Droid 2 hacking/rom install class

[pc747]

In this thread I am going to give a class in the basics or installing roms, setting up rsdlite for the droid 2, using rsdlite, and how to recover a "bricked" phone. There are alot of people who want to learn this stuff but are intimidated by some of the guides. My methods will be basic, simple, and to the point. Now I know there is more than one way to do certain things so I will try to cover different methods, but for the most part I will try to cover every thing I can.

So this is how I am going to format this thread. First I am going to cover each day a rooting tip, idea.

Example:

Mondays: This thread will be dedicated to teaching people how to root

Tuesdays: This thread will be dedicated how to teach people to set up rsdlite (I have a windows 7 computer so that is the only method I know comfortably)

Wednesday: This thread will be dedicated to teaching people how to use bootstrap recovery, rom manager, and make and restore a nandroid backup

Thursday: This thread will be used to teach people how to flash a rom.

Friday-Sunday: Basic rooting question and answer days

 

[pc747]

Monday Lesson (reserved): If you updated to the new ota and are looking to reroot see post 8

I will be covering two methods. Method 1 will be based off Eousporos guide (http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-hacks/80080-much-simpler-guide-rooting-no-pc-required.html) Method 2 will be based off super one click root. I am not a fan of easyroot or quick root apps, but the super click program pushes the adb commands for you and I have used and tested it to where I feel confident suggesting it.

Method 1:

Course Material: http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-hacks/80080-much-simpler-guide-rooting-no-pc-required.html

Required programs: Terminal emulator (preferably Android terminal emulator)

Required Files: You will need busybox, su, Superuser.apk, and rageinthecage (you can get them here: http://rootzwiki.com/index.php/Smartphones/Motorola/Droid-2.html)

Suggested Program: A raring program (i.e Winrar), droid 2 drivers (http://www.motorola.com/consumers/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bda09ec8009a0210VgnVCM10000088 06b00aRCRD), Astro File Manager.


Step 1: Download the required files on to your laptop, desktop, or net book

Step 2: open the Droid2root file with Winrar (if it asks you for a code the code is in the file)

Step 3: connect you droid 2 to your computer and click usb mass storage so that your phones' sd card files open up on your computer. Make sure you have usb debugging checked Lithoss

Step 4: place the four required files on the root of your sdcard (that do not mean look for a "root" folder, that means make sure the files do not go into any folders)

Step 5: disconnect your phone from your computer

Step 6: Open Android Terminal Emulator

Step 7: Input the following commands (after the red letter is a space) also do not put this symbol (-) before any of the commands it is just there to indicate the start of a new command line. After each command hit the enter key to go to the next command line.

- cd /tmp
- cp /sdcard/rage*.bin /tmp/
- chmod 777 rage*.bin
- ./rage*.bin

Step 8: Let your phone sit for 2 -5mins then you will hit the home key, click your menu button to go into settings, find and click applications, then find and click manage applications, look for running applications click and look for android terminal emulator. You will force stop Android Terminal Emulator.

Step 9: open android terminal emulator and you should see # (if you do not see that and/or you phone is lagging reboot your phone and start over from Step 7 that usually fixes it).

Step 10: enter the following commands

- mount -o rw,remount -t ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk1p21 /system
- cp /sdcard/Superuser.apk /system/app/Superuser.apk
- cp /sdcard/su /system/bin/su
- cp /sdcard/busybox /system/bin/busybox
- chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
- chmod 4755 /system/bin/busybox
- mount -o ro,remount -t ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk1p21 /system
- exit


Step 11: Reboot your phone

Step 12: Check to see if you have the superuser app in your app drawer. Also open terminal emulator and type the following command: su
A window should open prompting you to allow it to have superuser permissions.

Congratulations you are now rooted.

We will discuss on Mondays basic rooting apps that you can use for your phone.

Method 2:

Required program: (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682)

Material: Watch the video:


[video=youtube;SuaXu8kusvA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuaXu8kusvA&feature=player_embedded[/video]


​

​

 

[pc747]

Tuesdays lesson: reserved



I noticed that me placing rsdlite #2 has been confusing people so it is time to discuss why I did it. First rsdlite is not used as a step in rooting, I can see how it has been confusing people being the droid 1 uses sbf to root. But sbf is used for 2 reasons. 1) if you install a rom and for some reason you can not restore a nandroid backup or you are just stuck. Sbf will restore your device to factory out of the box setting. 2) if you are returning your device flash sbf to ensure its at out of the box setting so they do not know that you modded your device.

The reason I made sbf 2nd was because after rooting and flashing a nandroid backup the next step for people is to install roms and/or themes. You do not want to wait until you get stuck to try to figure it out or get rsdlite set up. Everyone who has had a problem with rsdlite can tell you that the hardest part is getting everything set up and that is where people get hung up. I will admit that was where I got hung up. So before you install a rom take the time to make sure you have everything set up. Trust me, it is much easier and better on your nerves if you do it while your phone is working than panicking and not knowing what to do.


We will discuss how to set up RSDLite for the droid 2. I am going to preference that the method I am discussing uses the Windows 7 operating system. I welcome any one who is willing to discuss setting up the program with other operating systems.


Course Goals: To teach people how to set up and use rsdlite

Course Materials: n/a
Required software/programs: Rsdlite file:http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...rld-present-droid-2-2-3-20-triple-threat.html

Prerequisite: Have your drivers from motorola already set up.

Course videos: This is to serve as a visual reference, though it is for the droid x the process is very similar:




[video=youtube;c58XaWnr6XE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c58XaWnr6XE[/video]

Step 1: Download and extract the sbf files and rsdlite program

Step 2: Install the rsdlite program

Now your rsdlite program is all set and ready to go.

Droid 2​

Now to discuss how to use it.​

Prerequisite: Must have the rsdlite program set up


Step 1: Boot into the bootloader, you do this by powering on and holding the physical up button on your keyboard. You should see a black screen with text that says battery: OK

Step 2: Plug is your usb cord into the computer you loaded the rsdlite file on

Step 3: Click on your rsdlite program. You need to run as an administrator, to do that hold shift key and right click on the rsdlite program (do that as you are about to open the program). Thanks Firesong3k for reminding me about that.

Step 4: Next to the file name text box in the rsdlite program are three little dots. Click on those dots and find the file Click on that file and then click start. Make sure you have a strong battery before flashing this is the one time you need to ensure your battery is ok to get through the process, because the program erases everything and re-flashes your phone.

Step 5: Wait for it to get to 100% and reboot your phone to the motorola "M" symbol first then unplug your device. While at the M take off the battery cover out and remove your battery. Wait for about 3 seconds and then reinstall your battery. Power on and hold the physical X key until you get to the triangle and !.

Step 6: on your physical keyboard push the search button to get into the recovery mode. From there you are going to wipe data/factory reset. AFter that is complete click reboot.


Congratulations you have your phone back to the out of the box state.

 

[pc747]

Wednesday's lesson: reserved

This class will discuss Bootstrap Recovery, Rom Manager, and how to make and recover a nandroid backup.

Prerequisite: Have rsdlite set up and ready to go, be familiar with how to use it. I did a practice run to make sure everything was ready to go.

Course Material: http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/08/droid-x-recovery.html
http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/09/new-rom-manager-feature-web-connect.html
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-hacks/85127-how-install-remove-bootstrap-recovery.html
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/re...shooting-guides-clockwork-recovery-guide.html

Course Objective: To ensure the user can install a rom, create a backup, and restore a backup

Important tip: You want to ensure before starting this process that you are able to use rsdlite. If for some reason the custom recovery do not come up (its rare) the only way to fix a droid that will not boot up is with rsdlite

Bootstrap Recovery

Bootstrap recovery can be found and installed from the market. The App is 2.99 and is needed in order to flash a rom. All you have to do is install the app and click install boostrap recovery.

[video=youtube;ApZ_oSV7CTg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApZ_oSV7CTg&feature=player_embedded[/video]


To remove bootstrap: Remove the app and input the following adb commands:

Removal from an Androidforums post:
UNINSTALL the Recovery APK (Droid X Bootstrapper) in Settings, Applications
Reboot
Run "adb shell"
Run "su"
Run "mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mmcblk1p21 /system"
Run "cp /system/bin/logwrapper.bin /system/bin/logwrapper"
Reboot

Terminal Emulator commands:
Removal from an Androidforums post:
UNINSTALL the Recovery APK (Droid X Bootstrapper) in Settings, Applications
Reboot
Run "su"
Run "mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mmcblk1p21 /system"
Run "cp /system/bin/logwrapper.bin /system/bin/logwrapper"
Reboot
​

 

[pc747]

Thursday's lesson reserved

Flashing a Rom

Prerequisite: Must be rooted, have bootstrap recovery, Made a nandroid backup, have rsdlite sbf 2.2 for droid 2 set and ready to go.

Course Material: http://www.droidforums.net/forum/re...shooting-guides-clockwork-recovery-guide.html
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/re...shooting-guides-clockwork-recovery-guide.html

Course Objective: To teach members how to flash a rom/theme

Important: Before starting it is very important that you create a Nandroid Backup first.

Step 1: Read the developers comments about the rom/theme, the requirements, and the instructions

Step 2: Do research on the from/theme to see if other users are experiencing any issues. If the common issue is, for example, force closure when using camera app then more than likely you will have force closure when you use the app.

Step 3: Download the file on to a computer. (or you can just download it onto your device).
If you download the file then move the zip file (still zipped up) to the root of your sdcard
Step 4: Either boot into recovery and flash install the rom from clockwork recovery or use rom manager to install the rom

Step 5: Wipe data and Cache if stated by the dev (most of the time they will recommend wiping data and cache).

Step 6: reboot device and check it for any errors or any thing that is unusual. If you experience problems or get caught into a constant reboot then flash your nandroid back up from clockwork recovery.

Step 7: Before sending you device back to verizon it is HIGHLY recommended that you sbf the device first.
​

 

[pc747]

Friday- Sunday: this will be reserved for tips and ideas that I learn and come up with over the course of time

 

[pc747]

Reserved...............

Important tip:


DON'T RUSH

You do not need to always be the first to install a rom, an update, or an app. The wise sit back and wait and see if problems arise. Now if you are confident that you have a backup and the correct sbf in place then thread lightly. But rushing to install an official ota can cost you time. We all know VZW is hip to what we do and look to try to close the root exploit with each ota. By now if you have not figured out if you install an ota then you are stuck until a dev find away around the ota. Once you flash an ota your sbf no longer works until they come up with another one.
This is true with apps, if I get an update alert for an app I usually wait a couple of days and see if any negative comments come from it. We know the benefits of having an open device, but with that benefit come responsibility. If you device do not work in the end you are responsible because you loaded the app or the rom.
On the diff forums and news blogs we try to keep ahead of what is going on and keep everyone informed. But some things we will not know about until someone encounters the problem.
In the end the most important thing you can do is research. If there is not enough info about a rom or an app I would not put it on my device.
​

 

[pc747]

If you were rooted and you installed 2.3.20
You can reroot with the z4root app.

 

[pc747]

Monday's class is now in session:

 

[pc747]

Rsdlite class is now in session.

 

[stixaw]

Great thread for teh one stop shopper

 

[MischiefsMommy]

Good afternoon! I am ready to fix this thing... the only quesstion I have is my phone is not showing up on the RSD is it suppose to?

 

[pc747]

are you in the bootloader

 

[MischiefsMommy]

yes and i clicked start there is no transfer bar nothng

 

[pc747]

do you have windows 7 or another os