Help, can't flash any KitKat ROMs! [How to update recovery]

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demkantor

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Nov 10, 2011
6,861
3,763
mpls
This seems to keep coming up so for those of you who can't find the fix, please don't create new threads or post all over the developers forum

The most likely reason you can not flash 4.4.x and newer ROMs:

You have an old recovery
why would this matter?
Basically the way permissions are handled in the updater-script (what tells your device how to flash the ROM) have changed
and thus if you flash a newer ROM with an older recovery you will more than likely see a similar error to this:
set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed

So how do I change recoveries?
you need grab a flashable.zip of the new recovery and then flash it in current recovery
or
a better and safer way is to use fastboot to flash the new recovery
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
*note, change 'recovery.img' accordingly if this is not how the image is named
two other quick notes:
*you can just fix the updater-script yourself to be able to flash a new ROM in an old recovery, but really this is time consuming and poitless
*another method to flash the recovery is to create a PC10IMG.zip and place on SDcard then boot to bootloader to flash, but more work than needed

Pick one of these recoveries
4EXT Touch version 1.0.0.6_RC1
View attachment recovery.img
md5sum for 4ext: 689db0675c068f3513d3551940581ec0
ClockWorkMod Recovery version 6.0.4.5
View attachment CWMrecovery.img
md5sum for CWM: 1AB75F2DD8CBE1C9FE4C79E237D98653
TWRP recovery version 2.6.3.0
View attachment TWRPrecovery.img
md5sum for TWRP: 1F300E620CD78829D440E52C291F909F

Which recovery to use? 4ext is problem free, the other two have slight issues but all should be fine for the most part

Need further assistance? ask here or
for more info on how to use fastboot SEE HERE
for more info and help with your device SEE HERE


Thank you all for helping keep our threads clean and easy to search through, as always feel free to ask questions!
Happy Flashing!
 
Last edited:

DZmind

Member
Apr 28, 2014
9
1
Silly mistake led to softbrick..

Could you please help me with this problem?

I had CWM 6.0.4.5 flashed in order to install Flinny's CM11 Alpha 5, FC were very common so I was really excited for PureKat ROM
but then I didn't read the instructions carefully enough and switched the phone off instead of rebooting the system after leaving Aroma installer...:eek:

Now I'm stuck in a bootloop which constantly shows me the HTC splash, sometimes 2 seconds of CWM and then HTC logo again. I can get into Hboot menu but Factory Reset and Recovery lead back to bootloop, and my laptop (Windows 7 Professional) won't access the sdcard. Silly me also disabled USB debugging but that shouldn't be a problem because I did a full wipe before installing PureKat, right?

Anyways, I can't seem to establish any connection between PC and my DZ in Hboot, otherwise I would have tried to flash a new recovery just as you said :(

Any help is welcome, thanks in advance!
 

demkantor

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Nov 10, 2011
6,861
3,763
mpls
First thing to do would be to boot into bootloader and write down everything from that screen here, actually here
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2348266
In order to keep the threads clean and in order
Also see the sixth post in that thread (maybe 7th) for how to give the most info

Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 

Eloar

Member
Sep 14, 2012
12
1
Is it safe to install ClockworkModRecovery 6.0.4.5 on HTC Desire Z (HTC Vision / G2)? On ClockworkMod site I found only 5.0.2.7 for HTC G2.
 

demkantor

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Nov 10, 2011
6,861
3,763
mpls
Yes it is safe, but not 100% perfect. The reason its not on the cwm site is that it isn't official and hasn't been submitted to become official, maybe some day.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 

oVeRdOsE.

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
960
272
MTL
For fastboot commend we need : eng hboot OR unlocked hboot from the htc website (limited commend, but enough for flash a recovery).

So , if some DZ user were too lazy like me , and didn't flash the eng Hboot, but did all the other steps from the wiki to get the root (including s-off), and won't to go through the wiki again, just use the demkantor PC10IMG file from post #30 here : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1728208&page=3

It work for me. Downside : current rom will bootloop. Can't do restore CWM from 4ext. only fresh install.
 
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demkantor

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Nov 10, 2011
6,861
3,763
mpls
Good point @overdose
I do highly recommend an engineering hboot and radio s-off for many reasons, but yes simply unlocking your bootloader will allow you to flash a recovery, but most fastboot commands will still be unavailable

Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 

Eloar

Member
Sep 14, 2012
12
1
For fastboot commend we need : eng hboot OR unlocked hboot from the htc website (limited commend, but enough for flash a recovery).

So , if some DZ user were too lazy like me , and didn't flash the eng Hboot, but did all the other steps from the wiki to get the root (including s-off), and won't to go through the wiki again, just use the demkantor PC10IMG file from post #30 here : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1728208&page=3

It work for me. Downside : current rom will bootloop. Can't do restore CWM from 4ext. only fresh install.

I'm getting 'not allowed' error when trying to use fastboot flash command. I think I did made all steps when rooting and unlocking my phone, but is it maybe connected with 'wrong' hboot?
 

demkantor

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Nov 10, 2011
6,861
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mpls
You probably have a shipped bootloader, boot into your hboot and write down everything from that screen here

Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 
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Eloar

Member
Sep 14, 2012
12
1
You probably have a shipped bootloader, boot into your hboot and write down everything from that screen here

Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

So everything from my HBOOT:

Code:
VISION PVT SHIP S-OFF
HBOOT 0.85.0005
MICROP-0425
RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
eMMC-boot
Oct 11 2010,20:10:38
 

abhi-xiaomi-1s

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2013
203
51
Kolkata
So everything from my HBOOT:

Code:
VISION PVT SHIP S-OFF
HBOOT 0.85.0005
MICROP-0425
RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
eMMC-boot
Oct 11 2010,20:10:38

1.> Put the "PC10IMG.zip" into "C:\" drive..(u can put it into any other directory)...
2.> Now restart your phone into fastboot mode...
3.> Plug your USB from PC to Mobile..(now it should say "FASTBOOT USB" in red text in Mobile)..
4.> Now open CMD...and type "fastboot oem rebootRUU"
5.> You should now be on the black screen with the HTC logo so now type "fastboot flash zip c:\PC10IMG.zip"...
(NOTE:If you get a message saying 'Failed, repeat immediately'.......just re-run "fastboot flash zip PC10IMG.zip")

Now you should see a green status bar on the black screen
And You are done!.....
 
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Eloar

Member
Sep 14, 2012
12
1
sorry...i didnt attach Engineer Bootloader PC10IMG.zip...here it is..https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ucdfd91qn7h1dbm/z8JcUj4Zf-/G2_DZ_Hboot Images/0.84.2000_hboot-eng.img (Thanks to demkantor...i didnt create this or uploaded this)...

Wait, your instruction is for ZIP files and you did put link to IMG file. Will it work for IMG file, or I should just use zip file from here for example: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ucdfd91qn7h1dbm/kTTY8yOJLN/PC10IMG ?
 
Last edited:

demkantor

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Nov 10, 2011
6,861
3,763
mpls
Until you have an engineering bootloader most fastboot commands are unavailable. Grab the .zip from post 30 in that link and follow the directions there.
Alex was having a similar issue to yours earlier but he couldn't get the PC10IMG.zip to work on his SD card so he used the rebootRUU method, which could also work for you. I would advise to understand both methods as they can be helpful to learn down the road
To answer your question directly, you must use the .zip, .imgs will not work with either method

Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 
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abhi-xiaomi-1s

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2013
203
51
Kolkata
Until you have an engineering bootloader most fastboot commands are unavailable. Grab the .zip from post 30 in that link and follow the directions there.
Alex was having a similar issue to yours earlier but he couldn't get the PC10IMG.zip to work on his SD card so he used the rebootRUU method, which could also work for you. I would advise to understand both methods as they can be helpful to learn down the road
To answer your question directly, you must use the .zip, .imgs will not work with either method

Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

absolutely correct...i had the similar problem....try that and this method :)...rebootRUU is worked for me :)......
 

Eloar

Member
Sep 14, 2012
12
1
Until you have an engineering bootloader most fastboot commands are unavailable. Grab the .zip from post 30 in that link and follow the directions there.
Alex was having a similar issue to yours earlier but he couldn't get the PC10IMG.zip to work on his SD card so he used the rebootRUU method, which could also work for you. I would advise to understand both methods as they can be helpful to learn down the road
To answer your question directly, you must use the .zip, .imgs will not work with either method

Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I was sure method with sd card would work fine so tried rebootRUU and it worked. Below is method that worked for me. It is simply whole instruction for getting new recovery when starting without eng HBOOT. This is just 'compilation' of instructions from Alex Mitter and demkantor.

  1. Download DZ_PC10IMG.zip from demkantor dropbox
  2. Connect phone to PC (adb devices to be sure it is recognized properly)
  3. Code:
    adb reboot bootloader
    to switch to HBOOT. I didn't need to switch to fastboot as it was already in fastboot mode. You might want to use fastboot devices to be sure it is recognized properly again
  4. Code:
    fastboot oem rebootRUU
  5. Code:
    fastboot flash zip DZ_PC10IMG.zip
    to flash eng HBOOT
  6. Code:
    fastboot reboot-boootloader
    to get back to HBOOT and validate it.
  7. Download CWM recovery from 1st post in thread
  8. Code:
    fastboot flash recovery CWMrecovery.img
    to flash freshly downloaded recovery
  9. switch to recovery from HBOOT to verify version and proceed with PureKat instalation from there
 
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  • 6
    This seems to keep coming up so for those of you who can't find the fix, please don't create new threads or post all over the developers forum

    The most likely reason you can not flash 4.4.x and newer ROMs:

    You have an old recovery
    why would this matter?
    Basically the way permissions are handled in the updater-script (what tells your device how to flash the ROM) have changed
    and thus if you flash a newer ROM with an older recovery you will more than likely see a similar error to this:
    set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed

    So how do I change recoveries?
    you need grab a flashable.zip of the new recovery and then flash it in current recovery
    or
    a better and safer way is to use fastboot to flash the new recovery
    Code:
    fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
    *note, change 'recovery.img' accordingly if this is not how the image is named
    two other quick notes:
    *you can just fix the updater-script yourself to be able to flash a new ROM in an old recovery, but really this is time consuming and poitless
    *another method to flash the recovery is to create a PC10IMG.zip and place on SDcard then boot to bootloader to flash, but more work than needed

    Pick one of these recoveries
    4EXT Touch version 1.0.0.6_RC1
    View attachment recovery.img
    md5sum for 4ext: 689db0675c068f3513d3551940581ec0
    ClockWorkMod Recovery version 6.0.4.5
    View attachment CWMrecovery.img
    md5sum for CWM: 1AB75F2DD8CBE1C9FE4C79E237D98653
    TWRP recovery version 2.6.3.0
    View attachment TWRPrecovery.img
    md5sum for TWRP: 1F300E620CD78829D440E52C291F909F

    Which recovery to use? 4ext is problem free, the other two have slight issues but all should be fine for the most part

    Need further assistance? ask here or
    for more info on how to use fastboot SEE HERE
    for more info and help with your device SEE HERE


    Thank you all for helping keep our threads clean and easy to search through, as always feel free to ask questions!
    Happy Flashing!
    2
    For fastboot commend we need : eng hboot OR unlocked hboot from the htc website (limited commend, but enough for flash a recovery).

    So , if some DZ user were too lazy like me , and didn't flash the eng Hboot, but did all the other steps from the wiki to get the root (including s-off), and won't to go through the wiki again, just use the demkantor PC10IMG file from post #30 here : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1728208&page=3

    It work for me. Downside : current rom will bootloop. Can't do restore CWM from 4ext. only fresh install.
    1
    You probably have a shipped bootloader, boot into your hboot and write down everything from that screen here

    Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
    1
    So everything from my HBOOT:

    Code:
    VISION PVT SHIP S-OFF
    HBOOT 0.85.0005
    MICROP-0425
    RADIO-26.13.04.19_M
    eMMC-boot
    Oct 11 2010,20:10:38

    1.> Put the "PC10IMG.zip" into "C:\" drive..(u can put it into any other directory)...
    2.> Now restart your phone into fastboot mode...
    3.> Plug your USB from PC to Mobile..(now it should say "FASTBOOT USB" in red text in Mobile)..
    4.> Now open CMD...and type "fastboot oem rebootRUU"
    5.> You should now be on the black screen with the HTC logo so now type "fastboot flash zip c:\PC10IMG.zip"...
    (NOTE:If you get a message saying 'Failed, repeat immediately'.......just re-run "fastboot flash zip PC10IMG.zip")

    Now you should see a green status bar on the black screen
    And You are done!.....
    1
    Until you have an engineering bootloader most fastboot commands are unavailable. Grab the .zip from post 30 in that link and follow the directions there.
    Alex was having a similar issue to yours earlier but he couldn't get the PC10IMG.zip to work on his SD card so he used the rebootRUU method, which could also work for you. I would advise to understand both methods as they can be helpful to learn down the road
    To answer your question directly, you must use the .zip, .imgs will not work with either method

    Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app