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Please help a n00b...

I have read for hours on this site trying to find out how to root my phone. So, I come across the JH2 ROM, the Unleash the Beast v.02 root, the
ODIN3 One-Click (still not sure what that does), And then I start reading about Titanium Backup, ADB (or P, whatever), no idea what that does either, although I believe you have to have a rooted phone to use it) and then I see that you need some things for root, (make sure you have the correct drivers), etc., etc., etc. How about something that explains what some of the major things do and the sequence in which they should be applied, and how to apply them?
- Busybox
- Clockworkmod recovery
- ADB
- Nandroid backup
- Titanium Backup
- Unleash the Beast v.02
- JH2/JH3 ROM flash
What do the above have to do with the phone and with each other?
Don't forget, all of you were new at one point in time and didn't know how to do this stuff either, so a little patience on your part would be welcome.
I think that some of you are so familiar with this stuff that it doesn't even occur to you that there may be people that don't know how to do what you've been doing consistently for months.
My biggest question is this: What do I use to back up my (currently unrooted) phone, so if I need to restore it to factory, I can do that?

follow the steps here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735482
and when it comes to rooting it, dont.
just go flash the unleash the beast rom and it also tells you how to enable sideloading which will let you download applications from outside the market

Jim_C said:
I have read for hours on this site trying to find out how to root my phone. So, I come across the JH2 ROM, the Unleash the Beast v.02 root, the
ODIN3 One-Click (still not sure what that does), And then I start reading about Titanium Backup, ADB (or P, whatever), no idea what that does either, although I believe you have to have a rooted phone to use it) and then I see that you need some things for root, (make sure you have the correct drivers), etc., etc., etc. How about something that explains what some of the major things do and the sequence in which they should be applied, and how to apply them?
- Busybox
- Clockworkmod recovery
- ADB
- Nandroid backup
- Titanium Backup
- Unleash the Beast v.02
- JH2/JH3 ROM flash
What do the above have to do with the phone and with each other?
Don't forget, all of you were new at one point in time and didn't know how to do this stuff either, so a little patience on your part would be welcome.
I think that some of you are so familiar with this stuff that it doesn't even occur to you that there may be people that don't know how to do what you've been doing consistently for months.
My biggest question is this: What do I use to back up my (currently unrooted) phone, so if I need to restore it to factory, I can do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here and read up on this...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=751934

Okay, one of the first instructions on the above thread says, 'Do a Nandroid Backup first. So, I looked up a Nandroid Backup, and the first thing it says is, 'Nandroid is a set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme.' So, I already have to be rooted to make a back-up? What if I want to restore my original ROM? Not saying I will, but what if
I need to, for whatever reason? This is the kind of thing that I find confusing. I have to be rooted BEFORE I can backup my phone? That makes absolutely no sense to me.

Jim_C said:
Okay, one of the first instructions on the above thread says, 'Do a Nandroid Backup first. So, I looked up a Nandroid Backup, and the first thing it says is, 'Nandroid is a set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme.' So, I already have to be rooted to make a back-up? What if I want to restore my original ROM? Not saying I will, but what if
I need to, for whatever reason? This is the kind of thing that I find confusing. I have to be rooted BEFORE I can backup my phone? That makes absolutely no sense to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first link that was provided will get you started and answer all your questions. The jist of it is that you need to root first if you want to perform backups to restore the phone to any given point. You can do a nandroid backup from within rom manager, which was the first app I installed after rooting. It may be a bit overwhelming at first but once you get going, you realize how easy it is with the tools provided in this forum.

Why do you need ClockworkMod?

Why do you need to set up a recovery or cwm for your phone after it's been rooted?

Almost all of the Kernels and ROM's are installed/Flashed through the Clock Work Custom Recovery. Plus you can use it to do Nandroid backups and clear cache and so on. It's really a great utility to have.

Ok thanks. I'm just really nervous about trying to CwM my phone again cause last week I had to get a new phone cause I did something wrong.
Do you think you could possibly give me step by step instructions on how to properly recover my phone using CwM? I'm not the brightest person and Im kinda clueless with all of this stuff.
EDIT:
Will this do the trick?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997359
If I do this is my phone ready?

ketchkev000 said:
Ok thanks. I'm just really nervous about trying to CwM my phone again cause last week I had to get a new phone cause I did something wrong.
Do you think you could possibly give me step by step instructions on how to properly recover my phone using CwM? I'm not the brightest person and Im kinda clueless with all of this stuff.
EDIT:
Will this do the trick?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997359
If I do this is my phone ready?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, most people around here aren't experts when they begin this process - but they definitely AT LEAST have a clue - so I suggest you take some time doing research before you even attempt any of these things. If you're not wanting to do so, try to find someone that you know that has done some modding and see if they can help you. Our references around here are pretty clear and cover all bases, so there shouldn't be too many questions to ask after reading around.
To answer your question, that thread you linked has an odin package that includes a custom recovery (clockworkmod) along with a complete 2.2 stock image, so it would be a good place to start.

Do you need to use cwm if you just wanna use apps that require your phone to be rooted? Sorry for all of the questions.

CWM and Rooting aren't really connected. Some background info, from what I've learned thus far:
Rooting just changes a couple files in the OS portion of Android to allow you to have Superuser access (like Administrator on a Windows machine). All of that goes on in the OS partition.
CWM Recovery, its full, proper name, is a custom Recovery. The default recovery allows just a factory reset for the most part. CWM Recovery allows that, but also allows many more options; clearing user/Dalvik cache, performing Nandroid backups and restores, enabling or disabling Voodoo (note that you need to have a separate Voodoo-compatible kernel installed), flashing things from ZIP files on your SD card, and so on.
The short answer then is no, you don't even need to think about CWM if all you want to do is root your phone and use apps that require it to be rooted.

ketchkev000 said:
Do you need to use cwm if you just wanna use apps that require your phone to be rooted? Sorry for all of the questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are just wanting to use apps that require root access then no you don't have to use CWM. You need CWM if you are going to flash a kernel or ROM or any other Mod for your phone. Rooting and CWM are two different things. As long as your phone is rooted, then you shouldn't have trouble using apps that reuire root access, with or without CWM on your phone. At least I didn't when I first began doing this stuff. Granted Im still a noob to an extent but my phone was rooted for a long time before I ever installed CWM and I never had an issue with the root apps
Edit: didnt' mean to be redundant. Chromewolf posted while I was typing mine

add144 said:
I think its full, proper name would be ClockworkMod Recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damnit! I needed to have found someone else I could have bet money on that not only would I get corrected on that, but that it would be by add. No money for me. XD
But seriously, while add is correct on the matter of semantics, the point I was trying to make is that CWM is just a custom Recovery (which I've sort of taken to needlessly capitalizing lately to emphasize the difference a bit more), as opposed to an app or something.
Brief off-topic: A present for you add, especially if you're a gamer. I hope you lol at it, I know I always do (and I'm the *functional* rules lawyer of the group, LOL), and I'm not the one who wears it!
http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=OWD45013-2XL

Stock GB Rogers to JB questions

I've been sitting on my stock Rogers Infuse 4G since I got it, hoping that they would at the very least release an update to ICS. I've pretty much given up all hope, especially now since the Infuse was listed as one of the "violators" in the recent lawsuit. So, in giving up there, I've started to try and get up to speed with what's available in terms of custom ROMs for the Infuse, etc...
I previously had a Captivate (seems like I pick the wrong phones) and have kept that one stock as well (now my wife's phone) aside from the official 2.3.3 update Samsung came out with for it. I checked in here once in a while to try and keep track of some of the updates as I thought about going for a custom rom, but I never had the balls to try anything (I've only ever flashed one phone in my life, and it was bought 2nd hand for $20 ) since I actually *must have* a working phone due to having a kid (daycare calls are kind of important!). However checking today, it seems like I am totally out of the loop and I just don't have the time to try and wade through thousands of pages on various threads to find out what the current "ways" are and such... but I know what I want to achieve so I'm hoping you folks are nice enough to at the very least give me a "search you noob" and point me to some threads :silly:
Since I'm totally stock, from what I'm gathering I think I need (and really I more of need a complete checklist of things to do rather than a "do it for me" kind of thing) to do is:
1) jot down my modem and apn settings and such (already done)
2) back up everything i need, pop out sd card (know how to do this)
3) wipe/clear to factory default (... and this)
4) back up the current rom - everything in case I want to return back to exactly the way the phone is stock
5) figure out what i need to do to flash CWM or something so I have the necessary recovery mode options?
6) flash to ICS (since from what I gather, I need to do that if I want to go to JB)?
7) follow instructions I found on the unnoficial CM10 JB thread to flash to JB
?) flash a new kernel? (is this done already during a rom flash; are there any new kernels?)
As commented, I can figure out 1-3 since I'm not stupid, but I have no idea what is even needed to do 4, nor do I know exactly all the tiny, necessary, steps to do the rest after that... especially since reading some things it seems like most of this is for AT&T users and since I'm on Rogers with a I997R (I assume the R means Rogers), I don't want to mess up my modem or other things to prevent the phone working for me... and these are the steps I'm hoping people can help me with.
So far, in prep, I've noted my phone info (basically everything in Phone settings) and I can back up all my apps and such that I care about, and I've downloaded the unofficial CM10 JB download and the Google apps apk as well, and on the same thread was a link to a 1-click ICS flash or something... so I got that too. Since I want to end up with JB, I'm not too concerned (or should I be?) with it being AT&T stuff to get to ICS, since it's the JB flash that I'd really want to ensure works for me.
Is anyone willing to help me out? I really wish I didn't have to be the "next loser" to make a thread like this but I just haven't had the time to be able to keep up with all the info going around (voodoo mods and whatever else?!) to be able to make sense of all this myself!
Thank you!

This looks like a good place for you to start
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1197248&highlight=how+to+root+rogers

First thing to do of course is read, read, read. Understanding what you are doing and why you are doing it is the most valuable resource you can have.
The gist of it is though: to install the custom updated roms, you need root. For Rogers infuse users that is very easy to do; all you have to do is install a rooted kernel in odin. After you do that you make a nandroid (and/or EFS) backup, and install whatever rom you want. CM9 and CM10 have their own kernel, so don't worry about that.
adfurgerson posted the step-by-step guide above me, although the links in the OP may be down. I have the mirrors here: http://minus.com/moAvVibed/
the 3 files in there are:
Odin_Infused_Gingerbread_Kernel_v1.zip - This is the rooted kernel you are flashing
Odin_Stock_Rogers_UXKG3_Kernel.zip - This is the stock rogers unrooted kernel if you want to unroot and go COMPLETELY stock for whatever reason (I doubt you will ever need to use this tbh)
Odin_UXKG3_rooted_no_bootloaders_v2.zip - The stock Rogers FIRMWARE. If you ever mess up you use this to "start from scratch". You will still be rooted though if you don't use the stock kernel above.
So yeah, just flash the kernel in odin as described in the above thread and you will have root + cwm.
From there you reboot into cwm (turn off, turn on holding vol+ and vol- buttons) and make a nandroid backup of your stock rogers rom (or an EFS backup with the infuse toolkit: click here), flash CM9 as per the instructions in the OP, and finally CM10 as per the instructions in the OP.
Also remember:
1. The infuse is almost impossible to hard brick. The only real way to do so is to improperly flash bootloaders, which a rogers infuse user will never have to do. Only AT&T users coming from Froyo have to do it. So keep that in mind.
2. On the chance that you get soft-bricked (screen won't go past samsung logo for example) you can always go back to flashing the stock rom/rooted kernel again in odin and start all over again.

The only thing that I can add to Threi's excellent reply is to mention the one click to ICS. It is in the first post of Scott's CM10 thread,it should give you the ICS recovery that is needed to flash JB without flashing a full ICS ROM.

I suppose I should have mentioned that I also have rooted my phone already (used SuperOneClick, worked fine). Is there any reason why I would use that "rooted kernel" versus just having root on my phone (ie, having su installed... dunno what else it did, I don't think it did anything to my kernel)?
I guess my biggest unknown is all the backup processes that can be done and how to do them? Is "nandroid" a one stop shop for doing backups of everything? Although there's the complete stock Rogers rom linked above (which I'll nab anyways!), I was thinking I would try to make a complete copy of my own phone (just in case)... I guess next step is to search for "nanroid"
Are there any other backup tools I could use/check out (not apk backup tools... those are easily located in the app store, or performed with adb myself).

j.smith said:
I suppose I should have mentioned that I also have rooted my phone already (used SuperOneClick, worked fine). Is there any reason why I would use that "rooted kernel" versus just having root on my phone (ie, having su installed... dunno what else it did, I don't think it did anything to my kernel)?
I guess my biggest unknown is all the backup processes that can be done and how to do them? Is "nandroid" a one stop shop for doing backups of everything? Although there's the complete stock Rogers rom linked above (which I'll nab anyways!), I was thinking I would try to make a complete copy of my own phone (just in case)... I guess next step is to search for "nanroid"
Are there any other backup tools I could use/check out (not apk backup tools... those are easily located in the app store, or performed with adb myself).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a kernel is how you obtain cwm which allows you to flash custom ROMs(cwm is clockwork mod recovery). A nandroid is a backup you create in cwm that is copy of your phone that will return your phone to the exact state it was at the time backup was made.

adfurgerson said:
Flashing a kernel is how you obtain cwm which allows you to flash custom ROMs(cwm is clockwork mod recovery). A nandroid is a backup you create in cwm that is copy of your phone that will return your phone to the exact state it was at the time backup was made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, perfect description. I didn't realize I had to get a new kernel to have CWM... and I'm guessing because of signing and such, that a custom kernel (with CWM) is required in order to flash a non-signed rom, which is why you couldn't just do it on stock, right?
Ok, so now armed with that info that clears up a lot, I guess I have just one question left (which I can probably find the answer to with some searching). I have read what that voodoo lagfix is and is this something that is standard now on all kernels (because if it can cause issues, I'd rather just have a kernel without it)? Are there any "rooted" kernels without the lagfix built in so I don't have to remember about disabling the lagfix? ...or is there a way to install CWM on to my current kernel?
*edit* Ok, I realize I might be a bit too picky about the voodoo lagfix thing. I found two good threads on dealing with Rogers specifically, so I'll read over those (and suck it up about voodoo) and see how it goes. Since my vacation got unfortunately cancelled due to a sick kid, I have some time to experiment this weekend... hopefully ending up with JB on my phone!

Glad to see your on you're on the way to JB. After you install a custom kernel be sure to make a nandroid in the backup and restore option of CWM before you flash a ROM. That is like your safety net, if you wiped everything and had a bad download that wouldn't install, you will have a nandroid to restore.

adfurgerson said:
Glad to see your on you're on the way to JB. After you install a custom kernel be sure to make a nandroid in the backup and restore option of CWM before you flash a ROM. That is like your safety net, if you wiped everything and had a bad download that wouldn't install, you will have a nandroid to restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just flashed the rooted cwm kernel and performed a backup. I read somewhere that you can/should back up your efs in case you lose your imei... so I'm just going to quickly look in to that, then i wipe and do some flashes to jb... shouldn't take long hopefully!

Ok, I seem to be stuck at trying to get the one-click ICS install to work. I've got the EZUpdater package to ensure I have the right drivers, yet everything I try with the one-click seems to tell me that the drivers aren't installed and then launches an installer which also doesn't seem to detect the phone... yet EZUpdater will run fine, etc...
I'm just about to reboot and launch device driver in a mode to list all hidden/previously installed devices and nuke them from history to hopefully purge my system of all traces of any drivers and install EZUpdater one more time to get the drivers installed.
Any reason why my phone wouldn't show up in this one-click (it uses heimdall or whatever) program, but seems to work in most everything else (adb even runs fine)?
*edit*
Got it all working! I couldn't get the one-click ICS to work for the life of me... it just didn't see the drivers even though they were there and working. I guessed maybe it had to do with me running Windows 7 x64 and having x64 drivers, but the one-click maybe being 32bit. I even tried installing the x64 Java JRE but didn't seem to make any difference.
I ended up having to flash CM9 which worked fine, then going to CM10. Had no issues doing that... wish I had just tried that before since that one-click wasted hours of my day and got me somewhat frustrated!

[Q] Backing up my data?

I'm so extremely new to this forum (and any forum, for that matter) that I just have an overload of questions. I've taken the time to read some stickies for noobs and that you should always read and search before posting but I am impatient (I tried and failed).
I recently got a gorgeous, red htc one m8 from Verizon. This phone is bomb, and a total step up from my previous galaxy s3, but now I really want to root for the first time and see where it can take me.
I'd like to backup my phone before following the instructions to root, and the resources I've gotten don't seem promising and I was really just wanting to know what would be best to save EVERYTHING from multimedia to my somewhat custom settings. (?)
Please don't hate me. I'm so new. If I ever get to the point of rooting this thing are there any personal recommendations on where to begin after I've rooted (or threads that already have that stuff)?

The rooting process (including soff) wipes no data. After you get root, you can install an app like titani backup or helium backup to backup individual data. You also want to do a nandroid backup in recovery the second you install a custom recovery, so you have a cushion to fall in in a bad situation

wtoj34 said:
The rooting process (including soff) wipes no data. After you get root, you can install an app like titani backup or helium backup to backup individual data. You also want to do a nandroid backup in recovery the second you install a custom recovery, so you have a cushion to fall in in a bad situation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Now I've just got to google nandroid backup and custom recovery. These are honestly my baby steps with this, should I even root without knowing all this stuff or will it just get easier?

letsmoshjosh said:
Now I've just got to google nandroid backup and custom recovery. These are honestly my baby steps with this, should I even root without knowing all this stuff or will it just get easier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say you need to read read read. The s-off procedures for either firewater our sunshine are damn near idiot proof so there's little to no risk of damaging things there. However, once you have the ability to flash things in a custom recovery the risk goes way up. As long as you're not flashing unverified experimental files or accidentally flashing files for a different model then today's recoveries make it pretty easy. Also, make a nandroid before you change just about anything through recovery. Happy flashing.

cntryby429 said:
I would say you need to read read read. The s-off procedures for either firewater our sunshine are damn near idiot proof so there's little to no risk of damaging things there. However, once you have the ability to flash things in a custom recovery the risk goes way up. As long as you're not flashing unverified experimental files or accidentally flashing files for a different model then today's recoveries make it pretty easy. Also, make a nandroid before you change just about anything through recovery. Happy flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the above are true. Please revisit the thread if you have any issues setting up ADB on your machine before you attempt firewater (S-OFF). The big thing for me was making sure I got everything installed properly before I flashed. Once you do the root process be it Samsung, HTC, et al... you will find it is remarkably easy.
If you're looking for a custom ROM, be sure to stick to the Verizon HTC One M8 forums only unless you're directed there by a thread. Before you flash anything at all, just make sure you're solid on the process. Many times, there are awesome people who take the time to make a video about the process from start to end. Those will probably enormously useful for you on your first foray.
Again, ask around and read up! As cntryby429 said, read as much as you possibly can. The truth is, the devs do far more work than we could ever imagine as far as root goes.
Cheers!

letsmoshjosh said:
I'm so extremely new to this forum (and any forum, for that matter) that I just have an overload of questions. I've taken the time to read some stickies for noobs and that you should always read and search before posting but I am impatient (I tried and failed).
I recently got a gorgeous, red htc one m8 from Verizon. This phone is bomb, and a total step up from my previous galaxy s3, but now I really want to root for the first time and see where it can take me.
I'd like to backup my phone before following the instructions to root, and the resources I've gotten don't seem promising and I was really just wanting to know what would be best to save EVERYTHING from multimedia to my somewhat custom settings. (?)
Please don't hate me. I'm so new. If I ever get to the point of rooting this thing are there any personal recommendations on where to begin after I've rooted (or threads that already have that stuff)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been where you are! It's a little daunting finding all the information and getting it sorted.
You will have to do your own reading and do lot of it, but here's a little summary to get you pointed in the right direction.
The only known root method for the M8 is WEAKSAUCE. It provides temp root, meaning you loose root with each reboot but the app will re-root the phone automatically about 30 sec after booting. Servicable but not very elegant.
Root with Weaksauce is a pre-requisite to everything below.
If you want permanent root and/or run a custom rom on this phone you have to S-off, unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery (in that order).
For S-off and bootloader unlock (accomplished at the same time) there are two methods:
FIREWATER: free, but does not work on all M8s. Try it - it'll either work or fail. Follow the instructions on the Firewater website to the letter
SUNSHINE: from the same devs that made Firewater, guaranteed to work on all M8s and it'll cost you $25. Well worth it in my opinion.
Once you have S-off and an unlocked bootloader you can install a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM (I recommend the former). Find instructions on the respective websites.
Once you have the custom recovery installed, you can
- flash SuperSU for permanent root
- make a nandroid (total system backup or image) of your stock rom or any rom you have currently installed
- flash a custom rom
This should get you started. Read everything three times, ask twice, flash once.
Edit: Could you do me a favor? Change the title of your thread to something like: Step-by-Step instructions for rooting/roming the M8?
It would make it easier to find for users in a similar situation.

Relocking Bootloader

Could someone help me? I'm currently rooted on OOS, with TWRP and a custom kernel installed. I'd like to unroot and go back to fully stock (in light of the recent development of SafetyNet and CTS; see TopJohnWu's tweets, cause I am by no means an expert, but he makes it clear this is the end of rooting permanently now). I need help on how to do it without bricking my device, and also a method of transferring as much of my current data as possible (obviously Titanium/Swift Backup is out of the question cause I won't have root access). Thank you very much in advance!

pratzyushd said:
Could someone help me? I'm currently rooted on OOS, with TWRP and a custom kernel installed. I'd like to unroot and go back to fully stock (in light of the recent development of SafetyNet and CTS; see TopJohnWu's tweets, cause I am by no means an expert, but he makes it clear this is the end of rooting permanently now). I need help on how to do it without bricking my device, and also a method of transferring as much of my current data as possible (obviously Titanium/Swift Backup is out of the question cause I won't have root access). Thank you very much in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you con relock the bootloader/unroot with the msm tool. Dont hold me to that I may be wrong
https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-7-pro/how-to/msm-tool-guac-t3934691
This would be a good place to start.

I have done this many times, firstly, install the lastest version using the full package from OP page, this will get rid of the TWRP for you, then restart in fastboot, in fastboot, run "fastboot oem lock" (or would be relock?), confirm in your mobile, reboot, reinstall the last full package and be happy.
Something like it, I don´t remember exactly, but this is the idea.
Tks and good luck!