Database Develop

help installing cm - too many different guides, any verified?

hi there,
so i am slightly new at this and have searched for hours and hours trying to find a consistent formula for rooting and installing my g1 to cyanogen mod 4.2 (or latest stable one, thus not cm 5). I seriously stayed up until 1am last night and now i am at work (started at 8) still searching.. I have used google, youtube, and several other cm sites. Basically the problem is there is not one guide and I am not sure if because I followed the CM wiki guide if i can switch because I am having problems with that one. So one question: does anyone know which is the latest and verifiably the best CM 4.latest guide to installing?
I am pretty sure i have rooted the phone because I successfully downgraded to RC29, the old school android OS. However when I try completing this guide: [cant put a URL in but the webpage title is: "G1 CM4.2 installation" and I already completed this wikiguide title: "Full Update Guide - G1/Dream Firmware to CyanogenMod" but it continues into the next page to install cm)
I get freaking stuck. I put all three files on my SD and when I try to push "Alt-A" there is not an option there for it, its not an option on my recovery mode menu. I tried putting the files back there after reformatting several times but still no 'alt-a' so I am stuck on step 5 because there is no option for step 5 on my recovery mode on the above web guide..
Does this mean I did not install something? should I try and install the ota radio, cm update, drc83 zip files separately (like load one on the sd card and install it, then reformat the sd card and then repeat with the other two files?) ? If so what order should I do that in??
Sorry I suck and have not been able to find these answers, there are just a plethora of guides and I am not confident in my modding to start deviating away from the wiki guide in case I brick my beautiful g1..
thanks so much, this has been a huge headache for me.. i literally spent 4 hours yesterday trying to get to this step.. aww...

At Step 5 select "apply any zip from sd" in Recovery.
Select "DRC83_base_defanged.zip" on your SD.
Press Home to confirm flashing.
Then select "update-cm-4.2.x-signed.zip" on your SD to flash CyanogenMod.
After everything is completed reboot your Phone normally.
Edit:
Here is the Link to the Tutorial.

zerocoolriddler said:
At Step 5 select "apply any zip from sd" in Recovery.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup you hit the nail on the head. Sorry I must not have been too clear on what was I was saying earlier. That is exactly the problem, you see I would select that in recovery mode, But "apply any zip from SD" is not there! Did I load some file wrong??
It only gives me:
Android system recovery utility
E: Can't open /cache/recovery/command
Home+Back - reboot system now
ALt+L - toggle log text display
Alt+S - apply sd:update.zip
Alt+W - wipe data/factory reset
could it be this: "E: Can't open /cache/recovery/command" that is the problem? I only found one reference to this message during my internet searches and the guy said it always says that..

So you have CM-Recovery?
Flash Amon_RA`s Recovery, it´s more comfortable to me. I´m using 1.6.2.
For G1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=566669
For MT3G(Magic 32b): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4029315&postcount=1

Nope. I am also using Flash Amon_RA's recovery.. (v1.6.2)
I loaded it up on the flash drive and also used telnet app to flash it in (wrong terminology? I typed it in the telnet box and hit return and it gave me the # # which I read means I did it right)

Try flashing again using fastboot.
Following Points should be listed:
1. Reboot system now
2. Go to console
3. USB-MS Toggle
4. Backup/Restore
5. Flash zip from sdcard
6. Wipe
7. Partition sdcard
8. Other
9. Power off
Install via Fastboot:
Copy recovery-RA-dream-v1.6.2.img to a location where fastboot can find it.
Boot your G1 into fastboot mode (boot while holding BACK)
Connect your G1 via usb to your pc/mac/...
fastboot devices (to make sure that fastboot "sees" your device)
fastboot flash recovery recovery-RA-dream-v1.6.2.img

maybe i get something wrong
but did you boot into the recovery menu already? (press home and power when you turn the phone on)
from there you can choose your task with the trackball nice and easy...
(you r from vienna?)

zerocoolriddler said:
Try flashing again using fastboot.
Following Points should be listed:
1. Reboot system now
2. Go to console
3. USB-MS Toggle
4. Backup/Restore
5. Flash zip from sdcard
6. Wipe
7. Partition sdcard
8. Other
9. Power off
Install via Fastboot:
Copy recovery-RA-dream-v1.6.2.img to a location where fastboot can find it.
Boot your G1 into fastboot mode (boot while holding BACK)
Connect your G1 via usb to your pc/mac/...
fastboot devices (to make sure that fastboot "sees" your device)
fastboot flash recovery recovery-RA-dream-v1.6.2.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those points are not listed!
I did not try flashing via fastboot before but rather via terminal app.. Do I need some special software for fastbooting? Amon_RA's post says i need "Requires engineerings SPL!" which I do not have ..
and I now I loaded it via fastboot and I cant get out of it! how do I reboot out of fastboot? Because I can do not know how to "fastboot devices (to make sure that fastboot "sees" your device)
fastboot flash recovery recovery-RA-dream-v1.6.2.img" .. can you explain that in more detail?
skarboy- no i am not from vienna but the USA. and yea I tried to boot from the recovery menu but when i am there it does not show the option of flashing zip from sd (see above)

You did not succesfully apply the recovery image then. Find amon_ra 1.6.2, rename it to recovery.img (make sure that you don't accidentally name it to recovery.img.img because of windows explorer on your computer). Put it on the root of your sdcard. From there, open the telnet app and type "su", then type "flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img" power back on to recovery (home+power), and apply DRC83, CM4.2.15.1, and radio 2.22.23.02.

mejorguille said:
You did not succesfully apply the recovery image then. Find amon_ra 1.6.2, rename it to recovery.img (make sure that you don't accidentally name it to recovery.img.img because of windows explorer on your computer). Put it on the root of your sdcard. From there, open the telnet app and type "su", then type "flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img" power back on to recovery (home+power), and apply DRC83, CM4.2.15.1, and radio 2.22.23.02.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh okay. shoot.. I followed your instructions. do I hit return after typing 'su' in telnet? I did and then typed in the flash image stuff and hit return again. it gave me '##'
i am not rebooting in recovery.. hopefully it will work .
can i have all 4 files on the SD card at the same time? or should i erase it then load the DRC83, CM4.2.15.1, and radio 2.22.23.02 files??
also if i dont get the alt+a option should i just keep trying ??
EDIT: NOPE IT did not work, maybe I should just rename the file recovery, i looked under file properties last time but it didnt say it was hiding the file extension.. I am not quite sure what I am doing wrong.. if someone could show lead me through each individual step by step that would be swell.. of post a video (not outdated).
awwwwwww this is soo painful

austriker27 said:
oh okay. shoot.. I followed your instructions. do I hit return after typing 'su' in telnet? I did and then typed in the flash image stuff and hit return again. it gave me '##'
i am not rebooting in recovery.. hopefully it will work .
can i have all 4 files on the SD card at the same time? or should i erase it then load the DRC83, CM4.2.15.1, and radio 2.22.23.02 files??
also if i dont get the alt+a option should i just keep trying ??
EDIT: NOPE IT did not work, maybe I should just rename the file recovery, i looked under file properties last time but it didnt say it was hiding the file extension.. I am not quite sure what I am doing wrong.. if someone could show lead me through each individual step by step that would be swell.. of post a video (not outdated).
awwwwwww this is soo painful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First make sure you have all the files needed (recovery.img, DRC83_base_defrangled, CM4.2.15.1, and radio 2.22.23.02). Tell me if you are missing anything. Load them all up on your sdcard. Make sure that none of the files are in any folders. Next you are going to want to download the "terminal emulator" app from the market (by ZTA). Once downloaded, open the app and type "su" (enter). After that, type "flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.zip"(enter). Type "reboot recovery" (enter). If you do not see this image below, then something went wrong.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
(note, that image shows 1.7 but you are going to want to install 1.6.2. v1.7 is for CM5-based roms)

okay, so after a much needed break of watching the US draw with England (world cup!!) i am back..
yes I have all of those files but my radio file is different (older?).. It is "ota-radio-2_22_19_26I".. should I have the radio file you mentioned? can you link it to me?
EDIT: Okay I found that file that you referenced and downloaded it. I will throw it in my sd card instead of the 26I because it sounds like it is a better radio flash..
also the 'radio', update cm, and DRC83 files are really zipped folders (.zip) that I have not extracted. Do I need to extract the contents into a folder and put the files from these extracted folders on the SD card root (so that there are ZERO folders on the sd? (no one mentioned this)
and so I use terminal emulator as opposed to telnet?? I was using telnet before because the CM wikiguide says so..

You don't need to unzip. They're zipped to flash via Recovery.
Flash the Recovery via Fastboot.
PS: It's called Terminal, not Telnet. ;-)

mejorguille said:
First make sure you have all the files needed (recovery.img, DRC83_base_defrangled, CM4.2.15.1, and radio 2.22.23.02). Tell me if you are missing anything. Load them all up on your sdcard. Make sure that none of the files are in any folders. Next you are going to want to download the "terminal emulator" app from the market (by ZTA). Once downloaded, open the app and type "su" (enter). After that, type "flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.zip"(enter). Type "reboot recovery" (enter). If you do not see this image below, then something went wrong.
(note, that image shows 1.7 but you are going to want to install 1.6.2. v1.7 is for CM5-based roms)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay so I tried all that.. and freaking a! awwwwww no success it just gave me the old screen like before
when I typed in "su" it said permission denied so I think I have to go back and do something that I missed. I cant keep track of how many times I have done everything, then erased then tried again.. I wish someone would be specific and just walk me through this without skipping a single detail..

zerocoolriddler said:
You don't need to unzip. They're zipped to flash via Recovery.
Flash the Recovery via Fastboot.
PS: It's called Terminal, not Telnet. ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is exactly what i am talking about everyone is saying something different:
here is the CM site telling me to use telnet:
Open Android Telnet Client and type (include all spaces)
flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img [enter]
If completed correctly you will simply see # # appear on your screen beneath the line you've just typed. If you get the "permission denied" message, type "su" (without quotes), press enter and repeat the previous step. If you get a file not found message, you may need to remount your sd card or make sure you typed the file name correctly.
Press Home key and proceed to next step

austriker27 said:
okay, so after a much needed break of watching the US draw with England (world cup!!) i am back..
yes I have all of those files but my radio file is different (older?).. It is "ota-radio-2_22_19_26I".. should I have the radio file you mentioned? can you link it to me?
EDIT: Okay I found that file that you referenced and downloaded it. I will throw it in my sd card instead of the 26I because it sounds like it is a better radio flash..
also the 'radio', update cm, and DRC83 files are really zipped folders (.zip) that I have not extracted. Do I need to extract the contents into a folder and put the files from these extracted folders on the SD card root (so that there are ZERO folders on the sd? (no one mentioned this)
and so I use terminal emulator as opposed to telnet?? I was using telnet before because the CM wikiguide says so..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 2.22.23.02 radio is newer and its supposed to have better reception and less battery usage as compared to the .26I radio but the difference should be minimal. Everything is supposed to be in a zipped folder exept for the recovery image. Terminal is similar to telnet in that you can put in commands but it works a little different. It is what I usually use to flash recovery's, etc, so since telnet was not working for you I though terminal might make a difference.
Again, open terminal and type:
Code:
su(enter)
flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img(enter)
reboot recovery(enter)
Tell me if this works.
Edit:look at my next post

austriker27 said:
this is exactly what i am talking about everyone is saying something different:
here is the CM site telling me to use telnet:
Open Android Telnet Client and type (include all spaces)
flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img [enter]
If completed correctly you will simply see # # appear on your screen beneath the line you've just typed. If you get the "permission denied" message, type "su" (without quotes), press enter and repeat the previous step. If you get a file not found message, you may need to remount your sd card or make sure you typed the file name correctly.
Press Home key and proceed to next step
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "su" command signifies root access. If it says permission denied, then that means that you are not rooted or you skipped a step.
CYANOGEN WIKI said:
Rooting the phone
You need to have root (or 'admin') access to the phone so that you can install whatever software you want and not just what your provider gives you. This is not the same as unlocking your phone.
Finish booting up your phone, and sign-in to your Google account.
If you don't have access to a 3G network, then follow the G1 logon to google via wifi guide to sign-in via wifi. The original guide to do this is out of date.
You could try and add your networks provider's APN. To do this press Menu key -> APN Settings, press Menu again -> Add APN and enter 4 things: Name, MCC (Mobile Country Code), MNC Mobile Network Code and APN - all this info should be available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_network_code and on your network provider's site. The image you booted with might also have the extensive APN list. If so, and you can't get a data connection, then you might try the wifi guide.
Once you're at the Home screen, open the keyboard, and press the Enter (Return) button twice.
Type
telnetd [enter]
Typing will bring up the Contacts screen, but you can just ignore that.
There will be no indication to let you know you did it right. Just continue on to the next step.
If you get an error when trying to connect (step 5), try pressing Enter twice and type "telnetd" and press Enter again
Open the Android Market, and install "Telnet" by ClockworkMod (Formerly by Koushik Dutta)
Open Android Telnet Client, enter "localhost" in the large text box and press connect. (You may have to enter "23" in the smaller text box on the right)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do those steps again.

okay so I am in the telnet client and have entered localhost and 23 and hit return. so now i am in a black screen. i typed in what cm wikiguide told me and it gave me :
## (good sign!)
now do I turn off the phone and go into recovery mode or this where I am missing a step??
Sorry I am so ornery (wow and i can spell) there are just a number of things frustrating me.. besides me knowing this should only take like 2 hours at the most and knowing I keep messing up some mundane detail or something.. Also I am doing it in windows on my macbook and the wireless keeps disconnecting. Also I would take photos of the screens to show you but I do not have any photo software on the windows partition of my laptop (i mostly use mac os x) so I cannot... and i am very tired from working 6 days a week (and only getting 6 hours of sleep last night due to this issue) and frustrated from this whole fiasco.. And I have a headache.. yup call me a whiner if ya want but i am just trying to explain why i am kinda mad...

HALELUJAH! it worked and the android system recovery looks like your image mejor!!!!!!!! hopefully this works, i will let you know.. thanks soo much! i have no idea what i did differently

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow so that wasnt a giant headache, although now i pretty have the process memorized and have learned tons in the process. I think I may have the longest time to root a g1 record so far of any human haha... Lets see I worked on it yesterday from 8pm-1am while kind of watching world cup. This morning for about 2 hours from 9-1130 at my job. And this afternoon for about 2 hours..So like 9 hours give or take an hour of two.. NEW RECORD!! haha
THANKS SO MUCH for you help guys I love you. Especially mejor because he/she lead me down the finishing stretch... Now to install apps2sd (after my class 6 card comes) and take a nap

How 2 - ADB, Rooting(reflash), Unrooting, Nandroid, Remove/Install App, roms, kernels

So far, this is going to be a guide for noobs. Please read through this, and ask any questions that you have. This has been compiled from different guides around XDA, and information has been stripped that does not relate to our phones. More will be put up here when I find it, and all credit will be provided. This will be from 'duh' to 'didn't know that'. The idea is to provide a beginning to end explanation: Stock Incredible to Rooted with custom Rom.
Topics so far - ADB, Rooting (reflash), Unrooting, Nandroid, Remove/Install Apps, roms, kernels...
I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU BRICK YOUR PHONE DOING ANY OF THIS.... REGARDLESS OF WHY. Yadda, yadda, yadda...
**********At this point, I'm going to ask that you uninstall HTC Sync. Also, please uninstall HTC Driver... (whatever it's called) Nobody likes them (really though, it will mess up a lot of things. You can install them later when all this is done).**********
1) Setting up ADB
ADB stands for Android Development Bridge. It is used by Android developers for programming. For us, it is used to hack into our phones . For our purposes, just know that it is like the cmd (command prompt) that allows us to send commands to our phone. This is extremely useful when we're in the custom recovery
Download the Android SDK from Google: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Unzip to your desktop
Take the "android-sdk-_**-windows" folder and move it to the root of your hard drive (C:\)
** will change, it is revision of SDK, like "r6"
****The below is not necessary, but is useful sometimes if you just want to run "adb shell" from anywhere without going into the sdk directory****
Right click on My Computer and click properties
Select the Advanced Tab or Advanced System Setting (Vista/Windows 7)
Select Environment Variables...
Press New
For Variable Name type: adb
For Variable Value type: C:\android-sdk-_**-windows\tools
****End of the "This is not necessary thing****
Now, we get USB drivers to work. Some use HTC Sync for drivers, however HTC Sync does not like to play nice with the reflash tool (later on this), so we will use the generic google USB drivers.
1. Run SDK Setup.exe
2. If it gives you any error go to settings and click on "Force http//....."
3. Select usb driver package, let it download and install
4. Some say the below step is not needed, but I did this so I'm posting it
Go to tools folder, and edit "android_winusb.inf" (you can do this by opening it via wordpad). Add the following at the end of the [Google.NTx86] and [Google.NTamd64] blocks:
;HTC Incredible
%SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C9E
%CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C9E&MI_01
%SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C94
Save the file and exit.
5). Plug your phone into PC, when windows asks to install drivers for new found hardware, point the New Hardware Found wizaed to android_winusb.inf that you just edited.
============================================================
2) Preparing your phone for ADB
Go to Settings on your phone
Select Applications
Select Development
Make sure 'USB Debugging' is checked
============================================================
3) Check if your phone is detected by ADB
Open up Command Prompt (Go to run, type in cmd, press enter)
Type in:
cd C:\**your sdk name**\tools (Press Enter)
adb devices (Enter) You should see your device listed
adb shell (Enter) you should see $ in the next line
**After you obtain root**
su (Enter) you should see # in the next line if you are already rooted
**you may need to allow adb shell to run as root. Look at the phone and see if Superuser.apk is asking for your permission to allow adb root access. Click on "Remeber my selection" and select yes.
Now you are all set to run adb commands as root or as a regular user
**Note: for a list of commands that you can type using adb type "adb" in cmd
All Credit for Topics 1 - 3 go to user XDA member nephron. I mostly copied all of his guide, but updated some information on it to make sense for our phones. Also, removed some stuff I didn't see necessary. Please go to the original thread for the G1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=532719&highlight=nandroid+guide for a list of further Credits, and for information I've left out. If you like this thread, please donate to HIM
============================================================
4) Rooting your phone - READ THIS WHOLE SECTION BEFORE GOING TO ANY EXTERNAL LINKS PLEASE. At this point, running the UnrEVOked reflash3 tool will root your phone and install a custom recovery. To try to make it really easy to understand, recovery allows you to access your phone to make PERMANENT changes (something we can't do while booted yet), flash custom roms, and save your sorry little @$$ if you do something that you weren't supposed to
Ok, at this point, I'm going to ASSUME that you don't have HTC SYNC installed (or uninstalled it), and that you have the Google USB drivers installed (i.e. you read at least some of this post). The first thing we're going to do is:
1) Read this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6875912&postcount=1
2) If you read #1, you already went here: http://www.unrevoked.com/rootwiki/doku.php?id=public:windows_hboot_driver_install
and downloaded the MODIFIED (i.e. changed, not the same, DON'T SKIP THIS STEP) driver and installed it
3) If you read #1, you already downloaded the reflash tool executable
4) If you read #1, you've already done #2, and 3, and this is just a worthless step of me explaining how important it is that you did #1
5) Lets do this. #1,2,3 and 4 were "get ready" steps. By now, you installed the modified driver, went to the webpage and downloaded the UnrEVOked3 reflash tool. HTC sync is also uninstalled. Plug in your phone (normally booted) to your pc and select "Charge Only" when asked how to connect to PC, and click on "remember my selection". Click Done.
6) Unplug Phone from PC.
6a) If you have double twist installed, at this time open the task manager on your pc, and kill doubletwist.devicehelpder....
7) Run the "reflash_package" executable that you just downloaded. Notice the path that it lists and click "install". This will unzip "reflash.exe" and a bunch of other stuff that is needed to the directory that you just noted. Go to this directory (usually the same one where the executable you just ran is) and run "reflash.exe"
8) Plug in your phone.
9) When the program is finished, you should see koush's clockworkmod recovery on your phone's screen and reflash will say that it's done. Congrats, you have root and a new recovery.
If something went wrong, and you're not on koush's recovery and reflash says it's done, don't worry, just re-run reflash. You can run it as many times as necessary. It will not hurt anything AT THIS TIME (this may change later)
10) Koush's recover works a little differently:
a) Vol+ and - scroll up / down
b) the Power button work as a "Back" button, and will turn off screen if you're at the root of the menu. If your screen goes blank, don't read, just hit Power again
c) To make a selection, click the optical trackpad
11) Reboot your phone by highlighting the selection and choosing it
For the most part, these instructions were written from memory, but all credit goes to UnrEVOked, Shadowmite, and anyone that they've given credit to in original links.
============================================================
5) Unrooting - I didn't want to re-invent the wheel, so I'm posting an external link:
http://androidforums.com/all-things...ideo-howto-unroot-incredible-downgrading.html
Just follow the instructions. Credit goes to the OP. If this link ever goes to a 404, pm me and I will find another link with instructions and update this. Also, if you don't understand something, just ask in this thread, someone will answer (maybe even me ).
============================================================
6) Whats is a Nandroid Backup?
**Using Koush Recovery:
Power takes you "bacK" in menu's. On root of the menu, it will turn on/off screen. Hit Power again to turn it back on.
Vol+/Vol- lets you scroll up/down through menus
Pushing optical trackpad in makes your selection
Nandroid Backup is a tool allowing your Incredible that has koush ClokworkMod Recovery to create a full system backup and restore it, which, when flashing and testing different roms can be very useful.
A) Creating a Backup using Nandroid
Boot up your phone in recovery (Turn off, then turn on while holding Vol- and Power. Press Vol- once to highlight recovery, hit Power once to go into it)
You will now see your new koush recovery
Scroll down (Vol -) to "nandroid" and select it (press the optical button in)
"Backup" will be highlighted. select it
Let it work, it might take a while for a full system backup
Once its done, your backup is complete and is saved on your sdcard in the "clockworkmod" folder. Normally it's stored in the "nandroid" folder, however our Recovery does things a little differently.
B) Recovering to Your Nandroid Backup
Make sure u made a backup and its in the clockworkmod folder on your sdcard
Boot up your phone in recovery (Explained Above)
Go into "nandroid" in the recovery (also explained above)
Select "restore backup" and select from the backups you have (if you have multiple) that you want to restore; this will do a simple, "restore all" of your latest nandroid backup
:OR:
Select "Advanced Restore", choose from the backups that you have on your SD card, and then what you want to restore. You can individually restore "system", "data", "cache", etc....
In "Advanced Restore", i have not seen a way to restore multiple options (cashe AND system, etc...) Koush, am I missing something?
Let it work
Once its done, restore more options through the Advanced Restore menu, or reboot your phone and your selections will now be restored!
============================================================
7) Remove Apps
**Using Koush Recovery:
Power takes you "bacK" in menu's. On root of the menu, it will turn on/off screen. Hit Power again to turn it back on.
Vol+/Vol- lets you scroll up/down through menus
Pushing optical trackpad in makes your selection
1) Go into Clockworkmod Recovery (With phone turned off, Vol - + Power, then Vol - to select recovery, then hit Power)
2) Select "partitions" from menu, then select "mount sytem" You can also "mount sdcard" if you want to back apps up to sdcard
3) Connect Phone to PC
3a) Open a command prompt and navigate to your sdk\tools directory
3b) Type: adb remount (it shoud return successful)
4) Open Adb Shell on your pc (Type: adb shell)
It should automatically show #, otherwise type "su"
Type:
cd /system/app (enter)
5)Type ls (this will show you all of the stuff in the /system/app directory)
6) To "delete" apps, type the following:
/system/bin/mv Your_APP.apk Your_APP.apk.bak (i.e. CityID.apk CityID.apk.bak). If you want to clear up space on your internal storage for whatever reason, you can replace Your_APP.apk.bak with /sdcard/Your_APP.apk.bak (this will move the app to the root of your SD Card instead of just change it's name)
If you don't get errors, you're done.
*This does not delete apps, but changes their file type so they will not show up as an app, in case you want to get them back at any time later you still have them and don't have to frantically post threads on XDA asking for them.
============================================================
8) Install Apps to /system/app
**Using Koush Recovery:
Power takes you "bacK" in menu's. On root of the menu, it will turn on/off screen. Hit Power again to turn it back on.
Vol+/Vol- lets you scroll up/down through menus
Pushing optical trackpad in makes your selection
1) Place your app you want to install into the root of your sd card (this is easiest)
2) Go into Clockworkmod Recovery (Explained in 7)
3) Mount system and sdcard under partitions (Explained in 7)
4) Connect Phone to PC
4a) adb remount in command prompt (should sow successful) (again, in 7)
5) Open Adb Shell on your PC
6)
IF NOT at #, type "su" to go from $ to #.
Type:
/system/bin/mv /sdcard/Your_App_Name.apk /system/app/Your_App_Name.apk
7) If you don't get errors, you're done. You can unplug phone, and reboot
============================================================
9) Flashing Custom Roms
Download a ROM that you want to try. One of the roms from here are a good starting point: http://inc.sodpit.com/. They are mostly stable might get a few random reboots.
Steps:
1. Download Rom of your choice
1a. Right now, there might be two ROM types, a nandroid backup and an update.zip type file. For right now, I recommend sticking with the update.zip kind. These instructions are meant for it, but I just want you to make sure you know which type it is before you try to flash it.
2. Copy and Paste the downloaded file onto sdcard. Make sure it is not in any directory's of SD card, just on the sdcard (the "root" of it).
3. Verify it's there using Astro or some other File Manager just to be safe.
4. Download and Run Titanium Backup from the Market if you haven't already. (If you don't have it, get it, it's must have for root users.)
a. Select Menu, Batch, Backup user apps. (in Titanium Backup)
b. let it run, this will take some time.
5. When that's done open your command prompt, navigate to your sdk\tools directory, and type "adb reboot recovery" (Not within adb shell, but in command prompt in that directory. I'm not going to explain how to do this because it's already explained above. Also, if you're flashing roms then you're already familiar with it, or maybe you shouldn't be flashing roms ).
6. Do "Wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition" in Recovery **This WILL WIPE your phone**
7. Select "install zip from sdcard", then select "choose zip from sdcard", then select the name of the zip you want to install.
8. When that's done reboot your phone, once your done setting up all the settings, download titanium backup from the market again, and set that up.
9. In Titanium, Select Menu, Batch, Restore User apps.
After that's done you'll have all your apps that you had before, data included, with a fresh new rom to try out. Hope this helps!!
All credit for these instructions goes to tcbert2010, they were suggested to me, and I liked them. I modified them a BIT, so they make more sense to me and hopefully to you. See post #2 in Original Thread = http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=6953608#post6953608
============================================================
10) Installing custom kernels
I'm only mentioning Hydra's kernels. I'm running the Undervolted, NOT overclocked kernel with wireless N to preserve my battery to get more life out of it
**Taken from website's FAQ**
Q: So how do I install the kernel?
A: First step is to either download the kernel zip file straight to your phone, or download it onto your computer and put it on the sdcard of your phone. Next you turn the phone off hold volume down and power at the same time. When the phone is in HBOOT wait a few seconds for it to initialize then hit volume down once and then power to boot into Clockwork recovery. Once in clockwork recovery you want to select "Install zip from sdcard", then "Choose zip from sdcard". You will now see a listing of files on your sdcard select the kernel zip you downloaded, or if you downloaded strait to your phone go to the Downloads folder and select the kernel zip file. The kernel will now install to the phone and once it's done it will say install complete. Now you can hit the power button once to return to main menu and select "reboot system now" . Your phone will now reboot with the new kernel.
***
Go to: http://hydrakernel.net/ to download the kernels
Please read: http://hydrakernel.net/faq.htm to educate yourself. It's worth it.
Credit to EJHEART for the wonderful kernels! Where are my 2.2 kernels EJ ?
============================================================
Again, if you have suggestions, requests, or whatever please post or PM me.
PM Me if I missed giving someone credit. PLEASE!!!

reserved
reserved for future.

Reserved
reserved for future

Great thread topic... reserved for future use

Updated
Updated with Reflash instructions.

dreamersipaq said:
Help I'm stuck at waiting for system to settle
check these common issues:
- You switched your driver to the one from this post? It's NOT identical to the SDK one.
- You don't have any usb applications that might be taking focus while we are working with the phone right?
- Is the SD card present in the device?
- You did give su permenent access when you allowed it in superuser right?
More to come...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good start, iPaq! I just want to plug Linux AGAIN. I had zero problems using reflash for linux and using Gparted in Ubuntu/Debian/Linux Mint mint means one can do all kinds of things that will become helpful very soon if not already (e.g., manipulate ext and swap partitions on the sdacard!). Aside from linux being Android's native file system, using a Linux distro just makes 110% good sense if you plan to do any developing for the DI/Android. Why poeple struggle so much with Windows when Linux is free is beyond me
2 cents deposited!

Additional items to add
1) After I have rooted and reflashed - How do I flash new ROMs
2) After I have rooted and reflashed - Is there an easier way to get back in and get rid of CityID, etc?
3) How do I update to a later version of ClockworkMod

Great topic
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

...
jdmba said:
1) After I have rooted and reflashed - How do I flash new ROMs
2) After I have rooted and reflashed - Is there an easier way to get back in and get rid of CityID, etc?
3) How do I update to a later version of ClockworkMod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) - Will update soon
2) - I BELIEVE that this works:
1) Go into Clockworkmod Recovery
2) Mount Internal Storage under partitions
3) Connect Phone to PC
4) Open Adb Shell on your pc
Type:
su (will change to #)
cd /system/app
mv CityID.apk CityID.apk.bak
you're done.
Not in front of my phone at this sec, but if mv does not work, try
busybox mv CityID.apk CityID.apk.bak or
/system/bin/mv CityID.apk CityID.apk.bak
*This does not delete it, but changes the file type so it will not show up as an add, in case you want to get it back at any time later.
If I'm wrong please correct me.
3) The easiest way to update recovery at this time is through Koush's Rom Manager. However, at this time I've read somewhere that it's not persistent. Let's give this a few days.

Updated
First Post Updated.

here is my problem, apparently when I got root I didn't push superuser.apk as a system app correctly.
SO, I have root in the OS after each boot, once I install superuser.apk.
Problem is, I can't get back in recovery to fix this. I have gotten into recovery with ADB again (maybe twice in the 2000 times I have tried again), but when I get to the step where you do the update and push the zip file at the same time, it never works now. So I am unable to push the apk as a system file.
So, the unrevoked recovery flash fails because it doesn't have su rights when it gets to the os on reboot.
Anyone want to help me out?

qwho said:
here is my problem, apparently when I got root I didn't push superuser.apk as a system app correctly.
SO, I have root in the OS after each boot, once I install superuser.apk.
Problem is, I can't get back in recovery to fix this. I have gotten into recovery with ADB again (maybe twice in the 2000 times I have tried again), but when I get to the step where you do the update and push the zip file at the same time, it never works now. So I am unable to push the apk as a system file.
So, the unrevoked recovery flash fails because it doesn't have su rights when it gets to the os on reboot.
Anyone want to help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take this opportunity to flash up to HBOOT 79, wipe, and re-root. Start fresh. Re-reflash w/unrevoked2. Alles in Ordnung! At least, that solved all of my problems. Start with the big headache to avoid later headaches. Once you have a nandroid of a "proper" root, you'll never have to do the annoying initial root again.

So you can get HBOOT 79 how? by flashing the latest HTC rom RUU?

qwho said:
So you can get HBOOT 79 how? by flashing the latest HTC rom RUU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Doing will wipe out all userdata, everything not stored online, on your card, or on internal disk. It's really the best way to go, to start fresh and remove all the little variable piecemeal rooting has placed in your path to date.

can you point me to the RUU you would use? I did some searching, here and at htc.com, and I couldn't find an RUU anywhere.

qwho said:
can you point me to the RUU you would use? I did some searching, here and at htc.com, and I couldn't find an RUU anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just down this, run it in Windoze, and before it tries to flash (you don't need your DI connected!), go into your AppData/temp directory, find the ~142mb rom.zip file, rename it to PB31IMG.zip, put it on /sdcard root directory, boot into bootloader, let the card/file get picked up while holding down-volume, ok the flash, no need to ok the reboot, then boot into to recovery and proceed with adb shell/rooting process one

I've been having some trouble with the nandroid step, and creating a backup. I've done everything listed prior to that with success, but when I load into recovery I don't see the option to create a nandroid backup. I have also dl'ed RomManager and have tried to create backups through that.
I also dl'ed the unrevoked reflash and tried running that, but that also fails. I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong, so any help wold be appreciated!

sanchagrins said:
I've been having some trouble with the nandroid step, and creating a backup. I've done everything listed prior to that with success, but when I load into recovery I don't see the option to create a nandroid backup. I have also dl'ed RomManager and have tried to create backups through that.
I also dl'ed the unrevoked reflash and tried running that, but that also fails. I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong, so any help wold be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean. Go into Hboot, and select recovery. When Koush's recovery loads, use Vol- to highlight "nandroid". Click the optical button in, and you'll enter another menu. Select the first option, which should be highlighted by default, which should be "Create Backup" or "Backup Device" or something like that.
Let me know if that works.

When I go into recovery the only options I get are:
Reboot System now
Apply sdcard: update.zip
Wipe data/factory reset
Wipe Cache partition
----------------------------------
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/command
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not seeing anything about nandroid backup. I'm assuming I'm either not doing something correctly (I'm currently not booting into recovery while running reflash.exe) or somehow the clockworkmod isn't correctly installed.
Any ideas? Or what other information could I give you to help better answer my question?

sanchagrins said:
When I go into recovery the only options I get are:
I'm not seeing anything about nandroid backup. I'm assuming I'm either not doing something correctly (I'm currently not booting into recovery while running reflash.exe) or somehow the clockworkmod isn't correctly installed.
Any ideas? Or what other information could I give you to help better answer my question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't install anything to recovery that will stick until you get root via procedure 1, then reflash with unrevoked 2. Sounds to me like you've gotten ahead of yourself

[CWM PERM ROOT] Flashable CWM root zip for Bell\Rogers HTC Raider

This file will only work on Bell/Rogers HTC Raider as far as i know with an unlocked bootloader.
*Credit to bjg222
*Credit to pirateghost for creating a CWM root zip file
*Credit to bananacakes for CWM recovery 5.0.2.7
Instructions
-Unlock bootloader through htcdev.com
-Boot into H-Boot using volume down+power and select fastboot by tapping the power button again
-Connect phone to pc using usb and make sure usb-debugging is enabled and you are in charge mode
-Download adbfastbootrecovery.zip View attachment adbfastbootrecovery.zip
-Extract file contents to somewhere on computer (i recommend desktop!)
-Run adb from the folder you just extracted and type in Fastboot flash recovery root_recovery.img and wait for it to finish
-Put attached CWM root zip file on root of internal sdcard (HTC_STORAGE) View attachment VIVID_CWM_ROOT.zip
-Boot into H-Boot using volume down+power and select recovery (volume down+power)
-Select install zip from sdcard
-Flash attached VIVID_CWM_ROOT.zip through recovery
-Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should now have permanent root on your Bell\Rogers HTC RAIDER
*These are the exact steps i used and they worked perfectly and i hope they do for you as well*
*Standard disclaimer: I am not responsible if this screws up your device*

Thanks, wish something like this comes out for vivid.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium

ceo.mtcl said:
Thanks, wish something like this comes out for vivid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i had to guess something like this probably will once the vivid gets it's bootloader unlocked.

erik10002 said:
if i had to guess something like this probably will once you the vivid gets it's bootloader unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, let me modify my sentence then, 'wish vivid gets it's boot loader unlocked'
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium

so I flashed CWM and that was a success. Finished flashing root.zip and seemed to be working.
However now the SU interface on the phone is gliched, with no button or anything that I can click on. Anyone has similar problem?

Wipe data and cache and than reinstall superuser
Sent from my Sensation using XDA App

93795311 said:
so I flashed CWM and that was a success. Finished flashing root.zip and seemed to be working.
However now the SU interface on the phone is gliched, with no button or anything that I can click on. Anyone has similar problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiped data and cache, reinstalled SU from marketplace, problem still exists.
I do have root access on my raider, however I don't get any promt pop up from SU whenever an app is asking for root; instead the app gains root access automatically, and the glitched SU interface would still show no app and no log entry.
Tried to update binary, showed my current version is Legacy, and then update failed on "obtaining root access"

93795311 said:
Wiped data and cache, reinstalled SU from marketplace, problem still exists.
I do have root access on my raider, however I don't get any promt pop up from SU whenever an app is asking for root; instead the app gains root access automatically, and the glitched SU interface would still show no app and no log entry.
Tried to update binary, showed my current version is Legacy, and then update failed on "obtaining root access"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
remove superuser.apk from /system/app
reboot
then see if the superuser from market will work properly

Pirateghost said:
remove superuser.apk from /system/app
reboot
then see if the superuser from market will work properly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deleted superuser.apk through RE file explore, rebooted and installed SU on the market.
Now I can get prompt working, however something is still missing.
here are the screenshots of the UI
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

93795311 said:
Deleted superuser.apk through RE file explore, rebooted and installed SU on the market.
Now I can get prompt working, however something is still missing.
here are the screenshots of the UI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look to see if the superuser.apk is still in your /system/app if it is
Use add remount your system and then rm superuser.apk and maybe try getting the binary into xbin again.
Sent from my HTC-X710a using XDA App

ToyGUN said:
Look to see if the superuser.apk is still in your /system/app if it is
Use add remount your system and then rm superuser.apk and maybe try getting the binary into xbin again.
Sent from my HTC-X710a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the .apk file is gone since I manually deleted it, and reinstall it from market didn't put it back to /system/app

I screwed up, got the phone rooted and everything but then was fooling around and flashed a rom I shouldn't have and now my phone is stuck in a cycling boot sequence where I see the HTC screen and then turns off and turns back on. I am am able to get to the bootloader but recovery and factory reset don't work. Can anyone help, I've tried looking for a Raider recovery image to flash but that was unsuccessful.
Thanks in advance, I'm new to droids

If your phone turns on and off by its own then your isn't bricked. Something must have gone wrong while you were trying to root it.
You probably need to flash recovery if you can and flash your phone with a stock rom.
Zombiejc said:
I screwed up, got the phone rooted and everything but then was fooling around and flashed a rom I shouldn't have and now my phone is stuck in a cycling boot sequence where I see the HTC screen and then turns off and turns back on. I am am able to get to the bootloader but recovery and factory reset don't work. Can anyone help, I've tried looking for a Raider recovery image to flash but that was unsuccessful.
Thanks in advance, I'm new to droids
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using XDA App

Zombiejc said:
I screwed up, got the phone rooted and everything but then was fooling around and flashed a rom I shouldn't have and now my phone is stuck in a cycling boot sequence where I see the HTC screen and then turns off and turns back on. I am am able to get to the bootloader but recovery and factory reset don't work. Can anyone help, I've tried looking for a Raider recovery image to flash but that was unsuccessful.
Thanks in advance, I'm new to droids
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1338919
grab the one for your phone, and try to install it.

Thanks guys, I downloaded what seemed to be the right rom, the one that said Rogers in the name, but when going thru the installation process the program errors out with 155 error and that supposedly an error that I'm installing the wrong rom, I don't know what to do now.

I am having the same problem as member 93795311 except I cannot even delete SU apk using Root explorer as I can't change to "mount as r/w". I have tried going into adb shell "su" but I get permission denied. I have install busybox sucessfully. I downloaded Root Checker Pro and this was what the result was:
Superuser Application Status:
Superuser application - version 3.0.6 - is installed!
System File Properties for Root Access:
Standard location
ls -l /system/bin/su:
-rw-r--r-- root root 22228 2008-08-01 08:00 su
Standard location
ls -l /system/xbin/su:
/system/xbin/su: No such file or directory
Alternate location /sbin/su:
/sbin/su: Permission denied
Alternate location /system/xbin/sudo:
/system/xbin/sudo: No such file or directory
Root User ID and Group ID Status:
SU binary not found or not operating properly
System Environment PATH: /sbin /vendor/bin /system/sbin /system/bin /system/xbin
ADB Shell Default User:
ADB shell setting for standard access, stored in default.prop, is configured as: shell (non root) user - ro.secure=1
Can anyone give me some direction? I seem to be partially rooted but I don't know what to do from here.
Thanks.

hey guys i need help with my Rogers HTC Raider,
i'm at the htcdev part where you enter the command
fastboot oem_get_identifier token and it just stops.
it says "waiting for device" for a while now.
i did do an "adb devices" and it shows the device HT1....so i know it detects it.
any suggestions?

albaboi123 said:
hey guys i need help with my Rogers HTC Raider,
i'm at the htcdev part where you enter the command
fastboot oem_get_identifier token and it just stops.
it says "waiting for device" for a while now.
i did do an "adb devices" and it shows the device HT1....so i know it detects it.
any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ADB and fastboot are different
do a
fastboot devices
and see if it returns the device HT1
you are in fastboot mode right?

i have that question too.
In the beginning steps on the htcdev site it says go to fastboot but how do i do that?
i would turn the device off
press power+volume down
and the device just turns on...

albaboi123 said:
i have that question too.
In the beginning steps on the htcdev site it says go to fastboot but how do i do that?
i would turn the device off
press power+volume down
and the device just turns on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot up the phone. Go into settings, power, disable fastboot
Then try again
Sent from my HTC PH39100

Device is corrupt (after SU install from TWRP)

Hello everyone,
I've tried to install SuperSU via TWRP recovery (SuperSU 2.56) but it seems to fail: after I completed the install from zip via TWRP, I chose to reboot.
While booting, before the logo screen, a warning appeared which was saying that "the Device is corrupted and cannot be trusted anymore". Anyway, I tapped on the power button to use the Nexus, and when i went to check the root status with "Root checker" it showed me that the root wasn't applied successfully.
Is there something I can do about removing that warning or any suggestion that anyone can tell me to install properly the root? I don't know what actually went wrong.
I appreciate any kind of answer and I'll thank you all in advance for the attention.
Have a nice day.
P.S. I forgot to mention that I have Nexus 6 with 6.0.1 firmware, MMB29X

jos90 said:
.....
I've tried to install SuperSU via TWRP recovery (SuperSU 2.56) but it seems to fail: after I
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The corrupt message is normal, when the system is not complete stock.
I think it is better that upgrade to MOB30I in case you have a N6. Upgrade kernel, bootloader, radio and system.
All you need is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3059493
It concerns a prerooted stock ROM.

I've never ever seen the famous "corrupt" message. I update stock each month by flashing manually, installing TWRP and finally flashing SuperSU from TWRP.
I would suggest doing that with MOB30I and SuperSU v2.71, not the very old v2.56.

That is from the old version of su that you used. The old ones modify system, and you get that message.
Reflash the system partition then use su 2.71.

pet peeve.
I don't like root checker. ... none of them are open source..... why risk giving root access to an unknown app for this one simple check?
Instead download terminal emulator from Jackpal (open source, also available verified against source on Fdroid). Execute the su command, grant access in the popup, and verify the prompt changes from $ to # (that indicates root has been obtained by terminal emulator). Then type exit exit to get out of app. And by the way, you might keep terminal emulator app around after you verify...there's a lot you can do with it.

[GUIDE] Upgrade 4.5.15 rooted & encrypted -> 5.0.2 WITHOUT DATA/SETTINGS LOSS

as usual, if anything goes wrong, no responsibility etc
The official update tutorial for rooted users doesn't keep app data, only internal storage! This tutorial keeps EVERYTHING
This method allows updating from 4.5.15 (unlocked, encrypted, rooted) to 5.0.2 without any data (sys settings + app data + user data) loss
A FAQ section is present at the end of this post and will be regularly updated.
List of files to download while doing the following steps:
OOS 5.0.2 ROM
Codeworkx TWRP recovery
Latest Magisk
Terms and software used in this guide:
Fastboot / Bootloader = bootloader of the phone, it's a very low level mode of the phone that allows booting into recovery. Can be accessed by using the advanced reboot menu (enable in dev options) or by "adb reboot fastboot".
Recovery = a small operating system on the phone that allows you to do various operations even when the main OS (Android) is broken. This includes flashing ROMs, modifying stuff on the storage, etc. It's the Android swiss army knife. If you can get a phone to boot TWRP, then you can do almost anything.
Magisk = rooting software that uses a systemless method to keep SafetyNet working. Systemless = instead of modifying the system, every change is put in a separate image that is mounted "over" the system. When the system tries to access a file modified by Magisk, instead of reading it from the partition, it reads it from Magisk. It's recommended to use Magisk instead of SuperSU as of 2018.
ADB = tool that allows controlling the phone from your PC through USB. You can use it when you're in Android if USB debugging is enabled in the settings, or when you're in TWRP. Here, we mostly use it for transferring files directly (without MTP) and running commands (using "adb shell")
Note: For this guide you will be required to download and install Magisk. If you don't want your phone to be rooted, then at the end of this guide reboot into TWRP, wipe both caches and re-flash the OS. This will uninstall Magisk and any other root patch. Beware: it will reflash stock recovery, so if you ever want to re-root, you'll need to reboot to fastboot and flash TWRP manually.
Convention for commands that you will have to run:
a command line starting with "C:" means that it should be run on your PC
a command line starting with "~ #" means that it should be run on your phone (through adb shell) while in TWRP
a command line starting with "OnePlus5:/ $" means that it should be run on your phone (through adb shell) while in OxygenOS
Although the commands start with "C:", this is just for readability purposes. You should run everything from inside an empty directory with enough disk space and writing access.
Your phone will have to be plugged in to your PC from the beginning to the end. Also, make sure it has at least 80% battery before beginning, just in case.
I know, the tutorial is huge. This is simply due to the fact that if I just wrote "make a nandroid backup of this and that, flash, and restore the backup while doing this", then some people may encounter problems because not everyone knows how to do a nandroid backup, restore it, etc. Also, there are a lot of things that need to be done precisely that way and not another way, which explains why the tutorial is huge. Also, you may notice that there is a lot of commands to run throughout the tutorial, this is because that way, I'm sure that at the end, you will have done everything like I did it on my phone, so that if you have a problem it's much easier to figure out where it comes from.
Summary of what you need to do (this is only a SUMMARY to give you a preview of what the whole thing looks like, you shouldn't follow it except if you're really an expert since a lot of things need to be done precisely, instead you should follow the easier complete steps below):
Make a Nandroid backup of /data
Backup files on internal storage
Wipe everything (internal storage + /data + system + caches), and then format data (important!)
Push and flash the OOS zip
Wipe caches and reboot (to Oreo!)
When it reboots, make sure everything (features, like Wi-Fi and fingerprint sensor) works. Don't "save anything" though, everything you do will be erased when we'll restore your backup. This is just a "test drive" for Oreo.
Reboot to TWRP, wipe Data and restore the /data backup
Run the three commands to fix Wi-Fi and fingerprints
Reboot (to System) and check everything works (don't do anything, don't change any setting, just make sure it works)
Reboot to TWRP, rename the "Android" folder to "Android_oreo" on sdcard, delete everything else on sdcard and restore your internal files
Rename the freshly restored Android (nougat) folder to "Android_nougat" and rename "Android_oreo" to "Android".
Flash Magisk, wipe dalvik+cache and reboot to System
When in Android, everything should work except some apps won't have their data. This is normal. Open a terminal (either on your phone using Termux or from your PC using adb shell), elevate using su and rename "Android" to "Android_oreo" and "Android_nougat" to "Android" (this is so that it correctly restores permissions)
If everything works fine, delete the "Android_oreo" folder
First, if you have Xposed Framework (systemless or not) installed, uninstall it. Next, if needed, uninstall any Magisk module that is "Nougat-only" to prevent any problems afterwards.
Boot the phone to bootloader/fastboot (either using advanced reboot, or by using volume down button when you start your phone) and boot to the TWRP recovery by doing
Code:
C:\> fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-0-oreo-8.1-codeworkx-cheeseburger.img
from your PC.
Next, in TWRP, make a backup of /data (using the Backup button). Then, still while in TWRP, run the following commands:
Code:
C:\> adb shell
~ # cd /sdcard
/sdcard # tar cvf twrp.tar TWRP
/sdcard # md5sum twrp.tar
<< md5 checksum of twrp.tar >>
/sdcard # exit
C:\> adb pull -p /sdcard/twrp.tar
When the above command has finished, make sure that the checksum of the received twrp.tar file matches the one previously displayed.
If it doesn't match, delete the file and run adb pull again. Don't continue following this guide until you have received a 1:1 (checksum-wise) backup of /data.
Code:
C:\> adb shell
<< WARNING: dangerous command! double check the following line is correct before pressing enter! >>
~ # rm -rf /sdcard/TWRP
~ # rm /sdcard/twrp.tar
That was for /data. Now, the backup for the internal storage:
Code:
~ # cd /sdcard
/sdcard # du -csh
<< you should see here the total size of sdcard, that'll give you an idea of how long it'll take >>
/sdcard # tar cvf sd.tar element1 element2 element... elementN
<< in the command above, replace "element1..N" by a space-separated list of what you want to have in the backup.
Keep in mind that your list HAS to contain the element "Android" (case is important). It contains the app data.
Let's say for example you want to keep only the photos you have taken (and nothing, nothing else that was on internal storage).
The photos are in the folder DCIM, so the command will look like this:
tar cvf sd.tar Android DCIM
(because you want DCIM, and Android has to be in the list, no matter where)
>>
/sdcard # md5sum sd.tar
<< md5 checksum of sd.tar >>
/sdcard # exit
C:\> adb pull -p /sdcard/sd.tar
When the above command has finished, make sure that the checksum of the received sd.tar file matches the one previously displayed.
If it doesn't match, delete the file and run adb pull again.
Keep in mind that anything you don't put in that list will not be backed up and will be lost!
Now, you have a backup for all the important stuff so we can start doing the real sh*t.
Now, the important step:
Go back to the TWRP home screen, press "Wipe", "Advanced Wipe" and there check "Dalvik / ART Cache", "Cache", "System", "Data" and "Internal Storage". Confirm using the slider at the bottom of the screen. Press the home button, then "Reboot" and "FastBoot". Now, type the same fastboot command as in the previous step to boot the recovery image. You'll enter the recovery as before.
Now, on your PC, in the terminal, type
Code:
adb push -p OnePlus5Oxygen_23_OTA_029_all_1801292040_d71af3d.zip /sideload
(note: here, we are not using "adb sideload", we are really using "adb push"). In TWRP, click Install, in the file manager go to /sideload and select the OOS zip file. Confirm by sliding. If you get an error, go back to home, click Mount and ensure System is not checked. Then try installing again. If it still does not work, reboot to fastboot, type command again, get to the recovery and install again.
When the zip-file is installed, go home, click "Wipe", "Advanced Wipe" and check both caches and confirm. Then, go home, click "Wipe" and then "Format Data". Then, go home, click "Reboot" and then "System". Your phone will now reboot to Oreo. It will take a long time, but do not turn off the phone. Let it run. On my phone, it took on average 2 minutes for that boot.
You'll be greeted by the "first boot" page. It'll ask you if you want to restore a backup or start anew, choose start anew. Connect to your Wi-Fi network and Google account. Follow all the instructions until you get to the home screen. There, make sure everything works (especially Wi-Fi and fingerprint sensor). Don't save your fingerprints yet, they will be erased afterwards. If everything works, you can continue following these instructions. If not, post a comment down there.
Now that you're at the home screen, go in the settings, About Android and click the build number 8 times to enable Developer Options. Go in there and enable advanced reboot. Then, reboot your phone into fastboot/bootloader using the power button. Type the exact same command as before to start TWRP. Once that you are in TWRP, run the following commands:
Code:
C:\> adb push -p twrp.tar /sdcard/
C:\> adb shell
~ # cd /sdcard
/sdcard # tar xvf twrp.tar
/sdcard # cp /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml /sdcard/
In TWRP, click "Wipe", "Advanced Wipe" and check only the "Data" partition. Confirm. Press home, then "Restore" and choose the backup in the list. Confirm to restore. Back to the terminal, we need to run the following commands otherwise Wi-Fi and fingerprints won't work:
Code:
/sdcard # cp WifiConfigStore.xml /data/misc/wifi/
/sdcard # rm /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
<< WARNING: dangerous command! double check the following line is correct before pressing enter! >>
/sdcard # rm -rf /data/system/users/0/fpdata
/sdcard # rm /data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml
Note: the command above are ran from your PC in an adb shell while the phone is still in TWRP.
Reboot the phone to system and ensure Wi-Fi and fingerprints are still working. Right now you should already see your old home screen and all your apps, but the internal storage isn't there yet. Reboot in fastboot, run the command to get in TWRP.
Once TWRP has booted, run the following commands:
Code:
C:\> adb push -p sd.tar /sdcard/
C:\> adb shell
~ # cd /sdcard
<< WARNING: dangerous command! double check the following line is correct before pressing enter! >>
/sdcard # rm -rf Alarms Albums DCIM Download Movies Music Notifications Pictures Podcasts Ringtones
/sdcard # ls
<< now, look at the list of files that were printed, and rm anything left that is not called "Android" or "sd.tar"
<< WARNING: dangerous command! double check everything is correct before pressing enter! >>
if when you do rm <the thing> it tells you it's a directory, then do: rm -rf <thething>
if there's a folder called SomeFolder, do "rm -rf SomeFolder"
next, run this:
/sdcard # ls
Android sd.tar <-- expected output
/sdcard # mv Android Android_oreo
/sdcard # tar xvf sd.tar
/sdcard # mv Android Android_nougat
/sdcard # mv Android_oreo Android
If you don't have Magisk somewhere on your sd card, download it and upload it using MTP or adb. Then flash it using the Install button. Clear dalvik/cache and reboot to system.
When the phone has booted (again, it might take time), make sure USB debugging is enabled and run the following commands:
Code:
C:\> adb shell
OnePlus5:/ $ su
<< here, you might see a Magisk screen asking for superuser access. Allow. >>
OnePlus5:/ $ cd /sdcard
OnePlus5:/sdcard $ mv Android Android_oreo && mv Android_nougat Android
Now, try some apps and make sure all the data is there (especially games and Netflix/Hulu/etc). If everything is there, and the phone works properly, go back in the terminal and type:
Code:
OnePlus5:/sdcard $ rm -rf Android_oreo
Optionally, start the TWRP app and flash it, it can always be useful. You can also reboot to fastboot to do that.
Now reboot your phone (normal reboot) one last time.
There, working OOS 5.0.2 / Android 8.0.0 phone with no data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whole thing take?
Highly depends on the amount of data you have on your phone. Since it the USB port only supports USB 2.0, it may take 4 or 5 hours in total.
Will doing this void my warranty?
No.
Will I be able to install future OTA updates using the regular download-reboot-flash-twrp procedure?
Yep. Just use the regular method as you would have on Nougat.
Will I lose my data?
If you follow all the instructions, no. Even if you don't follow them, as soon as you have made a backup of /data and internal storage, then no matter how bad you screw up you could always get a working phone back.
I followed the instructions and now my phone doesn't work
Boot in TWRP, wipe everything, reflash.
questions will be added there in the future

Having WiFi and fingerprint issues
You sure it is a good idea to just delete those files? I would have guessed that I need to replace these (nougat version from backup) with the oreo version to have it working just like before the restore.
Code:
/sdcard # rm /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
/sdcard # rm -rf /data/system/users/0/fpdata
/sdcard # rm /data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml
I'm having the issues with wifi and fingerprints. Neither one is working. I'll try to figure out how to fix this.

@zdimension Thanks for this guide, I don't have time to test it yet, but I have a question
pdluke said:
Code:
/sdcard # rm /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
/sdcard # rm -rf /data/system/users/0/fpdata
/sdcard # rm /data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point in the procedure, adb shell is still using root (before flashing magisk) ? How is that possible ? Does the adb /sideload preserve root ?

olivier380 said:
@zdimension Thanks for this guide, I don't have time to test it yet, but I have a question
At this point in the procedure, adb shell is still using root (before flashing magisk) ? How is that possible ? Does the adb /sideload preserve root ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These commands should be run while the phone is in TWRP. Also note that adb /sideload is not used here, only adb push.

pdluke said:
You sure it is a good idea to just delete those files? I would have guessed that I need to replace these (nougat version from backup) with the oreo version to have it working just like before the restore.
Code:
/sdcard # rm /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf
/sdcard # rm -rf /data/system/users/0/fpdata
/sdcard # rm /data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml
I'm having the issues with wifi and fingerprints. Neither one is working. I'll try to figure out how to fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you delete them, they will be generated automatically at the next system boot. But you could also make a backup of those three files before wiping /data, store that somewhere, restore Nougat /data and then restore your backup of those three files. The result would be the same.
Note: actually, not exactly. Erasing the first file won't change anything since it's not used anymore in Oreo, but the two other files contain the fingerprint configuration (list of saved fingerprints). So,
Either you remove the files and you have to save your fingerprints again at next boot
Either you restore them from an Oreo backup and you'll get the fingerprints you had saved during the "first boot" procedure when you rebooted the phone right after flashing the OS
But the result is mostly the same: everything works. Deleting the files ensures you get something clean. If you restore from an Oreo backup I can't guarantee the result (as it may interfere with other files from the Nougat backup).

10 bucks to make a script to do this all for me haha.

@zdimension Thanks for the clarification Another thing you might add to the files to download would be Magisk (optionally). In this kind of guide, I've always find it useful to download everything first.

olivier380 said:
@zdimension Thanks for the clarification Another thing you might add to the files to download would be Magisk (optionally). In this kind of guide, I've always find it useful to download everything first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops, forgot to add it
I added the link, and also instructions for how to un-root afterwards for those who would want it.

To improve the guide, here are some ideas :
- You should highlight that rm -rf is a very dangerous command, and that it needs to be checked twice (especially the targeted folder)
- It could be useful to use the du -csh command to check the size of a folder (to estimate the backup time for example).
- As a safety measure, one could md5sum the tar file before and after using adb pull
What do you think ?

olivier380 said:
To improve the guide, here are some ideas :
- You should highlight that rm -rf is a very dangerous command, and that it needs to be checked twice (especially the targeted folder)
- It could be useful to use the du -csh command to check the size of a folder (to estimate the backup time for example).
- As a safety measure, one could md5sum the tar file before and after using adb pull
What do you think ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the ideas! I updated the post (and I added a changelog at the bottom for future reference).

Followed guide for successful upgrade from 4.5.15 encrypted, unlocked bootloader w/ Magisk root.
One note, after the first complete wipe and flash of the full ROM, it was getting stuck on first boot and never completed. Discovered that I needed to not just wipe the Data partition but Format it in TWRP, to clear out the old encryption I think. Magisk wouldn't install either until I did this.

@debork thanks for the positive feedback (all the merit goes to @zdimension of course)
@zdimension there are many people in the other thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-5/how-to/official-oxygenos-4-5-2-7-1-1-ota-t3627003 that tried (unsucessfully) to upgrade from 4.5.15 to 5.0.1, maybe a link to this topic could be useful for them (if it's not too late).
Regarding the
Go back to the TWRP home screen, press "Wipe", "Advanced Wipe" and there check "Dalvik / ART Cache", "Cache", "System", "Data" and "Internal Storage".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it should be highlighted in red, since it is the actual "clean flash" (AFAIU, correct me if I'm wrong).

if we only have the BL unlocked non root and stock recovery can we only ota without any loss of data ?

debork said:
Followed guide for successful upgrade from 4.5.15 encrypted, unlocked bootloader w/ Magisk root.
One note, after the first complete wipe and flash of the full ROM, it was getting stuck on first boot and never completed. Discovered that I needed to not just wipe the Data partition but Format it in TWRP, to clear out the old encryption I think. Magisk wouldn't install either until I did this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for feedback, I will add that to the guide (although it worked with just Wipe for me )

zdimension said:
Thanks for feedback, I will add that to the guide (although it worked with just Wipe for me )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you rooted the 4.5.15 with Magisk or SuperSU (which is not compatible with Oreo anymore) ?

olivier380 said:
Have you rooted the 4.5.15 with Magisk or SuperSU (which is not compatible with Oreo anymore) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stopped using SuperSU when it was sold to that shady company. Also, Magisk is better imo.

quick05 said:
if we only have the BL unlocked non root and stock recovery can we only ota without any loss of data ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official OnePlus support said that nothing is guaranteed if your bootloader is unlocked. But since you're on stock recovery + non rooted, you could always try. But backup everything first. Some people here on XDA have reported that it doesn't work, though.

Just followed your guide with no problems. Thank you very much!! I can confirm also that you need to format data after the wipe otherwise it gets stuck in a bootloop!

Thanks so much for this. I was able to successfully follow the guide and get upgraded to 5.0.1 without losing any data. In fact, I even messed up one step by failing to include the Android directory in the sdcard.tar backup (perhaps that should be more explicit), but it doesn't seem to have affected everything; all of my apps seem to have retained their data.
A few notes:
1. The file size of twrp.tar was ~14GB but when executing the pull command, it recognized it as only ~1.3 GB. As a result, the pull was not complete until it reached over 1000%. All the more reason to do the md5 check.
2. As others stated, I needed to format the data partition, not just wipe it.
3. I might recommend also including a "summary" version somewhere on what this guide does. Scrolling through the guide the first time, it seemed pretty daunting, but really all that you're doing is: backing up data partition and internal storage; wiping device; flashing Oreo ROM; tweaking a few files; and restoring backed up data and internal storage.
Thank you again so much! Glad to finally be on Oreo.

elight3 said:
Thanks so much for this. I was able to successfully follow the guide and get upgraded to 5.0.1 without losing any data. In fact, I even messed up one step by failing to include the Android directory in the sdcard.tar backup (perhaps that should be more explicit), but it doesn't seem to have affected everything; all of my apps seem to have retained their data.
A few notes:
1. The file size of twrp.tar was ~14GB but when executing the pull command, it recognized it as only ~1.3 GB. As a result, the pull was not complete until it reached over 1000%. All the more reason to do the md5 check.
2. As others stated, I needed to format the data partition, not just wipe it.
3. I might recommend also including a "summary" version somewhere on what this guide does. Scrolling through the guide the first time, it seemed pretty daunting, but really all that you're doing is: backing up data partition and internal storage; wiping device; flashing Oreo ROM; tweaking a few files; and restoring backed up data and internal storage.
Thank you again so much! Glad to finally be on Oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback! I'll add a summary to the guide.