[Nexus 4 General] vicstarman:
That's probably what I'm doing, though I really am going literally step by step. Also, I don't have any toolkit open, so I don't know what quote you're talking about (?)... it's true I used one when I initially customized my phone (with perfect results), then again briefly yesterday when I was trying to figure out how to flash stock kernel. But I haven't used it or referenced it since. The quote I cut and pasted earlier was from page one of this thread.

Now then, I do tend rush and get nervous about things, but this time I am honestly going quite literally step by step, word by word. That may be part of the problem. To you pro developers there's a degree of assumption that goes into these instructions. For example, I still don't know exactly how to execute the part about opening a command window and typing those commands. I do them literally as they're typed in the opening post and I just get error messages. In fact, there was even one spelling error in the post that made all the difference in the world, but I didn't catch it because I didn't have anywhere to come from, experience and previous knowledge wise.

Please don't think I'm trying to be defensive at all... I'm truly exhausted and need my phone! So I'm not 100% but I'm definitely taking my time. I've gone over and over the OP word by word for over 12 hours straight now, and it simply doesn't do what it says should be the next step.

I'll add on in a minute... trying to get exact examples so you can maybe correct me or clarify....

Here is the section I'm getting caught up on and explanations:

1) Make sure your computer recognizes your device by typing: fastboot devices This worked

2) Unlock your bootloader (if you have not already done so): fastboot oem unlock Already done (I get the unlocked icon upon booting)

3) You will see a prompt on your device. This will wipe your entire device (including the /sdcard folder). Accept. Note: you use the volume keys to change the option and the power button to accept. You cannot use the touch screen. This prompt has yet to show up.

4) Reboot by typing: fastboot reboot-bootloader Fails to work, or do anything.

5) Flash the bootloader: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-mako-makoz10l.img (or whatever the name of the bootloader image that you downloaded). HERE'S an example of what I mean by coming from the understandable assumption that people on XDA know this stuff already (and perhaps they all do, and I don't really belong... but I'm learning!). The problem I'm having here is that "whatever the name of the bootloader image that (I) downloaded" is throwing me. I downloaded from the link in the thread, the current 4.2.2 Nexus 4 link. But it's not called this example name, and when I type exactly what the file name IS, it doesn't work. Nor is it an .img file. So I'm lost there. But since step 4 does not reboot anyway, perhaps it makes no difference and was bound to fail anyway?

6) Reboot: fastboot reboot-bootloader (Can't get this far)

7) Flash the radio: fastboot flash radio radio-mako-m9615a-cefwmazm-2.0.1700.33.img (or whatever the name is of the radio image that you downloaded). I have a radio downloaded from the file in the bottom of the OP. But I never get this far to try.

8) Reboot: fastboot reboot-bootloader (Again, never get this far)

9) Flash the system partition: fastboot flash system system.img

---------- Post added at 06:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:19 PM ----------

(cut out the long text for reply)

Thanks. I think Mac is just plain smarter and easier to use than my Windows 7 laptop. But I'm curious to see where you flashed from and how. If you were completely locked out like I am.

Thanks for the post though. I'm going through the tutorial (again!) now to see what obvious point(s) I must be missing.