[GUIDE] Downgrade G2 (2.3.X) & DZ (2.3.X) & mT4g (2.3.4) & DHD w/ S-ON to Stock Froyo

[GUIDE] Downgrade G2 (2.3.X) & DZ (2.3.X) & mT4g (2.3.4) & DHD w/ S-ON to Stock Froyo

This guide is written for anyone who has "Stock Gingerbread" and wants to downgrade their phone which originally had "Stock Froyo". The following is a list of phone models this guide is intended for and that are known to work:

Working Phone Models:

• G2 (Vision)
• Desire Z (Vision)
• myTouch 4G (Glacier)
• Desire HD (Ace)

It should also be noted, this guide WILL NOT work with the following:

• myTouch 4G Slide (Doubleshot)
• Desire HD (Ace) w/ Sense 3.x (a recent OTA update as patched this method).*
  *See these threads for a fix for the Desire HD (Ace) w/ Sense 3.x:
  • [GUIDE] Downgrade from 3.13 (Sense 3.0) roms
  • Temp root on Desire HD (Ace) with Sense 3.x

Special Notes

• If you have used HTCDEV unlock your phone, please visit the following guide prior to using this guide, otherwise you will not be able to downgrade.
  • [GUIDE] How to get root/flash custom roms with HTCDEV unlock written by Nipqer
• strawmetal has been kind enough to make an amazing PDF for each of the various phone models this guide supports which may be easier to read and follow for some users. I highly recommend taking a look at these files, especially if you are finding yourself a little confused during this guide (as this guide is written for multiple devices though he has PDFs for each device individually).
  • STRAWMETAL's Downgrade From Gingerbread to Froyo Guides and Tools
  • HTC Desire Z-G2 Downgrade & Root *Recently Updated*

Table of Contents

• Introduction
  1. Gaining Temp Root
     
  2. Changing Version Number to Allow Downgrade and Gaining SuperCID with a Goldcard
     
  3. Temp-Rooting to Backup (*Optional*)
     
  4. Downgrading
     
     • Manual Downgrade
       
     • Fastboot Downgrade
• Sources
• Troubleshooting
• Change Log
• Attachments

I) Introduction
This guide is written with the assumption that the user has previously used "adb". If you are unfamiliar with "adb" or do not even know what "adb" is, download the Android SDK (found at http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html). There are a couple guides to help you get started setting up the Android SDK and understanding ADB. If you have not installed the Android SDK or you are unfamiliar with ADB, please take some time and read a couple guides to get a basic understanding of it.

• [GUIDE] ADB Workshop and Guide for everyone
• [HOW-TO] ADB for Dummies(How-To Learner's Guide)
• How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices

I - 1) Gaining Temp Root

1. Download the attached files, unzip them, and place the files in your platform-tools folder. To elaborate, place the fre3vo file inside of the View attachment fre3vo.zip file in your platform-tools folder and the misc_version file inside the View attachment misc_version_01.zip file in your platform-tools folder.
2. Make sure you have your sdcard inserted in your phone, and you are NOT in USB Storage Mode, and your sdcard is NOT FULL.
3. Run the following command to verify the exploit has access to what it needs. (Only the first line is the command. The second line should be the result returned if all goes well.)
   Code:

   [B]> adb shell cat /dev/msm_rotator[/B]
   [I]/dev/msm_rotator: invalid length[/I]

4. If you received the same message, you're good to continue on. If not… refer to the troubleshooting section of the guide before you continue.
5. Run the following commands from your platform-tools directory.
   Code:

   [B]> adb push fre3vo /data/local/tmp
   > adb shell
   $ chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/fre3vo
   $ /data/local/tmp/fre3vo -debug -start FAA90000 -end FFFFFFFF[/B]

6. After you enter that command, you should see something similar to the last few lines in the following displayed.
   (It may take a minute or two. From what I can tell, this appears to be the quickest method as the exploit seems to be found in the latter regions.)
   Code:

   [I]Buffer offset:      00000000
   Buffer size:        8192
   
   Scanning region fb7b0000...
   Scanning region fb8a0000...
   Scanning region fb990000...
   Scanning region fba90000...
   Potential exploit area found at address fbb4d600:a00.
   Exploiting device...[/I]

7. • If the exploit works, you will be kicked out of ADB shell, proceed to Step #8.
   • If the above does not work, and fails, you can try the following, and hopefully one will work, try the following (you must reboot your phone before you try another set):
     Code:

     [B]$ /data/local/tmp/fre3vo -debug -start 10000000 -end 1FFFFFFF
     $ /data/local/tmp/fre3vo -debug -start 20000000 -end 2FFFFFFF
     $ /data/local/tmp/fre3vo -debug -start 30000000 -end 3FFFFFFF
     $ /data/local/tmp/fre3vo -debug -start F0000000 -end FFFFFFFF
     $ /data/local/tmp/fre3vo -debug -start E0000000 -end EFFFFFFF[/B]

8. If you did get kicked out of adb shell, open it again. You should now see # instead of $, thus granting you temp root. Go ahead and exit out of shell to proceed to the next stage.
   Code:

   [B]> adb shell
   # exit[/B]

I - 2) Changing Version Number to Allow Downgrade and Gaining SuperCID with a Goldcard

1. If you followed the first portion of this, you should of unzipped View attachment misc_version_01.zip ad View attachment flashgc.zip in the platform-tools directory.
   If you haven't done that yet, do that now and then run the following commands from your platform-tools directory.
2. Code:

   [B]> adb push misc_version /data/local/tmp/misc_version
   > adb push flashgc /data/local/tmp/flashgc
   > adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/*
   > adb shell
   # cd /data/local/tmp
   # ./misc_version -s 1.00.000.0[/B]
   [I]--set_version set. VERSION will be changed to: 1.00.000.0
   Patching and backing up partition 17...[/I]
   [B]# ./flashgc[/B]

   *Note: If you get the following error, please make sure your sdcard is inserted in your phone and is NOT mounted to your computer (ie: make sure you are NOT in USB Storage Mode). This is a fairly common error and/or oversight many people tend to miss. Please double check this before continuing.
   
   Code:

   Error opening backup file.

3. Code:

   [B]# sync[/B]

4. Double check and make sure everything looks good so far by running the following command (still in adb shell).
   
   Code:

   [B]# dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p17 bs=1 skip=160 count=10[/B]
   [I]1.00.000.010+0 records in
   10+0 records out
   10 bytes transferred in 0.001 secs (10000 bytes/sec)[/I]

5. BE SURE TO BACKUP ANY DATA!!!***

I - 3) Temp-Rooting to Backup
If you have nothing to back up or don't care to back anything up, proceed to the next section.
Credit goes to Nipqer from #g2root for providing me with this method.

1. Download the attached file: View attachment Vision-fre3vo-temp-root.zip
2. Extract the contents to your platform-tools directory.
3. Run the following commands in command prompt while in platform-tools directory:
   Code:

   > adb push su /data/local/tmp/
   > adb push busybox /data/local/tmp/
   > adb push fixsu.sh /data/local/tmp/
   > adb install SuperUser.apk
   > adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/fixsu.sh
   > adb shell /data/local/tmp/fixsu.sh

4. Download a backing up application such as...
   • Titanium Backup
   • MyBackup Root
5. Make a backup!

I - 4) Downgrading

• Download the Stock Rom for your device:
  • G2: PC10IMG_Vision_TMOUS_1.19.531.1_Radio_12.21.60.09b_26.02.01.15_M2_release_149459_signed.zip (Link not working last time I checked... hopefully it will come back up).
    Mirrors:
    • Vision_G2_1.19.531.1_PC10IMG.zip (Working as of April 2023)
    • MD5: 531c08dc402e15577b947bf4cd22aec2
    
    
  • Desire Z: PC10IMG.zip
    Mirrors:
    • PC10IMG.zip
    • Vision_DZ_1.34.405.5_PC10IMG.zip
    • Vision_DZ_1.34.405.5_PC10IMG.zip
    • MD5: 2ff42897cd27e0db425a2cf36c8bd078
    
    
  • myTouch 4G: PD15IMG.zip
    Mirrors:
    • http://cmw.22aaf3.com/glacier/stock/1.17.531.2/PD15IMG.zip
    • http://goo-inside.me/ruu/glacier/fu....140e_26.03.02.26_M_release_155771_signed.zip
    • Glacier_mT4G_1.17.531.2_PD15IMG.zip
    • Glacier_mT4G_1.17.531.2_PD15IMG.zip
    • MD5: 49d07f0ee7de1765a6a84cb12fa53110
    
    
  • Desire HD: RUU_Ace_HTC_WWE_1.24.405.1_Radio_12.27.60.14b_26.02.00.29_M4_release_151852_signed.zip
    Mirrors:
    • Ace_DHD_1.24.405.1_PD98IMG.zip
    • Ace_DHD_1.24.405.1_PD98IMG.zip
    • MD5: a107b30a4b397c9238ddc7f4571c2ee8
  
  
• Follow either Manual Downgrade OR Fastboot Downgrade.

I - 4a) Manual Downgrade

1. Rename the downloaded rom to it's proper update name:
   (Please note, the filenames MUST be all uppercase except for the extension, and if file extensions are hidden, do not include ".zip"):
   • G2: "PC10IMG.zip"
   • Desire Z: "PC10IMG.zip"
   • myTouch 4G: "PD15IMG.zip"
   • Desire HD: "PD98IMG.zip"
   
   
2. Place the zip file in the root of your sdcard.
3. Reboot your phone into bootloader by typing the following command:
   Code:

   [B]> adb reboot bootloader [/B]

4. After your phone has entered bootloader, press the power button. It will then scan for the associated rom file and ask you to update by pressing a key.
5. Press the key it requests to perform the update.
   DO NOT INTERRUPT THIS PROCESS.
   Your phone will reboot once or twice - this is completely normal.
   This process will take roughly 5-10 minutes so make sure your phone is plugged in, either to an outlet or your computer.
6. Once the process is finished, it will ask you to reboot by pressing a key. Press the associated key and it will reboot into the Stock Froyo rom!
7. After booting into Android 2.2, DO NOT update the OTA that is around 70MB. That is the update to Gingerbread. There is one update that will come before that, that is a lot smaller in size, which is the WiFi-Calling update - that update is okay to install.

I - 4b) Fastboot Downgrade

1. Rename the downloaded stock rom "StockRom.zip" (if extensions are hidden, rename it "StockRom").
2. Place the downloaded stock rom zip file in your platform-tools directory.
3. Download the attached file View attachment fastboot.zip. In the zip archive there are three folders, "windows", "mac", and "linux".
4. Extract the file from the associated with your operating system and place it in platform-tools directory.
5. In command prompt, type the following command to reboot into bootloader:
   Code:

   [B]> adb reboot bootloader[/B]

6. Make sure your device is recognized by typing the following command.
   
   Code:

   [B]> fastboot devices[/B]

7. If you device is recognized, it should return a serial/model number.
8. Code:

   [B]> fastboot oem rebootRUU[/B]

9. Your phone should now reboot into a black screen with a gray/silver "HTC" logo on it.
10. Next we flash the Stock Rom. This may take a few minutes as it transfers the file to the phone then attemps to update (downgrade).
    
    Code:

    [B]> fastboot flash zip StockRom.zip[/B]

11. In rare cases the flash stops and the user gets a warning to repeat the flash immediately - no panic, just run the "fastboot flash zip StockRom.zip" (only this command, not the rebootRUU one) again and it will work.
12. When it finishes, wait a minute or two (just in case) then reboot your phone by typing:
    Code:

    [B]> fastboot reboot[/B]

13. After booting into Android 2.2, DO NOT update the OTA that is around 70MB. That is the update to Gingerbread. There is one update that will come before that, that is a lot smaller in size, which is the WiFi-Calling update - that update is okay to install.

II) Sources:

• #g2root: http://fishporn.ca/vision.gingerbread.root.html
• Using fre3vo: http://therootofallevo.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=120
• [GUIDE] ADB Workshop and Guide for everyone
• [HOW-TO] ADB for Dummies(How-To Learner's Guide)
• How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices
• [ROM]Ace Test & Stock ROMS [RE-UPLOADED]
• Instructions for flashgc
• Temp-Root Backup Post by Nipqer
• [GUIDE] How to get root/flash custom roms with HTCDEV unlock
• flashgc by skorgon
• Various Chats I've had with individuals.

If anyone needs further help and would prefer messaging me, feel free.

• AIM: IgnorantNihilist
• G-Talk: leon.yandel@gmail.com
• MSN: leon.yandel@gmail.com

III) Troubleshooting

Cimer said:

[...] If [the downgrade] does not work, Right click your Command prompt, Select All, Right click again. Then go to pastebin.com, paste there, Scroll down, name it and hit submit. After that post the link here and we'll take a look at it.

EVERYONE: If you want a faster diagnostic please do this in advance and other people can see your mistakes.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

You can also join the IRC channel #g2root on irc.freenode.net and ask questions in there. If you are unfamiliar with IRC, you can go to http://webchat.freenode.net and pick an alias, for channel type in #g2root and enter the reCAPTCHA and connect.


I wanted to give credit to specific individuals whom have helped write this guide, provided important feedback to further improve this guide, and/or in any other way further improved this guide. I think these invidiuals should be recognized, as if it were not for them, this would wouldn't be as elaborate, dynamic, and informative as it is. So a special thanks to, Cimer, strawmetal petarpLab, iDylan1357, asharma5290, guhl, pierre_ja, and skorgon from #g2root. And I would also like to recognize and give a major thanks to Nipqer whom offers a lot of support with constant responses helping assist those whom ask for help both in this thread as well as on IRC. And he is always making sure I keep this as updated as it can be.



IV) Change Log

• 2023/04/14
  • I'm no longer supporting this thread anymore however I will try to update it if someone messages me with an issue. I don't have time anymore unfortunately. I did however update the downgrade ROM for the G2. The link in the mirror is currently hosted on my google drive. If there's a problem let me know in a private message.
• 2013/06/14
  • Update ratherphallic.co.cc links to ratherphallic.tk. -Nipqer
• 2012/11/11
  • Made some minor changes (grammar, spelling, layout/format).
  • Added links to guides which fix the issue with Desire HD (Ace) w/ Sense 3.x
• 2012/05/22
  • Changed "fastboot" attachment to have 3 folders ("windows","linux",and "mac") each with "fastboot" in it instead of having "fastboot-linux", "fastboot-mac", and "fastboot-windows.exe".
  • Changed fastboot portion of guide to reflect change to attachment for easier usability.
• 2012/04/21
  • Updated strawmetal's PDF document for G2/Desire Z Downgrade.
  • Added link to strawmetal's tools used in his PDF Guide.
• 2012/03/07
  • Added a PDF file that strawmetal was kind enough to make for Vision users.
  • Added links to attached files in the guide where I reference them.
• 2012/02/03
  • Changed link to the Stock Vision (G2) Rom and added mirrors.
  • Changed link to the Stock Vision (Desire Z) Rom and added mirrors.
  • Added mirrors to the Stock Glacier (myTouch 4G) Rom.
  • Changed link to the Stock Ace (Desire HD) Rom and added mirrors.
• 2012/02/03
  • Added a guide to help individuals whom have used the "official" htcdev.com unlocker method.
• 2012/02/03
  • Fixed link for the G2, Desire Z, and Desire HD (thanks to repast & cmstlist.
• 2012/04/13
  • Possible exploit found for Desire HD updated to latest OTA update (which patched our current method).
• 2012/01/28
  • Fixed link for myTouch 4G as megaupload has been taken down. Also added mirrors for myTouch 4G Stock Rom.
• 2011/12/20
  • Clearified which phone models this guide is intended for as well as noting that the Doubleshot does not work.
  • Made note that a recent OTA patch for the Ace, giving it Sense 3.x, has patched this method and this method will no longer work on Ace models which have Sense 3.x
• 2011/12/17
  • Added new goldcard generator and simplified the guide.
• 2011/10/27
  • Changed the download link for the Desire HD.
  • Added MD5 checksums next to the rooms.
• 2011/10/26
  • Re-added the manual downgrade method due to people having issues with the fastboot method.
• 2011/10/23
  • Fixed a slightly error in code during the temp-root backup section. Had "adb install install Superuser.apk", replaced it with "adb install Superuser.apk"
• 2011/10/22
  • Added a method to be able to backup data prior to downgrading! (thanks to Nipqer from #g2root)
• 2011/10/20
  • Added Desire HD.
  • Changed the downgrading method to use fastboot rather than manually downgrading.
  • Added "Creating A Goldcard" method from http://www.thinkthinkdo.com/trac/project1/attachment/wiki/pierre_ja/flashgc_instructions
• 2011/08/26
  • Changed modified version number for each device to 1.00.000 as it is more universal and works for each one.
  • Made it more clear to extract the attached files and place them in the platform-tools directory for use.
• 2011/08/06
  • Added a couple links to ADB guide.
• 2011/08/05
  • Added myTouch 4G
  • Added link to an "adb" guide.
  • Changed title from "[GUIDE] Downgrade G2 2.13.531.8 (2.3.3 T-Mobile Rom w/ S-ON) & DZ 2.3.3 w/ S-ON" to "[GUIDE] Downgrade G2 (2.3.3) & DZ (2.3.3) & mT4g (2.3.4) w/ S-ON to Stock Froyo"

V) Attached Files

• View attachment misc_version_01.zip
• View attachment fre3vo.zip
• View attachment fastboot.zip
• View attachment Vision-fre3vo-temp-root.zip
• View attachment flashgc.zip

I have updated the PDF with changes related to new gfree 1.0.

Download here http://d-h.st/j97

Thanks for the tips Cimer, I edited the post, hopefully that clarifies it a bit more.

I've been a quiet browser here on XDA for quite a while but I believe that was actually the first post I made =3 It took me a while to try to get it formatted... fluently / tried to make it easy to read and follow.

And hey, if it wasn't for you all posting the logs from #g2root, I would of never gotten my G2 back to being rooted. I think I had like 8 different pages open when I was doing it, reading the chat log, reviewing the pastebin data, et cetera. But it worked, after searching every day, the trick has been found.

On a side note, I picked the range "-start FAA90000 -end FFFFFFFF" because it appears that the exploit is most likely within that range. It was for yours "FBB47C00:1400", mine was "FBB4D600:A00", and a friend of mine was also an FBB*.

Re: [GUIDE] Downgrade G2 (2.3.X) & DZ (2.3.X) & mT4g (2.3.4) & DHD w/ S-ON to Stock F

I included the guide for rooting in the pdf given in the op. You could use that.

Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk 2

Setherio, please divide a section for 2.3.3 DZ owners. the appropriate PC10IMG.zip for them is
http://www.multiupload.com/GH26HXLLES (md5 2ff42897cd27e0db425a2cf36c8bd078)
the mics_version command is: /data/local/tmp/misc_version -s 1.33.405.5
the push command is: adb push PC10IMG.zip /sdcard/