yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
1. For what you need and want, a full SBF is needed, it will delete everything and reinstall all from scratch, just like motorola sold the Defy to you.

2. You can find a link to A LOT of stock Defy roms in the Guide, just get the one that fits your original rom (same version number/zone) If your zone is not there, you might have to ask around or google which version is good for you.

2+. CG Version ca not be picked, is the version of the files flashed to your phone when using a full SBF. A table with the SBF version number and its CG version can be found too in the Guide ^^

2++ You usually download a Fixed SBF with a NandroidBackup rom. Most of the roms now dont even need a fixed SBF, just use the nandroid backup and ready to go. Just read the rom instructions.
[Defy General] ejstubbs:
BEWARE

The table in post #1 is incomplete. Some of the latest 2.3.6 sbfs have CG version 7. This creates two problems:

1) If you flash the full sbf you can't downgrade, and

2) There is currently (11/03/12) no known way to root ROMs with this code group.

This means that if you flash the full sbf of one of these ROMs, you lose root and you cannot go back to a rootable ROM.

This post outlines how to check the CG version of an sbf.
[Defy General] aerismel:
Zephyrot, thank you so much for your reply. You are an incredible person, really. Thank you!

I need to ask though, I have no idea which version number/zone is the one that I need. I am from Mexico, I don't know if someone could help me out with this. I'm very sorry, but I still don't understand some things. I have read the guide from start to finish, but still don't get it.

How should I pick the version I need? This is the information I have on my phone:

Model: MB525

Android Version: 2.3.7

ROM: WIUI

Build Number: MIUI-2.2.3

I need more help. I'm sorry. =( But again, thank you very much for your time!
[Defy General] gfcpinto:
Defy +

Hi,

First of all, thank you for the thread!

I'm coming from a SGS and I by what I'm seeing here things were a lot easier with it, so I'm still not quite familiar with a lot of stuff from the Defy, but thanks anyway :P

I got a Defy + MB526 running on 2.3.5 and the thing is as I'm still learning how to flash stuff into it, I need at least to root it so I can take the bloatware stuff from it (and flash the other SBF's), but I can't find a single way to root it that actually works..

Can you help me?

Thanks and sorry for wrong english :P
[Defy General] ejstubbs:
For an MB525 (ie a Defy not a Defy+) a stock ROM will be Eclair (2.1) or Froyo (2.2.1 or 2.2.2). The problem with the link in the Official SBFs section of post #1 is that a lot of the sbfs were hosted on Megaupload (which has been shut down) or multiupload (which seems to be broken as well). So that leaves a much smaller choice of sbfs that you can actually download. This post also lists various sbfs that are available and which might give you a few more options.

I'd be inclined to experiment with flashing different 2.2.1 or 2.2.2 sbfs until you find one that works for you. I wouldn't bother with the Hong Kong/Taiwan ones unless nothing else works. Definitely avoid the China ones. Wipe cache and data in recovery after each flash to be on the safe side.

All the above advice is given on the basis that you do this stuff to your phone at your own risk. That means that it's really worthwhile spending time and effort reading up on what you plan to do first, to make sure that you understand what you're doing and especially

how to recover if it doesn't work

. And next time, before you start experimenting with different ROMs, take a nandroid backup of the stock ROM so you can get the phone back the way it was when you started.

---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------

The latest version of SuperOneClick (2.3.3) should work on that ROM. Or try the Droid 3 Easy Root script.
[Defy General] aerismel:
Hi ejstubbs, thank you very much for your information! I will check the information you gave me. I just wanted to mention that I did make a nandroid backup of the stock rom I had before flashing anything. But I tried restoring it and it didn't work. It just froze on the motorola screen. However, I just tried it once, maybe I should try it again?

Then I used this post: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=15341774&postcount=8 and flashed cee froyo and then wiui, but that just created a lot of problems for me, like I mentioned before. No memory, FC's and things like that, that I haven't been able to fix.

Should I try to restore the original nandroid backup again and see if it works? SHould I wipe data, cache and dalvik, before doing it?

Or should I just use the full sbf you mentioned before?

Thank you very, very much.
[Defy General] gfcpinto:
Defy +

So,

I tryed the SuperOneClick 2.3.3 and it stopped working (FC)..

When i tryed the Droid 3 Easy Root Script here is what I get:

Running exploit [part 1 of 3]

Server not running *

Rebooting the phone… please wait.

Server not running*

Running exploit [part 2 of 3]

Failed on ‘/data/local.prop’ – Permission denied

Cannot create /data/local.prop: permission denied

Cannot create /data/local.prop: permission denied

Cannot create /data/local.prop: permission denied

Cannot create /data/local.prop: permission denied

Cannot create /data/local.prop: permission denied

Rebooting the phone… please wait.

Server not running *

Running exploit [part 3 of 3]

Remount failed: operation not permitterd

Failed to copy ´busybox’ to ‘/system/xbin/busybox’: read-only file system

Failed to copy ‘su’ to ‘/system/xbin/su’: read-only file system

Failed to copy ‘superuser.apk’ to ‘/system/app/Superuser.apk’: read-only file system

Unable to chmod /system/xbin/su: No such file or directory

Unable to chmod /system/xbin/busybox: No such file or directory

Unable to chmod /data: operation not permitted

ALL DONE! YOUR PHONE SHOULD BE ROOTED! (yeah sure (Y))

Any advices? =l

Thank you
[Defy General] ejstubbs:
That sounds like a reasonable plan to me. If it were me I'd do a full restore - I don't know what version of recovery you have but in 5.0.3.4 (version 1.1.0 of 2ndInit) there's an Advanced Restore option which allows you to restore each image in the nandroid separately. I'd do the lot.

Better to wipe

after

restoring the nandroid, would be my guess.

Again, I take no responsibility if you brick your phone. Do a bit of independent research, don't just take the word of a random on the Internet...and good luck!
[Defy General] gfcpinto:
Made it work!! Used this one though "Defy-Plus_easy_root_v2.5".

Thanks for your help!
[Defy General] jokermithun:
best guide...

CM7.2 maniac103 nightly
[Defy General] samhawk:
i have moto defy with green lens, now i am on android 2.2.2

i want to update it, what's the best rom should i get-on
[Defy General] asrajarajan:
Excellent

Thanks for such a excellent compilation of all details for Noobs
[Defy General] overlord395:
Thank you for useful topic. That helps me a lot.
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
Checking that info this weekend and hopefully updating not only the guide but my webpage also, been busy as hell with college and work and havent had time to even read the forums @_@
[Defy General] ejstubbs:
I've found that the advice on that post I referenced above can turn in to a bit of a nightmare. MotoAndroidDepacker is fine but unyaffs.exe needs Cygwin which is a bit of a beast to install.

I've had good results using ext2explore.exe to look inside smg images, and smgver.exe to extract the version number from CG39.smg. I'd advise Googling (either within XDA or on the full web) for those tools because I can't remember where I downloaded them from, so I'm afraid I don't feel confident to recommend a particular source.

I suppose I could post the versions I use on XDA for download. Unfortunately I don't even know who wrote them to be able to give appropriate credit.
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
I have checked that, and another thread about downgrading a CG6 Rom Version, but right now it is way too complicated for the scope of this Guide. Ill read more and try to make it easier to understand.

Meanwhile... updated the Cg7 version info ^^
[Defy General] taarmen:
I might have bricked my defy+ with installing wrong sbf will on 2.3.6.

link thread it there any new news on fixxing this?
[Defy General] hrvoje.bugarin:
defy +

Hi

Really nice thread... simle and exact..

my problem is i have defy + 2.3.6 tried all sorts of rootin and flashing costum roms.. no succes...

got any ides.

thy a lot
[Defy General] fiskenigaten:
If you have the newest builds from Motorola (CG7/boot loader 7), rooting is not yet possible! :(
[Defy General] Familia:
Crap! My Defy+ came with telco configured version of ROM 4.5.1-134_DFP-1321 and genius me decided to install a generic ROM and while at it upgrade to later version. So I installed 4.5.1-134-DFP-2312 which from what I now understand comes with Version 7 CG31 and CG39.... no wonder I cant root my phone anymore.

It rooted fine when I had the 4.5.1-134_DFP-1321 ROM from factory and after checking the version on that image it looks like it used CG6.

So what are my options? Few post back someone was saying there is a way of going back to CG6... could you please post a link to that thread? Otherwise I guess there is no choice but to wait until someone can crack that version 7 images.

And I hate how there are no easy way of checking the version numbers before you install the the full SBF!
[Defy General] ejstubbs:
It may not be easy-peasy, but it's certainly possible and not really all that difficult.

I've had good results using motoandroiddepacker.exe to extract the smg images from the sbf, and smgver.exe to extract the version number from CG39.smg. I'm certainly planning to run those tools over any sbf I consider flashing in future.

(I'd advise Googling for those tools - within XDA and/or on the full web - because I can't remember where I downloaded them from, so I'm afraid I don't feel confident to recommend a particular source.)
[Defy General] Auris 1.6 vvt-i:
Moto Android Depacker

SMGversion checker;)
[Defy General] damel:
SBF's ?

First I would like to thank Zephyrot for an excellent guide. I already understand my Defy much better now then before and feel 'almost' ready to delve into the world of custom roms.

Coming from SGS myself, I find the question of SBF's confusing. On my SGS I just rooted my phone and installed a kernel with CWM. After that I just use CWM to install which ever rom I find that I would like to try. I have never had any problems and it seems like no mater which rom I install, I end up up with CWM and changing the rom the next time is easy. I understand that an SBF installs all the files needed to run the defy (I'm guessing the kernel and android software). I also understand that the SBF installed can cause a problem with the chipset used by the phone. If you install a SBF with a number too high, you can not come back down.

So my question is why do I need to install another SBF? If my phone already has the 'out of the box' Android installed, rooted with recovery, why is that not enough? Is there some files in these SBF's that I don't have and need? Is it a question of the kernal? Do I need to first install the correct version of the kermel and that is installed via the SBF's? With the SGS the kernal is always installed with the rom so I'm not sure what to make of these SBF's. Any help would be much appriciated. :)
[Defy General] martix900:
an Answer and a Question

Answer:

@damel You needn't work with SBFs either, if you want to flash a custom ROM on the defy(although I'd do a SBF Backup today). Only poor guys like me, who damaged their phone need to restore it with a SBF.

Question:

I'm an Android app and game developer.

I was always working with the MotoHelper Customer Driver, but now I need the other driver. Shall I follow these instructions(developer.android.com/sdk/oem-usb.html) ,after installing it via the installer?
[Defy General] damel:
More questions...

@martix900 Thanks for the info. So SBF's are just for use with original roms and are not important with customs? Also, is a 'SBF Backup' the type you get from a backup in CWM? Or is it something else entirely? If it is the type of backup from CWM, I tried that already but the sdcard will not mount in any of the options listed in my version of CWM. Any ideas?
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
SBFs are completely different than Backups obtained from CWM. CWM is a .zip file, while SBFs are just that, SBFs hehe.

SBFs are lately less important than before, since newer Custom Roms already include a kernel and the base files are completly overwriten.

SBFs can only be flashed using RSD Lite, while Zips from CWM can be flashed by CWM.
[Defy General] danscholze:
Hi, first of all thank you Zephyrot for the great tuto, but i'm facing some troubles now, hoping that you could share some light on the issue.

so i did this part of your tutorial:

The problem is that I flashed the first sbf, but then when i was going to do the rest of the steps I found out that the nandroid link is broken, so i don't what i'm suposed to do now.

And now, if try to flash anyother sbf, all i get is the a black screen or the white led of death ( the device only lights a white led when pluged in on pc and doesn't respond).

Can you give me a hand on this?

and sorry for any noobness​
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
I'm Afraid i don't have that file. I have been looking for it too to fix the link.

If someone has it please pm me :)
[Defy General] danscholze:
Sorry to bother you again, but there's no other way to fix the phone? only with that file?

thank you again
[Defy General] Asselnik:
Perfect Guide,

have anyone the guide in german?
[Defy General] damel:
Yeah !

@Zephyrot and martix900 Thanks for all the help.

I'm still not sure what a SBF is but like Zephyrot said they seem less important than before and well in my case not even needed. Just thought I would give you all an idea of what I did.

My phone had a French version 2.1.1 of Android which gave me problems with my backups in CWM (could not mount the sdcard). So after researching a little around on xda's forums and googling, I found that there are official updates that can be downloaded from motorola's website /update. So I downloaded the official update which upgraded my phone to 2.2.2 (but be careful if you do this as the updates for you area may be higher than 2.2..and then maybe you will have problems with the SBF's and of course any official update can lead to SBF problems so BE CAREFUL). After I just rooted and installed 2nd init like explained in this tutorial, did my backup via CWM (which worked fine with version 2.2.2) and installed MIUI via CWM. Everything works great. In fact it runs much better then stock. So I would say for any CM7 based rom the same process should work fine.

Now if I can just get the ear piece working... ;)
[Defy General] Auris 1.6 vvt-i:
Links have changed. Here are the new links for the drivers
[Defy General] fiscal.mamutinho:
THE most complete guide I've ever found.

Thanks very much!
[Defy General] Kyneas:
thanks great guide
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
Links updated.

Thanks for the heads up.
[Defy General] vinirockman:
SuperOneClick 2.3.3 didn't worked for me. At some point, when it says "waiting for device" the program hangs on windows. I dunno why. I forced to close the program (i was very apprehensive) but the phone still works fine.

By the way, I'm using a Defy+ non-rooted with Android 2.3.5.
[Defy General] ken2kold:
does any1 have a stock nandroid back-up i can use???
[Defy General] rsk_kelkar:
Great compilation. Thanks a lot.

Can you shed some more light on the sbf topic? Didn't quite get it.
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
It shouldn't lack on any part. One version or another is recommended because CM7 was developed for the Defy using that given base version. So the Author recommends using it, but it should work with other bases.

Like I said, it's working awesome using the German Froyo base.

What didn't you get? :) try to tread it from the PC too, the formatting doesnt works too well on the XDA App, the post is just too long hehe.

Oh and read everything, just reading the SBF part wont be enough if you dont know already how it works :)
[Defy General] Whiskey Kid:
Great guide!
[Defy General] dereckzh:
hi，I translate the post to chinese, thank you ~
[Defy General] minomarimat:
If only I knew about this, then I wouldn't have updated to Froyo via Motorola Software Update. If I understood this post correctly, this means that what I did was a point of no return? That I wouldn't be able to downgrade to the stock Froyo (CG 2.51)?

All hope is lost, then. :(
[Defy General] chab7:
Why do you want to go back to 2.1 Eclair? 2.2 Froyo what you have now is official and that is not only newer but faster too. Why would go back? Always just forward ;)
[Defy General] minomarimat:
Because of the problems observed! There are some times when it gets laggy, and the battery gets heated up. I never experienced these when my Defy was running Eclair.

Although these are minor problems, I feel that the Defy runs much more stable with the Eclair. Am I correct?
[Defy General] chab7:
Not correct. 2.2 must be stable too.Try to backup your apps and data, make an FR and than restore your backup.
[Defy General] sauthegian:
It's very useful , thanks
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
Those issues are known to be caused by the update! just save all your apps using Titanium Backup or similar app and do a full erase.

If your phone is in Stock Android, just enter the Recovery and wipe data and Cache, then reinstall all your apps.

The phone runs way better on Froyo than Eclair, and is insanely fast in CM7 when compared to other versions.
[Defy General] dh33r4j:
The best guide for Motorola Defy ever made!
[Defy General] RaihanH:
Great Guide Zephyrot !!!

I have a few questions which i hope you can answer. I currently own a Huawei Ideos U8150, so i have a basic understanding of the android operating system.

I plan on buying a used Defy, what are the things i should check before actually purchasing the device ?

A person i know who is selling his Defy has it upgraded to android 2.3, thats all he knows about the phone. The Defy is not officially available in my country, so how do i find out what was the stock rom which came with the phone ?
[Defy General] minomarimat:
Hmm. That seems correct. I'll try to do this. :)

I might be slacking off for asking, but how do you do the full erase? There are just damn too many threads in this forum now and I'm having a hard time finding it. 0_o

Thanks!
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
Right there on the second line hehe, just enter the Recovery and wipe Data / Cache, then boot up normaly and reinstall your apps.

Since you can change almost the whole OS by using Different Nandroid Backups, dont know how to tell. You should just ask what was flashed to the phone. And check if it is a Red or Green lens :)
[Defy General] zakoo2:
yeah, check if it is red or green lens. (but if hes got gb on it and camera works, it should be a red lens). and definitely check whether its downgradeable or not (easiest method: asking ;))!

sent from my cm7 defy...
[Defy General] Ketres:
Very good topic ;)
[Defy General] kyle77680:
thanks

it is explained very good :)
[Defy General] Sivaguru:
Great!!!! Really useful..
[Defy General] felipeap:
I just find these Guide. I had to learn all that in the "brute force mode" lol
[Defy General] minomarimat:
haha, peace here. Anyway, here's the thing; I did a Factory Reset (via settings), which was what I found from the Motorola forums as a possible solution, a couple of days after I updated to Froyo via Motorola Software Update, and that was a month ago. I'm experiencing the heat-ups, lagging, and had to restart my phone a few times. Is the full erase that you instructed the same thing as the Factory Reset like I did?

And yeah, I remember having to sacrifice the apps that I downloaded when I was in Eclair. Oh, and regarding the backup, is there a way to do a backup of the phone contents WITHOUT ROOTING? I don't want to mess up with the warranty yet, my Defy is just a couple of months old. :)

Thank you so much! You've been a really great help so far. :)
[Defy General] Auris 1.6 vvt-i:
"Stock" for which phone - Defy/Defy+ and which Android version? There are different SBF's, so specify your stock ROM.
[Defy General] ken2kold:
i have a regular defy with motoblur 2.2 i think. my ma gave it to me she purchased it when it was released to tmobile usa so im not exactly sure which version it was on. she had bricked it awhile ago and i found it a few days ago. i recently flashed it with JORDN_U3_97.21.51
[Defy General] Xiltalion:
YOU my friend are the moda fugging MAN! you just saved my ass BIG TIME
[Defy General] jokermithun:
great guide for defy users

EUROSKANK NIGHTLY
[Defy General] taomorpheus:
great guide, thanks so much
[Defy General] mateja22:
Hi,

I instaled cm9 on my defy. Now when I try to turn it on, can't. Also cant open recovery, cause there is error: "busybox was not created in footfs". And when I open recoveri, it says: "E:Error in /system/bootmenu/script/recovery.sh (result: no such file or directory) Could someone please help me?
[Defy General] kazzxtrismus:
no usb method??

hey guys i need a telus backup that i can flash via sd card as my USB port is toast / not responding...even to charge... any idea's??..

helping a friend out with his phone.. im usually in hd2 htc amaze and htc touch(waaaay back) forums
[Defy General] skyn8t:
Did you manage to get another nandroid backup or fix your phone some other way. If you could let me know I would appreciate it.
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
I got a PM a couple of days ago with a method that doesn't need this backup, ill check it out today and update the guide :)
[Defy General] art-jcd:
Great guide, ty & GJ.

L8r
[Defy General] skyn8t:
Thanks alot Zephyrot. Sure appreciate your help. PS Your guide is frigging awesome.
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
Guide updated with a method that does not need the Nandroid Backup.

Please try it out and report back.

Jebrew first tried it with a CM9 Rom, but *I think* it should work for anyone using the Stable CM7 since it includes the CM7 Kernel and Boot partition, so no need to change/mess around with kernels.
[Defy General] skyn8t:
Bro, all i can say is LENGEN.......................wait for it......................DARY

Thanks once again.

used CM7
[Defy General] juried:
Zephyrot your guide is brilliant. I somehow doubt that there is an equal in all the XDA fora. I wish I could click the thanks button more than just once.

[edit] Ah just pressed another type of thanks button. ;)
[Defy General] configuration:
Currently running stock 2.2.2.

I I flash CM7 or MIUI and I don't like it: Can I then Flash my original full SBF back and restore a nandroid backup of my original system (files, data, apps)?
[Defy General] Zephyrot:
wow man, thank you ^^

- Updated the webpage too with this information

Yes you can.
[Defy General] configuration:
Thanks.

So, does it restore the device to it's exact state before flashing?

Is this the procedure?

1) Flash original full SBF via RSD lite

2) Root the phone again

3) Install CWM via 2nd init

4) Copy nandroid backup to nandroid folder

5) Restore nandroid backup of the original system

6) System fully restored?
[Defy General] juried:
Some news that I don't see on the guide yet: way has been found to root defy+ with BL7:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1542956
[Defy General] neo.ank:
Brilliantly detailed.

Helped me a lot. Answered most of the questions I had.
[Defy General] vis_9:
Another question about SBF

Is there a reason to update the phone via official SBF? If I can root it and then separately flash rom/kernel without burning eFuses, why should I use these SBF's? I can understand it only if you need to repair the phone...

BTW, thx Zephyrot for your superb guide! :D
[Defy General] labsin:
You are right, there is no reason (that I can think of) to flash a full bl5/6/7 rom.

That's why it's so frustrating seeing people upgrading 'the easy' way, while they end up making it harden on themselves. Although all info is available -.-'