TRUE PermaRoot and the ULTIMATE S=Off!!! Check this out even if you're rooted!!!

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orangekid

Sr. Mod / Mod Committee / RC-RT Committee
Staff member
Apr 10, 2009
14,778
9,178
trying to root via gfee and can't get visionary to work, it just says "rooting" forever. I'm on stock Froyo... any idea?
 

thefiverivers

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2009
180
75
Just wanted to say thank you very much for this guide. I followed it exactly, and it worked without any errors. I am now rooted, and also flashed my first rom (zips creamed glacier).
 
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orangekid

Sr. Mod / Mod Committee / RC-RT Committee
Staff member
Apr 10, 2009
14,778
9,178
for the engineering bootloader, I found the wiki version which is a zipped up IMG file, do I need to do something to it to make it the same file as I see you need to push in the OP?
 

PCLiteratesJax

Senior Member
Jul 14, 2011
131
74
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Unlocking TIP

I buy MyTouch 4G's all the time, I root and unlock them with gfree and then put a Custom ROM on them before I sell them. I have encountered a few of them where the SIM unlock did not work, thankfully before I sold them as unlocked phones. What finally worked was upgrading them back to 2.3.4 again, then do the manual downgrade to 2.2.1, Visionary+ and gfree -f PLUS gfree --sim_unlock right after. That made the SIM unlock stick.

I couldn't run gfree with a custom ROM already installed, that is why I had to start on square 1.
 

stfn74

Senior Member
Jul 26, 2010
59
12
success

Just to report a success and say thank you!!!
Just one note - the Megaupload link for the Eng Hboot didn't work for me. But a simple Google search of the MD5 sum gave me alternative links.
 

junkiee24

Senior Member
Jul 8, 2011
214
9
CA/HI
DOES THIS WORK ON ANY ANDRIOD DEVICE?

looking to root a galaxy pad (tmo).. and there seems to be multiple methods.. probably some older versions.. so i was wondering is it essentially the same method to root any android device?
 

saranhai

Inactive Recognized Developer
Mar 5, 2011
5,059
3,286
Nowhere
DOES THIS WORK ON ANY ANDRIOD DEVICE?

looking to root a galaxy pad (tmo).. and there seems to be multiple methods.. probably some older versions.. so i was wondering is it essentially the same method to root any android device?

no... This is only for HTC Glacier... you don't need to unlock a bootloader on Samsung Galaxy Devices...
 

Yousie642

Senior Member
Dec 3, 2010
139
10
So, I tried unrooting by flashing a PD15IMG.zip through hboot, but I didn't realize it wouldn't turn S-ON again. So, I tried using Visionary to get temp root and follow the instructions in this guide to turn S-ON again and hboot still shows up at S-OFF. Help please!

Edit: never mind. didn't realize I had to copy the gfree file over to /data/local again after flashing the stock rom. got S-ON now.
 
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asapelectric

Senior Member
Oct 1, 2008
363
23
Im trying to root and run a rom on a mt4g, havent done it in a while. This one is unrooted and on 2.3.4. Can someone kindly point me in the right direction? I have been searching for a while and reading. And still unsure...
 

jgro1976

Senior Member
Jun 8, 2006
324
11
OnePlus 6T
Man, I am having a heck of a time getting un-rooted. I originally used the visionary + gfree method to gain root. I made the mistake? of thinking I could just flash the stock .img file to return everything proper again for warranty work. It didn't.

I'm on 2.2.1, have visionary running to gain temp root, tried everything in the original post to get s=on again and nothing's working. Without visionary I have no root access and s=off.

What am I missing here?
 

tinpanalley

Senior Member
Aug 20, 2008
1,160
19
Quebec City
I rooted my phone over a year ago, I now want to root my dad's (same phone). It's still on T-Mo's stock Gingerbread. I know, poor guy. :)

Two questions:
1. Is it true that I now have to downgrade to Froyo before proceeding?
2. Is there a method that is better than the gfree, visionary method?
3. In this method, right off the bat it says, "Now unzip the file into your SDK tools directory" but it never says where this SDK tools directory is coming from. Clearly I'm missing something??

Thanks to ANYone who can help!
 

estallings15

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2011
6,201
2,547
I rooted my phone over a year ago, I now want to root my dad's (same phone). It's still on T-Mo's stock Gingerbread. I know, poor guy. :)

Two questions:
1. Is it true that I now have to downgrade to Froyo before proceeding?
2. Is there a method that is better than the gfree, visionary method?
3. In this method, right off the bat it says, "Now unzip the file into your SDK tools directory" but it never says where this SDK tools directory is coming from. Clearly I'm missing something??

Thanks to ANYone who can help!

1. Yes
2. Not if you have the "bad eMMC" (which is a misnomer). If you have the "good eMMC" you can use root.sh, but gfree had supercid and sim options. IMHO gfree is superior.
3. Google "5 minute ADB setup"

Sent from my Glacier using XDA
 

gcashiel

Senior Member
Dec 30, 2010
301
24
Mesa
So, I tried unrooting by flashing a PD15IMG.zip through hboot, but I didn't realize it wouldn't turn S-ON again. So, I tried using Visionary to get temp root and follow the instructions in this guide to turn S-ON again and hboot still shows up at S-OFF. Help please!

Edit: never mind. didn't realize I had to copy the gfree file over to /data/local again after flashing the stock rom. got S-ON now.

im having trouble with this please help!
 

lileddy305

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2011
113
6
i did everything to unroot my phone but im still currently on hboot 0.86 and s-off how can i turn s-on again. i have no recovery and es file explorer and terminal emulator are no longer working..
 

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    Ok guys, first of all Scotty2 gets all the credit for the program R&D. I used my device as a test bed and have tried a couple different kernels (Gr8Gorilla's O/C Kernel and the stock kernel).

    Now for the boring stuff ...

    This is a very invasive way of rooting your device but the benefit is TRUE S=Off and root privileges throughout the system. As such, you do this at your own risk and if you brick your device neither Scotty2 nor myself are responsible, YOU ARE!!! Do this at your own risk!!!

    This is not for the faint of heart and if you have any reservations about doing things like this do not do it.

    This process will do three things for your device. I will explain them here:

    1. It will set up Super CID on your device allowing you to flash any carriers rom (not just tmobile). Giving you more freedom with your choice of software. The software still needs to be device specific to the glacier for compatability reasons though. Like vodafone glacier roms etc.

    2. It will subsidy unlock your device. In other words, it will SIMUNLOCK your phone allowing you to use an AT&T sim card and so on in your device without needing the unlock code from HTC.

    3. Most important of all it will turn the RADIO S=Off. This is the ultimate S=Off because the radio is what controls the security flag in the first place. Once you turn it off here it is off everywhere and will allow you pure unadulterated access to your device.

    This process will not change your bootloader (unless your on 0.86.0000 and you follow the optional steps).

    Now, you may be asking "Why do this? I already have root from your other guide and it has given me r/w access to system and recovery. I thought this meant we had permanent S=Off." This is only partially true. We have had an engineering bootloader and "Label" s=off not radio s=off. When you turn the security off in radio it is off permanently no matter what hboot you have installed engineering or otherwise. However, it is optional but you can still copy the engineering hboot over and it will allow you to flash whatever you like without (as much) fear of bricking your device.

    This guide assumes you know how to use ADB. If you do not there are guides all over XDA to show you how. There is even a really good one in this forum. Also here is a video on how to setup adb discovered by topgun303: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UF5w1dKe2U

    *NOTE*
    For some reason this process can bork your recovery. If you notice after following the steps below that in order to reboot from recovery you have to uninstall/reinstall the battery and hit the power button, just install/reinstall clockwork recovery through Rom Manager in the android market and it will fix your problem. :)


    CONFIRMED: Guide does work for pre-OTA devices!!! Thanks xanz!

    Here we go:

    If you are already permarooted per the other guide just follow the first 11 steps.

    Make sure you have visionary installed on your device. (If you were already permarooted w/s=off ignore this step.)

    Download this file:
    http://www.mediafire.com/?s7afymwe2wb3x60 New version of gfree with more options! See below.
    md5sum: b73c56ca0e21664c5756d4ad295063c5

    1. Now unzip the file into your SDK tools directory.

    2. Plug your device into your computer.

    3. Now open explorer and hold down shift at same time you right mouse click on your SDK tools directory (platform-tools if you have the R8 version of the SDK). Select open command window here. If you are in linux (ubuntu) right mouse click on your SDK tools folder, choose actions, and choose open command window(or whatever it's called). Otherwise, open a command prompt and cd your way to your SDK tools directory.

    4. Type "adb push gfree /data/local" and hit enter.

    Optionally, you could dl the file to your phone use androzip or something like it to unzip the file and then use root explorer to move the file named gfree to /data/local. Not the gfree.h file. All the other files are source code inlcuded for the gnu license. This would skip the first 4 steps. :)

    5. Now unplug your device from the computer.

    6. Run visionary to gain temp root. (If you were already permarooted w/s=off ignore this step.)

    7. Open terminal emulator on your device, type "su", and hit enter to gain root privileges.

    8. Type "cd /data/local" and hit enter.

    9. Now type "chmod 777 gfree" and hit enter to make the program executable.

    10. Type "./gfree -f" and hit enter.

    New features in gfree.
    gfree usage:
    gfree [-h|-?|--help] [-v|--version] [-s|--secu_flag on|off]
    -h | -? | --help: display this message
    -v | --version: display program version
    -s | --secu_flag on|off: turn secu_flag on or off
    -c | --cid <CID>: set the CID to the 8-char long CID
    -S | --sim_unlock: remove the SIMLOCK

    With the new features you can turn off one thing at a time. You can also turn security back on and set the CID back to stock if you wish. To turn simlock back on you still have to follow the revert procedures on this page as the information that is patched to turn the lock off is encrypted and we can't write back to it other than restoring the entire image.

    So, if you wanted to leave simlock on but turn security off and set super CID the command would be "./gfree --secu_flag off --cid 11111111" + enter. The -f switch after ./gfree that is now in the above step (./gfree -f) just tells gfree to patch everything.

    11. Wait for the program to finish and then reboot into HBoot to see if S=Off. Also, check your bootloader version. If it says s=off and has bootloader version 0.86.0000 it worked.

    If you already had hboot 0.85.2007 you can check it through the hboot menu. It gives you an option for "system info" in the hboot menu. Highlight it and hit power. It should say CID = 11111111 or something like that. If it does your golden. :D
    Congratulations!

    12. If this is the first time you have rooted your device you will need to run visionary again (temproot w/set system r/w after root checked and then attempt permroot) to make root privileges permanent and then reboot again. Now "su" should work properly for you.

    Gfree writes a backup of the file that it patches named Part7backup-numbers.bin on your sdcard. I suggest putting this file in a safe place as it is the only way to revert if you need to.

    [Optional] Steps to flash engineering bootloader.

    1. Restart your phone and plug it back into your computer.

    2. Download this file: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NN5726Z8
    md5sum: df4fd77f44993eb05a4732210d2eddc6

    3. Copy the file to your SDK tools directory.

    4. Open a command prompt again and cd into your SDK tools directoty (platform-tools if your on the new R8 SDK).

    5. Type "adb push hboot_dhd.nb0 /data/local" and hit enter.

    6. Now open terminal on your device and type "su" and enter to gain root priviliges.

    7. Type "cd /data/local" and enter.

    8. Now type "dd if=hboot_dhd.nb0 of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p18" and hit enter.

    9. You should see something like: 2048 bytes in 2048 bytes out 1048576 bytes copied blah blah blah.

    10. Now restart the device into hboot and check if your bootloader version is 0.85.2007. That is what you want to see.

    Congratulations, you now have a TRUE root and engineering bootloader on your shiny MT4G!!!

    Procedure to revert

    1. Rename the part7backup file that you already have to something just so you know that it is the original backup.

    2. Open up terminal emulator or adb shell and type "su" + enter to get root privileges.

    3. Type "cd /data/local" and hit enter.

    4. Now type "./gfree -f" + enter to run gfree again. It will disable wp on the emmc and remove the brq filter in the kernel. (as well as make another backup, which you can delete if you wish)

    5. Now run the "dd if=/where/your/part7backup-numbers.bin of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p7" and it should show the output:
    xxxx bytes in
    xxxxbytes out
    xxxxxxxxxx copied in blah blah blah

    6. Run "sync" and then reboot. (I didn't do this and it worked fine but it won't hurt either. :))

    If you have the engineering hboot 0.85.2007 installed you will still be showing s=off when you do the above revert steps. Follow these steps to reflash the stock hboot and turn s=on:

    Download this file and unzip it to /sdcard on your device.

    unroot.rar
    http://www.mediafire.com/?12oi5elu7v2y8og
    md5sum: aad4e64126cf8d92d7e8b5abb48fdadd

    Terminal Emulator Method
    1. Open up terminal editor on your device.(I prefer this method b/c you can see the output.)

    a. Type "su" + enter to gain root privileges.

    b. Type "cd /sdcard/unroot" + enter.

    c. Type "sh unroot.sh" + enter.

    d. Follow the onscreen prompts.

    File Explorer Method

    2. Open root explorer, sufbs, or some other file browser with root access.

    a. Navigate to /sdcard/unroot.

    b. Click on unroot.sh and allow it to run. Some file browsers ask permission before they execute scripts.

    c. Wait 18 to 20 seconds and reboot your phone into the bootloader to check if S=on.

    You now have S=ON again.


    Here is a pic of the stock HBoot 0.86.0000 with S=Off to prove it. :D
    2
    The latest MIUI build... do I have to be on froyo?

    Yes, download a rooted stock froyo ROM, then try it

    If I helped, give thanks, if you please.
    ........Death before dishonor........
    2
    Sorry for the bump, but can I get some feedback on this? I'm still not certain if it's "Better" to go with the engineering bootloader or the stock.

    Go with engineering boot instead, you can fully modify your phone, with custom splash screens. An having the engineering boot, there less likely of a change of you flashing something that requires eng an possibly messing up the phone.

    From my fist to your face, enjoy.
    2
    Needing a mirror to the engineering bootloader...since megaupload is down forever...

    Here's the engineering HBoot for ya.

    http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Glacier:_Support_Downloads
    2
    Hey Grankin, thanks again for all your hard work and quick replies...I have to unroot and send my phone back, but I'm unsure what to type in this area, please help...thanks
    Now run the "dd if=/where/your/part7backup-numbers.bin of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p7" and it should show the output:
    xxxx bytes in
    xxxxbytes out
    xxxxxxxxxx copied in blah blah blah
    my part7backup is on my sd card named Originalpartbackup7, so would I type
    "dd if=/sdcard/Originalpart7backup-numbers.bin of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p7 ?
    Thanks again

    Yes, that is correct.

    Hallo please advice
    I am going to purchase a locked t-mobile 4G
    Can I have it unlocked with that method? (and rooted and s-off)?
    what can I do and watch?

    Yes you can root this way and I'm not sure if there is a video on it. :confused: