[Q] ALL steps to root Motorola Xoom 4.0.4?

[xFrozen]

So I recently got a Xoom and would like to root it. I can easily search through forums and follow instructions, but I want to be sure on what I have to do. I've rooted and flashed several Android devices already, so I'm no newbie, but once I bricked an Atrix so since then I've always been super cautious.

So now.. how do I root and install CWM on the Xoom? It's on 4.0.4 OTA.
Do I have to unlock the bootloader first?

Specific references to threads and step by step instructions preferred. Thank you!

 

[okantomi]

So I recently got a Xoom and would like to root it. I can easily search through forums and follow instructions, but I want to be sure on what I have to do. I've rooted and flashed several Android devices already, so I'm no newbie, but once I bricked an Atrix so since then I've always been super cautious.

So now.. how do I root and install CWM on the Xoom? It's on 4.0.4 OTA.
Do I have to unlock the bootloader first?

Specific references to threads and step by step instructions preferred. Thank you!

Yes, you will have to unlock first. There's a bit to set up first, but if you read the instructions and get everything you need set up in one place it's pretty easy. Also, it's actually hard to really brick a Xoom. A few have managed but it's not easy.
Try this guide...everything should still work fine, and it explains a lot

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1249798

Good luck!

 

[Dooms87]

Hello Everyone im new to the boards here

I'm Trying to root my Friends Xoom for him. He told me he already started the process and unlocked stuff but cant flash anything or succesfully root. I dont know what he actually did and to be honest neither does he..... * put a gun in my mouth haha*

So my question is can i just follow the guide posted and start from the very first step and redo everything and still be ok ?? He has it updated to OTA ICS 4.0.4 I found several guides for 4.0.3 but im not sure if those instructions would still work if anyone could clarify this for me i'd greatly appreciate it

 

[xFrozen]

Yes, you will have to unlock first. There's a bit to set up first, but if you read the instructions and get everything you need set up in one place it's pretty easy. Also, it's actually hard to really brick a Xoom. A few have managed but it's not easy.
Try this guide...everything should still work fine, and it explains a lot

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1249798

Good luck!

Ah, thanks, it worked

Hello Everyone im new to the boards here

I'm Trying to root my Friends Xoom for him. He told me he already started the process and unlocked stuff but cant flash anything or succesfully root. I dont know what he actually did and to be honest neither does he..... * put a gun in my mouth haha*

So my question is can i just follow the guide posted and start from the very first step and redo everything and still be ok ?? He has it updated to OTA ICS 4.0.4 I found several guides for 4.0.3 but im not sure if those instructions would still work if anyone could clarify this for me i'd greatly appreciate it

I also had a problem after unlocking. It unlocked fine, but then I couldn't flash CWM through fastboot. My problem was the Application Variable thing, I assume. What I did was go to the platform tools folder (which for me was C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools ). I held shift and right clicked Platform Tools, then pressed "open command window here" and then I flashed CWM through fastboot in that window. Just make sure the CWM image is in the Platform Tools folder, along with fastboot.exe.

If you have any issues with that, PM me and I'll try to help.

 

[Dooms87]

omg Frozen thank you so most for that post i literally had the same problem CWM would not flash till i did exactly what you said in the last post thank you soo much greatly appreciated

 

[heartspeace]

There is one VERY important piece that is left out of most threads.

The newest Xooms that were release overwrite CWM files upon reboot unless you take specific steps to make sure it doesn't... e.g.

have the update.zip you want to use preloaded on the sdcard via pc

or

use a usb with a otg and a version of CWM that can apply update.zip from the USB drive.

Also beware of threads that dont mention what version of the OS they are for. For example its very easy to root your device, but it be on an on 3.x OS and then the OS will update it to 4.04 on the next boot cycle, and wont give you a chance to pick your ROM update. As a result your device is not rooted at this point, and CWM is not installed because you didnt have root in time to move these files:

adb shell mv /system/recovery-from-boot.p.old /system/recovery-from-boot.p
adb shell mv /system/etc/install-recovery.sh.old /system/etc/install-recovery.sh

while in root.

Really sucks.


So in a nutshell those with the latest Xoom tablets that were released, must make sure you find a update.zip that is compatible with ICS 4.04 and then get it to your SDCARD or USB Drive via any method possible - and then flash the right CWM that supports what you want to do, then catch that as it reboots the very first time but pushing the down button and then up button of the volume controls, and then you can install the root (update.zip).... then if all is well you will be able to boot normally, and then go back and get into CWM and install the ROM of your delight.

Experts feel free to chime in so I don't mislead anyone. I wouldn't follow the above advice until an expert puts their AOK on it.

 

[noobsaid61]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1242241
Any Xoom any update BTW I had my mz601( Telstra ) on offical ics rooted by this method.