[HTC Sensation] Kommander85:
Hi all,

I've been trying to root my HTC Sensation XE in order to sort a couple of issues (which I'll get into in a moment) with the long term goal of backing up all my data and then installing a new ROM, however despite trying several different methods I've been forced to post this request for help!

The issues, in rough chronological order are as follows:

1. Light/Proximity sensor working intermittently (works fine in safe mode, when it wants in normal mode, apparently root cause is a permissions issue from previous research)

2. Google services sync no longer synchronises and apparently hasn't done so for several months (I only noticed this a little while ago) I daren't delete the entry and re-add it for fear of losing contacts/calendar entries etc that I currently do not have backed up anywhere else.

3. Unable to install new apps/update apps either via direct running of APK files or download via play store or other app store substitutes thanks to "Insufficient storage available" issue. (Currently I have approximately 50mb of space available on internal storage and 46.73 GB free of my 64 GB MicroSD card.)

4. USB lead charges phone without issue, however on connecting to ANY PC makes no attempt to make a connection for Mass Storage, Tethering, HTC Sync or any other service.)

Tonight I was able to test both of my USB cables (Both genuine HTC cables for the phone in question) using a friend's Sensation XE and found them both to working correctly, also her phone was recognised by HTC sync on my laptop and I was able to mount her phone's MicroSD card as a Mass Storage device and access it without incident. My phone however wouldn't work with either her cable or my two.

The problem is this, I want to root the phone so that I can change the default installation location to the SD card in order to circumvent the "Insufficient Storage Available" issue and install Titanium Backup Pro, take a backup of everything on the phone (Certain settings on apps I really cannot afford to lose for business purposes etc) then wipe the phone and begin the process of installing the new ROM I have in mind.

The handset is running the stock ROM and was never upgraded using the OTA update so thankfully still has a H-BOOT compatible with the Revolutionary.io rooting method, however without a USB cable I'm stuck.

Also just before Christmas I took the phone into an o2 store and asked if one of the "o2 gurus" could check the USB port to make sure that it hadn't failed. They (somehow) were able to get it to work with little or no issue yet when I tried to repeat the process at home - no luck. Therefore I don't believe there is a hardware issue at play but simply a software issue stopping me from connecting via USB and using ADB services/Revolutionary.io etc. (He did remark that the cable he used was a Samsung Galaxy cable but as they're both identical cables, I don't see how that could make any real difference).

Phone specifications as follows:

Android Version: 2.3.4

HTC Sense Version: 3.0

Software Number: 1.73.206.3

Kernel version: 2.6.35.13-gedc56fa

htc-kernel@and18-2 #1

SMP PREEMPT Wed Oct 5 12:18:44 CST 2011

Baseband version: 10.58.9035.00U_10.15.9035.02_2

Build Number: 1.73.206.3 CL177617 release-keys

Browser version: WebKit/533.1

PYRAMID PVT SHIP S-ON RL

HBOOT-1.18.0000

eMMC-boot

Aug 2 2011,22:35:52

Using O2-UK network

Unlocked

---------

Basically I'm either looking for A: A fix to allow me to successfully connect the phone via USB and allow me to root normally B: A way to root the phone that doesn't require use of a USB connection to a computer. Everything after that I should be able to do on my own.

I have already tried the "disable/re-enable 'Ask me about USB connection type whenever I connect my phone to a PC' option' which apparently has been found to work for some people with this issue, as well as connecting with and without USB debugging switched on *and* with a different Default Connection Type selected each time I've connected the USB cable. I've also attempted to get a connection whilst the phone is in Safe Mode - none so far have worked.

Also nothing shows in Device Manager on plugging the USB cable in, the phone charges fine but no USB connected sound, no change in devices and no other activity what so ever.

As a side note, the data on the phone is too valuable to lose so just factory resetting is not an option even though I realise it would most probably sort the software issue preventing USB connectivity working.

I have also got Terminal Emulator installed (though without root I’m not sure how useful it will be) and have extensive experience with both Android in general, Linux commands and computer/software engineering so I don't mind if it's a difficult fix.

Thank you in advance guys.