[HELP] Difficult z710a and I can't figure it out. Want a challenge?

[intermedE8]

This phone of mine's been through the wringer, and I'm just not savvy enough to get it updated to today's standards. I could really use your help.

A few years ago, I used the Sensation AIO Kit v1.1 to make this Canadian HTC Z710A phone use 4.03 Jellybean, and it's been that way since. Recently, I thought I'd go a step further to bring it to Cyanogen 12. That didn't work (the "forever load circle" happened), so I went back and tried it again with C 11. Again, same result ("f.l.c."). I went back, and after a -LOT- of trial and error, I finally accomplished getting XE with Audio Beats to work....

.....Except, it wouldn't read my wifi hardware whatsoever. I heard this happens sometimes, and a solution is to restore the phone to a factory stock setting and retry from there.

I'm back where I started, at 4.03 Jellybean (Sense v 3.6; Software 3.32.666.13). Something corrupted / screwed up along the way and now I only have access to half(?) the apps that I once had, so the phone is not usable as-is despite regaining wifi control once more. I still have full access to the bootloader and I can install any recovery onto it easily (thanks to Sensation AIO 1, 3, and 4).

So this is where I am, and this is what I just can't get past, and I'd like it if you treated me like a beginner because I'm just not grasping this part:

How do I acquire the proper stock image/rom/kernel? Where do I place it on the SD card? What recovery program should I install? Once it is reverted to stock, what procedures to I need to do to bring it to the best, strongest, full out powerhouse it can be -- as in, what is the greatest custom rom that can be installed?

I'll do my best to amend this post with information as you request it from me.

I really want to thank anyone who can help me here. I'm not quite the intermediate techie that I pretend to be in front of my friends and family, especially when I'm asking such a beginner question in front of you all. I do know that the community here is really strong, so I anticipate good things to come.

(final edit): This post is completed and SOLVED. A huge thank you to user rzr86 for singlehandedly guiding the way through this problem. Please read through all these posts in this thread to glean the trials and tribulations I faced to make it succeed.

 

[rzr86]

This phone of mine's been through the wringer, and I'm just not savvy enough to get it updated to today's standards. I could really use your help.

A few years ago, I used the Sensation AIO Kit v1.1 to make this Canadian HTC Z710A phone use 4.03 Jellybean, and it's been that way since. Recently, I thought I'd go a step further to bring it to Cyanogen 12. That didn't work (the "forever load circle" happened), so I went back and tried it again with C 11. Again, same result ("f.l.c."). I went back, and after a -LOT- of trial and error, I finally accomplished getting XE with Audio Beats to work....

.....Except, it wouldn't read my wifi hardware whatsoever. I heard this happens sometimes, and a solution is to restore the phone to a factory stock setting and retry from there.

I'm back where I started, at 4.03 Jellybean (Sense v 3.6; Software 3.32.666.13). Something corrupted / screwed up along the way and now I only have access to half(?) the apps that I once had, so the phone is not usable as-is despite regaining wifi control once more. I still have full access to the bootloader and I can install any recovery onto it easily (thanks to Sensation AIO 1, 3, and 4).

So this is where I am, and this is what I just can't get past, and I'd like it if you treated me like a beginner because I'm just not grasping this part:

How do I acquire the proper stock image/rom/kernel? Where do I place it on the SD card? What recovery program should I install? Once it is reverted to stock, what procedures to I need to do to bring it to the best, strongest, full out powerhouse it can be -- as in, what is the greatest custom rom that can be installed?

I'll do my best to amend this post with information as you request it from me.

I really want to thank anyone who can help me here. I'm not quite the intermediate techie that I pretend to be in front of my friends and family, especially when I'm asking such a beginner question in front of you all. I do know that the community here is really strong, so I anticipate good things to come.

if you want to return back to stock see here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1672425
everything are well-explained

note: if you are on S-OFF leave it as it is

 

[intermedE8]

if you want to return back to stock see here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1672425
everything are well-explained

note: if you are on S-OFF leave it as it is

I did as you suggested, taking screenshots and camera pics the whole way. I found the only applicable RUU exe and set my phone to a ***RELOCKED*** state prior to running it. Then, I received this image:

imgur Xl1sSg8.png

So, I clicked cancel and returned here to update this status. I'd love to hear any suggestions. Please let me know if there's anything I should add as far as details go. Thanks.

(I DID say this would be difficult, eh?)

 

[rzr86]

I did as you suggested, taking screenshots and camera pics the whole way. I found the only applicable RUU exe and set my phone to a ***RELOCKED*** state prior to running it. Then, I received this image:

imgur Xl1sSg8.png

So, I clicked cancel and returned here to update this status. I'd love to hear any suggestions. Please let me know if there's anything I should add as far as details go. Thanks.

(I DID say this would be difficult, eh?)

which one did you try?
are you on S-OFF?

 

[intermedE8]

which one did you try?
are you on S-OFF?

By "which one did you try", do you mean the RUU exe?

I downloaded RUU_Pyramid_BM_1.35.666.1_Radio_10.50.9007.00U_10.12.9007.21_2M_release_200555_signed as it was the only one to feature "Pyramid", "BM", and "666" in the filename. That's the program I ran.

Here's a question that I may have misconstrued: When the program states "Image version:" and there's no further text listed, is the program stating "look at the visual image we've provided of a phone and see if it matches", and not "here's an .img version of your phone's software"?

Because, yes, that IS a visual image of my z710a phone in the upper left. I was expecting a series of .img (image) ISO-type files to be listed in that open white space beneath.

Furthermore, the program asks "Select one below:" as if there are many options to choose from, while the only option is "Update". It's terribly worded and confusing.

Lastly, my phone was in an S-ON state when I began this post, and it's still in that S-ON state now (photo below).

imgur VhuK8zi.jpg

So, what is my next move from here?

 

[rzr86]

By "which one did you try", do you mean the RUU exe?

I downloaded RUU_Pyramid_BM_1.35.666.1_Radio_10.50.9007.00U_10.12.9007.21_2M_release_200555_signed as it was the only one to feature "Pyramid", "BM", and "666" in the filename. That's the program I ran.

Here's a question that I may have misconstrued: When the program states "Image version:" and there's no further text listed, is the program stating "look at the visual image we've provided of a phone and see if it matches", and not "here's an .img version of your phone's software"?

Because, yes, that IS a visual image of my z710a phone in the upper left. I was expecting a series of .img (image) ISO-type files to be listed in that open white space beneath.

Furthermore, the program asks "Select one below:" as if there are many options to choose from, while the only option is "Update". It's terribly worded and confusing.

Lastly, my phone was in an S-ON state when I began this post, and it's still in that S-ON state now (photo below).

imgur VhuK8zi.jpg

So, what is my next move from here?

since you are on S-ON you can't downgrade
you need an ics ruu.exe
but i don't think that exists any with your firmware version(i am not sure though)

i suggest to unlock again the bootloader
flash a custom recovery(i suggest 4ext recovery)
flash vipers rom 5.3.0 (link in my signature)
then use rumrunner method to S-OFF the device
after that change your cid to supercid
and in the end use any ruu.exe you want

about wifi issue check the pins in the back cover which are responsible for the wifi
lift them up gently

 

[intermedE8]

since you are on S-ON you can't downgrade
you need an ics ruu.exe
but i don't think that exists any with your firmware version(i am not sure though)

i suggest to unlock again the bootloader
flash a custom recovery(i suggest 4ext recovery)
flash vipers rom 5.3.0 (link in my signature)
then use rumrunner method to S-OFF the device
after that change your cid to supercid
and in the end use any ruu.exe you want

about wifi issue check the pins in the back cover which are responsible for the wifi
lift them up gently

I looked for an ICS RUU like you said, and found this one:

OTA_PYRAMID_ICS_BM_3.32.666.53-3.32.666.13_R_release_2907247e88uydtji4gz02b.zip

However, as you can see, it's an OTA file (I'm assuming "Over The Air"). As it isn't an RUU file, I'm not certain what the best way to proceed from here is, and I would appreciate advice on that.

Also, I can verify that the WiFi pins are in no way a problem. Rather, I think you misinterpreted my statement. The upgrade to C12 previously just didn't have the software connection established. The hardware is perfectly fine and works ideally.

I look forward to any additional help on this, and thank everyone for taking time to help out.

 

[rzr86]

I looked for an ICS RUU like you said, and found this one:

OTA_PYRAMID_ICS_BM_3.32.666.53-3.32.666.13_R_release_2907247e88uydtji4gz02b.zip

However, as you can see, it's an OTA file (I'm assuming "Over The Air"). As it isn't an RUU file, I'm not certain what the best way to proceed from here is, and I would appreciate advice on that.

Also, I can verify that the WiFi pins are in no way a problem. Rather, I think you misinterpreted my statement. The upgrade to C12 previously just didn't have the software connection established. The hardware is perfectly fine and works ideally.

I look forward to any additional help on this, and thank everyone for taking time to help out.

try to flash that zip via fastboot
fastboot flash zip <<the name of the zip>>

if it doesn't work then do it from ruu mode
from bootloader type fastboot rebootRUU
then the above command

 

[intermedE8]

try to flash that zip via fastboot
fastboot flash zip <<the name of the zip>>

if it doesn't work then do it from ruu mode
from bootloader type fastboot rebootRUU
then the above command

Well, I first tried to flash via the aforementioned fastboot flash zip OTA...zip command, but there was an error and it failed.

Next, I attempted to flash via the recovery menu through the Update Via Zip On SD menu selection, of which I was able to take a photo of the resulting error on screen:

imgur z1aEOGS.jpg

So the question I have before proceeding with the suggestion of using fastboot rebootRUU (and is that the actual command, with proper spacing?), is: Do any of those bits of text on the screenshot contain pertinent revelations to this procedure that might make me want to take a different tactic? Should I try installing the vipers rom 5.3.0, do the rumrunner/S-OFF technique, and change to supercid BEFORE attempting the fastboot rebootRUU command?

If anyone wants to lay out a series of commands for me to follow from here, I'd really appreciate it.

I do apologize for such a difficult restoration. I knew it was going to be rough. Thanks for all your patience.

 

[rzr86]

Well, I first tried to flash via the aforementioned fastboot flash zip OTA...zip command, but there was an error and it failed.

Next, I attempted to flash via the recovery menu through the Update Via Zip On SD menu selection, of which I was able to take a photo of the resulting error on screen:

imgur z1aEOGS.jpg

So the question I have before proceeding with the suggestion of using fastboot rebootRUU (and is that the actual command, with proper spacing?), is: Do any of those bits of text on the screenshot contain pertinent revelations to this procedure that might make me want to take a different tactic? Should I try installing the vipers rom 5.3.0, do the rumrunner/S-OFF technique, and change to supercid BEFORE attempting the fastboot rebootRUU command?

If anyone wants to lay out a series of commands for me to follow from here, I'd really appreciate it.

I do apologize for such a difficult restoration. I knew it was going to be rough. Thanks for all your patience.

i think the error has something to do with the cid
actually i suggest to go for vipers rom then S-OFF
it is far more easy way

 

[intermedE8]

i think the error has something to do with the cid
actually i suggest to go for vipers rom then S-OFF
it is far more easy way

Well, it didn't quite work.

ViperS/C2 5.3.0 (your link) wasn't downloading for whatever reason, and I'm on limited bandwidth so I couldn't keep spending 3 hours to have it stop downloading at 150mb in. Instead, I downloaded 5.2.1 and the 750mb file came in within a steady 30 minutes.

In recovery mode, I wiped all the necessary things that needed to be wiped (dalvik, etc) and then installed V 5.2.1. The ROM saw the phone as a z710e (and not as the z710a it actually is), but the installation proceeded anyway.

imgur 8xpQhhx.jpg

It asked to reboot, and I said yes, and now we have this.

imgur 3eKdqez.jpg

It's been on this HTC boot screen for over an hour now.

I have to run around town for the next several hours, and I'll leave it as is, stuck on the HTC boot logo. When I return (if there hasn't been any change), I'll reboot the phone back into recovery and go from there.

I could use some advice at this point. Difficult phone is difficult.

 

[rzr86]

Well, it didn't quite work.

ViperS/C2 5.3.0 (your link) wasn't downloading for whatever reason, and I'm on limited bandwidth so I couldn't keep spending 3 hours to have it stop downloading at 150mb in. Instead, I downloaded 5.2.1 and the 750mb file came in within a steady 30 minutes.

In recovery mode, I wiped all the necessary things that needed to be wiped (dalvik, etc) and then installed V 5.2.1. The ROM saw the phone as a z710e (and not as the z710a it actually is), but the installation proceeded anyway.

imgur 8xpQhhx.jpg

It asked to reboot, and I said yes, and now we have this.

imgur 3eKdqez.jpg

It's been on this HTC boot screen for over an hour now.

I have to run around town for the next several hours, and I'll leave it as is, stuck on the HTC boot logo. When I return (if there hasn't been any change), I'll reboot the phone back into recovery and go from there.

I could use some advice at this point. Difficult phone is difficult.

because you are on S-ON and need to flash the boot.img via fastboot command after rom installation
otherwise use 4ext recovery and enable smartflash exactly before flashing the rom

 

[intermedE8]

because you are on S-ON and need to flash the boot.img via fastboot command after rom installation
otherwise use 4ext recovery and enable smartflash exactly before flashing the rom

Success! Messaging you from Chrome, via the WiFi on this working Viper ROM z710... what is this now, an a or an e? Who knows.

I restored back to my recovery, downloaded the most recent 4EXT from your link and made that my new custom recovery. From there, I started Superflash immediately before loading this ROM again, and it works. It all works.

Thank you very much for helping me throughout.

I think my next plan of attack is to find and use the rumrunner to S-OFF the device. Then, install the fun bits.

I'll post any follow ups that snag if they happen, but for the moment you've solved my difficult phone. Thank you very much.

 

[rzr86]

Success! Messaging you from Chrome, via the WiFi on this working Viper ROM z710... what is this now, an a or an e? Who knows.

I restored back to my recovery, downloaded the most recent 4EXT from your link and made that my new custom recovery. From there, I started Superflash immediately before loading this ROM again, and it works. It all works.

Thank you very much for helping me throughout.

I think my next plan of attack is to find and use the rumrunner to S-OFF the device. Then, install the fun bits.

I'll post any follow ups that snag if they happen, but for the moment you've solved my difficult phone. Thank you very much.

your device still remains a z710a. any custom rom doesn't change that
for rumrunner method see here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2751187

note: if your only goal was to solve the wifi issue let me tell you that you are done

 

[intermedE8]

Just a follow-up, no need to reply.

I thought I'd let everyone know that the phone works fine for what it is. The memory is pretty low, but I knew that going in.

I had some trouble with battery life, but there is some amazing posts elsewhere on this site for managing battery life in the Viper rom, and by following those guides I was able to extend the phone's duration by three or four times longer.

Thank you, rzr86. Your assistance was invaluable.

Take care.