Super noob guide to unlocking bootloader and s-off

briankariu

Senior Member
Feb 7, 2011
306
55
0
Nairobi
Hi yall,
So you just got that brand new rezound, you've used it for a few days and you are figuring that you need to change something about it. This is a very simple guide to unlocking bootloader and getting s-off. This guide assumes that you are still on gingerbread. But first we define the terms

What is bootloader and why do I have to unlock it
Bootloader is simply a basic level of security that is put in place by HTC to ensure that roms that are not signed by HTC cannot be flashed. Unlocking the boot loader allows you to flash custom roms,

What is s-off and why I need it
S-ON is the second level of security that HTC places in their phones. S-On means that you will have a hard time flashing custom kernels and radios.

RUU
To put it simply, this is a ROM developed by hTC and signed, again, by HTC.


So we now have a fair understanding of this three big words that you see been thrown around in the forums. Lets go on.

Do you have bootloader unlocked? Very simple way to verify. Power off your phone and then press POWER and VOL- simultaneously. This will bring you to a white screen. This is bootloader. At the very top, you will find something similar to this:

***LOCKED***
VIGOR PVT SHIP S-ON RL

This means your bootloader is locked and you have s-on.

Before taking any other step, lets flash the ICS leak so as to update the firmware. This will save you a lot of trouble later with old/new firmware later on. Note, this is only if you have both bootloader and s-on.
Download any RUU in the links below

http://www.mediafire.com/?s8gttwdf32fx8
Links courtesy of uToTMeH8
select the ics 3.11 link and download all the links in that page.

Do you have winrar installed? I f you have, simply double click the part1.rar and it will automtically recombine all the files into one file that is approximately 610Mb. Rename the file to PH98IMG and copy it into your sd card. Do not put it in any file!
Now power down your phone and reboot into bootloader as described above. You remember, right?

The phone will automatically detect the RUU and will begin installation. Click the power button when it asks you to and give it some time. The installation process takes anywhere from 5-10minutes. Your are now on the new firmware!!!:):D

Now the next step is to unlock the bootloader. Boot up your phone. The quickest way to avoid the setup process is to boot the phone without the simcard. After you have skipped the set up process, go to settings--->developer options and enable USB debugging.

Now download this simple application the rezound all in one kit
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1504824

Once download is complete, right click on it and run as administrator. Follow the processes from 1to5. This should unlock your bootloader. Once bootloader is unlocked, go to the extras menu and click the permroot and run.
If at any one time you find the programme unresponsive, simply close it and open agin as administrator.

Note that the unlock_code that you download must be placed in the data folder of the program inorder to unlock the bootloader.

Also, install a custom recovery, preferably AMonRa. This makes it easy to flash ROMs.


The next step is to get s-off. Follow the proceedure here

http://unlimited.io/juopunutbear-public-beta-0-1/instructions/htc-rezound/

Once you get s-off, you are now ready to go to the development section and install roms. Test a few ROMs until you find one that suits your tastes. We are unique after all.
Just place the rom you have downloaded in your sd card and boot into recovery using the rezound all in one kit by selecting reboot into recovery. Scroll down to the flash zip menu and select the ROM.
Press the power button to confirm ROM installation and voila! Welcome to your first custom ROM

Warning
After unlocking bootloader and s-off, the two basic security checks, you need to always check the MD5 of any custom rom you download just to make sure that all files are intact. The MD5 checksum is usually a string of numbers that confirm the zip file integrity. Most devs usually post the MD5 checksum on the download page of the ROM. Download the application from the following link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?doyvy4ird10j8ym

To check the MD5 checksum, copy the string of characters and numbers and run the program. It will immediately paste the characters in the first slot. Select the ROM you have downloaded by clicking the browse button. The application will run and tell you whether the chesum matches or not. If it does not match, DO NOT FLASH THE ROM

Redownload the rom and verify the checksum again
 
Last edited:

jchammer123

Senior Member
Dec 21, 2010
67
7
0
Just wanna say good job. Many people will be happy. I could've used this when I first got my rezound. Most instruction threads don't put things in noob terms like you did. Good job.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
 

[email protected]

Senior Member
Jun 23, 2007
4,637
1,310
0
I am unlocked on stock GB ROM but with s-on. Your instructions seem to be for devices still locked. What would the stops be in my case to achieve s-off and not have a problem flashing ROMs?

Thanks for the guide and your assistance.
 

fenguepay

Senior Member
May 21, 2011
264
60
58
Just a suggestion. For complete noobs you should post an unlocked program like mine. It's fool proof and no bricks yet. Any unlocked program let's noobs unlock easy and not accidentally kill their phone.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
 

briankariu

Senior Member
Feb 7, 2011
306
55
0
Nairobi
I am unlocked on stock GB ROM but with s-on. Your instructions seem to be for devices still locked. What would the stops be in my case to achieve s-off and not have a problem flashing ROMs?

Thanks for the guide and your assistance.
If you are unlocked, you need to relock the bootloader inorder to flash the ICS firmware. The ICS leak will not flash if the bootloader is unlocked and s-on. The ALL in one tool has the option of relocking the bootloader
 
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briankariu

Senior Member
Feb 7, 2011
306
55
0
Nairobi
Just a suggestion. For complete noobs you should post an unlocked program like mine. It's fool proof and no bricks yet. Any unlocked program let's noobs unlock easy and not accidentally kill their phone.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
Could you please provide the link so that I can take a look? Thanks
 

[email protected]

Senior Member
Jun 23, 2007
4,637
1,310
0
If you are unlocked, you need to relock the bootloader inorder to flash the ICS firmware. The ICS leak will not flash if the bootloader is unlocked and s-on. The ALL in one tool has the option of relocking the bootloader
So all I need to do is relock and then run everything in your first post. I will not need to re-flash a unrooted GB rom first to allow me to flash the ICS Rom?
 

fenguepay

Senior Member
May 21, 2011
264
60
58
Just look at all of the topics I have started. I'm on the phone so it will be hard for me to share a link. Good luck :p

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium