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Any advice for an Android beginner?

I just got the Captivate about a month ago. Had a regular phone for about a year, touch screen went out, bought a replacement digitizer but knew it was a temporary fix anyway and wanted a new phone. Convinced the maternal unit to use her contract extension to get me a new phone, and snagged the Captivate for $30 from RadioShack. My first Android phone, and I have to say I'm horribly disappointed, but I guess I'm doing something wrong here.
First two or three weeks, my mom had the phone and got to play around with it for a while. Wasn't until the 29th that I got the phone, and I just played around with it for a week and got all the apps I deemed useful and worthwhile. Eventually realized I couldn't use Flash in the browser, nor Skype, etc., without upgrading to 2.2.
So, I went through the tutorial Samsung provided, watched videos on Youtube just to be sure, but followed everything Samsung's tutorial said word for word. ... only for my phone to end up completely screwed up. Gallery, Browser, Music Player, Video Player, and many other default applications were missing. Now I'm smart enough with technology to think, okay, something's wrong. I knew about the factory reset, so I went to go to settings to do that, and realized. ... oh wait, the Settings menu is also missing. Wonderful. There was no "Settings" button in the Applications list, and if I tried getting to it from the menu button, it simply did nothing at all.
Found Odin, flashed back to 2.1, and then factory reset and got rid of every application I had and etc., so that absolutely nothing was on it, basically a stock phone. Tried upgrading again fresh, still following the instructions very closely. Same problem occurred, and I was pissed. Gave up on 2.2, tried flashing back to 2.1 /again/ with Odin, only for my phone to decide it didn't want to enter download mode anymore. Forced it using 'adb reboot download', but alas, it locked up in the middle of flashing back to 2.1 and wouldn't do anything. I waited about 30 minutes to see if it'd resume the flashing process at all, but nothing, so I regrettably had to disconnect the USB cable and hard brick the phone (wouldn't turn on or anything).
Still under warranty, so I replaced it from RadioShack, and now have a new Captivate. Went ahead and installed all the applications I needed, used the Sideload Wonder Machine to install a few third-party applications, had no problem doing that for a while. Didn't bother attempting to upgrade. However, my computer got a trojan and deleted the MBR. Repaired using the XP boot disc, but it meant I was back on SP2. After installing every last one of the damn updates all over again, I decided to check up on some new applications to install via sideloading.
Hooked up my phone, it detected all the new hardware again since the drivers seemingly were also lost amongst everything else during the repair, only for it to encounter an error on the "Samsung Android Composite ADB Interface". So, I uninstalled the drivers, tried installing them manually. Hooked up the phone, but it still wanted to try to install that one driver and failed. I've restarted my computer, uninstalled the drivers, attempted manually installing them through device manager, you name it. Still can't get it to work -- it keeps having a fatal error every time. However, it's only when my phone has USB Debugging on. Installs every single driver perfectly fine when it's off, in MTP/Mass Storage/Kies mode. Just has a "fatal error" in USB Debugging on that one driver.
tl;dr, the drivers are broken on my computer and I can't fix them despite actually /not/ being computer illiterate. And, I kind of still want 2.2, but apparently the stock 2.2 update is a pain in the rear end and I no longer have a warranty through RadioShack now, so I can't risk bricking my phone due to a faulty update process. Any suggestions?

err, the only thing you should have needed to do was install the latest version of Kies, plugged the phone in, it would have prompted you to do the update. It's quite painless..

Edit: Sorry irrelevant

sw411 said:
err, the only thing you should have needed to do was install the latest version of Kies, plugged the phone in, it would have prompted you to do the update. It's quite painless..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the time I tried, Kies itself didn't support the Captivate. Only Kies mini. And in order to do that upgrade, I had to install the drivers, then put the phone into download mode to install more drivers for some odd reason, restart the phone (taking out the battery and putting it back in), then hook it up. Kies mini wouldn't detect the phone for several tries at first, finally got it about the 10th time in. Then go to the "Upgrade phone" link, and yeah. I followed the instructions from Samsung's official SGH-i897 Froyo upgrade guide.
I did EXACTLY as the instructions say, down to the wire. Still ended up both times with all those applications missing and the settings panel missing, unable to do a factory reset without flashing back to 2.1 first.

Install z4root and root phone
Install rom manager
Flash clockwordmod recovery from rom manager
Choose a 2.2 rom from the forums
Download and copy to SD card
Install via rom manager
????????
Profit
Hope this helps. Btw I reccomend firefly or serendipity for the rom
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App

brendanmurphy said:
Install z4root and root phone
Install rom manager
Flash clockwordmod recovery from rom manager
Choose a 2.2 rom from the forums
Download and copy to SD card
Install via rom manager
????????
Profit
Hope this helps. Btw I reccomend firefly or serendipity for the rom
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only downside to rooting the phone is the voided warranty. I don't entirely know what I'm doing there when it comes to flashing, and if I manage to do something wrong and brick the phone again, I'm completely wiped. I don't have the money to replace the phone at all. I have no job. ._. Only reason I got the phone was because I managed to get some spare money fixing up a friend's computer, and the maternal unit's contract extension was available. I'm not paying for the phone, still my parents. Damn economy in this state is so broken, and I'm screwed over worse since I have no diploma.
However, I was looking into info on the roms, and while I was tempted to try out CM7 for the fact it was 2.3, I actually considered getting Paragon RC6 from what I had read. Just decided not to because I can't replace the phone if I screwed up. In the slim chance I do opt to risk not having a phone at all if I do something wrong, would you say Paragon's worthwhile or would it be better to go with Serendipity? I do like TouchWiz, and Wifi access is a must (200 MB plan isn't going to cover it with how I use data; I'm frequently using Wifi in as many places as is possible), but I'm pretty sure both of those are fine there. Just not really sure which would be better overall, performance-wise.
I can't do either of them right now anyway until I figure out why the drivers aren't installing. So that's my first issue.

Don't worry about bricking I almost guarantee you will brick your phone once. But that is what Odin is for and it's almost impossible to hard brick a phone these days. Just install paragon with the instructions I gave its really fool proof these days to install rom. You will learn by trying if you mess up so be it that's what xda is here for to help.
Drop me a pm anytime if you need help
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App

brendanmurphy said:
Don't worry about bricking I almost guarantee you will brick your phone once. But that is what Odin is for and it's almost impossible to hard brick a phone these days. Just install paragon with the instructions I gave its really fool proof these days to install rom. You will learn by trying if you mess up so be it that's what xda is here for to help.
Drop me a pm anytime if you need help
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well. Despite it being almost impossible, I've managed it once already within the first month of having one. Kind of why I'm a bit skittish about actually going through with it. I'm definitely all about modding and customizing things to your liking, but not having the funds to fall back on if I /do/ screw up bigtime again, yeeeeah.
After looking at Firefly and Serendipity thoroughly, though, I'm impressed. It's a tough choice between the three (Paragon, Serendipity, and Firefly). I'm leaning towards Serendipity now though after watching a video just to see the interface. Kinda not a huge fan of the GB launcher -- I liked the side-scrolling app launcher more, honestly -- but that's not a big deal.
So, let's see if I've got the details down right before I try anything. Search z4root in Market, install. Subsequently get Rom Manager, install it. Flash ClockworkMod (via Rom Manager). Pick a 2.2 rom (which will be a tough choice), and download it to my microSD card to put in the phone. Install said rom (via Rom Manager). And then, voila, it's done.
Did I miss anything, or am I actually following instructions right here?
Edit: Nope, can't find z4root in the Market anyways. Means I'd have to Sideload it, and until I get this driver issue solved, that's not gonna work either. That's gonna be the first thing necessary to fix since it also means I can't use Odin if I do anything wrong... Downloading Serendipity now though, so if I can get that fixed, I may go ahead and try this out after I get some sleep. But since I'm nocturnal, time for some rest. Hoping for some tips or pointers when I get back on. Definitely looking forward to good experiences with XDA and my Android phone.

Yea those are the exact steps its really simple. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=944418 try this it will install drivers for you ans sideload apps. This is a useful tool
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App

The.Se7enth said:
Only downside to rooting the phone is the voided warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick question. Did you purchase the insurance through AT&T for the phone? If so, you will most likely always be able to get it replaced even if it's been rooted. It's just as simple as calling the help line, and saying that you have no idea what happened, and it won't work now. Of course that is worst case scenario
From my experience, the Captivate is a pretty difficult phone to hard brick compared to some others. For a beginner, all of this can be somewhat overwhelming, we've all been there. But once you get the hang of the whole process, you'll be good to go!

Yeah I've done that once already. Just called in and told them that it seems like a software problem and they replaced it no charge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

Beginner help....
AT&T warranty is for 1 year on new phones, 90 days on phones you purchase as refurbished. (30 day "I just don't like THIS phone" replacement/return in both cases.) If Radio Shack will not replace the phone, AT&T should swap. If neither is willing to help, Samsung will honor their 1 year warranty, but it requires shipping back to Samsung.
Your situation sounds like your Windows PC is the problem. A complete reinstall of Windows & apps (not just a quick MBR repair / install over top of existing stuff) may be your best bet if you can't use a different machine.
Kies Mini should upgrade your phone to 2.2 painlessly - without you having to do anything but plug it in and click the on screen button.

Also if you root and need to return it just flash back to stock which will take away root and at$t is none the wiser, most likely

peypey008 said:
Quick question. Did you purchase the insurance through AT&T for the phone? If so, you will most likely always be able to get it replaced even if it's been rooted. It's just as simple as calling the help line, and saying that you have no idea what happened, and it won't work now. Of course that is worst case scenario
From my experience, the Captivate is a pretty difficult phone to hard brick compared to some others. For a beginner, all of this can be somewhat overwhelming, we've all been there. But once you get the hang of the whole process, you'll be good to go!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Don't feel their insurance policies are worth it. You spend more money on the insurance policy in total, even if it's month-to-month, than you would on a brand new contractless phone. Besides, I had only made $120 from fixing up three ancient computers (so ancient they actually had ISA slots and DIMM SD-RAM memory -- one was even a Pentium II), and only had $50 by the time I bought the phone which was a couple months later. My $50 went towards the phone and a pack of screen protectors, while my mom covered the upgrade fee. Couldn't afford the insurance policy even if we wanted to.
But I do greatly appreciate the encouragement. I'll give it a go in a bit, and try out flashing Serendipity. I'll follow the official instructions from their own website though, because I read this on their FAQ:
"Never use ROM Manager. EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER!"
pouelle said:
AT&T warranty is for 1 year on new phones, 90 days on phones you purchase as refurbished. (30 day "I just don't like THIS phone" replacement/return in both cases.) If Radio Shack will not replace the phone, AT&T should swap. If neither is willing to help, Samsung will honor their 1 year warranty, but it requires shipping back to Samsung.
Your situation sounds like your Windows PC is the problem. A complete reinstall of Windows & apps (not just a quick MBR repair / install over top of existing stuff) may be your best bet if you can't use a different machine.
Kies Mini should upgrade your phone to 2.2 painlessly - without you having to do anything but plug it in and click the on screen button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RadioShack replaced the phone the first time, but the manager there said after replacing it once, the warranty was thus void. I'm not sure if profanity is allowed here, but you can figure out which word I wanted to reply to him. It's eight letters long, starts with bull.
I've read posts on AT&T forums saying if the phone's bricked or can't be repaired by user methods though, especially if it's rooted, that they won't honor the warranty at all and will consider it user error and that you're out of luck. Even people who tried to upgrade to 2.2 stock had issues with that. But I dunno.
Anyways, my machine works perfectly for everything else. Before the repair, when I tried to upgrade? It was a fresh install. I had just reformatted it because it was performing sluggish before and I decided I wanted a single-boot installation instead of having my old dual-boot of Windows 7 and XP. It's now just XP for the time being, seeing as how the hardware's limited and I want to get the best out of it for gaming (I can run 7 with ease, but it uses more resources than XP, thus games don't run as well).
I realize earlier I may have come off as implying the upgrade to 2.2 process was difficult. I don't mean it was "difficult" by any means necessary. It was simply a plug the phone in, let all the drivers install, unhook and put in download mode, hook up again for more drivers. Restart phone, start up kies, hook up phone, and click "Upgrade phone" button. Accept the terms of service or whatever, and wait. Upgrade starts, phone flips into download mode on it's own, restarts a couple times, and voila, you're on 2.2. I thought it was a piece of cake. My issue is that regardless of how easy it was, it still ended up rather broken because all those applications were missing, on top of the fact the Settings panel was also gone, leaving me unable to perform a factory reset.
I have one last question. If I do somehow manage to get these drivers to work again (without reformatting, which I don't have the time to do), should I have the SIM card out while flashing the ROM? I'm wondering, subconsciously, if somehow that may have had something to do with the upgrade to 2.2 screwing up so bad. I had the SIM card in, with all my applications installed at first. Second time, no apps or anything were installed, but the SIM card was still in.
Edit: Well aware of most forums having a "do not double post" rule, as much as I want to bump this thread with an update on the issue. But, I've restarted my computer, tried a different USB cable, uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers from numerous different sources, and still the same "fatal error" issue on "Samsung Android ADB Composite Interface". I simply cannot get that to install whatsoever, and without it, the phone isn't detected as being hooked up even by SWM, much less anything else. Seriously, what do I do? I'm not reformatting my computer, because I simply see no reason for it, but I have no other computer I can use. How do I get these drivers to install properly like they did before?

The.Se7enth said:
At the time I tried, Kies itself didn't support the Captivate. Only Kies mini. And in order to do that upgrade, I had to install the drivers, then put the phone into download mode to install more drivers for some odd reason, restart the phone (taking out the battery and putting it back in), then hook it up. Kies mini wouldn't detect the phone for several tries at first, finally got it about the 10th time in. Then go to the "Upgrade phone" link, and yeah. I followed the instructions from Samsung's official SGH-i897 Froyo upgrade guide.
I did EXACTLY as the instructions say, down to the wire. Still ended up both times with all those applications missing and the settings panel missing, unable to do a factory reset without flashing back to 2.1 first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fail, Kies Mini works from Kies mode on the phone. It puts the phone into download mode when you start the upgrade from Kies Mini.
Just saying...

The.Se7enth said:
Nope. Don't feel their insurance policies are worth it. You spend more money on the insurance policy in total, even if it's month-to-month, than you would on a brand new contractless phone. Besides, I had only made $120 from fixing up three ancient computers (so ancient they actually had ISA slots and DIMM SD-RAM memory -- one was even a Pentium II), and only had $50 by the time I bought the phone which was a couple months later. My $50 went towards the phone and a pack of screen protectors, while my mom covered the upgrade fee. Couldn't afford the insurance policy even if we wanted to.
But I do greatly appreciate the encouragement. I'll give it a go in a bit, and try out flashing Serendipity. I'll follow the official instructions from their own website though, because I read this on their FAQ:
"Never use ROM Manager. EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER!"
RadioShack replaced the phone the first time, but the manager there said after replacing it once, the warranty was thus void. I'm not sure if profanity is allowed here, but you can figure out which word I wanted to reply to him. It's eight letters long, starts with bull.
I've read posts on AT&T forums saying if the phone's bricked or can't be repaired by user methods though, especially if it's rooted, that they won't honor the warranty at all and will consider it user error and that you're out of luck. Even people who tried to upgrade to 2.2 stock had issues with that. But I dunno.
Anyways, my machine works perfectly for everything else. Before the repair, when I tried to upgrade? It was a fresh install. I had just reformatted it because it was performing sluggish before and I decided I wanted a single-boot installation instead of having my old dual-boot of Windows 7 and XP. It's now just XP for the time being, seeing as how the hardware's limited and I want to get the best out of it for gaming (I can run 7 with ease, but it uses more resources than XP, thus games don't run as well).
I realize earlier I may have come off as implying the upgrade to 2.2 process was difficult. I don't mean it was "difficult" by any means necessary. It was simply a plug the phone in, let all the drivers install, unhook and put in download mode, hook up again for more drivers. Restart phone, start up kies, hook up phone, and click "Upgrade phone" button. Accept the terms of service or whatever, and wait. Upgrade starts, phone flips into download mode on it's own, restarts a couple times, and voila, you're on 2.2. I thought it was a piece of cake. My issue is that regardless of how easy it was, it still ended up rather broken because all those applications were missing, on top of the fact the Settings panel was also gone, leaving me unable to perform a factory reset.
I have one last question. If I do somehow manage to get these drivers to work again (without reformatting, which I don't have the time to do), should I have the SIM card out while flashing the ROM? I'm wondering, subconsciously, if somehow that may have had something to do with the upgrade to 2.2 screwing up so bad. I had the SIM card in, with all my applications installed at first. Second time, no apps or anything were installed, but the SIM card was still in.
Edit: Well aware of most forums having a "do not double post" rule, as much as I want to bump this thread with an update on the issue. But, I've restarted my computer, tried a different USB cable, uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers from numerous different sources, and still the same "fatal error" issue on "Samsung Android ADB Composite Interface". I simply cannot get that to install whatsoever, and without it, the phone isn't detected as being hooked up even by SWM, much less anything else. Seriously, what do I do? I'm not reformatting my computer, because I simply see no reason for it, but I have no other computer I can use. How do I get these drivers to install properly like they did before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea once you have serendipity installed don't use rom manager but for initial install your fine
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App

cappysw10 said:
Fail, Kies Mini works from Kies mode on the phone. It puts the phone into download mode when you start the upgrade from Kies Mini.
Just saying...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can "say" all you want, my good sir, but google the instructions. They tell you clearly to put the phone into download mode TO FINISH INSTALLING DRIVERS. You don't start up Kies mini until after all the drivers are installed, at which point you hook up the phone with USB Debugging, not Kies mode. I appreciate your willingness to help, but be sure to read everything I say before you correct me. I'm not that slow. I read instructions thoroughly and I've read quite a lot of posts on these forums. I work with computers regularly -- just not Android. The issue had nothing to do with that anyway, so that doesn't even matter.
brendanmurphy said:
Yea once you have serendipity installed don't use rom manager but for initial install your fine
Sent from my Captivate running CyanogenMod7 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure it's possible, and I don't mean to come off disrespectful, but I'm just gonna go with the instructions on their website. Just seems a safer route to install a ROM by the creator's instructions, you know? Only thing I'm not sure about is what they mean by "Flash it in 2e recovery (twice)." on ClockworkMod.
The.Se7enth said:
I have one last question. If I do somehow manage to get these drivers to work again (without reformatting, which I don't have the time to do), should I have the SIM card out while flashing the ROM? I'm wondering, subconsciously, if somehow that may have had something to do with the upgrade to 2.2 screwing up so bad. I had the SIM card in, with all my applications installed at first. Second time, no apps or anything were installed, but the SIM card was still in.
Edit: Well aware of most forums having a "do not double post" rule, as much as I want to bump this thread with an update on the issue. But, I've restarted my computer, tried a different USB cable, uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers from numerous different sources, and still the same "fatal error" issue on "Samsung Android ADB Composite Interface". I simply cannot get that to install whatsoever, and without it, the phone isn't detected as being hooked up even by SWM, much less anything else. Seriously, what do I do? I'm not reformatting my computer, because I simply see no reason for it, but I have no other computer I can use. How do I get these drivers to install properly like they did before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These two are still my top questions now. Is it a good idea to have the SIM card out during the upgrade process, and not put it back in until after the update is 100% complete?
Also, I'm really frustrated about this whole driver thing. I know the drivers aren't broken because I used them on this very computer before, and the repair shouldn't have damaged anything because absolutely everything else is working flawlessly. But every time I've uninstalled the drivers completely, and hook up the phone, it keeps getting a fatal error on that. Apparently "S3C6410 Android ADB" is the name of the device that can't install drivers.

[Q] HELP! Need to Root NS4g w/o computer! pwease? 8)

I'm not new to android whatsoever.. I've just returned from an Iphone 4s cause i was missing the openess of android. Now.. i've pulled out my old Nexus S 4g, Updated it to 4.0.4 and i cant get it to connect to my computer for the life of me! tried 4 different cables, 5 different computers, every driver i could find and nothing. I've come to believe this is a software failure... All i need is root and i will be able to sleep at night. Could someone package up .zip to give root and twrp recovery that i could flash through stock recovery? I dont know else i could do to get root... but this problem is becoming quite annoying.

1. There is no way to package a zip to flash through stock recovery since it would have to be signed.
2.For someone who is "not new to android whatsoever" making 2 threads about the same topic 2 minutes apart isn't exactly acting the part.

Try this guide.

Actually you're wrong, On the Epic 4G someone did in fact manage to do so. And yeah since i'm not new to these forums i understand that stuff like this gets overlooked so i made two posts. Cry me a river.
BTW Thanks harb... but that would involve being able to connect to my PC. Which just is not possible right now.

Thats the Android Karma... it happens but a little advice.
If you can't connect to the computer then it might a hardware issue not software.
If getting root was that easy that you just had to flash a zip on stock then everyone would be doing it. And good luck getting root without unlocking your bootloader first. Not to be rude but the problem could possibly be between the computer and the chair.

robogoflow said:
Thats the Android Karma... it happens but a little advice.
If you can't connect to the computer then it might a hardware issue not software.
If getting root was that easy that you just had to flash a zip on stock then everyone would be doing it. And good luck getting root without unlocking your bootloader first. Not to be rude but the problem could possibly be between the computer and the chair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's ok, not rude. I understand what you are saying... but did you not read what i just said? somebody had accomplished this on the Epic 4G and i'm just trying to find someone who has done it with the NS4G.. I've had 4 Android devices, rooted them all and been here since the beginning. It's not a hardware problem, it connected fine before when it was on gingerbread... i downloaded the OTA ICS then flashed through stock recovery.. but if you read what i said in the first post this problem only occured AFTER updating. This is why i quit using XDA a long time ago, because people just post a bunch of useless information instead of trying to help... The problem is not me my friend, its the damned ICS update, i've read multiple posts all over the interweb w/ people who have had the same problem, yet no resolutions other than bending up the micro usb male piece on my phone which is not the problem as i said it was working fine before i updated. Have tried multiple samsung drivers, pda net, and Android SDK Drivers, multiple Cords from samsung, to htc, to blackberry and palm pre and even a nokia one now. and 5 different computers... so tell me smart guy, what would you do?

grumpySasquatch said:
It's ok, not rude. I understand what you are saying... but did you not read what i just said? somebody had accomplished this on the Epic 4G and i'm just trying to find someone who has done it with the NS4G.. I've had 4 Android devices, rooted them all and been here since the beginning. It's not a hardware problem, it connected fine before when it was on gingerbread... i downloaded the OTA ICS then flashed through stock recovery.. but if you read what i said in the first post this problem only occured AFTER updating. This is why i quit using XDA a long time ago, because people just post a bunch of useless information instead of trying to help... The problem is not me my friend, its the damned ICS update, i've read multiple posts all over the interweb w/ people who have had the same problem, yet no resolutions other than bending up the micro usb male piece on my phone which is not the problem as i said it was working fine before i updated. Have tried multiple samsung drivers, pda net, and Android SDK Drivers, multiple Cords from samsung, to htc, to blackberry and palm pre and even a nokia one now. and 5 different computers... so tell me smart guy, what would you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro... Chill... They're just trying to help you out. There is NO way to to root your NS without a computer (currently. We are not Epic 4G owners here). You said you didn't use your NS since GB, SO during the time in between something could have happened to the hardware. Don't rule that out just yet. Your drivers might also be bad. Is this what migrating to iOS does to people? Makes them snobby and demand fixes to problems they can't figure out on their own? Don't hate on the XDA forums. If we're not helping you "hit the thanks button anyways, you ungrateful bastard" (XDA into video ). Anywho. Chill. Keep trying.
Nexus S (GSM i9020a)
Paranoid (14.a Hybrid - 4.0.4)
Matrix Kernel (CFS - 20.0)
Intellidemmand (800/100)
Live OC (105 - 800/1000)
Deep Idle (On - Noop)
BLX - 96 (Inverted Apps)

I am chill, i am just trying to describe what I've already done so maybe someone could suggest something else. And no what i meant is i downloaded the OTA on my computer than transferred it onto my Nexus through USB mount a couple of days ago so i know its not a hardware issue. Im not demanding fixes, just trying to see if anyone has done been able to figure this out yet as i know im not the only one with this issue. And there is a big problem w/ people on the XDA forums as a whole.. i am a little frustrated and just dont like when someone is telling me is a User issue when i have tried everything conceivable and know what i am doing.. Sorry if this offended you. and IOS is a good device.. its just like.. NWO they want to control everything haha. I'd rather be part of the rebel faction. even though i love my ipad XD

There is currently no way to root 4.0.4 without an unlocked bootloader (and no custom recovery), and the only way to get an unlocked bootloader is to either have root or plug it into the PC and unlock via fastboot. As such, you are stuck with sorting out drivers - despite how annoying they are.
The video i linked to above describes in detail (and through video) exactly how to sort out NS drivers on Windows machines as well as the required fastboot commands to get a custom recovery.

Harbb said:
The video i linked to above describes in detail (and through video) exactly how to sort out NS drivers on Windows machines as well as the required fastboot commands to get a custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is a good video, and does a job well done in describing on how to install drivers. My main issue is that my Computer(s) are'nt recognized my device at all... It doesn't show up as android device, or nexus s... but Unknown device. If i could figure this out i believe i could handle the rest.

grumpySasquatch said:
Yes that is a good video, and does a job well done in describing on how to install drivers. My main issue is that my Computer(s) are'nt recognized my device at all... It doesn't show up as android device, or nexus s... but Unknown device. If i could figure this out i believe i could handle the rest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure that video describes that. You need to open up device manager, double click unknown device (while device is in fastboot), hit update driver and navigate to the provided drivers on the site. Watch it a few times, you'll figure it out.

Have you tried to install PDANet? I've read numerous times about it working wonders for users who have trouble with drivers. It has all of the necessary drivers built in.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

d_phekt said:
Have you tried to install PDANet? I've read numerous times about it working wonders for users who have trouble with drivers. It has all of the necessary drivers built in.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i second that,PDANet Drivers usually work across all devices you should try them.

Like ppl said before, try PdaNet drivers it might help.

thanks everyone, , but like i said i tried pretty much every driver you can find online. they will not install as my device comes up as "Unknown", i've literally tried every piece of literature on the web relating to this issue... at this point i'm just going to wait for the JB update and see what happens.

grumpySasquatch said:
It's ok, not rude. I understand what you are saying... but did you not read what i just said? somebody had accomplished this on the Epic 4G and i'm just trying to find someone who has done it with the NS4G.. I've had 4 Android devices, rooted them all and been here since the beginning. It's not a hardware problem, it connected fine before when it was on gingerbread... i downloaded the OTA ICS then flashed through stock recovery.. but if you read what i said in the first post this problem only occured AFTER updating. This is why i quit using XDA a long time ago, because people just post a bunch of useless information instead of trying to help... The problem is not me my friend, its the damned ICS update, i've read multiple posts all over the interweb w/ people who have had the same problem, yet no resolutions other than bending up the micro usb male piece on my phone which is not the problem as i said it was working fine before i updated. Have tried multiple samsung drivers, pda net, and Android SDK Drivers, multiple Cords from samsung, to htc, to blackberry and palm pre and even a nokia one now. and 5 different computers... so tell me smart guy, what would you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the ICS update makes you unable to boot to fastboot and makes your device unable to be recognized by your computer from there?
That's a new one. As far as I know, "Unknown device" is actually your device being recognized, just the driver doesn't get installed correctly.
Have you tried manually specifying which driver to install and selecting the PDA Net driver? Look at Harbb's last post.
Have you went as far as editing the drivers inf to match your hardware ID? I know I had to do that way back when the PDA net drivers weren't even available.
'til then, user error.

polobunny said:
Have you tried manually specifying which driver to install and selecting the PDA Net driver? Look at Harbb's last post.
Have you went as far as editing the drivers inf to match your hardware ID? I know I had to do that way back when the PDA net drivers weren't even available.
'til then, user error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I swear you people don't listen, look i did everything in the video exact when i try to manually specify the driver it comes back saying that the folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible driver for your device... I'm not an imbecile and know how to follow instructions on a video. I know most people skip research cause they're too lazy to figure it out themselves... i posted on here as a last resort and feel like people are telling me what i already know then telling me its my fault, ridiculous. if you guys are just going to repeat what the last five people have said instead of trying to offer a new soloution then why even bother posting?

Epic 4G could do this in FROYO... It was patched by google in 2.3+. Do you want an app to secretly root you and install malware?
Sent from my Samsung Epic 4G using Tapatalk 2

grumpySasquatch said:
I swear you people don't listen, look i did everything in the video exact when i try to manually specify the driver it comes back saying that the folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible driver for your device... I'm not an imbecile and know how to follow instructions on a video. I know most people skip research cause they're too lazy to figure it out themselves... i posted on here as a last resort and feel like people are telling me what i already know then telling me its my fault, ridiculous. if you guys are just going to repeat what the last five people have said instead of trying to offer a new soloution then why even bother posting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it is going to be basically one of two things.
1. Is user error of some sort. That is what people have been trying to help with.
2. Is hardware issue that no one can help you with of course. Or some software issue causing it to not show up for who knows what reason. Neither of which folks can help with since a computer is not seeing it. So they revert back to what they can. Point 1
When you asked a question like is there a zip that you can flash in stock recovery to give you root or custom recovery that also doesn't help your cause for people assuming user error.
The one other thing you can try is download mode and Odin.

grumpySasquatch said:
I swear you people don't listen, look i did everything in the video exact when i try to manually specify the driver it comes back saying that the folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible driver for your device... I'm not an imbecile and know how to follow instructions on a video. I know most people skip research cause they're too lazy to figure it out themselves... i posted on here as a last resort and feel like people are telling me what i already know then telling me its my fault, ridiculous. if you guys are just going to repeat what the last five people have said instead of trying to offer a new soloution then why even bother posting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. Trash your Nexus S, clearly broken.
Edit: That's nice of you albundy, but Mr grumpySasquatch (fitting name eh?) has tried everything, including modding the drivers inf. His Nexus S is broken beyond repair, also the first one we've ever seen that won't adb but works fine for USB mounting. *chuckle*

[Q] Can I root my device if I have the latest OTA update?

HTC One M8 on Verizon. Android version 5.0.1. I did a lot of research yesterday, and could not find any working solution to root the phone. It's hard to find anything on Google because generally the information will be outdated (from last year or the year before). So can someone fill me in on what exactly I'd need to do? This is my first smartphone and I've never rooted an Android device before.

ziddy5 said:
HTC One M8 on Verizon. Android version 5.0.1. I did a lot of research yesterday, and could not find any working solution to root the phone. It's hard to find anything on Google because generally the information will be outdated (from last year or the year before). So can someone fill me in on what exactly I'd need to do? This is my first smartphone and I've never rooted an Android device before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you are still S-On and locked then you are stuck without root for now.

BladeRunner said:
Assuming you are still S-On and locked then you are stuck without root for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I was afraid of. How can I keep track of when there is an update to the situation?

ziddy5 said:
This is what I was afraid of. How can I keep track of when there is an update to the situation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep checking these forums and/or follow @teamandIRC on twitter

Rooting the already updated HTC One M8
It's going to be difficult. I've been scouring the webs for weeks looking for the answer to that one. The Sunshine S-off didn't work for me. The only way I can find right now to do this requires finding somone that has purchaced the elusive "HTC java card" sometimes called the HTC S-off card. They can s-off your phone in a heartbeat. Wish I had one, I just can't see forking over 375.00 to get one.

So if your S-off there is a root method available ? I haven't found it if there is.
I'm running 5.0.1 Verizon S-off
Thanks in advance

jjmstang said:
So if your S-off there is a root method available ? I haven't found it if there is.
I'm running 5.0.1 Verizon S-off
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're already s-off then just install twrp and flash, reboot recovery and it should ask you if you want to install root

BladeRunner said:
If you're already s-off then just install twrp and flash, reboot recovery and it should ask you if you want to install root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems you have to be rooted to install TWRP........at least what found

You only have to be rooted to install it with their app. If you are s-off you can download it from their site and flash it with fastboot.

mpappas87 said:
You only have to be rooted to install it with their app. If you are s-off you can download it from their site and flash it with fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed this method and I have re-gained root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ow-to-root-ota-pc-s-off-t3048604#post59750567
Now I'm going to try and flash the Dragon ROM with Sense 7
Thanks again for the help

same boat ; old filmware?
just received this HTC One M8 thru verizon, lollipop 5.0.1 after day 2 OTA update. I've been rooting every device i've owned since 08. Busy with daily tasks I haven't had a chance to sit and try unlocking bootloader until this weekend. I hit a wall when HTCdev returned an error after entering the identifier token \(^~^)/ . I did some reading, couldn't find anything.
I'm coming from a xt912 I've pretty much squeezed all I can get out of it since I got that brand new. I put CM12 on that just recently this HTC makes that the moto seem primitive. After bricking that (moto)spyder a few times flashing bad zips or doing things out of sequence I've put it thru the ringer and used RSDlite to just start from scratch. I have also found these device can put up with a lot and still bounce back. Geeze, I have three years of continuous text and data backed up on SD, lol . Something I haven't tried and wonder, does anyone know, is there any old VZW filmware for this M8 maybe 4.4.2 and try un locking from that point or Does the token id stay the same no matter what filmware?

Htcdev won't work on our phone because it's blocked by Verizon. Also, it's not possible to downgrade firmware or the OS without having s-off. At this time there's no way to get s-off on lollipop so you're pretty much stuck where you're at until an exploit is found by someone. Sunshine works for anything up to 4.4.4 but it won't work on a Verizon phone that's running 5.0.1. About all you can do right now is wait to see if Jcase and Beaups come up with a way to make it work on a Verizon phone too. I know that's not what you want to hear but that's how it is at the moment.

benjdevel said:
I've been rooting every device i've owned since 08. weekend. I hit a wall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, glad I didn't spend too much time trying to figure this out, never rooted a device before

Gotcha . ...Stupid vzw ? I glanced at a procedure to unlock SIM. Have no idea if that would help anything. Havent tried it. Ill have to keep a watch out for something. Really compaired to that spider this thing is like a ferrari. Not too much bloatware. Lollipop rocks and knowing Im up to date for the most part calms me a little. I still dont like the idea of not having complete control of my device. I've already received a few notification marketing related from verizon that i could not close unless i looked at it. I did notice control over saving things to my ext sd i do like. I am a student just getting into the ist world.wish there was something i could help with. 5 classes is killing me at the moment though. I did also try to install an imsi catcher apk updates version and it seemed like it ran fine. I could of swore that app needed root access. I could be wrong with the newest version though.

Joint Java Card?
Same boat (Verizon, htc one m8) . . . For some reason I was thinking Lollipop was the update which was still able to be handled by Weaksauce 2. So I accepted the OTA, without thinking. -hadn't gotten around to s-off, etc., before this time around.
So, in some 2013 posts, I saw that some people had tried to pool resources and share a Java Card, etc. But sending phones to a "card keeper", is expensive, and unsafe (besides having to live without your phone for a few days.). jcase, on their company's IRC support channel, indicates that the card is more than just a simple microSD card, which one might be able to dd a filesystem image from (i.e. copy it for distribution). That's entirely possible, since all SD cards have micro-controllers for dealing with failed sectors, etc (check out "Bunnie's Blog"). Basically, the controller could make it tough/impossible to access part of the card, and can take care of decrimenting credits, encryption, signing, etc. Even if it were a basic SD card, the use of signed binaries, and external license/resource server, etc. could still make it tough . . . -although the card I found states it needs no internet connection. It would be much cheaper to send the card, rather than phones. But how to coordinate and pool the cost seems like it could be a pain?
So here's what I'm thinking about:
Someone (me?) could purchase a legit, new htc Java Card. After I use my 2 or 3 credits to s-off/unlock my phone, I could put the card on, say, ebay for maybe $5 less than what I bought it for. Then, another person could use some credits, then sell it again, for a little cheaper, etc. If we want to keep it "in-house", we could just send to each other and pay with PayPal or Google Wallet. But, with e-bay, one could just copy/build on the ad the first person started. Take a picture of your phone's screen, when the remaining credits are shown, and put it on the ad. With 2000 credits, my conservative estimate is that it could cost less than 72 cents, for each unlock. The $5 incremental discount might be close enough to cover re-shipping costs.
The Sunshine guys have, for free, helped many of us over the years. So I was planning to purchase their solution, if it worked for this situation. But their download page states that "Verizon 5.0.x users will have to wait until we update.". They indicate they could get us supported soon, but they also indicate that Lollipop is much more secure, with SELinux updated and better enforced., etc. So I am a little concerned about when that will actually happen. I see they've been posting updates for Motorola, and making sure people are able to pay them via PayPal, etc. But nothing yet for Verizon 5.0.x.
Does anyone know/recall how long after the last android update, someone came up with a root exploit? I'm just trying to get a rough guesstimate about the minimum time people will have to wait this time. -then add time because Lollipop is apparently significantly more secure. I guess I don't completely mind that my phone might be secure enough to not make it tougher for someone to get into the deepest parts of it, without specialized hardware (Java Card), if I were to lose it.
But, really, what Verizon and htc and others have done to these devices . . . They are, essentially, specialized computers. It would be like if Dell or another computer manufacturer sold you a computer, without allowing you access to your administrator account (and no clear/easy way to boot from another drive, to recover/fix things, etc.). That's crap.
I dunno. What do people think? I suppose I could just try it, and see.

Are new devices updated already? If I were to get a phone from verizon today will it already have the Lollipop update or would I get a still root-able device that I can deny the update?

libredroid said:
But, really, what Verizon and htc and others have done to these devices . . . They are, essentially, specialized computers. It would be like if Dell or another computer manufacturer sold you a computer, without allowing you access to your administrator account (and no clear/easy way to boot from another drive, to recover/fix things, etc.). That's crap.
I dunno. What do people think? I suppose I could just try it, and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the idea of that Java card:good: and I completely agree with you on how wrong it is restricting administrative rights, especially considering these things are comparable to a new computer.

dimsumx said:
Are new devices updated already? If I were to get a phone from verizon today will it already have the Lollipop update or would I get a still root-able device that I can deny the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No guarantees either way.

What is the status on SunShine for our device?

I got the Java Card.
@vazersecurity: still "Verizon 5.0.x users will have to wait until we update.", as of today.
I got the card, as previously proposed, and was able to get S-Off on my USA-Verizon HTC One M8 with the Lollipop OTA.
I needed to download and place two files in the root of the card (now done).
I then (CID changed) was able to use htcdev.com to unlock my bootloader, and ultimately gain root. I'm now happily running a current Cyanogenmod ROM. To regain some functionality from my camera, etc., I installed the htc camera, HTC Gallery, and Zoe apps from the Play store.
So I've already created a listing for the card on eBay. I assume the forum rules won't allow me to post the link. But I, honestly, always intended to use that as a way to make it more convenient to share with a community of people who wish to join in. -not to try and make any money off the card. Again, rather than have people ship phones to one person (with the shipping cost, and being without their phone), if figured it would be cheaper, and less disruptive, to ship the actual card. So, you'd purchase the card from the previous user, then re-list it for a bit less than what you paid for it. With the starting cost and credits, S-Off is about 30 cents, each. As the card credits get used up, it gets cheaper. Maybe each person would end up paying a few dollars for S-Off, when you factor in the shipping.
Maybe a moderator could chime in about whether it might be OK to post a link to this "community-intended" listing. -or suggest a better contribution/distribution method.
Also, since many users in our situations have been out of luck regarding S-Off, for a few months now, might a moderator or someone suggest/implement a way to post/place this information more prominently, in the forums?
Thanks.

[Q] Kingpad k70 4.4 kitkat root help

Hi all,
Just bought a tablet off amazon not too long ago, Kingpad K70 (tabletexpress is the company), and I have been trying to find a way to root it. I have tried the various methods like Chainfire, Towelroot, and others, but still unable to. It is running kitkat 4.4.4, says model number is as KINGPAD K70. Any insight or assistance would be great! I also have stock .img file from company, as version on website did not work.
Thanks all,

angrynapkinz said:
Hi all,
Just bought a tablet off amazon not too long ago, Kingpad K70 (tabletexpress is the company), and I have been trying to find a way to root it. I have tried the various methods like Chainfire, Towelroot, and others, but still unable to. It is running kitkat 4.4.4, says model number is as KINGPAD K70. Any insight or assistance would be great! I also have stock .img file from company, as version on website did not work.
Thanks all,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try rooting with the following android apps.
Root Master
z4root
Universal Androot
Easy rooting toolkit
Framaroot

Thanks for your quick reply!
I tried all of the .apk files with no success so far but soon I will try the last one and update!

Well tried last one (root toolkit) on two different computers, both just waiting for device, Windows 8 had some compatibility issues, and my desktop, windows 7 automatically reinstalls the driver, and won't allow me to update to ADB device oddly.
Any insights?
Thanks

Same problem
I got the k70 with the rk3128 and NEED TO ROOT as well. I asked the customer service people at tabletexpress, and they weren't much help. I bought it off of amazon, and the title said it was compatible with 3d games... and the lie detector test determined, THAT WAS A LIE !!! no real racing, no dead trigger, no fast and furious, no temple run of any kind. I was lied to. The tablet is a POS to me, but could be better if I could root it. I googled til my brain was all googled out and found NOTHING. So now my only option it to complain and bother people here, amazon, and the customer service at TabletExpress for selling me such a POS tablet:good:

Forgot to update! Use kingo root, took a while but worked, and then I just installed rom toolbox and deleted kingos bs. Still don't like their Android edit, so if you find a workaround for cfw let me know!

angrynapkinz said:
Forgot to update! Use kingo root, took a while but worked, and then I just installed rom toolbox and deleted kingos bs. Still don't like their Android edit, so if you find a workaround for cfw let me know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
updated: okay, I downloaded kingoroot on my computer. I hooked it up. Had the usb debugging on. wifi is on. I had it recognize the tablet once and it gave me the options to unroot and reroot. I chose reroot. it failed. So im trying to go again, but this time to unroot, then root, however i cannot get it to connect anymore, it keeps saying the tablet is offline! So im pretty sure im missin somethin here.... its sayin its offline, and i read that im supposed to "tick always allow from this computer" to avoid this problem. where would i find this prompt? how do i get to it? also, its not rooted[i checked with root checker] i dunno why it gave me the options unroot/reroot

SUCCESS!!
harlowneedstoroot said:
updated: okay, I downloaded kingoroot on my computer. I hooked it up. Had the usb debugging on. wifi is on. I had it recognize the tablet once and it gave me the options to unroot and reroot. I chose reroot. it failed. So im trying to go again, but this time to unroot, then root, however i cannot get it to connect anymore, it keeps saying the tablet is offline! So im pretty sure im missin somethin here.... its sayin its offline, and i read that im supposed to "tick always allow from this computer" to avoid this problem. where would i find this prompt? how do i get to it? also, its not rooted[i checked with root checker] i dunno why it gave me the options unroot/reroot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good: for you. I got around the "offline" thing by deleting the kingoroot app off the tablet, then proceeding normally. I did the unroot, but it failed, however it did remove some stuff that made my first reroot fail. So after I unrooted and failed. I rebooted the tablet, deleted the kingoroot app again, and proceeded to reroot. This time the reroot worked!! thank you angrynapkinz:good::good: hey, one more question, what apps to you recommend for this tablet. maybe something for the battery and the overheating. I also couldnt figure out how to play 3d games on it without it crashing

Try China Devices
is cwf custom firmware? Im not that experienced with flashing new ROMs, and it seems that most people here are about the brand name stuff. I was googling cfw's and found nothing except for this forum website that "specializes" in chinese tablets like the kingpad/dragontouch (pretty sure theyre all the same) i think the webmaster makes cfw's or if he doesn't, he'll find out. Thanks again for the root help:good:

Hey harlow, yea I meant custom firmware, the KitKat that they have loaded is obviously rooted previously, you'll notice the more you use it. I installed xposed installer and root browser's etc on it for battery monitoring and all, malwarebytes keeps picking up malware loaded into the tablet and every time I delete. It's reinstalled upon reboot so that's why I'm trying to figure out rom reflashing/cfw options. Still trying to figure out what to add and what not though so take your pick and let me know also what seems to work. I went search and found its been mix and match from forums.

angrynapkinz said:
Hey harlow, yea I meant custom firmware, the KitKat that they have loaded is obviously rooted previously, you'll notice the more you use it. I installed xposed installer and root browser's etc on it for battery monitoring and all, malwarebytes keeps picking up malware loaded into the tablet and every time I delete. It's reinstalled upon reboot so that's why I'm trying to figure out rom reflashing/cfw options. Still trying to figure out what to add and what not though so take your pick and let me know also what seems to work. I went search and found its been mix and match from forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the kitKat they got on there is no comparison to the OG one on my cheap ass LG L70. I did malwarebytes and avast and found nothing on it so i guess im lucky. Im using Nova Launcher because it looks nicer and functions better. And theres this thing in the Google Play store called Root Booster. idk if you heard of it but you can set your tablet onto one of three modes: Speed, Battery, and Stock. Im on Speed right now, and it boosted the RAM about 50mbs. (I still cant play real racing on it tho) Have you taken the back off yet??? I cant figure it out!! I wanna replace the battery with something with bigger nuts... The stock one is garbage. I can squeeze about 5 hours out of it. Maybe ill glue on some heat sinks onto the chips, it gets really hot when im netflixin. So ill keep an eye out for the cfws. Have you tried reflashing with the stock one they got on tabletexpress? i havnt tried that, but maybe it wont have malware on it?

Yea it sucks, haven't found an alternative yet and still trying to figure this thing out. I had to flash one they emailed me cause the site one didn't work previously. The malware is like coudw.a or cloudsservice.apk every reboot, and also having a constant 115b up and download. No I haven't tried any games yet, or tried to open it up but I might do that, as I'm getting about the same battery wise.

angrynapkinz said:
Yea it sucks, haven't found an alternative yet and still trying to figure this thing out. I had to flash one they emailed me cause the site one didn't work previously. The malware is like coudw.a or cloudsservice.apk every reboot, and also having a constant 115b up and download. No I haven't tried any games yet, or tried to open it up but I might do that, as I'm getting about the same battery wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the tablet would work good as a playstation or rom player. I have yet to put my playstation games on it and also connect a ps3 controller to it. busy with differential equations and maplestory... I found a battery on aliexpress with about double the capacity. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/The-...ery-For-7-8-9-inch-tablet-PC/32213974542.html ...idk if itll fit tho. its a little thicker and longer on one side.... if it dont fit... ill make it fit > also, another app to boost the RAM is SmartBooster. I got a little over 200mb ram. yeah, ill update you when i find out other tips and shjt

Need PC/windoze to root.
"Root Android without PC," an info app on GP, indicates that phones/tablets with a kernel newer than 1/3/2014 can't be rooted w/o a PC. Framaroot doesn't work, it also fingers Kingo as possible solution. Kingo itself indicates that it's best for phones. I hate Windoze, but here goes.....
(Weeks ago, I saw something about invoking Linux instead--maybe it was a dream: Perhaps some of my brain cells exploded--no doubt due to "sprinting" cups at keg parties and then passing out long ago!)
I'm rating this thread a 3--still somewhat murky, without clear procedure to solution.

Thread is dead.
From rbrband57. This endeavor seems dead.
I still believe that replacing software/firmware is the key to getting the K70 to run better--the hardware likely is pretty good. I've been able to disable PRC bloatware, via some helpful cleanup software from GP. I'd like to uninstall. The loader at cold boot takes forever--I'd like to crucify that.
I'll reinstall kingoroot yet again, but I still don't know how to proceed further. Root confirm software says then rooted, but can't get SuperSu on--which might indicate true root, after all. Still not much info online.
My experience with rooting in the past was with a cheapo Icecream Polaroid 4.3" screen device from Big Lots: Full step-by-step procedure in one site, etc. Put a valid, new, upgraded .apk ROM on. Nothing can help the underpowered much, though--single core, 1GHz, perhaps, and 512MB sys mem.. GP worked sporadically afterwards--not really very well. Sold it to a guy in CA for his kid's Xmas last year.
Thanks for trying--Amazon no longer offers--K77, instead. Probably pretty much identical--hated, as well.

Root for the ZTE Avid Trio (Z833) (MetroPCS)?

Okay, I know I don't post much in XDA, but I do read a LOT of threads!
The reason I am posting this is because I am wondering if anybody achieved root on this phone.
I have tried KingRoot, KingoRoot, OneClickRoot, none of those work.
It is running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
I am about to screw around with ADB, see what I can do. I'll post back when I have got something.
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section, I don't post much on XDA.

any luck?

I've tried every root method available without the PC and nothing. But, there maybe good news. In developers options there's a switch to unlock the bootloader. Now I'm no dev but I hope this makes cwm or tarp easy for devs to port and root.

I found https://mobile.twitter.com/srsroot/status/810325782417592325?lang=en srsroot claims it supports ZTE Z833. I've used srsroot once before but on another phone I have no PC so I can't test it but someone should test Cydia impactor see if it works.

RE: comments
kotarou1 said:
I found https://mobile.twitter.com/srsroot/status/810325782417592325?lang=en srsroot claims it supports ZTE Z833. I've used srsroot once before but on another phone I have no PC so I can't test it but someone should test Cydia impactor see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I too saw that twitter SRSRoot business and tried it thinking, "Oh joy!" no, not working. Tried it every way you could (yes Kingo, KingRoot, vRoot, iRoot, FramaRoot, uRoot, & we-all_Root (the last two were jokes don't be so serious, nor was it a complete list of what I did actually try, ha!) too). I even wrote the people at SRSRoot telling them that it didn't work and have gone back to download their latest versions, still nada, zip, zero. FML on toast!
2. Cydia Impactor is not for Android devices, it is only for iOS. I went and double-checked just to make sure I wasn't trippin' thinking that maybe they have gone cross-platform. No, they have not.
3. I have the phone in question, I submitted a formal request on here in the best way I could find to get it added to the XDA devices list and I have been eagerly monitoring awaiting the day it happens. I was even considering trying to compile TWRP myself, but I just bought a different phone because I was tired of the headache. I couldn't figure out how to extract the zImage from it in order to give it a go (I think that's what it was). Anyways, I'm writing this before finishing reading the rest of the posts and may be rambling, but I had to respond. I have spent much time doing this. I ended up buying a different MetroPCS phone called the Samsung Galaxy On5 and was able to successfully root it and after much waiting finally got ahold of the Superstarz ROM that finally went out for that one. Just an FYI in case someone happens to see this before making the purchase. I will say that I feel like the ZTE Avid Trio Z833 has pretty good response time for such a cheap phone, then again they had a deal on it in the store, it looked to be more expensive at retail pricing. Anyhow, I digress, but felt the need to contribute rather than just lurk.
Oh, and another thing... The development option to OEM Unlock is "checkable", but as for actually booting to the bootloader it WILL NOT DO IT. The only way this is gonna happen to be rootable is if you use a custom recovery (which none exist yet) in a tar format and ODIN the friggin thing from download mode. So, there's your catch 22. If anyone knows how to extract the zImage and whatnot (without root obviously) I'd be more apt to give it a go and boot my happy bunghole into Linux and give compiling TWRP another go. I finally have had a lot of life stresses temporarily die down since I decided not to leave my current living situation and just stay with these irritating bastards another month at a higher rate. FML & Cheers!: good:
I should mention, however, that SRSRoot attempted to use it's "Exploit 8." So, I went digging into it's directories to see what the script was, but it was binary (and I didn't have reverse-engineering **** handy like PE-ID, and whatever else the kids are using in this newer age). So, I was like "wah-wah", but if any experienced ppl know more about the specific exploits that aren't ancient and actually working with Marshmallow that would be interesting to hear feedback about as well. Thanks. I really would like to use this second phone still, but right now I'm just using it as a Kodi/Megabox HD + AllCast Projector to watch streaming things without having to interrupt my working phone in the middle of it. It would also be cool to use as a straight VOIP phone with no cell service connected, but I've yet to find the free Google Voice VOIP loophole that is currently working. PM me if you know of these
P.P.S. I wrote another spicy post on hardr3set dot info about what crap I felt about their B.S. (weaksauce compared to anything legit which we all know you come to XDA for the meat-and-potatoes) because I was so tired of searching the Goog for root ZTE Avid Trio Z833 and having it be the top result over and over. Finally this has risen up. Thank you for starting this. Oh, and also, please... If you would kindly also request for this device to be added formally, maybe it would encourage development. Not sure how all that works, but yeah... power in numbers right?
Sincerely,
~Ye of little faith

Bump

are you telling me that faults advertising runs ramped all over the internet even Google play store and this is the nondoing phone ever made and it can't be jailbroke nor rooted

Rooting your zte device
Can not be done. This phone is an unfortunate accident by ZTE with numerous problems and they are not small issues but ones that affect the performance of the device. Replace that phone or your only adding to your daily stress.

That kingroot and oneclickroot don't work
For this phone
a

Guessing this is a dead issue? It's an okay phone but lags horribly when it comes to multi tasking

Hey I don't want the root thing to die on this topic. So would it be possible to root via ADB update in recovery mode? Or to somehow update via SD card and applying root? I refuse to give up hope on this device lol

Anyone made progress on this? I just got this phone and it definitely has some issues, but I feel like root would resolve most of them.

Has anyone figured out a way to root this device?

I've searched for a long time without success. I hope something comes up.

Any progress on this? Thanks

following, bought one this morning hoping to have a cheap rootable phone.

I got mine from MetroPCS for $29. lol Yes, it's frustrating and has got problems (I've already put two of them through my dashboard and had to replace them, within the first 2 months, but it only cost 30buck so WTH. Anyways, I decided after I destroyed #2 that I was only going to use it for work and add no apps to it, except maybe GasBuddy and Winamp. Other than that, it's stock and I haven't had any real problems with it to speak of (problems aggravating enough to make me want to destroy it yet again).
So my suggestion to anyone who owns this phone, or is thinking about owning one: Don't install any more than a couple small apps, add a 32GB uSD card for music and other stuff, and use the thing as a phone and a media player only. The camera is pretty much worthless for quality photos, so there's really no other use for it. But it makes a great txting, voice calling, and music playing phone!
Of course, if you end up paying more than $30 for it, you probably paid too much. But it sure is a pretty nice phone for 30 buck!

Yes. root it please

I have a Z833. The phone only lags apps that are over 100mb I'll have test this out agin

I have ordered one of these phones for $20 should be here by Monday. When it arrives I'll be able to confirm if its bootloader is unlocked or not. In the meantime here is the firehose and support files (rawprogram0.xml and patch0.xml) as well as the MetroPCS B16 firmware to be flashed with QFIL or MiFlash. This will allow people to recover their device and hopefully if the bootloader isn't locked flash custom images.
Support files
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=1395089523397898033
V1.0.0 B16 Firmware
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=1395089523397898034