OUTDATED[Guide] Setting up/using adb/fastboot-unlock, flash custom recovery & root
Below is a great guide to rooting, from several sources, (mostly taken from pingvinen's "An Idiot's Guide to Flashing the Xoom" and a guide by publicanimal. and I hope it helps. You can find the links to all of the files referenced below in the Xoom Heaven thread (thanks StrifeSoldierVII!)[/I]
(New thread in General Section by Jack207407 will have all the updated links for flashing
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1443110
One Stop For ROM's, MOD's, and Root Wifi-Only and 3G/4G Models)
"What you need to do can be encompassed in these following short steps (will be detailed later on) in the following order. Each step is required before you can proceed to the next one. However, make sure that you are very very careful and don't try to take any shortcuts. That may soft-brick your device, and you may have a difficult time to explain that to your wife ... You have been warned.
HERE'S THE USUAL DISCLAIMER--I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY HARM THAT MAY COME TO YOUR DEVICE IF YOU FOLLOW ANY PART OF THIS GUIDE--ANY RISK IS ON THE USER!
I strongly recommend you to read the entire guide before trying. In fact, read it twice to ensure that you have understood everything. If there is weird stuff that you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask. The reason for me writing this down is that I like to document what I have learned. This is to me an excellent way to ensure that I will remember what I just did. Another reason was that I could not find a single thread that encompassed all steps required. There are many different threads, but no one (that I could find) that really guides you from start to goal. So enjoy and good luck!
I would like to thank LandMaster and cam30era for helping out with advice during my initial trail-and-error session. I soft-bricked my device once and had big problems to get by point 4.3 (avoid overwriting of CWM), but with their encouragement I finally succeeded.
Just a note before we begin: the different Xoom. Models that are able to use this guide are the following:
MZ600 - stingray_cdma - Motorola US 3g Xoom (technically this device is stingray as well, but I will be using stingray_cdma as the two devices have incompatible software)
MZ601 - utms_everest - Motorola EU 3g Xoom
MZ602 - stingray - Motorola US 4g Xoom
MZ604 - wingray - Motorola Wifi Xoom
(thanks solarnz!)
___________
Overview of the 6 required steps
1. Install Motorola USB drivers for your computers (for USB connectivity) 2. Install Java SDK and Android SDK tools (for adb and fastboot commands) 3. Unlock the device for flashing (allowing replacement of recovery and boot images) 4. Install a modified recovery image (ClockWorkMod recovery for Android) 5. Root the device (Allow r/w access to the device filesystem) 6. Flash a kernel that supports overclocking etc.
Steps 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 require that you download install, image and zip files needed for the flashing.
All this was performed on a Windows PC. Windows 7, Mac and Linux users will probably have to do some steps differently.
1.0 Install the latest Motorola USB drivers
The installation file can be found at: http://developer.motorola.com/docstools/USB_Drivers/
1.1 Install the drivers and ensure that your Xoom is recognized by the computer
2.0 Installation of development software
Android SDK and Java SDK need to be installed. You can find the installation kits here.
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html In case you can't find fastboot.exe, look for it here (thanks to jerrycycle): http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=19546334&postcount=5
Update: you could also just install the adb fastboot pack here:http://www.android.net/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=67
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
2.1 Install them as any other software, making an Android SDK folder on C/.
2.2 Make sure that all the files you need are in the Platform Tools folder (fastboot, recovery image file and so on). Copy any files in the Tools folder to the Platform Tools folder if necessary. Note: If the Android SDK complains that the Java Dev Kit can't be found, just press Back and then Next again. Wierd, but that seems to do the trick ... go figure.
(Warning: Never put any zip files in your Platform Tools folder. Flashing zip files through fastboot will cause very serious problems.
Zip files must be flashed from the external micro SD card through CWM recovery on the Xoom...we'll get to that later.)
2.3 Test that ADB and FASTBOOT works. You should open a command window by right clicking in your Platform Tools folder where all of your files are, plug in your Xoom to your computer with your Motorola cable (it may not work with a generic cable) and write 'adb devices'. Your Xoom should now be listed. Did your device not show up? Make sure that you have USB debugging enabled in Settings/Applications/Development on your Xoom.
Optional: Those that want to be able to access adb from any where on their computer, here's a tip from scsa20: "For windows, if you go into System Properties and choose Advanced, then Environment Variables..., you'll be able to edit the Path variable under System variables, just add the path to where adb and fastboot is located (separated with a semi-colon ().
Here's what my Path variable looks like:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live;C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live;C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\PhysX\Common;%SystemRoot%\system32;%Sy stemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\ System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Shared;c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\;c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\;c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\DTS\Binn\;C:\android-sdk-windows\tools;C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools;C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Acronis\SnapAPI\
It's long but do you see the android stuff there at the end?"
Update: xda poster Mandelbrot Benoit suggests an alternate adb setup, here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=18072572&postcount=50
If your windows computer doesn't see your Xoom, consider this (Originally Posted by AngryBulleteyeTruth):
When the xoom does not show up on PC it may be the problem of.... windows media player!
Xoom uses drivers of WMP to communicate with PC. If someone does not have the newest WMP drivers it will not show up and you can see xoom device in the devices tab on PC having an exclamation mark.
So the solution is to download and install Windows Media Player 11. It has worked for me.
--------
OK. Now that you are set up, it's Showtime! Take a deep breath...
3. Unlocking the device for flashing
This step will effectively erase the internal storage, including all your apps and settings. Use whatever backup you want to secure important data before you start. (It will also void your warranty, so you still have time to go back.)
3.1 Power up and start the Xoom.
3.2 Ensure that your device is fully recognized by the computer. A good sign is that the 'Portable device' dialog is activated on Windows when your Xoom has booted. The Xoom should also be seen in 'Computer'. If not, go back to step 2 and double check your USB drivers.
3.3 Use the command 'adb reboot bootloader' to go into Flash mode.
3.4 Use the command 'fastboot oem unlock'. This will trigger a dialog on your Xoom. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the unlocking. I repeat, this *will* do a factory reset and all data will be lost!
3.5 Once unlocked, the Xoom will restart and work as normal. Don't bother to do any setup at this time, just make sure that USB debbuging is checked in settings, and now go on to step 4
4. Install recovery image (CWM) UPDATED 4/19/12
If you haven't done it already, download the recovery image file and save it to your computer in the Platform Tools folder.
(Download the recovery image from this link: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1604014 only the img file flashed through fastboot Remember, never try to flash a zip file through fastboot!)
Important: At this time, make sure you have a good (known to be working) microsd card in your sdcard slot in your Xoom. Reboot the Xoom with the sdcard in the slot to make sure it's mounted.
4.1 Boot into flash mode with 'adb reboot bootloader.'
4.2 Install your downloaded recovery image: 'fastboot flash recovery eos-recovery-r6.img' or whatever is the exact name of the recovery img file you are flashing.
4.3 Enter CWM recovery with the procedure below.
4.4 Restart the device with 'fastboot reboot'. Timing is essential here, so be alert when the device restarts, or you will have to redo section 4.
4.5 Once the Motorola logotype is shown, start counting to 3. At 3, press the Volume Down button. This should result in the text 'Android Recovery' in the top left corner. If it does not work (if you see Starting Fastboot Protocol), experiment with the timing (see below).
4.6 When 'Android Recovery' is shown press the Volume Up button. This should invoke the CWM recovery menu. If that works, then congratulations for getting this far!
Here is a potential pitfall. If you are unable to enter CWM *before* the device boots into Honeycomb, then the newly installed recovery image will be overwritten by the system default recovery. Just repeat steps 4.1 through 4.6 if that happens.
UPDATE(12/28/11) Since putting this guide together, Motorola has issued a number of Over-the-Air (OTA) updates that have complicated the process of flashing the Clockawork Mod recovery, so if you have accepted any OTA updates, please read the following, which describes each step (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26009191#post26008083) (Thanks to Landorin.)
(If you have root and want to remove these files, remove or rename /system/etc/install-recovery.sh with something like root explorer. You can then flash your custom recovery through fastboot again.)
For those of you that get stuck with some error like 'device not recognized' poster Madjinj gives the following advice:
1) Be sure that you have your adb folder in the root of C drive directly and be sure that you are in adb folder in command prompt program (CMD in Windows machines) i.e by typing "cd c:\XXX" where XXX is the name of adb folder in your machine.
2) Be sure that you type "adb reboot bootloader" in comand prompt to activate adb program. if the problem persists, try typing "fastboot reboot" then after reboot type "adb reboot bootloader" in command prompt program.
3) Use the USB cable that came with your Xoom (some cables are not good in flashing for unknown reason..!!
4) make sure that you activate USB debugging mode.
5.0. Rooting the Xoom
The Universal Xoom Root zip file from solarnz is located here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1242241
5.1 You need to transfer the Universal Xoom Root zip file to a working external micro SD card. You can do this on a computer or cell phone, but the Universal Xoom Root zip file must be located in the root directory of the micro SD card.
5.2 Insert the now prepared SD card in the Xoom.
5.3 Boot into recovery (as described in 4.3). Navigate using the volume buttons and press the power button to select the active option.
5.4 Select 'Install ZIP from sd card.'
5.5 Select 'Choose ZIP.'
5.6 Navigate to the ROOT zip file with the Volume buttons and select it with the Power button. Confirm that you want to install it.
5.7 Everything should indicate success, so back out to the main CWM menu and reboot the device.
5.8 From Android Market, install any app requiring root and start it. If the rooting was successful, then the app should request superuser permission and you should be able to grant it without any problems.
6. Flashing a new rom or kernel...(e.g. Tiamat Moray Rom and/or Odachi Kernel). Look in the Xoom Heaven thread or in the Development section of this form for all of these files.
6.1 This step is identical to 5, but swap out the ROOT zip for the ROM or KERNEL zip. For simplicity, you may want to prepare the micro SD card with both zip files at the same time in step 5.1..."
------------------------
This is still one of the best explanations of how to use adb and fastboot to unlock and root the Xoom and install a custom recovery, etc, and doesn't deserve to buries on back pages of this forum. Hopefully, the step-by-step nature of this guide will help those of you that have limited experience with this kind of tinkering.
Oh, and please feel free to correct any errors or omissions. As I said, it came from several sources and needed to somewhat updated.
Below is a great guide to rooting, from several sources, (mostly taken from pingvinen's "An Idiot's Guide to Flashing the Xoom" and a guide by publicanimal. and I hope it helps. You can find the links to all of the files referenced below in the Xoom Heaven thread (thanks StrifeSoldierVII!)[/I]
(New thread in General Section by Jack207407 will have all the updated links for flashing
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1443110
One Stop For ROM's, MOD's, and Root Wifi-Only and 3G/4G Models)
"What you need to do can be encompassed in these following short steps (will be detailed later on) in the following order. Each step is required before you can proceed to the next one. However, make sure that you are very very careful and don't try to take any shortcuts. That may soft-brick your device, and you may have a difficult time to explain that to your wife ... You have been warned.
HERE'S THE USUAL DISCLAIMER--I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY HARM THAT MAY COME TO YOUR DEVICE IF YOU FOLLOW ANY PART OF THIS GUIDE--ANY RISK IS ON THE USER!
I strongly recommend you to read the entire guide before trying. In fact, read it twice to ensure that you have understood everything. If there is weird stuff that you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask. The reason for me writing this down is that I like to document what I have learned. This is to me an excellent way to ensure that I will remember what I just did. Another reason was that I could not find a single thread that encompassed all steps required. There are many different threads, but no one (that I could find) that really guides you from start to goal. So enjoy and good luck!
I would like to thank LandMaster and cam30era for helping out with advice during my initial trail-and-error session. I soft-bricked my device once and had big problems to get by point 4.3 (avoid overwriting of CWM), but with their encouragement I finally succeeded.
Just a note before we begin: the different Xoom. Models that are able to use this guide are the following:
MZ600 - stingray_cdma - Motorola US 3g Xoom (technically this device is stingray as well, but I will be using stingray_cdma as the two devices have incompatible software)
MZ601 - utms_everest - Motorola EU 3g Xoom
MZ602 - stingray - Motorola US 4g Xoom
MZ604 - wingray - Motorola Wifi Xoom
(thanks solarnz!)
___________
Overview of the 6 required steps
1. Install Motorola USB drivers for your computers (for USB connectivity) 2. Install Java SDK and Android SDK tools (for adb and fastboot commands) 3. Unlock the device for flashing (allowing replacement of recovery and boot images) 4. Install a modified recovery image (ClockWorkMod recovery for Android) 5. Root the device (Allow r/w access to the device filesystem) 6. Flash a kernel that supports overclocking etc.
Steps 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 require that you download install, image and zip files needed for the flashing.
All this was performed on a Windows PC. Windows 7, Mac and Linux users will probably have to do some steps differently.
1.0 Install the latest Motorola USB drivers
The installation file can be found at: http://developer.motorola.com/docstools/USB_Drivers/
1.1 Install the drivers and ensure that your Xoom is recognized by the computer
2.0 Installation of development software
Android SDK and Java SDK need to be installed. You can find the installation kits here.
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html In case you can't find fastboot.exe, look for it here (thanks to jerrycycle): http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=19546334&postcount=5
Update: you could also just install the adb fastboot pack here:http://www.android.net/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=67
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
2.1 Install them as any other software, making an Android SDK folder on C/.
2.2 Make sure that all the files you need are in the Platform Tools folder (fastboot, recovery image file and so on). Copy any files in the Tools folder to the Platform Tools folder if necessary. Note: If the Android SDK complains that the Java Dev Kit can't be found, just press Back and then Next again. Wierd, but that seems to do the trick ... go figure.
(Warning: Never put any zip files in your Platform Tools folder. Flashing zip files through fastboot will cause very serious problems.
Zip files must be flashed from the external micro SD card through CWM recovery on the Xoom...we'll get to that later.)2.3 Test that ADB and FASTBOOT works. You should open a command window by right clicking in your Platform Tools folder where all of your files are, plug in your Xoom to your computer with your Motorola cable (it may not work with a generic cable) and write 'adb devices'. Your Xoom should now be listed. Did your device not show up? Make sure that you have USB debugging enabled in Settings/Applications/Development on your Xoom.
Optional: Those that want to be able to access adb from any where on their computer, here's a tip from scsa20: "For windows, if you go into System Properties and choose Advanced, then Environment Variables..., you'll be able to edit the Path variable under System variables, just add the path to where adb and fastboot is located (separated with a semi-colon (
).Here's what my Path variable looks like:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live;C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live;C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\PhysX\Common;%SystemRoot%\system32;%Sy stemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\ System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Shared;c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\;c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\;c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\DTS\Binn\;C:\android-sdk-windows\tools;C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools;C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Acronis\SnapAPI\
It's long but do you see the android stuff there at the end?"
Update: xda poster Mandelbrot Benoit suggests an alternate adb setup, here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=18072572&postcount=50
If your windows computer doesn't see your Xoom, consider this (Originally Posted by AngryBulleteyeTruth):
When the xoom does not show up on PC it may be the problem of.... windows media player!
Xoom uses drivers of WMP to communicate with PC. If someone does not have the newest WMP drivers it will not show up and you can see xoom device in the devices tab on PC having an exclamation mark.
So the solution is to download and install Windows Media Player 11. It has worked for me.
--------
OK. Now that you are set up, it's Showtime! Take a deep breath...
3. Unlocking the device for flashing
This step will effectively erase the internal storage, including all your apps and settings. Use whatever backup you want to secure important data before you start. (It will also void your warranty, so you still have time to go back.)
3.1 Power up and start the Xoom.
3.2 Ensure that your device is fully recognized by the computer. A good sign is that the 'Portable device' dialog is activated on Windows when your Xoom has booted. The Xoom should also be seen in 'Computer'. If not, go back to step 2 and double check your USB drivers.
3.3 Use the command 'adb reboot bootloader' to go into Flash mode.
3.4 Use the command 'fastboot oem unlock'. This will trigger a dialog on your Xoom. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the unlocking. I repeat, this *will* do a factory reset and all data will be lost!
3.5 Once unlocked, the Xoom will restart and work as normal. Don't bother to do any setup at this time, just make sure that USB debbuging is checked in settings, and now go on to step 4
4. Install recovery image (CWM) UPDATED 4/19/12
If you haven't done it already, download the recovery image file and save it to your computer in the Platform Tools folder.
(Download the recovery image from this link: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1604014 only the img file flashed through fastboot Remember, never try to flash a zip file through fastboot!)
Important: At this time, make sure you have a good (known to be working) microsd card in your sdcard slot in your Xoom. Reboot the Xoom with the sdcard in the slot to make sure it's mounted.
4.1 Boot into flash mode with 'adb reboot bootloader.'
4.2 Install your downloaded recovery image: 'fastboot flash recovery eos-recovery-r6.img' or whatever is the exact name of the recovery img file you are flashing.
4.3 Enter CWM recovery with the procedure below.
4.4 Restart the device with 'fastboot reboot'. Timing is essential here, so be alert when the device restarts, or you will have to redo section 4.
4.5 Once the Motorola logotype is shown, start counting to 3. At 3, press the Volume Down button. This should result in the text 'Android Recovery' in the top left corner. If it does not work (if you see Starting Fastboot Protocol), experiment with the timing (see below).
4.6 When 'Android Recovery' is shown press the Volume Up button. This should invoke the CWM recovery menu. If that works, then congratulations for getting this far!
Here is a potential pitfall. If you are unable to enter CWM *before* the device boots into Honeycomb, then the newly installed recovery image will be overwritten by the system default recovery. Just repeat steps 4.1 through 4.6 if that happens.
UPDATE(12/28/11) Since putting this guide together, Motorola has issued a number of Over-the-Air (OTA) updates that have complicated the process of flashing the Clockawork Mod recovery, so if you have accepted any OTA updates, please read the following, which describes each step (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26009191#post26008083) (Thanks to Landorin.)
(If you have root and want to remove these files, remove or rename /system/etc/install-recovery.sh with something like root explorer. You can then flash your custom recovery through fastboot again.)
For those of you that get stuck with some error like 'device not recognized' poster Madjinj gives the following advice:
1) Be sure that you have your adb folder in the root of C drive directly and be sure that you are in adb folder in command prompt program (CMD in Windows machines) i.e by typing "cd c:\XXX" where XXX is the name of adb folder in your machine.
2) Be sure that you type "adb reboot bootloader" in comand prompt to activate adb program. if the problem persists, try typing "fastboot reboot" then after reboot type "adb reboot bootloader" in command prompt program.
3) Use the USB cable that came with your Xoom (some cables are not good in flashing for unknown reason..!!
4) make sure that you activate USB debugging mode.
5.0. Rooting the Xoom
The Universal Xoom Root zip file from solarnz is located here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1242241
5.1 You need to transfer the Universal Xoom Root zip file to a working external micro SD card. You can do this on a computer or cell phone, but the Universal Xoom Root zip file must be located in the root directory of the micro SD card.
5.2 Insert the now prepared SD card in the Xoom.
5.3 Boot into recovery (as described in 4.3). Navigate using the volume buttons and press the power button to select the active option.
5.4 Select 'Install ZIP from sd card.'
5.5 Select 'Choose ZIP.'
5.6 Navigate to the ROOT zip file with the Volume buttons and select it with the Power button. Confirm that you want to install it.
5.7 Everything should indicate success, so back out to the main CWM menu and reboot the device.
5.8 From Android Market, install any app requiring root and start it. If the rooting was successful, then the app should request superuser permission and you should be able to grant it without any problems.
6. Flashing a new rom or kernel...(e.g. Tiamat Moray Rom and/or Odachi Kernel). Look in the Xoom Heaven thread or in the Development section of this form for all of these files.
6.1 This step is identical to 5, but swap out the ROOT zip for the ROM or KERNEL zip. For simplicity, you may want to prepare the micro SD card with both zip files at the same time in step 5.1..."
------------------------
This is still one of the best explanations of how to use adb and fastboot to unlock and root the Xoom and install a custom recovery, etc, and doesn't deserve to buries on back pages of this forum. Hopefully, the step-by-step nature of this guide will help those of you that have limited experience with this kind of tinkering.
Oh, and please feel free to correct any errors or omissions. As I said, it came from several sources and needed to somewhat updated.
Last edited:
