running this: SDs_Acer_AV043_A700_RV07RC06_EMEA_FR.zip
It is a french leak, but you can get it from the rom thread so I'm not going to be able to help you much on this.
By the way, did you root before pushing this recovery or did you just unlock the bootloader ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was both rooted and s-off... I am hoping the ROM development for the ACER takes off now that it is rooted and a recovery is working. Bought this over waiting for the Infinity to drop later this month (July)... hope it wasn't a mistake I will regret!
Thanks for the response.
Cheers!

ZeroNull said:
CWM Recovery v5.5.0.4 for A70x
Original article is published on this site and created by ZeroNull and steaven_zw (4pda.ru).
How to:
1. Boot your device.
2. On a tablet: "Settings" -> "Applications" -> "Development" -> "USB debugging" switch on. Connect the tablet to your PC. Be sure to install the latest driver for the tablet.
3. Download the archive and extract it to any convenient location on your computer.
4. Unlock your bootloader for fastboot, follow here. Then reboot a tablet.
5. Open the directory with the unpacked archive. Execute file:
for windows with the rights of administrator:
Code:
flash-cwm.bat
Recovery is installed.
Reboot again with Volume- and see whether you can still access recovery (or use the following command):
Code:
adb reboot recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks ZeroNull!
---------- Post added at 08:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 PM ----------
I have one question, is the stock Recovery out there somewhere? I am just curious, in case I had to flash the original one back.

ZeroNull, you're the ****. Awesome work, again. Tanks!
californiarailroader said:
I have one question, is the stock Recovery out there somewhere? I am just curious, in case I had to flash the original one back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean "stock rom", right?
If someone would make a nandroidbackup of a stock-Version, then You could recover from that Backup and would be on Stock.
You just need someone to be so kind, but i guess that ont take too long.
Gesendet von meinem A700 mit Tapatalk 2

After backup using the cwm and reboot then reboot again to recovery it will boot the original acer recovery!
Is this temporary cwm recovery?
After connecting the charger when the tablet off it will restore the original recovery

doanb555 said:
ZeroNull, you're the ****. Awesome work, again. Tanks!
You mean "stock rom", right?
If someone would make a nandroidbackup of a stock-Version, then You could recover from that Backup and would be on Stock.
You just need someone to be so kind, but i guess that ont take too long.
Gesendet von meinem A700 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, my bad. It's late here, 11:37 PM, my brain is slowly fading in and out lol

moom999 said:
After backup using the cwm and reboot then reboot again to recovery it will boot the original acer recovery!
Is this temporary cwm recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the original of Acer firmware there is a function restore original (stock) recovery. In my instruction at one stage of the script executes the CWM recovery. This is necessary, that would disable the restoration of the original (stock) recovery. If for some reason the launch has not occurred or the user manually exited from the CWM recovery, then system restore will not be disabled. And after rebooting the system will automatically be restored to the original recovery.

When it executes
Disable script /etc/install-recovery.sh
error: device not found
error: device not found

moom999 said:
When it executes
Disable script /etc/install-recovery.sh
error: device not found
error: device not found
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Do you have your device connected to your PC?
2. Have you enabled USB debugging from the settings?
3. Have you installed the Acer drivers on your computer?

TomONeill said:
1. Do you have your device connected to your PC?
2. Have you enabled USB debugging from the settings?
3. Have you installed the Acer drivers on your computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes
yes
yes

Version bootloader
moom999 said:
yes
yes
yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the problem in version bootloader, which is installed on your tablet.
This problem can be solved in two ways:
Option 1. Change to another the firmware version, in which works command bootloader - "fastboot boot recovery.img"
Option 2. After running the installation script CWM recovery, when comes to message:
Booting recovery.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
turn off the tablet. And then perform the following steps:
1. Press and hold down the 'Volume -'. Power on the tablet. After starting the CWM recovery - releasing button 'Volume -'.
2. Open the directory with the unpacked archive. Launch from this directory the Windows command prompt. And enter the following commands:
Code:
adb shell "mount -a && cd /system/etc && mv install-recovery.sh install-recovery.old"
adb reboot
Now CWM recovery will not be overwritten with the original recovery.
PS: Google Translate forever.

[Q] [Solved] Noob Root Questions - Seeking Guidance

Hello all,
I know everyone hates people who post without searching the forums first, but I did and I am still very lost on what all I need to do to root my device and get going flashing ROMs with the new 2.20 Root Method.
I have used this thread to get me started (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1684382&highlight=root+guide) and I have already downloaded Android SDK from google + Platform-tools + Google USB Driver but I don't want to get going on root because in the instructions from 2.20 Root it states:
10. After unlocking the bootloader, you can flash a custom recovery partition via fastboot, boot into recovery mode, and use a recovery ADB shell or install from an update.zip to install Superuser and su (I do not provide support for custom recoveries, but this is a straightforward process that other people can help with).
I have searched the above linked thread and cannot determine how to generate a custom recovery partition (unless I did when I used the command "adb -backup all" in the platform-tools folder of the Android SDK..Furthermore, I do not know what "Superuser and su" is referencing.
If anyone could point me in the right direction, I dont mind doing the reading myself but I have gotten bogged down in the details. Basically, I want to save all of you the trouble of another noob who has bricked their phone because they didn't do their homework. Thanks all for your help!

TheEmpyre said:
I have searched the above linked thread and cannot determine how to generate a custom recovery partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to "generate" anything, not sure where you got that terminology from. Just install Goomanager from the Play Store and use that to install TWRP recovery.
---------- Post added at 09:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 AM ----------
TheEmpyre said:
Furthermore, I do not know what "Superuser and su" is referencing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In plain terms a superuser = a root user. But when discussed here, it usually references the app that manages what other apps have root access.
Superuser is required to perform root functions.
You can obtain the app various ways, all discussed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1954361

TheEmpyre said:
Hello all,
I know everyone hates people who post without searching the forums first, but I did and I am still very lost on what all I need to do to root my device and get going flashing ROMs with the new 2.20 Root Method.
I have used this thread to get me started (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1684382&highlight=root+guide) and I have already downloaded Android SDK from google + Platform-tools + Google USB Driver but I don't want to get going on root because in the instructions from 2.20 Root it states:
10. After unlocking the bootloader, you can flash a custom recovery partition via fastboot, boot into recovery mode, and use a recovery ADB shell or install from an update.zip to install Superuser and su (I do not provide support for custom recoveries, but this is a straightforward process that other people can help with).
I have searched the above linked thread and cannot determine how to generate a custom recovery partition (unless I did when I used the command "adb -backup all" in the platform-tools folder of the Android SDK..Furthermore, I do not know what "Superuser and su" is referencing.
If anyone could point me in the right direction, I dont mind doing the reading myself but I have gotten bogged down in the details. Basically, I want to save all of you the trouble of another noob who has bricked their phone because they didn't do their homework. Thanks all for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ctennenh said:
I second this request. I feel like there are loads of helpful threads but after searching for a long time I don't see anything that leads someone new to Android rooting from stock 2.2 to having something like CM10 on their device. All of the write-ups I've found assume more experience than I have. Is there a general guide somewhere that I'm missing? Maybe something that explains rooting, backing up, flashing, etc. from start to finish where we can replace "this is where you root your device" with the new rooting method? I'm assuming it's out there but I can't seem to find it anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are many simple tutorials for rooting but do not know why you guys having hard time. Ok here is
1) You got Android SDK from google + Platform-tools + Google USB Driver -
2) Only for windows - Download htc sync ( It will install necessary htc drivers) - Link
3) Just to check if htc drivers installed properly , open "C:\android-sdk\platform-tools" ( Or folder where adb and fastboot exists) then "Press shift + right click and select "Open command window here" ( open command prompt and cd "folder where adb and fastboot exists).
4) In command window type " adb devices" and see output - If you get output then htc drivers installed properly.
You can skip step 3 and step 4 - These steps are only for verification
5) Goto [ROOT] HTC One X AT&T 2.20 Firmware - X-Factor root exploit and follow the instructions there.
6) Once you successfully root your device using above exploit then goto - [How To] Flash Custom recovery and ROMS after 2.20 root complete the steps to flash custom recovery and if you want to flash ROMS
7) To unlock BOOT LOADER use this link - [INDEX] AT&T/ROGERS One X Resources Compilation Roll-Up , follow the instructions under " BOOTLOADER UNLOCK, SUPER CID, AND S-OFF"
You can also goto this link - [ROOT][2.20] One XL Bootloader unlock & Root guide By XsMagical - Very nice tutorial, if you find above links difficult to follow
Note* : During exploit or flashing recovery they talk about using fastboot commands, In order to execute them you need goto C:\android-sdk\platform-tools" ( Or folder where adb and fastboot exists) then "Press shift + right click and select "Open command window here" ( open command prompt and cd "folder where adb and fastboot exists) and then execute the commands ..
Advice - Do not flash any roms apart from xda

Thank you, abhipati. I haven't seen any simple tutorials that are complete. Everything seems to assume the user knows how to do something mentioned in another thread, which in turn seems to assume something else. Your post seems like a very clear start-to-finish explanation. Maybe it should be made into a stickie in Q&A. I can surely handle step 1 but maybe that could be explained (or at least a link added to an appropriate thread).
If all this is out there somewhere already then I certainly didn't know where to find it. I appreciate your help.

ctennenh said:
Thank you, abhipati. I haven't seen any simple tutorials that are complete. Everything seems to assume the user knows how to do something mentioned in another thread, which in turn seems to assume something else. Your post seems like a very clear start-to-finish explanation. Maybe it should be made into a stickie in Q&A. I can surely handle step 1 but maybe that could be explained (or at least a link added to an appropriate thread).
If all this is out there somewhere already then I certainly didn't know where to find it. I appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
Regarding step 1)
1) Download Android SDK from here {For Windows}
2) Download java you need it - here

Thank you all for helping gather some resources for me that I know are up to date etc. - Thankfully I do know a few unix commands so that I can navigate the command prompt aspects...I'm sure these threads get annoying so thank you very much for getting a new-to-root user up and running. I'll try this all later this evening and throw an update to let you all know how it goes -- hopefully no "bricked my phone" thread in the future

Excellent I have successfully unlocked my bootloader and achieved perm-root! Now on to flashing roms and I have some questions:
1) I have read GuyIncognito's instructions here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952076) on Flashing ROMs and how to go about doing that and i fully understand the process but I want to confirm (Yes I Have TWRP recovery installed and running) I only need to extract the boot.img out of the winRAR file of the ROM that I downloaded? (CM10 seems to be popular so I'm starting with that as my first ROM) There are so many other files in the package and I'm wondering why do you only need the boot.img file to be present with your adb and fastboot files from the google dev SDK -- the boot.img is only 5 MB and I can hardly believe that it constitutes the whole OS?
2) How do I go about installing gapps after I have flashed my ROM? I have downloaded Gapps so I have the file...do I place it in my SD Card and then enter recovery to install it? or Do have to use adb to flash it
Edit: I also have Superuser app on my stock ROM right now
Any further help is much appreciated, thank you very much.

Boot.img is technically just the kernel, it's the heart of the OS you are installing. Once extracted, rezip rom. Flash boot.img first using fastboot command prompt. Then flash the Rom itself that you rezipped through twrp
You can easily just flash gapps through twrp.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

InflatedTitan said:
Boot.img is technically just the kernel, it's the heart of the OS you are installing. Once extracted, rezip rom. Flash boot.img first using fastboot command prompt. Then flash the Rom itself that you rezipped through twrp
You can easily just flash gapps through twrp.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, the community on XDA kicks a$$, doing some additional reading just plz tell me if I understand this correctly...
1) Copy CM10 zip and Gapps zip into phone storage
2) Follow GuyIncognito's instructions on flashing boot.img
3) Boot into recovery AFTER Flashing boot.img
4) Select "Install" in TWRP
5) Install CM10 zip First
6) Install Gapps zip next
7) Reboot
8) profit?

TheEmpyre said:
Excellent I have successfully unlocked my bootloader and achieved perm-root! Now on to flashing roms and I have some questions:
1) I have read GuyIncognito's instructions here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952076) on Flashing ROMs and how to go about doing that and i fully understand the process but I want to confirm (Yes I Have TWRP recovery installed and running) I only need to extract the boot.img out of the winRAR file of the ROM that I downloaded? (CM10 seems to be popular so I'm starting with that as my first ROM) There are so many other files in the package and I'm wondering why do you only need the boot.img file to be present with your adb and fastboot files from the google dev SDK -- the boot.img is only 5 MB and I can hardly believe that it constitutes the whole OS?
2) How do I go about installing gapps after I have flashed my ROM? I have downloaded Gapps so I have the file...do I place it in my SD Card and then enter recovery to install it? or Do have to use adb to flash it
Edit: I also have Superuser app on my stock ROM right now
Any further help is much appreciated, thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
follow his instructions and you'll be fine
flash the boot.img in flashboot, reboot in recovery, flash your nameofrom.zip, flash your gapps pkg just like the rom (on your sd card), enjoy...
---------- Post added at 08:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 PM ----------
TheEmpyre said:
Thanks for the reply, the community on XDA kicks a$$, doing some additional reading just plz tell me if I understand this correctly...
1) Copy CM10 zip and Gapps zip into phone storage
2) Follow GuyIncognito's instructions on flashing boot.img
3) Boot into recovery AFTER Flashing boot.img
4) Select "Install" in TWRP
5) Install CM10 zip First
6) Install Gapps zip next
7) Reboot
8) profit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that;s correct you may wanna backup your sd card 1st as well and do a full wipe before flashing the rom.

Just in case your not familiar with fastboot, the command is fastboot flash boot boot.img
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

Crappyvate said:
follow his instructions and you'll be fine
flash the boot.img in flashboot, reboot in recovery, flash your nameofrom.zip, flash your gapps pkg just like the rom (on your sd card), enjoy...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By Flash do you mean using TWRP recovery "install" feature and selecting the CM10.zip I have in my SD Card, and gapps? Just making sure I dont have to do it via command prompt cuz then I may have to do some additional reading
Edit: Just saw you all beat me to it, thanks all, will get back to you after I am running a ROM *crossfingers*

TheEmpyre said:
By Flash do you mean using TWRP recovery "install" feature and selecting the CM10.zip I have in my SD Card, and gapps? Just making sure I dont have to do it via command prompt cuz then I may have to do some additional reading
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes install. you dont need to do it from command prompt, additional reading is always good
even though it was put together a while back this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1678308 is a very good guide and covers a lot of things of course you should absolutely start here in redpoint indispensable guide to all the resources available to one xl http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671237
happy flashing

Alright Looks like I successfully flashed CM10! I flashed gapps with it at the same time but I have run into a problem -- It keeps telling me that all these gapps processes have failed and I have no access to a keyboard! Do I have to reflash gapps?

Hmm ok I think I messed up here....
My phone was essentially non-functional with CM10 -- Nothing worked and it took me a while to navigate to enable USB Debugging on the given mod. One I enabled USB Debugging in CM10 I ran the following:
adb reboot recovery
Once I was in recovery, I Restored a backup of my device that I made BEFORE I obtained permanent root via the toolkit as it was recommended during this time to make a recovery.
Recovery worked successfully, now after reboot it hangs on the HTC screen and then goes black, then reboots again, and again, and again...
I haven't been able to use the volume down + power button to even get back into the bootloader.....hopefully I am not screwed here...Any suggestions?

TheEmpyre said:
Hmm ok I think I messed up here....
My phone was essentially non-functional with CM10 -- Nothing worked and it took me a while to navigate to enable USB Debugging on the given mod. One I enabled USB Debugging in CM10 I ran the following:
adb reboot recovery
Once I was in recovery, I Restored a backup of my device that I made BEFORE I obtained permanent root via the toolkit as it was recommended during this time to make a recovery.
Recovery worked successfully, now after reboot it hangs on the HTC screen and then goes black, then reboots again, and again, and again...
I haven't been able to use the volume down + power button to even get back into the bootloader.....hopefully I am not screwed here...Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think u need to flash that backups boot IMG

omario8484 said:
I think u need to flash that backups boot IMG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that would make sense, but the problem is A) How do I access that backup's .img file? B) How can I enter bootloader again? It won't let me using Power+Vol Down, no matter how long I hold it for --- unless I need to hold it longer?

You have to hold it till the buttons flash and goes black... Hold for about 2-3 more seconds and release the power button, but keep the volume down held until you get to a white hboot screen. (it'll have three skating droids)
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

InflatedTitan said:
You have to hold it till the buttons flash and goes black... Hold for about 2-3 more seconds and release the power button, but keep the volume down held until you get to a white hboot screen. (it'll have three skating droids)
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok got it, did a factory reset then re-flashed CM10 boot.img...Flashed CM10 BY ITSELF this time, without doing gapps at the same time, rebooted into recovery after CM10 rolled up, then flashed gapps alone, everything is working smoothly! Now, time to restore my apps
Panicked momentarily, but now I'm back at it.
THANK YOU EVERYONE! Huge ups to all of you for helping a noob find his way

how to update to 4.4.x after this... New to android

First of all, I have been reading this forum for about two weeks and just registered in order to get some help as I do not want to break my one week old nexus 5.
From my reading, the updates can be done in quite different ways and because of that I want to be sure what I should do.
I started by:
- root the mobile with cf-auto root. It did everything for me, got the superuser icon automatically
- installed clockwork mod and I have the custom recovery. By the way, I made a backup with it but where was it written? I want to copy it to my pc.
- other than that, I have installed some root only apps like rom manager, greenify, root Explorer, etc. I supported those developers with purchase. Those guys deserve it.
Anyway, i am looking for the safe way to update to 4.4.1. I read some members saying they lost root after the update, others lost something else (I am referring to the thread on nexus 5 general forum).
Can you help me? What path shall I go? Thanks a lot.

To update you'll basically have to go back to stock in a way. By that I mean you can either flash the System.img file from the Factory Image and then update using the update files for 4.4.1 by flashing it in recovery (via Sideload) and then just root again. OR you can install an updated "Stock" 4.4.1 image from the development section and root that.

cesar.maranhao said:
- installed clockwork mod and I have the custom recovery. By the way, I made a backup with it but where was it written? I want to copy it to my pc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, your backups are in /mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup/
Copy to your PC with 'adb pull /mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup'
Cheers

shotta35 said:
To update you'll basically have to go back to stock in a way. By that I mean you can either flash the System.img file from the Factory Image and then update using the update files for 4.4.1 by flashing it in recovery (via Sideload) and then just root again. OR you can install an updated "Stock" 4.4.1 image from the development section and root that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i sense i am getting somewhere but how do i do that? i am new to this and been reading a lot but the first time all seems very vague. i need a little more help from you!
lets assume i want to just apply the 4.4.1 update (maybe this is the easiest way for now). how do i do it?
also, after the update succeds, i need to root again correct? what happens to all the apps i have right now with root permissions? do they stop working until i root again and give them root privileges again? can i use the cf auto root again?
also, i am on ART, i thought of letting you know since that can cause some problems updating(??)

finistere said:
Hi, your backups are in /mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup/
Copy to your PC with 'adb pull /mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup'
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks!
one more thing...
can't i copy that folder like a regular folder? just copy paste?
or move that folder (with root explorer) to my dropbox folder?

cesar.maranhao said:
i sense i am getting somewhere but how do i do that? i am new to this and been reading a lot but the first time all seems very vague. i need a little more help from you!
lets assume i want to just apply the 4.4.1 update (maybe this is the easiest way for now). how do i do it?
also, after the update succeds, i need to root again correct? what happens to all the apps i have right now with root permissions? do they stop working until i root again and give them root privileges again? can i use the cf auto root again?
also, i am on ART, i thought of letting you know since that can cause some problems updating(??)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to apply the new update it all depends on your current setup. I gave you vague options because I don't know what you've done to your phone. If you've only rooted and not changed any of the files in system then it's easy to just flash the update with the recovery. You can download the update and then start recovery (look it up). Once in recovery start ADB sideload and connect to your PC (this assumes you already have working ADB, if not.... look it up ). To sideload you just need to adb sideload filename.zip. You can probably use WugFresh's Toolkit to also sideload but I generally don't use those so dunno what they do these days. Much easier to learn and understand what it does then do it yourself.
If you have a custom recovery you might just be able to flash the update with the recovery like you normally flash any zip in recovery.
cesar.maranhao said:
thanks!
one more thing...
can't i copy that folder like a regular folder? just copy paste?
or move that folder (with root explorer) to my dropbox folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just copy it, no need to use ADB but this is why it's good to know how to use ADB.

cesar.maranhao said:
thanks for the reply. i am reading on the adb sideload right now... i already have the update zip inside the platform tools. however, in the command prompt, it says my device is unauthorized (i have both the usb debugging and unknown sources ticked). the nexus 5 is connected as MTP.
any clues?
about what i have done to my nexus, i applied the cf autoroot, installed clockwork mod... nothing much besides some play store apps..
as for this paragraph:
"If you have a custom recovery you might just be able to flash the update with the recovery like you normally flash any zip in recovery. "
i have never done it, hence all these questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do it from Recovery. So just copy the file to the phone in some folder. You can't update the phone with it running. So reboot to CWM and then choose Install from ZIP then find the file on your storage and then choose update. That may or may not work as I said depending.
-----------------
Plenty of these questions around... check them out first.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2561198
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47369234
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2561076

shotta35 said:
If you want to apply the new update it all depends on your current setup. I gave you vague options because I don't know what you've done to your phone. If you've only rooted and not changed any of the files in system then it's easy to just flash the update with the recovery. You can download the update and then start recovery (look it up). Once in recovery start ADB sideload and connect to your PC (this assumes you already have working ADB, if not.... look it up ). To sideload you just need to adb sideload filename.zip. You can probably use WugFresh's Toolkit to also sideload but I generally don't use those so dunno what they do these days. Much easier to learn and understand what it does then do it yourself.
If you have a custom recovery you might just be able to flash the update with the recovery like you normally flash any zip in recovery.
You can just copy it, no need to use ADB but this is why it's good to know how to use ADB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cesar.maranhao said:
thanks for the reply. i am reading on the adb sideload right now... i already have the update zip inside the platform tools. however, in the command prompt, it says my device is unauthorized (i have both the usb debugging and unknown sources ticked). the nexus 5 is connected as MTP.
any clues?
about what i have done to my nexus, i applied the cf autoroot, installed clockwork mod... nothing much besides some play store apps..
as for this paragraph:
"If you have a custom recovery you might just be able to flash the update with the recovery like you normally flash any zip in recovery. "
i have never done it, hence all these questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shotta35 said:
You do it from Recovery. So just copy the file to the phone in some folder. You can't update the phone with it running. So reboot to CWM and then choose Install from ZIP then find the file on your storage and then choose update. That may or may not work as I said depending.
-----------------
Plenty of these questions around... check them out first.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2561198
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47369234
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2561076
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i have been reading those topics and many others.. i managed to solve the adb device unauthorized anyway. just flashed the 4.4.1 zip file under clockwork mod recover.. android is upgrading at the moment. lets see if everything is work as it should.

No need to sideload adb bla bla..
copy the OTA zip into the phone, and just flash it in CWM (install file from internal storage).. 1 minute and done.
You'll get error status 7 at checking if you changed something in system (apart from rooting), else you shouldn't have any problem.

RusherDude said:
No need to sideload adb bla bla..
copy the OTA zip into the phone, and just flash it in CWM.. 1 minute and done.
You'll get error status 7 at checking if you changed something in system (apart from rooting), else you shouldn't have any problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, everything is fine. 4.4.1 loaded fine without any errors. i have root checker and when i tested, it says i do not have proper root access. i also lost my clockwork mod recovery.
i am now checking into it to see what needs to be done to gain root access again and get the custom recovery as it was before the update.

cesar.maranhao said:
yes, everything is fine. 4.4.1 loaded fine without any errors. i have root checker and when i tested, it says i do not have proper root access. i also lost my clockwork mod recovery.
i am now checking into it to see what needs to be done to gain root access again and get the custom recovery as it was before the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to flash the recovery again via fastboot (youll lose it every time, unless you flash the flashable recovery ZIP just after flashing the OTA and before rebooting the phone).You'll have this problem every OTA unless you flash the zipped version everytime.
I'd recommend the easy way to root, get the SuperSU binaries and flash them through the custom recovery and you're done..

RusherDude said:
No need to sideload adb bla bla..
copy the OTA zip into the phone, and just flash it in CWM (install file from internal storage).. 1 minute and done.
You'll get error status 7 at checking if you changed something in system (apart from rooting), else you shouldn't have any problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RusherDude said:
You need to flash the recovery again via fastboot (youll lose it every time, unless you flash the flashable recovery ZIP just after flashing the OTA and before rebooting the phone).You'll have this problem every OTA unless you flash the zipped version everytime.
I'd recommend the easy way to root, get the SuperSU binaries and flash them through the custom recovery and you're done..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i see. things are starting to make sense for me.
before reading you post, i tried to get the clockwork mod recovery through the Rom Manager App. it failed. i am now looking for those files you mentioned.
EDIT: i am at the clockworkmod recovery website... is the file i want an IMG?

cesar.maranhao said:
i see. things are starting to make sense for me.
before reading you post, i tried to get the clockwork mod recovery through the Rom Manager App. it failed. i am now looking for those files you mentioned.
EDIT: i am at the clockworkmod recovery website... is the file i want an IMG?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd only be looking for the supersu binaries, since you already have the recovery IMG from te previous time, right? (the one that you need for fastboot).
EDIT: Yes, IMG files are for fastboot, ZIP files for recovery.

RusherDude said:
You'd only be looking for the supersu binaries, since you already have the recovery IMG from te previous time, right? (the one that you need for fastboot).
EDIT: Yes, IMG files are for fastboot, ZIP files for recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but how do i install it? when i go into recovery it only gives me 4 options:
reboot system now
apply update from adb
wipe cache/factory reset
wipe cache partition
i am lost

cesar.maranhao said:
but how do i install it? when i go into recovery it only gives me 4 options:
reboot system now
apply update from adb
wipe cache/factory reset
wipe cache partition
i am lost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the stock recovery, you can't do nothing from there.
You need to flash the recovery via fastboot (didn't you do that the first time to get your custom recovery..?)
Check this tutorial mate: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507905

RusherDude said:
You'd only be looking for the supersu binaries, since you already have the recovery IMG from te previous time, right? (the one that you need for fastboot).
EDIT: Yes, IMG files are for fastboot, ZIP files for recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RusherDude said:
That's the stock recovery, you can't do nothing from there.
You need to flash the recovery via fastboot (didn't you do that the first time to get your custom recovery..?)
Check this tutorial mate: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507905
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, i got the custom recovery when i installed clockworkmod recovery from the play store. i am now reading the thread you linked me! thanks!

cesar.maranhao said:
no, i got the custom recovery when i installed clockworkmod recovery from the play store. i am now reading the thread you linked me! thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
done it! i now have root again and the clockworkmod custom recovery! nice!
:good:

RusherDude said:
You need to flash the recovery again via fastboot (youll lose it every time, unless you flash the flashable recovery ZIP just after flashing the OTA and before rebooting the phone).You'll have this problem every OTA unless you flash the zipped version everytime.
I'd recommend the easy way to root, get the SuperSU binaries and flash them through the custom recovery and you're done..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from where can i get the flashable clokwork mod recovery zip file?
i am going to apply the 4.4.2 update now and will be doing it this way:
from the recovery apply the 4.4.2 zip. after this apply the supersu zip. i want to install the custom recovery zip too so when the phone restarts everything will be configured. is this possible?

RusherDude said:
You need to flash the recovery again via fastboot (youll lose it every time, unless you flash the flashable recovery ZIP just after flashing the OTA and before rebooting the phone).You'll have this problem every OTA unless you flash the zipped version everytime.
I'd recommend the easy way to root, get the SuperSU binaries and flash them through the custom recovery and you're done..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, it seems i haven't lost my custom recovery. was it because i installed the supersu before rebooting?

Update fails to install

I tried to install the new update but on the install screen it says failed to verify and asks if i want to install anyways.
I choose yes and it errors out saying the update is for device "roth" and i have device "thor"
Does ayone know a workaround for this?

Have you messed with any system files or changed out the recovery or anything like that? I assume the Shield is going to look to make sure the system is all intact before allowing the update. Though the fact it says Roth which is a spelling error of Thor seems weird. Mine updated fine...
If you can find the update using root explorer you could delete it and redownload it.

I unlocked bootloader, installed cwm, and rooted using Kwonggers toolkit.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

csos95 said:
I unlocked bootloader, installed cwm, and rooted using Kwonggers toolkit.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTAs will commonly fail if you install custom recovery. You'll have to wait for someone to make it into a zip that you can run through CWM.

csos95 said:
I unlocked bootloader, installed cwm, and rooted using Kwonggers toolkit.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably still have CWM installed, to install an OTA you must first go back to the stock recovery. You can download it from here: http://goo.im/devs/agrabren/shield/original_images/recovery.img
Put that file in your ADB folder
To flash it, connect to usb and enable ADB debugging.
on PC type:
adb reboot bootloader
-Wait to reboot-
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
-Now you have stock recovery installed-
Reboot the shield normally and install the OTA update, it should work.
Your bootloader is still unlocked, but you don't have root.
To install CWM, just follow the same instructions but replace the stock image with the CWM recovery image. You can download that here: http://goo.im/devs/agrabren/shield/cwm/recovery.img
The shield will be unrooted when you update. To root, simply flash CWM and reboot. CWM will ask you if you want to disable Stock reflashing, and if you want to root.
You may also need to flash the real SU zip from here: http://download.chainfire.eu/396/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.94.zip?retrieve_file=1
For me, I was not able to let the SU app install the binary's alone, (Normal, or CWM method) I had to flash the SU zip.
But the update is smooth, and everything is working. Just no SD write support obviously.

CDeviant said:
You probably still have CWM installed, to install an OTA you must first go back to the stock recovery. You can download it from here: http://goo.im/devs/agrabren/shield/original_images/recovery.img
Put that file in your ADB folder
To flash it, connect to usb and enable ADB debugging.
on PC type:
adb reboot bootloader
-Wait to reboot-
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
-Now you have stock recovery installed-
Reboot the shield normally and install the OTA update, it should work.
Your bootloader is still unlocked, but you don't have root.
To install CWM, just follow the same instructions but replace the stock image with the CWM recovery image. You can download that here: http://goo.im/devs/agrabren/shield/cwm/recovery.img
The shield will be unrooted when you update. To root, simply flash CWM and reboot. CWM will ask you if you want to disable Stock reflashing, and if you want to root.
You may also need to flash the real SU zip from here: http://download.chainfire.eu/396/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.94.zip?retrieve_file=1
For me, I was not able to let the SU app install the binary's alone, (Normal, or CWM method) I had to flash the SU zip.
But the update is smooth, and everything is working. Just no SD write support obviously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this but it wouldn't download the ota again an I couldn't find where it was. So, I tried going back to stock to update but now it is stuck on the boot screen. I tried downloading a newer factory image from the nvidia website but now all of the windows links are locked behind some developer program that I have to make an account, submit an application, and wait for approval. Do you have any links to a recent factory restore image?
EDIT: I ended up just downloading mint and the linux .sh file to get the factory images.

You can use the root toolbox on this forum to reflash stock and relock and fix it

eric4shay said:
You can use the root toolbox on this forum to reflash stock and relock and fix it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I tried before but it didn't work

If some updates please capture the OTA zip that downloads and upload it for us to tear apart.

What steps are you doing on there also email me [email protected] I will be able to respond more quickly

you dont have to
you can just use kwonggers toolkit, and just revert to stock kernel, stock system image, and stock recovery, you don't need to relock bootloader, but you must download the ota's separately, if you don't automatically see them under about shield> updates, then go to application manager>all> and force stop google services framework, then check for the update(it should now show up and download). this is what I have been doing, everytime I want to revert to the stock, most up to date ota, after this, you can reflash cwm recovery, flash the super su.zip and root again!

The ota (for some back assward reason) downloads not to the ota folder but to the cache folder. Anyway uploading the full otq zip now will edit with link when its done
Sent from my SHIELD using Tapatalk

Mechcondrid said:
The ota (for some back assward reason) downloads not to the ota folder but to the cache folder. Anyway uploading the full otq zip now will edit with link when its done
Sent from my SHIELD using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That could be more than one reason. But off the top of my head, maybe it's because the OTA folder is userspace, and there might not be enough Storage left on the internal. Cache is a separate partition, Things can even be deleted while running. So basically it insures enough space to download, and the user would never need to delete his own data to make room.
It might be awkward when you're looking for the OTA, but I think it's designed that way with the user in mind. :good:

Well regardless here's the ota file https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2khjpo7TDP0Y3c0SjNNRWNXT28/edit?usp=sharing
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

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