[EVO 4G Android Development] FastRX8:
F.A.Q. and Videos

***********F.A.Q.***********

Q. What is Rooting?

A. Root is the user name or account that by default has access to all commands and files on Linux, Android or other Unix-like operating system. It is also referred to as the root account, root user and the superuser.

Q. Why would I want to Root my EVO?

A. Rooting gives you full control over the phone. It allows you to run programs that require root permission, like "Wireless Tether for Root Users" or "Titanium Backup." It also allows you to backup/restore your rom and to load custom roms or different radios.

Q. Does Rooting void my warranty?

A. Yes, if you root your phone, "technically" speaking, you did void your warranty. However, if you need to return your phone to Sprint, you can put the phone back to stock/unrooted by flashing a stock rom. http://shipped-roms.com/shipped/Supersonic/

Q. My EVO has the OTA 1.47.651.1, can I still root my phone?

A. Follow the steps in ****ROOTING AFTER OTA 1.47.651.1 (Full Root)****

Q. What is Full-Root vs. just Rooting Part 1?

A. Full-Root is the steps that give you full control over all the files on the phone. Part 1 (Section 1) only gives you Superuser Permissions but Part 2 (Section 2) allows you to actually write/change system files.

Here's a PC analogy -

Part 1 would let you install apps and remove those apps (but only those apps you installed). You can't change files on the C: drive, only files on your external storage.

I.E. You could install Firefox and then remove it. But you can't remove MS Paint or Internet Explorer because they are on the C drive and you don't have access to it.

Part 2 also lets you change files that came w/ your operating system.

I.E. You could install Firefox and then remove it. You could also choose to remove preloaded programs like MS Paint or Internet Explorer. You could even go to the C drive and delete every important file on there and ruin your pc.

Q. What does Rooting Part 1 only do?

A. Part 1 (Section 1) of the Rooting process is just to give you Superuser Access. In other words, you can install/run a program that requires special permission. The problem is that it won't give you a Superuser Permission Icon. Many of the programs that need root access also need the SU Icon. Without the icon, they won't work. If you only do Part 1 (Section 1) of the tutorial, YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS. You need to do a full-root in order to take advantage of all the benefits of rooting.

Q. What does Rooting Part 1 only

NOT

do?

A. If you only did Part 1, and nothing else, then;

It does not allow you to remove OEM installed apps. Like Sprint TV or NASCAR or Sprint Navigation.

It does not allow you to install programs on your sdcard.

It does not allow you to install custom roms.

It does not allow you to install newer radios.

To do any of these things, you need to do a full-root using Section 1 & 2 or Section 5, depending on what version your EVO is on.

Q. Can I remove Sprint apps?

A. Yes, if you have full-root access. However, this tutorial is not about how to become an android chef, it's about getting root access and backing up/restoring and flashing new roms. If you don't like the Sprint apps, there are other instructions on how to get rid of them, but you will need full-root access. Or, there are several custom roms that have them removed already.

Q. How can I tell if I rooted my EVO correctly?

A. Super easy way to figure out if you're rooted.

Make sure USB Debugging is on.

Menu>Settings>Applications>Development>USB Debugging should be checked

Connect your phone using "Charge Only"

Open a "Run" window and type "c:\evo-recovery\adb-windows shell"

If you get a "$" you're not rooted :(

If you get a "#" you're rooted :)

Click -->here<-- to see a picture of this.

Additional note: If you're on 1.47.651.1 and you believe you're rooted, you'll see the "$" first, type "SU" and hit enter. You'll get a pop-up on your phone for Superuser Permissions to "Allow" or "Deny" access. Click "Allow". If it changes to a "#" you're rooted. If you get "permission denied" you're not rooted.

Q. How can I tell if I have full-root access?

A. Go to the Market and install/open "Quick Boot" by Sirius Applications Ltd. Choose "Recovery." If you're phone boots into the recovery screen w/ the menu options, you have full-root, if you get stuck at the

/!\

screen, you do not have full-root access yet.

Q. Getting an error on step 5N, what should I do?

A. Some people get an error at step 5M that says:

/sdcard/part1: cannot create /data/app-cache/com.android.browser/BEC48C17295CAF9
F550BCD500A0A6F03
/data/app-cache/com.android.browser/DE25D64D198E4BF84672045F0EAEE6CE
/data/app-cache/com.android.browser/EAFCD74DF11E57A3571B1E4D0B768134/foo: directory nonexistant
reboot and run part2

tophyr figured out a solution and posted it --->HERE<---

In an attempt to keep this guide complete, I'll just copy his directions in this post.

I don't have the exact directory names, but the process to get beyond where you're stuck is this: (Type the bold parts, my comments are in the italics)

[B]cd /data/data/com.android.browser/flashlite
mv sharedobjects sharedobjects-[/B]
[I]The move command may fail - don't worry if it does[/I]
[B]ln -s /data/app-cache/com.android.browser/ sharedobjects
cd /app-cache/com.android.browser
ls[/B]

Here you should see at least one directory looking like 'BEC48C17295CAF9F550BCD500A0A6F03'. If there are multiple, repeat the following three lines for each. If there are not any, then refresh the website and/or find a new flash app (perhaps a game like mentioned above, or something) and repeat the 'ls' command after the app loads. You should then see a directory like the above.

[B]cd <long-ass-directory>[/B] [I](You can use wildcards.. if it starts with B like the above, do 'cd B*'[/I]
[B]cat /system/bin/rsync /system/bin/rsync /system/bin/rsync > foo
cd ..[/B]

These pretty much take care of what part1 tries to do, but likely fails to, if it's unable to outright delete the relevant directories. After running these commands manually, reboot the phone and follow the steps for part2 and beyond, and it *should* work. Did for me.

***********End of F.A.Q.***********

***********Videos***********

**Rooting - Full Root Parts I & II - Wipe - Flash - Without a PC or ADB Shell**

There are notes throughout the video that tell you what step of the video you are watching. If you do this, you can then use Rom Manager from the Market for any other things you need regarding roms. (i.e. Nand Backup/Restore, Flash newer roms/radios)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzEot2oYKbw

These older videos are here for reference if anyone wants to use the PC method.

The first video shows me doing the Rooting/Recovery/Nand Backup/Wipe/Flash.

After I loaded a custom rom, I use Rom Manager to load a custom rom again. Rom Manager works great, but I would suggest everyone do the manual method the first time. Once you're on a custom rom, Rom Manager is definitely the way to go.

**Rooting - Recovery - Nand Backup - Wipe - Flash - Rom Manager**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oja2a6O96wQ

The second video is my doing part 2 of the rooting process. This will give you full system access. This part is not absolutely necessary, but it does allow you to use the Nand Restore option to replace all your settings the way you had them. Plus, it gives you full control of the phone from the phone. No need to connect to pc next time you want to load a new rom.

**Full Root - Unlocking NAND Protection**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUXTB0eydwE