[Wildfire General] dailor:
Rooting after S-OFF

Hi guys,

I`ll share here my experience.

There are mainly two different methods (with some variations) of obtaining ROOT after S-OFF (with XTC Clip).

1-st (and likely undesirable to me) is exactly: downgrading > Unrevoked > upgrading.

- And why so?

There have some disadvantages:

- downgrading is additional flashing of the device and is unnecessary at all (you`ll see later).

- need of connection to computer.

2-nd (very desirable metnod) is to install CWM Recovery right away S-OFF. Even this procedure is not a must, but makes your life easier. Then You can flash right from SD card whichever ROM you like.

- And what advantage gives this to me?

- Only 1 flash procedure, no need of downgrades. Flashing with already rooted ROM (any custom or rooted stock) gives you ROOT access with only 1 step.

- There is no Unrevoked procedure, thats mean no need of computer connection at all.

The most painless and secure algorithm is:

1. S-OFF (by XTC Clip)

2. Install ClockWorkMod (CWM) Recovery - Here you`ll find recovery .img and .zip for all supported models.

How to install CWM Recovery?

As example I`ll give Wildfire aka Buzz:

- You`ll need to upload PC49IMG.zip (last CWM 3.0.0.6) on top of your sdcard ( NOT in any folder).

- Boot the smart in bootloader (holding VOLUME DOWN then POWER). You will be asked to install the ZIP file (Yes is right answer). Recovery will then install automatic, DO NOT press any buttons before finishing of process.

3. Backup/Restore Your current ROM:

- Starting Recovery: in bootloader navigate (with VOLUM DOWN) to "recovery", then POWER to enter in CWM Recovery menu.

- Navigation: TRACKPAD or VOLUME button to navigate trough menus, to select them press TRACKPAD button. Use BACK touch button to back in menus.

- Backup: you`ll find "Backup" menu under "backup and restore" main menu - When pressing "Backup" then CWM will perform backup of current state of the device. If succeed you'll see "Backup complete" message.

- Restore: you`ll see this menu as "Restore" right under "Backup". The menu gives you a list of available backups to restore. There have to be at least 1 backup to perform restore operation.

4. Wipe ONLY cache/dalvik when performing next step (5.) (if you want to save all data and settings, else do data/factory reset also which is recommended before flashing any custom ROM):

- just "wipe cache partition" in main menu and under "advanced" perform "Wipe Dalvik Cache".

- "wipe data/factory reset" - perform this action, ONLY if want to flash custom ROMs. This action will RESET smart to its factory settings (you`ll lose all data and settings except those saved on sdcard).

5.(optional) Install su binary with Superuser rootpack:

- download Eclair-Froyo-Gingerbread rootpack

- place the file as is on sdcard or in some folder on sdcard (there is no need to be on top of sdcard)

- boot in recovery and go to "install zip from sdcard" menu, then "choose zip from sdcard" submenu - here you can browse through sdcard folders and install su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip (or your ROM or any update, e.g. radio, kernel etc.).

6.(optional) Make backup of Rooted ROM - see (3. : Backup)

7.(optional) Install some backup application like Titanium Backup (or PRO) or MyBackupRoot (or PRO) - this is optional but recommended. When backing up your Applications+Data you can restore them even after flashing custom ROM (which is performed after data/factory reset, and all applications and data will be wiped).

8. Install any custom or stock ROM:

- for stock ROM see 5.

- for custom ROM perform 4. (including "wipe data/factory reset"), then 5.

9.(optional) Restore Your applications and data - when Custom ROM is installed there is need to perform data/factory reset. Any backup of applications and data performed in step (7.) could be restored in freshly flashed Custom ROM.

NOTE: Later on I`ll add some additional stuff here - useful links and more deep explanation of mentioned algorithm if needed.

Happy Rooting!

XTC Clip in Bulgaria