[Q] Root, custom recovery, and flashing roms - Shield Tablet Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Ok, so I've been in the root/flashing scene for a while.
I'm very experience with locked bootloaders like my Verizon Note3, but I'm not so sure about my Shield tablet.
I know root is easily attainable, and flashing should be about the same as the others.
My question is, in the event things go badly, is there a way to get back on the stock/non-rooted image?
What about updating the software via OTA to keep being able to gamestream? Does it break root and just force me to root again
or does it not allow me to update? If my Shield dies for whatever reason and I have to RMA, can I return it to 100% stock?
I looked over the forums and couldn't find any full answers, so hopefully you guys can help me.
Thanks in advance.
Josh

ForeverZ3RO said:
Ok, so I've been in the root/flashing scene for a while.
I'm very experience with locked bootloaders like my Verizon Note3, but I'm not so sure about my Shield tablet.
I know root is easily attainable, and flashing should be about the same as the others.
My question is, in the event things go badly, is there a way to get back on the stock/non-rooted image?
What about updating the software via OTA to keep being able to gamestream? Does it break root and just force me to root again
or does it not allow me to update? If my Shield dies for whatever reason and I have to RMA, can I return it to 100% stock?
I looked over the forums and couldn't find any full answers, so hopefully you guys can help me.
Thanks in advance.
Josh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NVidia posts complete factory images on their website for restoration.
Also, all of their OTAs are full system images instead of patches/deltas. So you can safely update via OTA, root and other modifications won't break the OTA (but the OTA will get rid of any modifications including root.)

Related

[Q] If I root, will I still be able to get OTA updates from Google?

Excuse my complete noobishness, but I have to know.
If I root, but keep the stock ROM (basically, I just want root to get MarketEnabler at this stage) will I still be able to get OTA updates from Google?
The way I understand it, the answer is yes, but I'd like some confirmation from someone who definitely knows more than me.
no.....no.....no.....
Why ? There is any limitation for unlocked devices ? I think problems with ota only for custom rom.
I think so long as your on stock rom you get updates despite su and root. However if it is a major update you will lose root.
Once you root, you won't WANT the OTA update because you will get it from the forums long before it hits your device from Google.
This is a common question asked but its really irrelevant. Just root, the instant the update is released everyone gets it long before Google pushes it to you. Sure you could load a stock ROM and sit there waiting for a week till it pushes meanwhile everyone else just manually grabs it

OTA update failed-rooted but have OTA RootKeeper

I used Debugfs tool to root and superuser was installed. I downloaded the OTA RootKeeper and Titanium Backup and backed up my apps. I opened OTA RootKeeper and temporarily disabled root. I then opened the notification bar and clicked on Asus firmware update, I then got the page asking me if i wanted to install or postpone and I chose install. The screen went dark a then a short while later I got the screen with android lying on its back with a red exclamation point and then a notice that the update failed. I went to settings>about tablet and checked for firmware update and got there is no firmware update available. I am still on ICS 4.0.3 and build.26. So, how do I update to JB? Thanks
Since first posting this question I have d/l ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T Firmware: V10.4.4.20 Only for US SKU (Android 4.1.1 . I extracted the files so that I now have updatelauncher.zip. But, when I boot into recovery it says it failed because itcould not find the update zip. I am rooted and I have the Voodoo Rootkeeper app that I use to temporarily disable root before I boot into recovery.
I called Asus support about the automatic OTA update not installing and he told me not to worry that it will show again shortly. Will it still show up automatically if I am rooted and if it does do I have to use the OTA Rootkeeper to temporarily unroot?
If you plan to unlock your device, consider doing it before upgrading anything so that you can pull the blob for nvflash - this is no longer possible once you upgrade.
_that said:
If you plan to unlock your device, consider doing it before upgrading anything so that you can pull the blob for nvflash - this is no longer possible once you upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the nvflash but I am not advanced enough to do it. Doing nvflash on this device is a lot more complicated than on my Viewsonic G tab. I have faith that someone in the community will figure out how to nvflash in JB. The last time I tried onthe TF700 I bricked it and had to send it back to Amazon, luckily I was sill in the 30 day period.
Can you help me to install JB?
lartomar2002 said:
I tried the nvflash but I am not advanced enough to do it. Doing nvflash on this device is a lot more complicated than on my Viewsonic G tab. I have faith that someone in the community will figure out how to nvflash in JB. The last time I tried onthe TF700 I bricked it and had to send it back to Amazon, luckily I was sill in the 30 day period.
Can you help me to install JB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you plan to unlock your device so you can use custom rom later? We need to know up front so you don't waist too much time.
buhohitr said:
Do you plan to unlock your device so you can use custom rom later? We need to know up front so you don't waist too much time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my dilemma. On the first TF700 I unlocked and rooted it but when I tried to setup NVflash I got stuck. and could not figure out which of the drivers to use or where to put them. I called in a Windows expert and he spent a little time with it and then he threw his hands up and stopped because he did not want to take the chance of bricking the tablet. Because he could not do it he did not charge me. I then contacted a computer repair service and the person I. talked to said he could do it. Long story short he could not do it properly also but because he had to come to my house his company required he charge me. I will not tell you what I had to pay him, needless to say it was outrages. So I tried my hand at it again and that is when I. bricked it and luckily got a RMA from Amazon. My wife was so upset with me and at what we had to pay for and that we got nothing in return for. The whole situation was more than I am willing to go through again. I nor my wife are young anymore and can not afford the blood pressure spikes we had. I made a promise to her that I would not attempt to. setup nvflash with this replacement tablet. I know I do not need nvflash to install a custom rom but it can sure save your butt if you mess up. So, to answer your question I would have to say no I will not unlock it and lose my warranty. I can not afford to lose the $485.00 I paid for it. I truly wish it was different, I no longer have the "nerves of steel" that is required. So, can you help me to update to stock JB with the info I gave in the previous post?
No need to temp unroot either, for next time....
53fireman said:
No need to temp unroot either, for next time....[/QUOTE/]
Do you mean the "next time" that the Asus stock JB firmware update appears in the notification bar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] new to forums.. info required on 4.4.1 pls

hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
No you dont need to be unrooted to update your android version.
You need to have the stock recovery and rom. The update isnt available for everyone yet
you will get a update notification just wait
ayush88 said:
hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You technically voided your warranty when you rooted. But no big deal.
You can download the update and sideload on your own, or wait for the OTA to come to you. If all you have is root, stock recovery and no system mods it will update on its own.
ayush88 said:
hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi do not worry. Those posts really do not apply to you yet. You have a phone that is stock meaning, you bought it and using it. If you keep it like that you never have to worry about update. Google will automatically push the update to your phone by next week. Incidentally the phone is also a developer phone, so people usually play around with it. Root, custom roms, kernels etc. Now for these enthusiasts to get the update, they have to unroot, ,to stock just like your phone. After getting the update they will start messing with it again:laugh: this forum being the developers forum of the Internet is the reason why you are seeing all those posts.
Now you are sitting on a Ferrari phone, using it as a Honda. Some day in the future you will let it run at indy500
ayush88 said:
hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean to ask "do you need to root to get the 4.4.1 OTA"?? If not, your question doesn't seem to add up....
You definitely do NOT need to root to get the OTA. You can wait for the update to be pushed out, or, if you are impatient, you can sideload using ADB or install from recovery.
If you are rooted, as the other folks explained, you may need to get back to stock before you can install 4.4.1
To add to this, I only rooted my Nexus 5 so I could use BetterBatteryStats and some other monitoring apps. Is there any way to go back from TWRP to stock recovery without wiping data/losing root?
I'm quite happy with everything stock and don't plan on doing any mods.
Also, I sideloaded 4.4.1, but would I have gotten the OTA with TWRP?
mmmmBACON said:
To add to this, I only rooted my Nexus 5 so I could use BetterBatteryStats and some other monitoring apps. Is there any way to go back from TWRP to stock recovery without wiping data/losing root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, get the recovery.img from the factory image and: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img. That'll put the stock recovery back on your device
donentl are
thnks alot you guys!!
this really helped me out!
i know i am new to android right now and dont know the ins and outs of this os completely... i really liked a reply which said i am sitting on a ferrarri and using it like a honda..lol...i will run it like a veyron in some time but for now my car comes with a "L" sign and a speed limiter on it
thnks again you guys!

Rooting question

Hey there!
I was wondering if rooting via towelroot would affect OTA updates? Someone told me you don't get OTA if the system files, bootloader or kernel have been changed. I am completely on stock now. Will apps like Droidwall, Titanium Backup or Greenify make any changes to the system files, hence rendering my phone not eligible for OTA?
Thanks
Read the OTA helpdesk thread about OTA. Link in my signature. Those apps should be fine but you should root properly and use a custom recovery of you're going to be rooted and forget about OTAs.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I agree! Being rooted without a custom recovery and/or not knowing how to use adb/fastboot is almost asking for trouble.
@rootSU gave you the best info.
You have a Nexus. You can flash stock in minutes when you need to do an ota. Or forget that and flash the update through fastboot. I've never taken an OTA on any device.
Thanks for the replies folks. I just dont feel like unlocking my bootloader at this very moment since there's stuff to backup and I am at the peak of my laziness ( and also very busy to do stuff with my phone)
Edit: Yeah, I sideloaded the 4.4.4 update. Can I sideload any update like this in the future even if I don't receive automatic updates? (i.e doesn't sideload verify that all original files are intact?)
Probably best avoid root in that case then.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Nice. You relax and we'll figure it out? That's not how XDA works my friend. Ask for help, put some effort in after you get answers. That's how it works.
I'd leave the phone as is and call it a day.
The question has been answered and the thread is going the wrong direction, so I'm going to stop it here.
@Moonheart All the info about OTA's are here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217
It outlines what you need to do and how to prepare your phone for updates.
Thread Closed.

[Q] OTA Lollipop update

So back in the day, I did a root and unlocked a bootloader on my Nexus 5 but didn't do any major changes, I mean I didn't install any rom or any any mods, then I did everything back - un-rooted, locked a bootloader.
What I am actually curious about is - Will I still receive ota through my settings menu or do I have to do everything back and flash an image on my phone?
Rey0 said:
So back in the day, I did a root and unlocked a bootloader on my Nexus 5 but didn't do any major changes, I mean I didn't install any rom or any any mods, then I did everything back - un-rooted, locked a bootloader.
What I am actually curious about is - Will I still receive ota through my settings menu or do I have to do everything back and flash an image on my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will receive the OTA fine as long as there were no modifications to your system. Rooting and un-rooting wouldn't change that, nor would un-locking and locking your bootloader.
jagreci said:
You will receive the OTA fine as long as there were no modifications to your system. Rooting and un-rooting wouldn't change that, nor would un-locking and locking your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds cool then. Thanks
I'm actually thinking about doing just that myself. IE doing a clean install with unlocked boot loader and rooting the device. If nothing else so I can make full Nandroid backups in the future.
I was worried however that if I rooted my n5 with Lollipop that I may not get future OTA updates. Or that an update may break root access. Sounds like however this is not the case and I have nothing to worry about?
crucialcolin said:
I'm actually thinking about doing just that myself. IE doing a clean install with unlocked boot loader and rooting the device. If nothing else so I can make full Nandroid backups in the future.
I was worried however that if I rooted my n5 with Lollipop that I may not get future OTA updates. Or that an update may break root access. Sounds like however this is not the case and I have nothing to worry about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st, just so you know, you don't need root for "nandroid" backups. Only thing you need is a custom recovery.
2nd, naturally, a OTA update may break root. Being rooted doesn't stop the OTA from being downloaded or installed.
keep this in mind:
- want to root? an update/new factory images is out? you're in control, update manually, don't update, do backups before updating, whatever: OTAs are all hype, no stability.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217
beekay201 said:
1st, just so you know, you don't need root for "nandroid" backups. Only thing you need is a custom recovery.
2nd, naturally, a OTA update may break root. Being rooted doesn't stop the OTA from being downloaded or installed.
keep this in mind:
- want to root? an update/new factory images is out? you're in control, update manually, don't update, do backups before updating, whatever: OTAs are all hype, no stability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've actually been spoiled by nandroid on the HP TouchPad with CM. Really nice to have a complete backup image. Wish I would have thought about unlocking and rooting before I got a bunch of stuff on my Nexus setup the way I like it. Sort of stuck since you have to unlock the boot loader for a custom recovery. Thus is life though.
I haven't tried it yet but it looks like Adb can do it on a stock device.
ex: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51694433&postcount=2
I'm actually extremely torn on the OTA thing. I find it just so damn convenient with the admission I've gotten lazy of late Otherwise I have a tendency to never update.

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