For those with 'partial' root after JB update - regain root!

thenrz · Sep 29, 2012

This will only work if you can access a root prompt (#) in adb shell! THIS WAS DONE AFTER DOING A WIPE FROM THE VOLUME DOWN MENU WHEN BOOTING THE PRIME! I do not know if this will work without the wipe, but it very well may. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in here.

It may be possible to restore from a su-backup if you have a su binary still in /system/bin or xbin. Even if you can't access a root prompt (#) by just typing su, read starting at page 6. Places to look for a su-backup include /system/ /system/usr/we-need-root/ and /system/bin/

I have a batch script in the works that will determine if you can re-root and take the appropriate steps to do so if possible.

I had to do a voldown wipe after my update to JB. My prime would reboot after 5-10 seconds into the homescreen after boot. After wiping, I thought for sure my root was screwed until a new exploit was found.

I accessed my device through adb, and realized that I could invoke a root prompt using the su command at the $ prompt. Using ES file explorer, I could see su in /system/bin/ but no su-backup or superuser.apk in /system/app/.

I tried simply installing superuser from the market, but it did not work. The busybox installer would not work, either.

ATTACHED ARE THE EXACT THREE FILES I USED. I do not know if using different version will affect the process!

Here is what worked for me:

1. adb shell
2. su
(# - you should see this now! This will not work without this specific prompt!)
3. type 'exit' press enter, and then 'exit' again. You will now be back at the regular command prompt.
4. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\superuser.apk /data/local/tmp
5. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\su /data/local/tmp
6. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\busybox /data/local/tmp
7. Access the adb shell again, and type su
8. chmod 644 /data/local/tmp/superuser.apk
9. chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox
10. chmod 6755 /data/local/tmp/su
11. mount -o remount,rw /system
12. dd if=/data/local/tmp/Superuser.apk of=/system/app/Superuser.apk
13. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/bin/busybox
14. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox
14a. Chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
14b. Chmod 755 /system/xbin/busybox
15. Reserved
16. busybox rm /system/bin/su
17. busybox cp /data/local/tmp/su /system/bin
18. type su once again to assure you still have access to the # prompt
18a. Chmod 644 /system/app/superuser.apk
18b. mount -o remount,ro /system
19. type exit, and exit again, returning to the regular windows command prompt.
20. type 'adb reboot' (without quotes)
NOTE - you will not need to install the superuser.apk app in the normal sense. It will be installed upon the reboot as a system app automatically!
21. Once your prime has rebooted, go download root checker basic or the like from the play store. Open it, and wait for your superuser prompt!

22. Get the busybox installer from the play store as well, and use that to get the newest version of busybox.
23. Get SuperSU from the market. It seems to be the safest method to keep root with JB...

ALSO! Make sure to keep a backup root with voodoo or super su after completing this guide! I have lost root (VERY WELL may have been my own fault... too much poking around) Anyway, better safe than sorry!!!

Thanks to daymz from the debugfs thread in development for the basic instructions of what needed to be done!! And also thanks to all before me who got us root in the first place!

I will answer questions to the best of my ability. I am not a developer and do not try to present myself as so... I can tinker with the best, and after losing root, I set out to see if I could figure it out!

Changes made as per tsmt971

tsmt971@yahoo · Sep 29, 2012

I have fellow this method and it was failed at step 16 in my case because of the permission issue but I managed to make it move and regained the root. The details of the issue as below.

Step 16 failed because step 13, 14 which will copy busybox to /system/bin and /system/xbin with a wrong executive permission.
To correct in my case: after step 13, 14 follow those steps below:
- chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
- chmod 755 /system/xbin/busybox
- skip step 15
- continue steps 16, 17, 18
- chmod 644 /system/app/Superuser.apk
- continue step 19, 20, 21, 22

Then you will get your root back, it worked in my case. Good luck guys.
To the OP, please verify and update those steps if necessary.

thenrz · Sep 29, 2012

tsmt971@yahoo said:
I have fellow this method and it was failed at step 16 in my case because of the permission issue but I managed to make it move and regained the root. The details of the issue as below.

Step 16 failed because step 13, 14 which will copy busybox to /system/bin and /system/xbin with a wrong executive permission.
To correct in my case: after step 13, 14 follow those steps below:
- chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
- chmod 755 /system/xbin/busybox
- skip step 15
- continue steps 16, 17, 18
- chmod 644 /system/app/Superuser.apk
- continue step 19, 20, 21, 22

Then you will get your root back, it worked in my case. Good luck guys.
To the OP, please verify and update those steps if necessary.

Thanks! Confirmed...it was late

kl_arnet · Sep 29, 2012

It helped me. THX!!

Restorer · Sep 29, 2012

thenrz said:
This will only work if you can access a root prompt (#) in adb shell!

Can anyone help me get ADB back. It worked fine before the update but now I can't get it to recognise the device at all - just get the blank list and device not found when I am connected. The drivers look fine like before in Device Manager when I plug in (Asus Android Composite ADB Interface). I have switched USB Debugging on and do not have Asus Sync installed. Everything on the ADB side works with my phone OK.

I used Rootkeeper to restore root after upgrade though it now seems that was only partial. I did a factory reset to clear out a few gremlins. Now Rootkeeper has the Root permission granted box unchecked but the rest checked but I guess since it doesn't have root access anymore it won't do anything. I have tried uninstall and reinstall Superuser but it fails at updating the binary.

Any suggestions to get ADB back much appreciated .

mdpgc · Sep 29, 2012

thenrz said:
This will only work if you can access a root prompt (#) in adb shell! THIS WAS DONE AFTER DOING A WIPE FROM THE VOLUME DOWN MENU WHEN BOOTING THE PRIME! I do not know if this will work without the wipe, but it very well may. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in here.

I had to do a voldown wipe after my update to JB. My prime would reboot after 5-10 seconds into the homescreen after boot. After wiping, I thought for sure my root was screwed until a new exploit was found.

I accessed my device through adb, and realized that I could invoke a root prompt using the su command at the $ prompt. Using ES file explorer, I could see su in /system/bin/ but no su-backup or superuser.apk in /system/app/.

I tried simply installing superuser from the market, but it did not work. The busybox installer would not work, either.

ATTACHED ARE THE EXACT THREE FILES I USED. I do not know if using different version will affect the process!

Here is what worked for me:

1. adb shell
2. su
(# - you should see this now! This will not work without this specific prompt!)
3. type 'exit' press enter, and then 'exit' again. You will now be back at the regular command prompt.
4. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\superuser.apk /data/local/tmp
5. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\su /data/local/tmp
6. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\busybox /data/local/tmp
7. Access the adb shell again, and type su
8. chmod 644 /data/local/tmp/superuser.apk
9. chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox
10. chmod 6755 /data/local/tmp/su
11. mount -o remount,rw /system
12. dd if=/data/local/tmp/Superuser.apk of=/system/app/Superuser.apk
13. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/bin/busybox
14. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox
14a. Chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox and /system/xbin/busybox
15. Reserved
16. busybox rm /system/bin/su
17. busybox cp /data/local/tmp/su /system/bin
18. type su once again to assure you still have access to the # prompt
18a. Chmod 644 /system/app/superuser.apk
19. type exit, and exit again, returning to the regular windows command prompt.
20. type 'adb reboot' (without quotes)
NOTE - you will not need to install the superuser.apk app in the normal sense. It will be installed upon the reboot as a system app automatically!
21. Once your prime has rebooted, go download root checker basic or the like from the play store. Open it, and wait for your superuser prompt!
22. Get the busybox installer from the play store as well, and use that to get the newest version of busybox.

Thanks to daymz from the debugfs thread in development for the basic instructions of what needed to be done!! And also thanks to all before me who got us root in the first place!

I will answer questions to the best of my ability. I am not a developer and do not try to present myself as so... I can tinker with the best, and after losing root, I set out to see if I could figure it out!

Changes made as per tsmt971

I accessed my device through adb, and invoked a root prompt using the su command at the $ prompt. Using ES file explorer, I saw su in /system/bin/ but no su-backup or superuser.apk in /system/app/. Followed the steps. After completing the steps, and rebooting, I have Superuser.apk in system/app, however with root checker, root not found!
Install busybox installer says that my device is rooted, but install failed.

No root for me

Edit: I got it. I am now rooted. Thanks for everyone's assistance!

computerdan · Sep 29, 2012

RootKeeper says that I have:

- Superuser app installed (yes)
- Device rooted (no)
- Root permission granted (no)
- /system supports root protection (yes)
- Protected su copy available (yes)

However, I can't get true SU and the # prompt. When I enter shell and type 'su' I get:

1|shell@android:/

So, I'm stuck at instruction #11 when I attempt to mount /system as rw.

Any ideas if I'm still eligible to root this baby?

Mushin Monkey · Sep 29, 2012

work beautifully for me!! :good::good:
now have root after a wipe.

thanks for sharing mdpgc.

tontorus · Sep 30, 2012

Failed Step

thenrz said:
This will only work if you can access a root prompt (#) in adb shell! THIS WAS DONE AFTER DOING A WIPE FROM THE VOLUME DOWN MENU WHEN BOOTING THE PRIME! I do not know if this will work without the wipe, but it very well may. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in here.

I had to do a voldown wipe after my update to JB. My prime would reboot after 5-10 seconds into the homescreen after boot. After wiping, I thought for sure my root was screwed until a new exploit was found.

I accessed my device through adb, and realized that I could invoke a root prompt using the su command at the $ prompt. Using ES file explorer, I could see su in /system/bin/ but no su-backup or superuser.apk in /system/app/.

I tried simply installing superuser from the market, but it did not work. The busybox installer would not work, either.

ATTACHED ARE THE EXACT THREE FILES I USED. I do not know if using different version will affect the process!

Here is what worked for me:

1. adb shell
2. su
(# - you should see this now! This will not work without this specific prompt!)
3. type 'exit' press enter, and then 'exit' again. You will now be back at the regular command prompt.
4. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\superuser.apk /data/local/tmp
5. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\su /data/local/tmp
6. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\busybox /data/local/tmp
7. Access the adb shell again, and type su
8. chmod 644 /data/local/tmp/superuser.apk
9. chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox
10. chmod 6755 /data/local/tmp/su
11. mount -o remount,rw /system
12. dd if=/data/local/tmp/Superuser.apk of=/system/app/Superuser.apk
13. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/bin/busybox
14. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox
14a. Chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox and /system/xbin/busybox
15. Reserved
16. busybox rm /system/bin/su
17. busybox cp /data/local/tmp/su /system/bin
18. type su once again to assure you still have access to the # prompt
18a. Chmod 644 /system/app/superuser.apk
19. type exit, and exit again, returning to the regular windows command prompt.
20. type 'adb reboot' (without quotes)
NOTE - you will not need to install the superuser.apk app in the normal sense. It will be installed upon the reboot as a system app automatically!
21. Once your prime has rebooted, go download root checker basic or the like from the play store. Open it, and wait for your superuser prompt!
22. Get the busybox installer from the play store as well, and use that to get the newest version of busybox.

Thanks to daymz from the debugfs thread in development for the basic instructions of what needed to be done!! And also thanks to all before me who got us root in the first place!

I will answer questions to the best of my ability. I am not a developer and do not try to present myself as so... I can tinker with the best, and after losing root, I set out to see if I could figure it out!

Changes made as per tsmt971

I fail on step 11... (mount: Operation not permitted). Any suggestions?

hx4700 Killer · Sep 30, 2012

tontorus said:
I fail on step 11... (mount: Operation not permitted). Any suggestions?

If your prompt isnt turning to the # symbol after SU you don't actually have root =/

mdpgc · Sep 30, 2012

hx4700 Killer said:
If your prompt isnt turning to the # symbol after SU you don't actually have root =/

Try the steps again. I know I had to do it several times before it was successful for me
I used these steps exactly

1. adb shell
2. su
(# - you should see this now! This will not work without this specific prompt!)
3. type 'exit' press enter, and then 'exit' again. You will now be back at the regular command prompt.
4. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\superuser.apk /data/local/tmp
5. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\su /data/local/tmp
6. adb push C:\(location of attached files)\busybox /data/local/tmp
7. Access the adb shell again, and type su
8. chmod 644 /data/local/tmp/superuser.apk
9. chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox
10. chmod 6755 /data/local/tmp/su
11. mount -o remount,rw /system
12. dd if=/data/local/tmp/Superuser.apk of=/system/app/Superuser.apk
13. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/bin/busybox
14. dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox
15. chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
16. chmod 755 /system/xbin/busybox
17. busybox rm /system/bin/su
18. busybox cp /data/local/tmp/su /system/bin
Type su once again to assure you still have access to the # prompt
19. chmod 644 /system/app/Superuser.apk
20. type exit, and exit again, returning to the regular windows command prompt.
21. type 'adb reboot' (without quotes)

NOTE - you will not need to install the superuser.apk app in the normal sense. It will be installed upon the reboot as a system app automatically!
22. Once your prime has rebooted, go download root checker basic or the like from the play store. Open it, and wait for your superuser prompt!
23. Get the busybox installer from the play store as well, and use that to get the newest version of busybox.

hx4700 Killer · Sep 30, 2012

Are you suggesting that if I do a system wipe on my stock rom JB and run your commands I will eventually get root?

thenrz · Sep 30, 2012

Hx4700, i got stuck doing a wipe after the update, and this worked for me. The wipe does not seem to remove su from /system/bin/ meaning we have a way back in through adb.

Anakin_SW · Sep 30, 2012

But, what if Voodoo didn't work before and you are unable to get su through adb in the first place? Are you suggesting that a wipe will resolve the blocked root access or did you have different circumstances?

thenrz · Sep 30, 2012

hx4700 Killer said:
Are you suggesting that if I do a system wipe on my stock rom JB and run your commands I will eventually get root?

Anakin_SW said:
But, what if Voodoo didn't work before and you are unable to get su through adb in the first place? Are you suggesting that a wipe will resolve the blocked root access or did you have different circumstances?

If you cannot access a root prompt, then i do not believe it will work. Using a file explorer like es, does a su file exist in /system/bin? I had to wipe as i was bootlooping, and cant comment on how it pertains to how i was able to get root back!

Anakin_SW · Sep 30, 2012

thenrz said:
If you cannot access a root prompt, then i do not believe it will work. Using a file explorer like es, does a su file exist in /system/bin? I had to wipe as i was bootlooping, and cant comment on how it pertains to how i was able to get root back!

Yes, one does. Also su-backup in /system... Any feelings?

thenrz · Sep 30, 2012

Hm, weird you cant get a root prompt through adb. From my experience, if su exists there, adb should be able to invoke a root prompt. Do you have any issue using adb push?

Anakin_SW · Sep 30, 2012

thenrz said:
Hm, weird you cant get a root prompt through adb. From my experience, if su exists there, adb should be able to invoke a root prompt. Do you have any issue using adb push?

Nope adb push works fine. But I can't mount /system rw, which is causing me the headache. Really wish I had known the voodoo update switched around things. I feel so foolish haha.

tontorus · Sep 30, 2012

hx4700 Killer said:
If your prompt isnt turning to the # symbol after SU you don't actually have root =/

I figured that would be the problem... Should I root my device using the ICS method first or that wouldn't work any more?

hx4700 Killer · Sep 30, 2012

tontorus said:
I figured that would be the problem... Should I root my device using the ICS method first or that wouldn't work any more?

Nothing is for me and many others.

For those with 'partial' root after JB update - regain root!

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