Related
I recently had a problem on my LG vortex. I had rooted and deleted some bloatware, then because I was upgrading phones, I thought I might sell my vortex for cash. So I did a factory reset. Much to my dismay I shortly found out that I had accidentally deleted the home screen from the phones factory memory leaving me in a boot loop. even a hard reset using default recovery wasn't working. After a day or so of research I found a couple of guides:
LG vortex downgrade guide - many thanks to Salem, as much of my guide is copied from his
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=883314
after a bit of tweaking I was able to recover the phone by following these steps:
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for *any* loss or damage (including bricking) to your device -- use this guide at your own risk!
[Setting up your computer]
if you previously downgraded your LG vortex from 2.2.1 to 2.2 chances are good this part is already done
1. download files from following links:
factory flashing software & firmware
optional free un-rar software
2. plug in your phone (even in it's crippled state) it should autorun, and install some USB drivers
3. extract LGNPST.rar and run the LGNPST_General_v1.2_Lab_Version.msi this will setup to the directory C:\LG Electronics
4. copy/move LGNPST.exe to C:\LG Electronics
5. extract the LGNPST_Components rar file, this will make a directory with two MSI files in it - run these.
6. Go to C:/LG Electronics/LGNPST/ and create a folder called “Model”. Inside that folder, create another folder called “LGVS660″.
7. Extract LGVS660.rar. Inside this, you’ll find a VRZ folder. There are three files inside this: a .tot file, a .scr file, and a .dll file. Move these all into C:/LG Electronics/LGNPST/Model/LGVS660/ (the folder you just made.
8. If you’re on Windows XP, hit start, click on “Run”, and run this:
regsvr32 "C:\LG Electronics\LGNPST\Model\LGVS660\VS660.dll"
If you’re on Windows Vistas or 7, hit start, type cmd.exe, right click on cmd.exe when it comes up in the search area, and run it as an administrator. Type in the following and hit enter:
regsvr32 "C:\LG Electronics\LGNPST\Model\LGVS660\VS660.dll"
[setup complete] your computer should now be ready to fix your phone
Contrary to popular opinion on the many forums I perused researching this, I found that this software does *NOT* require your phone to be in debugging mode! it will see your phone if you simply plug it in at this point
[Flashing the phone]
1. go to C:\LG Electronics
2. run lgnpst.exe
3. if you haven't already boot phone and connect USB if the phone was already connected disconnect and reconnect it to make sure the software recognizes it.
Warning! do not disconnect your phone from the cable under ANY circumstances until the software tells you it's safe to do so!
4. try to directly flash phone back to factory. This will require you to select the .tot file from above under where the program is expecting a .bin file (you'll have to manually type in a filter in your file selection box) also select the .scr file in that same directory.
5. if that doesn't work go to the Data menu
6. select 'data recovery'
7. let that work it's magic and it should transfer to 'emergency mode'
8. select the .tot file and then the DLL for your phone
9. flash -- if everything works out your phone will reboot around 60% with everything on it
10. once the phone has booted completely go to menu and set phone to USB debug to stop the 'flashing' process this will allow you to safely disconnect your phone
ENJOY!!!
[emergency flashing]
*WARNING! the following methods are untested! above methods worked for my phone!*
Once again, do not disconnect the phone under ANY circumstances until the software tells you it's okay to do so!!
1. boot the phone in emergency mode by holding volume *up* and the back button at the same time (as I gather from the above mentioned xda post)
2. once in emergency mode it should be safe to continue from step 8. above.
[end guide]
Many thanks to those out there who helped me build this guide!! I hope it helps!! Now you should have the freedom to try removing all that bloat ware again. Hopefully, with a bit more discretion this time
In case anyone is wondering -- yes, I'm a n00b, and yes, this guide is for n00bs just like me
Advice?
Can this method be used to return a rooted/hacked/modified phone to FULL factory stock so you can return it for a warranty claim? IE- will it remove clockworkmod, superuser, and any other traces that you messed with the phone? Also, is this for verizon?
I had a lg vortex I had to return recently due to a blown speaker making my calls sound like a kazoo.
I DID root it (using gingerbreak)
I DID run some sketchy root programs like setcpu, wifikiller, root explorer, wifitether, and a few others
I originally ran ROM manager to backup my rom when I first rooted, but it said it installed clockworkmod (selected LG optimus V from the list and it worked) in order to run properly.
I have slowly uninstalled all of the software, used rom manager to restore my first backup, then uninstalled rom manager, installed gingerbreak, unrooted, uninstalled gingerbreak, uninstalled everything, then did factory reset from settings menu.
As of today the phone looks stock. No superuser. No sketchy programs, I'm just not sure if CWM or something else could have survived the factory wipe from the settings menu. I know superuser survives a factory wipe, so I'm not sure if I still have dirty files lying around. If verizon knows I rooted my phone it will cost me $309
Is that good enough? I don't want to return a device that has evidence files on it, but I have no clue if clockworkmod got uninstalled with rom manager or not. I never changed roms, I never knew how to boot into cwm, I don't know if it's still there or not. Advice?
EDIT: You should note that my phone is NOT bricked- the speaker is blown, so there should be no limit to the menus, functions, or software tweaks available which would be needed to fix my situation. Also it should be noted that I am not the type of person who condones returning a bricked phone to get another one- That hurts us all. Unbrick yourself using a thread like this or eat your mistakes.
hi, I recently rooted my phone with gingerbreak and uninstalled some bloatware from verizon. Then I couldn't see the home screen, although I can pulled down the status bar. After following your steps above and at running lgnpst.exe. I got the error message saying: Fail to load the Skin.dll. Do you have any idea? Thanks
been looking for you for three solid weeks!
dude, i've literally tried every posted forum in xda, androidforum, soul, phandroid, etc, downloaded every possible software, updates, utilities, recoveries, firms, and yada, yada, yada, and for the past three weeks i have past this one flippin' thread, over (no lie) 20 or so times. and please believe that your solution/explanation for this problem was really my last @#$#@## time i was going to EVER, and i mean EVER, download, install, re-install, re-name, re-write, place, copy/paste, throw-up, stroke, stomp-feet, and dosie-doe anything technology-based/wired-wireless eqipment in this young mans life again!!! so i thank you:victory::victory::victory::victory::victory::victory::victory::victory::victory::victory: and to ALL those not mentioned here (my apologies, but are still and forever will be in my prayers) for this and every single solution/explanations, that has ever been posted for dumb-a#$es like me. and for donating im trying to do that but recently messed up by using google's new/terrible wallet proccess. yes i know i should have used "PAY-PAL" but had already had money link to that GOD-aweful--theivery account. and for all those out there like me/us i will be posting my own thread/solution to this very same problem using my own words in a more in-depth description including all-props to you and for them not mentioned here (my apologies, but are still and forever will be in my prayers). thanks to you all and fyi im stopping here, oh no, i too, will become a master of all this hacking stuff, or i will become a master of destroying them all and then will have new problems for ya'll real hackers to nibble on.!!!
Hi there,
I am new to xda and new to Android hacking.
What I wanna ask is, (I guess it's of most newbies concern as well), can we have a 100% backup of our system (stock ROM)? Obviously, it is important because:
If we perform an official (OTA) update to a new Android version. And we don't like it. It is possible to get back to the old original one which we are used to. (not everybody likes new things, and/or not every new thing is good)
If our phones are having some problems. And we have to give it back to the company for a fix. In most cases they will flash a new ROM for us. If we wanna keep using the old one (explained in #1), we have to keep a copy of it by ourselves.
If we want to try new custom ROMs, we may want to switch it back after trying.
Whenever we do any modifications, it's always better to keep a backup/roll-back point. In case anything goes wrong, we have a safeguard.
For the official warranty issue.
Yup I do see there are some official stock ROMs downloads for some particular phones. But those are not really a backup of our original ROMs. And it's always hard to verify if those downloads are the original official releases. And, if those downloads are 100% stock ROMs, this means some guys out there could make it, so what is the way to do so?
Or, how those mobile phone companies do it in their labs?
I have been doing researches on this topic for a few days. Some posts claim that their methods are "backup stock ROM" or "backup before rooting". But after digging into it, they requires rooting and/or flashing CWM. Here comes a few questions:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
In addition, I have found some related pieces. which could be useful to anyone viewing this post, and might be useful for you to solve this (my) question. :fingers-crossed:
* as I'm a new user, I can't post links directly. Please delete the blank spaces in between.
ht tp://www .modaco .com/topic/351269-backup-original-rom/
In reply #5, user C3C0 raised a method of backing up the original stock ROM without root. But it seems he is flashing CWM and that method is only for ZTE Skate.
adb backup tool of Android SDK
At the first sight i came across this approach, I thought it is the official method to do whole system (ROM) backup (WOW - how nice!). But after studying for a few more posts, I think adb backup can only backup app+app_data, and possibly some system settings only. Am I correct? And also, adb backup is only for ICS (Android 4.0), isn't it?
adb backup usage: ht tp://forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=1420351
(But mentioned in the bottom of #1 the poster is having some issues on using adb backup. Perhaps there are some bugs and not reliable(?)
One more question on adb backup: Can it backup just one app+app_data, and restore just one app+app_data, without affecting other things? If yes, we don't need to root and don't need Titanium Backup (which requires root) for backup app+app_data. Isn't it?
** In case I have said anything or any terms wrongly in this thread, please DO correct me, for helping me and helping others.
P.S. i am using LG Optimus 3D.
Thanks a lot, wholeheartedly,
midnite_
Backup phone before root
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ya,
It's so nice that you are having the same concern as I do.
As far as i know, the approaches of rooting differ from phones to phones. So we may have to find our own specific rooting method in the phone model sub-forums. It won't be hard for your popular S3
I would like to have a look at that Mr. Robinson's thread. If he can backup the stock ROM, those app+app_data wont a big issue (i guess).
cheers,
midnite_
midnite_ said:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, http://www.android.com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
wildstang83 said:
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, ht tp://www .android .com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out ht tp://developer .android .com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: ht tp://developer .android .com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Wildstang,
Thanks very much for your warm welcome and very informative reply. So are you a Flashaholics or Crackflashers yet?
As I am a newbie, please forgive me if I am asking dumb questions.
As far as I understand,
The steps of root is
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
** does "flash a custom recovery" means "flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk"?
"Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk" is just "add SU binary to system/bin" and "add Superuser.apk to system/app". Then why not just copy them into place?
I just found on the web that "flashing" means replacing the OS of the phone with a new ROM. Would that still keeping the stock ROM?
To have a backup of the original stock ROM, can I
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
3. Perform the backup
And later, after I have flashed a new ROM, or whatever I do, as long as I didn't brick it, when I want to rollback my phone to its original, I can
1. Restore the backup
2. Delete "SU binary in system/bin" and "Superuser.apk in system/app"
3. re-lock the bootloader
Is this correct?
I don't mean to challenge you. But does adb pull \ really backup the system, or just all the files?
Thanks very much again!
midnite_
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
bump... midnite_ r u still around?
Hi Descent2,
Yes i am still around but i am busy with other stuffs at this moment. Thanks very much for your reply. You have studied a lot and you really did good summarisations. Very informative and I learnt a lot from it. Hope some of the masters or experienced ones would come by and bring us out of the mist
cheers,
midnite_
Descent2 said:
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check here
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
mf2112 said:
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must unlock your bootloader then flash a custom recovery. You will then use that custom recovery to make a backup of your rom. That backup will be stored on your sd card.
Now, I have tried to help you and so have a couple other folks. You expect us to just give you answers step by step. I am sorry but this is simply not how XDA works. XDA is set up in a way which makes it for any users to find quickly what they want to know. Use the search feature on the site and you will find many answers. I tell you to go do your own research now and be proud of what you learn on your own. And if you cannot, please do not try to modify your phone further, you may just brick it if you aren't careful.
midnite_ said:
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put in the GS3 links since the OP was using that phone. Every phone will be different so I don't think a general way or guide would be practical.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
:fingers-crossed: ok so I've FINALLY been able to root my net10 zte merit z990g using a simple .zip install suggestr
d to me by a friend. (I know I took the easy way)
Since rooting it, I've went from the factory 2.3.5 stock and installed an ICS based verioson, which seems to be running great minor exception internet browser crashed & installation of opera web browser seemed to work smoothly on.
Since rooting it, I've bought another phone (Lg Optimus Dynamic) and activated it so that I may study the rooted device futher.
My questions are as follows:
1. Could someone possibly tell me the complete list of su commands are for my zte merit z990g and how to enter them? (Id like to use my su rights to explore the device componets, network (since its deactivated and has no working sim) and bootloader files/settings, etc for my own educational purposes to POSSIBLY futher my knowledge of the android based device. (quite new still yet to the whole technology mods, hacks & tricks) as well as explaining the whole shell thing?
2. Bootloader: how do I know if its unlocked, and if it isnt then what do I do to unlock it?
3. Is it possibe for one flash or install another custom rom or kernel to unlock a device? As stated I've went from gingerbread 2.3.5 to ICS . I first installed a .zip of TouchNav then a DexMeritRoot. zip, shortly after that I installed the ICS.zip. Though it seems to be stable, the battery drains extremly quick and there still is hardly any memory. Any ideas on a tweak setting to optimize
these issues?
4. Does anyone have another suggestion for a rom that I could try?
I ask advice as I know there are possibly other users out in the xda forum who are waaay more experienced with this device and could possibly share their wisdom with an inexperienced noob thats looking to expand her knowledge. So far, whats been done since the root, Ive enjoyed it (I use it to connect via wifi only to connect with friends and play online games when not tinkering with trying to enhance it to full potential) Ive just grown sightly accustomed to the udated zip of ICS and would like to try something new.
So, there it is guys, is there anyone who would like to offer their advice on the subjects? Id love to get some feedback.
Thanks in advance!!
ok, so I now know that I can install a .zip custom rom contaning no kernel since the merit is known to have issues rebooting and its linked to an "unstable kernel....but this confuses me. Doesnt the android based Zte Merit z990g have to have a kernel to function??
And I've come across the Stayboggy blue steel custom rom but Im apperhensive due to conflicting replies in the forum area I located it in. Dont get me wrong, he has some wonderful ROMS and software that Ive researched online. I just get a little nervous upon installing anything (Fear of drastic noob brick)
I've yet to find any real answers in my researches just yet, however I will continue to explore the device.
I guess upon reading Ive realized the bootloader thing has pretty much been addressed all on its own. Im guessing I wouldnt of been able to install the icecream Scamwhich custom rom, version of the ICS, would I??
Im still trying to find out the whole su commands, how to create shell etc so thats what Im tryin to grasp now.
Still would appreciate any opinions, and advice from others. on anything in the thread...
Okay so just to clear a few things up.
The bootloader for the merit is already unlocked due to Touch Nav being able to be flashed and replace the Stock Recovery with the update.zip. The bootloader would be the first menu that you "tampered" with in order to flash a permanent recovery that would allow you to use Touch Nav or ClockWorkMod recovery and then install ROMS. In my experience, I haven't ever come across a ROM being "pre-unlocked". This is because the way to unlock most phones is using the IMEI and being that is different in every phone it just can't be done until after the ROM is flashed. Some phones have apps for them like the Galaxy line and others are harder to unlock.
As far as running shell commands, you'll need to do that through ADB or a Terminal App. That's really the manual way of performing tasks on your device like pushing or pulling files with read/write privileges aka SuperUser. So it depends on what all is you want to try to learn to do manually. Like pulling system apps from your phone, replacing boot animations zip files, or what have you. In ADB, if your device is connected and have ADB debugging checked off you can try the command: "Adb devices". Minus the parentheses to check if can run other commands. "Adb help" will show you a quick command paragraph. You should still Google ADB commands or Android Terminal commands to explore further. Since your phone doesn't have a service, I recommend you trying a voip app to make calls through wifi just as neat thing to mess around with. Well that's just a bit of what I've gathered in my short time here in Xda Developers. If you like the challenge of research in the android/Linux world, this is really exciting way to start.
Oh and as far as the Ice scam Sandwich ROM, it is still Gingerbread. It's only themed system ui to look like ICS. There isn't an ICS based rom out for the ZTE Merit. Even SpeedFreak2.0 is Gingerbread. The low system storage issue was greatly addressed in SpeedFreak2.0 by creating an sd-ext3 partition on the micro sd. I had to create that in either TouchNav or ClockWorkMod and format. So backup all your data prior to doing this and installing the New Rom. I now have 4gb free of system storage and the Merit clocking at 864mhz. Pay close attention as I believe you install that ROM by restoring a backup file NOT flashing the. zip.
Now for the unstable kernel, I would recommend you download the 1.0 kernel I mentioned in another thread. The kernel comes in the ROM and it wouldn't run "without a kernel". Again, this would be after installing SpeedFreak2.0 by backup restore using ClockWorkMod that I believe is installed by flashing an update.zip that reboots TouchNav and let's you use a Temporary ClockWorkMod from which to backup(install) SpeedFreak2.0. You extract the SpeedFreak2.0. zip and get the backup file from there. I hope I made sense. I'm up late and I'll come back and check on you. Feel free to PM me if you find yourself lost.
Sent from my PantechP9090 using xda premium
hi,
I'm afraid that installing a custom rom on my asus tf300 would break compatibility
with the keyboard dock. Also mine is azerty .
I'm looking for cyanogenmod in particular, what do you think ?
Also there are other consideration for a custom rom:
- my main motivation to install a custom is to get rid of the bloatware.
I just do not wish to spend time with every added apps to understand their purpose,
and they take space.
- ads. I've installed overcome rom in my previous tablet (unfortunately bricked),
and one thing I really liked, is how lot of ads in apps were filtered.
Too much ads popping from nowhere now , which discourage the use of "free" apps.
- if there's some built in mechanism to limit the risk of bricking that would be nice.
My previous tablet was bricked without any reason, perhaps because I didn't use the original charger.
- somehow all the updates that pop up frequently, nags me.
To summarize, I'm looking for a custom rom, that is compatible with my azerty keyboard dock of the tf300;
and preferably all the criteria mentioned above ( no bloat, blocked ads, anti bricking mechanism, less updates).
Thanks
extrabigmehdi said:
hi,
I'm afraid that installing a custom rom on my asus tf300 would break compatibility
with the keyboard dock. Also mine is azerty .
I'm looking for cyanogenmod in particular, what do you think ?
Also there are other consideration for a custom rom:
- my main motivation to install a custom is to get rid of the bloatware.
I just do not wish to spend time with every added apps to understand their purpose,
and they take space.
- ads. I've installed overcome rom in my previous tablet (unfortunately bricked),
and one thing I really liked, is how lot of ads in apps were filtered.
Too much ads popping from nowhere now , which discourage the use of "free" apps.
- if there's some built in mechanism to limit the risk of bricking that would be nice.
My previous tablet was bricked without any reason, perhaps because I didn't use the original charger.
- somehow all the updates that pop up frequently, nags me.
To summarize, I'm looking for a custom rom, that is compatible with my azerty keyboard dock of the tf300;
and preferably all the criteria mentioned above ( no bloat, blocked ads, anti bricking mechanism, less updates).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curious AZERTY Keyboard is french layout? But still ASUS Brand Keyboard Dock correct?
Lummers said:
Curious AZERTY Keyboard is french layout? But still ASUS Brand Keyboard Dock correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. With US keyboard the first letters you see in top left are QWERTY, while for french keyboard it' s AZERTY.
If I set improperly the local, I guess I'll get the Q letter when I type A on keyboard and so on.
I think the layout of keyboard was selected, with first run (choose you language , hour etc...).
My guess is that asus use a "standard rom" despite the different keyboards , but I'm not 100% sure.
Maybe cyanogenmod handle this ?
Annoying, with my samsung P1000 using a custom rom, was more straightforward.
Finally used CROMi-Xenogenesis mod.
It was harder than I thought, with silly unexpected problems from time to time.
For instance, you can't use the bootloader unlocker from asus, if you set the font size of system to max (try if you don't see why).
The dos shell that refused to change dir once in administartor mod , in order to use that fastboot thing ( weird, but worked after typing a drive letter ). Twrp that refused to mound the sd card even with fat32 system (I realized later I could reset while keeping the rom to install).
And finally , no f***** step by step manual, to install the custom rom.
Overcome was more newbie friendly.
No problem with locals, as already announced before by the author of rom.
Now it seems : less bloated, and I have ads blocked .
Will customize more later.
extrabigmehdi said:
Finally used CROMi-Xenogenesis mod.
It was harder than I thought, with silly unexpected problems from time to time.
For instance, you can't use the bootloader unlocker from asus, if you set the font size of system to max (try if you don't see why).
The dos shell that refused to change dir once in administartor mod , in order to use that fastboot thing ( weird, but worked after typing a drive letter ). Twrp that refused to mound the sd card even with fat32 system (I realized later I could reset while keeping the rom to install).
And finally , no f***** step by step manual, to install the custom rom.
Overcome was more newbie friendly.
No problem with locals, as already announced before by the author of rom.
Now it seems : less bloated, and I have ads blocked .
Will customize more later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Comi-X a well, I didn't know you were looking for that I had a post earlier that I had great help from people on the board.
I'm using Hund's Kernel so I'm overclocking a little on that machine.
No more lag!! It's amazing how much faster it is with the rom.
Please let me know if you need a hand with anything, I'm still a noob but I'll try my best to help you out.
extrabigmehdi said:
Finally used CROMi-Xenogenesis mod.
It was harder than I thought, with silly unexpected problems from time to time.
For instance, you can't use the bootloader unlocker from asus, if you set the font size of system to max (try if you don't see why).
The dos shell that refused to change dir once in administartor mod , in order to use that fastboot thing ( weird, but worked after typing a drive letter ). Twrp that refused to mound the sd card even with fat32 system (I realized later I could reset while keeping the rom to install).
And finally , no f***** step by step manual, to install the custom rom.
Overcome was more newbie friendly.
No problem with locals, as already announced before by the author of rom.
Now it seems : less bloated, and I have ads blocked .
Will customize more later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest doing the NvFlash for your tablet so it becomes unbrickable now that you have a custom ROM. Link in sig
cmendonc2 said:
I would suggest doing the NvFlash for your tablet so it becomes unbrickable now that you have a custom ROM. Link in sig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I just find this nvfash thing just too much confusing.
For miscellaneous reasons:
1) there's no "official" tutorial to restore bricked tablet with nvflash
2) I don't understand what nvflash (or the steps to create "nvflash backup files" ) will exactly change to my current install, if there's a risk of incompatibility/conflict, if I'll need to re-install twrp afterward. Would the bootloader be changed ? Its there a nvflash bootloader ? Unclear.
3) Sorry the part " you will need to flash the AndroidRoot patched custom bootloader" is just Chinese to me.
4) If I install in future , a new rom based on a new android version (and I guess a new bootloader ?) , would I loose the ability to use nvflash ?
5) which file do I need to keep exactly, and where. Let's say I want to save space, do I need to keep blob files etc inside tablet ?
6) ironically there's a risk of bricking my tablet while following this "anti-brick" tool, and with the not so clear tutorial, I have reasons to hesitate.
extrabigmehdi said:
Unfortunately I just find this nvfash thing just too much confusing.
For miscellaneous reasons:
1) there's no "official" tutorial to restore bricked tablet with nvflash
2) I don't understand what nvflash (or the steps to create "nvflash backup files" ) will exactly change to my current install, if there's a risk of incompatibility/conflict, if I'll need to re-install twrp afterward. Would the bootloader be changed ? Its there a nvflash bootloader ? Unclear.
3) Sorry the part " you will need to flash the AndroidRoot patched custom bootloader" is just Chinese to me.
4) If I install in future , a new rom based on a new android version (and I guess a new bootloader ?) , would I loose the ability to use nvflash ?
5) which file do I need to keep exactly, and where. Let's say I want to save space, do I need to keep blob files etc inside tablet ?
6) ironically there's a risk of bricking my tablet while following this "anti-brick" tool, and with the not so clear tutorial, I have reasons to hesitate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.) Google NvFlash Commands, or read original NvFlash thread, or ask a dev at AndroidRoot
2.)NvFlash files are backups. It doesnt change the BL. The BL just needs to be jellybean
3.) NvFlash is done using a custom version of CWM recovery, so it runs all the scripts for u. You just have to press a few buttons
4.) If you've done NvFlash once, it doesnt matter what you do to your tablet like changing BL
5.) The blob file is about 2 MB, the other backups that are recommended are about 10MB. You wont run out of space. The files that need to be saved are listed in the guide, as well as the way to save them
6.) If you follow the guide down to the word, there is no problem. Unlocking your bootloader and and flashing a rom has the same risk of bricking. If you have any questions ALWAYS ask before proceeding.
cmendonc2 said:
1.) Google NvFlash Commands, or read original NvFlash thread, or ask a dev at AndroidRoot
2.)NvFlash files are backups. It doesnt change the BL. The BL just needs to be jellybean
3.) NvFlash is done using a custom version of CWM recovery, so it runs all the scripts for u. You just have to press a few buttons
4.) If you've done NvFlash once, it doesnt matter what you do to your tablet like changing BL
5.) The blob file is about 2 MB, the other backups that are recommended are about 10MB. You wont run out of space. The files that need to be saved are listed in the guide, as well as the way to save them
6.) If you follow the guide down to the word, there is no problem. Unlocking your bootloader and and flashing a rom has the same risk of bricking. If you have any questions ALWAYS ask before proceeding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was reading about the NvFlash as it was just recently released.
Couple of questions (sorry if hijacked this thread)
Does it work with TWRP? Or will I have to use CWM?
I've read the NvFlash Guide but I'm still unsure of the necessities.
Lummers said:
I was reading about the NvFlash as it was just recently released.
Couple of questions (sorry if hijacked this thread)
Does it work with TWRP? Or will I have to use CWM?
I've read the NvFlash Guide but I'm still unsure of the necessities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So to get TWRP, u flash a custom CWM, but after you have your backups and blobs, you can flash back TWRP
cmendonc2 said:
1.) Google NvFlash Commands, or read original NvFlash thread, or ask a dev at AndroidRoot
2.)NvFlash files are backups. It doesnt change the BL. The BL just needs to be jellybean
3.) NvFlash is done using a custom version of CWM recovery, so it runs all the scripts for u. You just have to press a few buttons
4.) If you've done NvFlash once, it doesnt matter what you do to your tablet like changing BL
5.) The blob file is about 2 MB, the other backups that are recommended are about 10MB. You wont run out of space. The files that need to be saved are listed in the guide, as well as the way to save them
6.) If you follow the guide down to the word, there is no problem. Unlocking your bootloader and and flashing a rom has the same risk of bricking. If you have any questions ALWAYS ask before proceeding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All right , basically you replace the "recovery tool" with one custom that allows to save the nvflash files (how I interpret it).
I tried to follow the steps but not without problems.
I tried to install "Universal Naked Driver" , but it didn't work.
I uninstalled the asus official driver first , but the universal naked driver wasn't recognized.
Reading some discussions, suggested that it doesn't work with win 7 x64 anyways.
So I re-installed again the "ASUS Pad PC Suite" in order to get the driver again, but also all the stuff I don't care , such like asus clouds and asus sync (if I try to skip, the setup freeze).
Then I followed the step for nvflash, and I got a problem at step where I type "adb pull /data/media/AndroidRoot " . I got the error "device not recognized" .
I retyped again the menu command to generate the blob ; thinking it might help, and all I got is a new wifi error.
So I searched a bit on the web, some discussion suggesting I do the adb command in regular android mode, and after enabling "debug mode".
But enabling the debug mode is not anymore straightforward, you must do some kind of magical trick, where you tap seven time the version build :crying:. I'm happy I didn't install the java sdk, some people suggest to install it in order to use the adb thing :silly:.
So I finally got 8 files .
Reboot in "APX mode" , I get this time the error in windows that the driver is missing. This time I used "universal naked driver " for this,
driver recognized. Reboot of windows, just in case.
Finally I got a frightening black screen, making you think that the tablet might be bricked (they say "blank screen" in tutorial , but I was hoping a white background ).
But fortunately I ended all the nvflash steps successfully.
And then I reflashed TWRP.
extrabigmehdi said:
All right , basically you replace the "recovery tool" with one custom that allows to save the nvflash files (how I interpret it).
I tried to follow the steps but not without problems.
I tried to install "Universal Naked Driver" , but it didn't work.
I uninstalled the asus official driver first , but the universal naked driver wasn't recognized.
Reading some discussions, suggested that it doesn't work with win 7 x64 anyways.
So I re-installed again the "ASUS Pad PC Suite" in order to get the driver again, but also all the stuff I don't care , such like asus clouds and asus sync (if I try to skip, the setup freeze).
Then I followed the step for nvflash, and I got a problem at step where I type "adb pull /data/media/AndroidRoot " . I got the error "device not recognized" .
I retyped again the menu command to generate the blob ; thinking it might help, and all I got is a new wifi error.
So I searched a bit on the web, some discussion suggesting I do the adb command in regular android mode, and after enabling "debug mode".
But enabling the debug mode is not anymore straightforward, you must do some kind of magical trick, where you tap seven time the version build :crying:. I'm happy I didn't install the java sdk, some people suggest to install it in order to use the adb thing :silly:.
So I finally got 8 files .
Reboot in "APX mode" , I get this time the error in windows that the driver is missing. This time I used "universal naked driver " for this,
driver recognized. Reboot of windows, just in case.
Finally I got a frightening black screen, making you think that the tablet might be bricked (they say "blank screen" in tutorial , but I was hoping a white background ).
But fortunately I ended all the nvflash steps successfully.
And then I reflashed TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah....
Totally sounds like a little bit of a challenge for people that are new to the android scene..
I'm going to give this a whirl this week sometime and get it backed up.
Im also looking into NVflash, my bootloader is unlocked but I have yet to root and pick a rom. I am also looking for something that will work with a keyboad, I have yet to buy one but my birthday is coming up.
Hi
I am new to hacking android. I have built linux distros in the past, and have worked with Linux for 15 years,
I have just rooted a ZTE V965. It doesn't come pre-installed with Play store, and has all sorts of ZTE-specific Chinese apps. It has a good baseband circuit, a good screen, reasonable camera and I think is a great value phone, apart from the awful UI.
It is an android phone, although heavily customised. It has an MTK6589 processor coupled with 4Gb ROM and 512Mb RAM.
I have other phones which operate a much more "Vanilla" android. For example, the Guophone 9105 which also uses an MTK6589. This has a troubling tendency to reboot every random interval. Approx 6 times a week.
I have had success in the past running Linux systems built for much earlier kernels on later kernels. This suggests the ABI (application binary interface) for the Linux kernel changes rather slowly.
I am wondering how well the userland apps are separated from the kernel and drivers on Android.
Specifically, is it feasible to dump all the UI stuff from one phone onto another then change the init to launch the other UI?
Would this risk bricking the phone, or would the shell commands and ADB infrastructure still likely operate?
I guess I should change the bootloader to one that supports fastboot first, right? Is ther a how-to on achieveing this from the root shell?
Thanks for any thoughts
Nick.
Nick Hill said:
Hi
I am new to hacking android. I have built linux distros in the past, and have worked with Linux for 15 years,
I have just rooted a ZTE V965. It doesn't come pre-installed with Play store, and has all sorts of ZTE-specific Chinese apps. It has a good baseband circuit, a good screen, reasonable camera and I think is a great value phone, apart from the awful UI.
It is an android phone, although heavily customised. It has an MTK6589 processor coupled with 4Gb ROM and 512Mb RAM.
I have other phones which operate a much more "Vanilla" android. For example, the Guophone 9105 which also uses an MTK6589. This has a troubling tendency to reboot every random interval. Approx 6 times a week.
I have had success in the past running Linux systems built for much earlier kernels on later kernels. This suggests the ABI (application binary interface) for the Linux kernel changes rather slowly.
I am wondering how well the userland apps are separated from the kernel and drivers on Android.
Specifically, is it feasible to dump all the UI stuff from one phone onto another then change the init to launch the other UI?
Would this risk bricking the phone, or would the shell commands and ADB infrastructure still likely operate?
I guess I should change the bootloader to one that supports fastboot first, right? Is ther a how-to on achieveing this from the root shell?
Thanks for any thoughts
Nick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Nick, I have the same phone. I'm also very new to android, last phone was iOS and before that windows. I managed to root the V965 using Vroot. I also managed to install SuperSU and CWM. However, the CWM is not fully functional, I can only do a factory reset, not install any packages or roms. Probably the phone has a locked bootloader. I can't check, because the USB driver with the phone doesnt support fastboot.
I really need to get google play working in this phone, read a lot of stuff, tried many things, but I havent succeeded yet. Please let me know if you make any progress.
In China they are flashing this phone, found some ROMs even, but I am not sure how they manage and google translate isn't much help there.
http://www.romjd.com/Device/zte-v965/hot/all/1
Hmmm my V965 is having some issues now
After a factory reset, the setup wizard keeps crashing. Even after another resest. So I can't get in the phone anymore.
Any chance you can send me the USB drivers that are on the phone? My phone isnt deteceted anymore, so I can't access the drivers, which I want to reinstall. And of course they are not on the ZTE website.
Byte_Me said:
Hmmm my V965 is having some issues now
After a factory reset, the setup wizard keeps crashing. Even after another resest. So I can't get in the phone anymore.
Any chance you can send me the USB drivers that are on the phone? My phone isnt deteceted anymore, so I can't access the drivers, which I want to reinstall. And of course they are not on the ZTE website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
You can temporarily download the ZTE v965 USB drivers from
www dot nickhill dot co dot uk forward slash ztev965usb dot zip
Byte_Me said:
Hi Nick, I have the same phone. I'm also very new to android, last phone was iOS and before that windows. I managed to root the V965 using Vroot. I also managed to install SuperSU and CWM. However, the CWM is not fully functional, I can only do a factory reset, not install any packages or roms. Probably the phone has a locked bootloader. I can't check, because the USB driver with the phone doesnt support fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fastboot and ADB appear to be standard protocols, at least on my Ubuntu, which don't need special drivers. However, it does appear that the stock boot loaader on the v965 does fail to incorporate the fastboot option.
If you remove the battery, replace it then turn on holding the volume down, you will get a menu, but fastboot is not there.
I don't know for a fact, but I do suspect that if you have access to the running android system as root, then you could in principle change any of the internal flash data. Therefore, in principle, I guess you could replace the boot loader or anything else in the running android system. Anyone please correct me if I am wrong, or confirm if I am right.
The feature set of this phone seems to be the same as the feature set of my Guophone. MTK6589, dual SIM, etc. So this image may be a good place to start if considering a transplant.
If you have ROMs, then perhaps it is possible to flash the ROM from a root terminal. I'm thinking add the uncompressed ROM to the Micro SD card, then using the dd command, block copy it to the appropriate image area on the internal ROM, reboot, reset to factory defaults.
If anyone more experienced than me with the nuts and bolts of Android can confirm or deny this will work, or where it should be put, please let me know.
An important factor is that the NAND is not locked on the ZTE V965. So if you have a root shell on the phone, you can issue the following command:
mount -o remount,rw /[email protected] /system/
Once you have done this, you will have read/write access to the system partition.
The only thing I then need to know is what should I avoid changing that may break the ADB bridge/root console?
And is all the UI stuff kept together, if so, where?
Shuffle it around a bit, make a new ROM
Thanks for the driver!
Unfortuntely it doesn't help
I found out the culprit, I tried to install gapps (google apps package) to the system app folder. I thought these changes would be reversed with a factory reset, but they are not. Setupwizard.apk keeps crashing and is preventing me from accessing my phone, so I must find a way to remove it from the system app folder. However, since this error occurred, I am not able to contact the phone in any way from the PC. Adb toolkit does not detect it, even when I reinstalled your driver. It's quite puzzling, I dont understand why in recovery mode I cannot connect adb-toolkit anymore.
Got my V965 working again, but it was a lot of hassle with shell access. Still not fully functional, no drives detected when i connect to USB, which is quite annoying, but not more than that. If you ever make any progress with google apps or flashing, please keep me informed, that would make this phone much more useable. I'll also keep hacking away at it, but without a bootloader unlock (I still think this is the problem), I don't think it will be possible.
I'm convinced it's possible to flash the phone, it seems they do it a lot in China.
I found a website with a couple of custom ROMs specific for the V965:
http://www.romjd.com/Rom/Detail/17086
And what I suspect is a rooting & flashing tool. Rooting works, I haven't figured out flashing yet.
http://dl.vmall.com/c0xa12brvo
I've also tried flashing from the settings - update menu in the phone, but it never finds the ROM (update.zip)
I did find another problem, I can't be reached on my phone, it always goes to voicemail. Same SIM in another phone works fine. No idea what's causing this.
Byte_Me said:
Got my V965 working again, but it was a lot of hassle with shell access. Still not fully functional, no drives detected when i connect to USB, which is quite annoying, but not more than that. If you ever make any progress with google apps or flashing, please keep me informed, that would make this phone much more useable. I'll also keep hacking away at it, but without a bootloader unlock (I still think this is the problem), I don't think it will be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I might be able to help you with the problem.
I have a mint, unused ZTE v965. I have used MTK Droid root and tools to extract a backup of the entire new phone. It is currently uploading to www dot nickhill dot co dot uk forward slash ZTE-V965_new_backup.zip
You should be able to write this back to your phone using flashtool.exe.
I don't know for sure if this will work, so entirely at your own risk! Just trying to help. If unsure, ask around.
I am new to this forum, so please remember to click the thanks button if you find anything I have done helpful!
Meanwhile, the MTK droid root and tools has a function to remove much of the chinese stuff (once the system has been installed) and there is always the cyanogenmod gapps package. This may be worth investigating.
Nick Hill said:
Hi
I might be able to help you with the problem.
I have a mint, unused ZTE v965. I have used MTK Droid root and tools to extract a backup of the entire new phone. It is currently uploading to www dot nickhill dot co dot uk forward slash ZTE-V965_new_backup.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file size should be 635,972,093 bytes and should finish uploading at 04:00 GMT
md5sum 17ecfdd1040d5dbfab70a3adbc24e07a
Thanks for the ROM, i'll give it a go. I will try to install it using the update option in the settings, that seems the safest.
Be careful with gapps. setupwizard.apk + factory reset = a lot of problems (if you install in system app folder)
OMG that tool is awesome. created CWM boot, installed your ROM, then installed a clean ROM, then installed gapps, all working!!!
Byte_Me said:
OMG that tool is awesome. created CWM boot, installed your ROM, then installed a clean ROM, then installed gapps, all working!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, I'm glad it's working for you.
Secondly, which tools did you use? Did you unpack the zip, open flashtools, select the scatter file then program the phone, or did you use some other method?
Which clean ROM did you then install, and how did you install it?
Did you then use MobileUncle to install CWM then use the cyanogenmod 10.1 gapps, or did you do something different?
It is useful to remember that MTKdroidtools has a useful function to remove chinese stuff. I think if more people contributed to the list of Chinese files that are safe to remove, that would be blade.
A detailed step-by-step guide might be helpful for anyone else with the same problem. One of the general problems I find is that there are plenty of guides around referring to this program, or that program, but few are detailed enough for someone who doesn't already know about those programs to use.
I pretty much bricked a Lenovo A766 yesterday, and it took several hours to learn about the tools to eventually unbrick it.
I would have rather spent my time understanding what is really going on, rather than spending my time learning vaguely what tool achieves what end result. If I understood more about the Android system, and built that knowledge on my understanding of Linux, I reckon I could achieve much more.
One thing I notice is that tablets and smartphones are actually replacing desktops and laptops. February this year, windows machines were down 7% YOY. I use Ubuntu for my main computer. Using these tools on Windows led me to significant frustration! This has led me to understand why there is a move. Maybe the tools provided for windows need to eventually move to android. We could then potentially use USB OTG to service other android devices. MTKdroidtools and flashtools runnng as a host on a separate Android system would be cool.
Nick Hill said:
Firstly, I'm glad it's working for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, me too
Secondly, which tools did you use? Did you unpack the zip, open flashtools, select the scatter file then program the phone, or did you use some other method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used MTK tools as described in that topic, rooted, made backup, installed CWM
Which clean ROM did you then install, and how did you install it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the update tool from CWM to flash this ROM:
http://www.romjd.com/Rom/Detail/17086
That ROM is not very clean though, You might as well clean your own ROM
Did you then use MobileUncle to install CWM then use the cyanogenmod 10.1 gapps, or did you do something different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM is installed using MTK Droid Root and Tools:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=44660171&postcount=417
This gapps version I installed: gapps-jb-20121011-signed
It's installed using CWM bootloader: install .zip package
It is useful to remember that MTKdroidtools has a useful function to remove chinese stuff. I think if more people contributed to the list of Chinese files that are safe to remove, that would be blade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the delete China function, but it didnt catch very much. But with all the functions available now, it's quite easy to clean manually.
A detailed step-by-step guide might be helpful for anyone else with the same problem. One of the general problems I find is that there are plenty of guides around referring to this program, or that program, but few are detailed enough for someone who doesn't already know about those programs to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I plan to make a topic for this phone, but at the moment I am still testing many things.
I pretty much bricked a Lenovo A766 yesterday, and it took several hours to learn about the tools to eventually unbrick it. I would have rather spent my time understanding what is really going on, rather than spending my time learning vaguely what tool achieves what end result. If I understood more about the Android system, and built that knowledge on my understanding of Linux, I reckon I could achieve much more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how you feel, I was ready to toss this phone in the trash
One thing I notice is that tablets and smartphones are actually replacing desktops and laptops. February this year, windows machines were down 7% YOY. I use Ubuntu for my main computer. Using these tools on Windows led me to significant frustration! This has led me to understand why there is a move. Maybe the tools provided for windows need to eventually move to android. We could then potentially use USB OTG to service other android devices. MTKdroidtools and flashtools runnng as a host on a separate Android system would be cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea about the possibilities there. I'm not a programmer, just someone who is good with computers and knows a little bit of everything.
PS. I could also use some thanks as well, maybe get some respect around here
Nick Hill said:
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you give it a try yet? Another user did and google apps are working for him, so thats 2 for 2.
Are you still on your original ROM? If so, I have a question for you. Do you get notification badges on your icons, for instance, when you have a missed call, is there a red box with a 1 on the phone icon? Also, do your contacts get ID-ed when they call you? I have some problems with that, caused by the country code prefix. I am still running that ROM I downlaoded from the Chinese forum, but if your ROM doent have these issues, I will switch back ASAP.
Nick Hill said:
Firstly, I'm glad it's working for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as you are a Lenovo a766 owner, may you help me with this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49076877#post49076877
Where are configuration settings stored accross factory resets?
I have come to the (perhaps erroneous) conclusion that the user interface and what the user will experience is governed primarily from:
the APKs in
/system/app/
/system/vendor/operator/app/
and the configuration files pertaining to the installed apps, which is located at:
/data/user/0/
I guess that when the android device is factory reset, the /data partition is completely cleared, right?
Is there a set of standard configurations which are unpacked from somewhere into /data/user/0/ after a factory reset, or is it normal for all configurations to be stored in their respective APKs?