[ZTE Axon 7 ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Other Deve] daveyian:
Thanks and help!

I hope this is the right place to reach out.

Thanks first for the effort and work and especially for this thread. I was on the verge of bricking I think (no boot and seemingly no charging which was troubling)

I'll try to stay concise but I've spent two straight days going around in circles so I've covered a lot of ground.

Started with A2017U on B27 from the factory.

Followed [MENTION=540283]tenfar[/MENTION]'s thread and got root/TWRP

I used tenfar's recommended su manager (phh's?)

I think the first time I ran into trouble was when I tried to flash SuperSU v2.65 and couldn't boot.

I tried installing CM13 for this phone and couldn't boot, I'm guessing that it's because I didn't unlock the bootloader?

Following their instructions I kept booting to TWRP after the CM install as they said I would lose TWRP if I didn't.

The only time I saw the CM boot logo was when I ignored that after the flash and just rebooted but I let it go for 20 minutes and I never booted. I tried powering off and booting again many times.

The two files you have posted here for B29 flash great and boot every time.

I did a TWRP backup after I set up my phone before I tried installing SuperSU v2.65 again and again I couldn't boot. (probably locked bootloaders again?)

The backup I made did not allow me to boot when I restored it so I'm currently back on your B29 bootstack and image zips with the phone not set up.

TWRP just came out with a play store app and it recognized my phone and I downloaded another version (in name at least) of TWRP through that. When I flashed that I was unable to boot again IIRC.

I read where you say that B29 can be rooted with your TWRP_UnlockBootloader_by_DrakenFX flashed and then using adb (adb reboot bootloader then fastboot oem unlock bootloader - I'm citing those from memory, but when I'm trying to do the commands I am reading from the instructions so I'm pretty sure I'm getting them right if I didn't here)

I'm on win 10.

I'm learning that it's not friendly.

I can't get drivers installed that show the phone in bootloader mode (if that's what you call it)

I've started the pc in a mode that allows unverified or unsigned drivers but no joy on the driver install.

I've tried different versions of the minimal adb_fastboot installation and google usb drivers.

I've tried a universal driver installer, but I think that one might be adb only which works great btw.

So I follow instructions, everything seems to behave until I try to run fastboot commands.

ADB successfully boots to the bootloader, TWRP successfully reboots the bootloader too.

So I'm on B29 unrooted with TWRP working (is that right?, root checkers say I'm unrooted)

I like the small changes in B29 and would love to get rooted or is it possible to go back to an earlier build and get back to B27 rooted with tefar's method.

I don't see B27 files from you.

Was I unable to install CM because I never unlocked my bootloader?

Is there another method to gain root from an earlier build that does unlock bootloader and can I relock in the future for warranty purposes?

Ultimately I'd like to be able to flash between CM and other roms and rooted B29, hopefully someone can help.

Thanks very much.