[GUIDE] ROOT and UNROOT Stock GB 2.3.5, 2.3.6 ICS 4.0.3, and 4.0.4 T-mobile Telus S2X

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I am not responsible for your device

This is only for the t-mobile t989 galaxy s2 hercules

do not use any other galaxy s2 models because it will brick your device
you can flash skyrocket ROMs and kernels with CWM, but I suggest you research more before attempting anything.

HOW TO ROOT

FOR 2.3.5 ONLY
you can use the Superoneclick to gain root access.

To flash ROMS and Kernels
Please refer to AllGamer's thread oh how to obtain Clockworkmod Recovery if you want to flash ROMs
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1332103
But basically...

After getting root access
1. download ROM manager from the market
2. select Flash Clockworkmod recovery

FOR 2.3.5, 2.3.6, 4.0.3, and 4.0.4

What you need:
SAMSUNG USB Drivers OR Mirror
ODIN
RECOVERY
SUPERUSER WITH BUSYBOX

Instructions

USB debugging should be on.

1. Install the Samsung Drivers and ODIN
2. Plug in your phone to the PC allow everything to be installed. Do not interrupt until everything is finished installing. It should be like 5 things
3. Unplug your phone and power off your device.
4. Go into ODIN/DOWNLOAD mode
With the device off. Hold the + and - Volume buttons (telus only -) and stick the data cable into your phone. Hit Vol + to confirm into DOWNLOAD MODE
5. Launch ODIN (Your device should be detected under COM)
6. select PDA and select your choice of Recovery
7. Click Start.

It should be a quick flash. no more than 5 minutes.
Troubleshoot
If it is stuck in initializing, please close ODIN, try another USB port, and reopen ODIN

You now have ClockWorkMod Recovery
To enter this, make sure you're not connected to the computer.
Power off the phone and hold Vol + and - and Power. Let go of Power once it vibrates until you're in recovery.

You can now Flash any ROMS that will give you ROOT access, but if you want to stay stock...

To gain Root, 2.3.5, 2.3.6, 4.0.3, and 4.0.4
1. Launch CWM Recovery
2. Select Install zip from sdcard

UPDATE: there has been reports that 3.1.3 doesn't play nice with GB 2.3.5/6 so flash 3.0.7 that i have attached.
3. choose CWM_Root_Superuser_3.1.3_Busybox_1.20.2.zip
or
3. choose a custom ROM of your choice in the android development section.


You now have Superuser Root Access

Troubleshoot when flashing superuser
If it aborts or gives you some error (usually for 2.3.6)
Don't worry, just flash a couple more times until it is successful OR you can reboot the phone and check your app drawer for the SUPERUSER app.

If Superuser does not flash no matter what.. I suggest just flashing a rooted and deodexed stock ROM or one of the many Custom ROMS by our great debs


ODIN back to STOCK ROM/Unrooting
This is completely factory stock ROM, Stock kernels and stock recovery.

refer to ALLGamer's thread
Stock ROMS

KID KJ3 2.3.5 and KL1 2.3.6 ROMS can be found at the bottom of the OP

for LDE go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1668502


FLASH it via ODIN as you would the RECOVERY. (PDA)

RESTORE TO STOCK 4.0.3 and 4.0.4
4.0.3 and 4.0.4 guide to restore to stock via odin and CWM/TWRP
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1858435

this is a compilations of many guides that is referred to. Please thank them if this helped.

let me know if I need to correct anything or if there are anymore troubleshooting I can add.

If you hold vol +, - and the power button without letting go, your phone will keep vibrating and rebooting... And you wont get into recovery.

What you are really supposed to do is hold vol + & - without letting go, then press and hold the power button for aprox 2 seconds untill the phone vibrates. Then RELEASE the power button while holding vol + & - to enter recovery.

You may want to update your op.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

Originally Posted by jordanishere

If you hold vol +, - and the power button without letting go, your phone will keep vibrating and rebooting... And you wont get into recovery.

What you are really supposed to do is hold vol + & - without letting go, then press and hold the power button for aprox 2 seconds untill the phone vibrates. Then RELEASE the power button while holding vol + & - to enter recovery.

You may want to update your op.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

Thanks updated, I usually release power too once it vibrates, but I remember reading someone's problem about when to release or something that confused me. Didn't realize that holding all 3 was a hard reset lol.
Eh all the ROMs we use have the recovery option, hard to remember these small details lol

I followed your guide for my 2.3.6 t989 and I have superuser installed but when I go to titanium backup, it says that I need to be rooted. What did I do wrong?

Originally Posted by raazman

I followed your guide for my 2.3.6 t989 and I have superuser installed but when I go to titanium backup, it says that I need to be rooted. What did I do wrong?

Just install mr x's rooted stock rom. its a lot easier.

If ur on android 2.3.5 you can use zergrush superoneclick to root.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

Originally Posted by jordanishere

Just install mr x's rooted stock rom. its a lot easier.

If ur on android 2.3.5 you can use zergrush superoneclick to root.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App

I'm on 2.3.6. Is it possible to find a fix other than installing another rom? And where can I find Mr. X's rom?

The linked superuser file is for Android 1.6, which is why titanium backup doesn't work. I ended up using the SU 3.0.5 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1311194 and root worked.

Edit: BTW I have Android 2.3.6

Originally Posted by one5

The linked superuser file is for Android 1.6, which is why titanium backup doesn't work. I ended up using the SU 3.0.5 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1311194 and root worked.

Edit: BTW I have Android 2.3.6

Isn't the one that is linked the 3.0.7 version, which is newer than the 3.0.5 version?

Yes but it is meant to be installed on android 1.6. In the recovery when I flashed it said su for Android 1.6