I tried using the 1-Click Universal App to root my Eris (as well as the Root For Dummies on Android Forums) and my trackball does not toggle in the recovery menu. It works just fine at any other time. I've read many ppl have this same issue. Short of getting a replacement refurb or manually typing in code (I'm a tech idiot) - is there anything I can do or has anyone developed a SIMPLE root process that doesn't require the trackball to toggle in the recovery menu?
i don't think anyone will respond as this same question has been asked numerous times in the past few days. there is no easy 1 click fix, if you follow the threads on android forums scary alien gave a method on how to do it but its not easy and i'm not the one to ask how to do it.
post #21 of the thread linked to below has another link to the method you have to use. and again it ain't the easiest thing to do.
http://androidforums.com/eris-all-things-root/192444-need-help-putting-froyo-my-eris.html
the link to teh actual method used is here, on post #12
http://androidforums.com/eris-all-things-root/163423-flashing-rom-trackball-not-working.html
ask erisuser1 or scary alien how to do it.
Most eris' are messed up when plugged into a usb try wiggling the cable and it should move you trackball down.
I had the same issue. My solution was to work around it! I obtained root using Universal Root, an app I found with a little Googling, then the Clockworkmod Recovery. The latter of the two make use of the volume rocker to make selections, which will circumvent your track ball issue.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
I'd just look up the tutorial to run the install from ADB. Not as simple as installing the app and rebooting twice, but it works. That's how i did my first root.
okay..heres a workaround for you....
hook your phone up to your charger...then turn it on into recovery...
while wiggling the wire around at the base of the phone, scroll your trackerball up and down...and woilah!!! it works!!
read it on androidforum or something....i used it to flashback and am taking it to verizon soon.
+1 on the previous technique !! I tried to root my eris for almost 2 months but could never get the trackball to scroll in recovery. it was incredibly frustrating. finally, after all those failed attempts, the wiggling/pushing the cord will definitely work !!!! rooting was a beautiful thing, especially after all that effort, with such a simple/non-technical fix !!!!
swyped from my FroyoTazzv24 using the XDA
I watched a Youtube clip, and I don't remember the Droid forum I saw it in, but people have corrected trackball issues by ::
1. get a blank, white sheet of paper
2. lock your screen
3. turn phone upside down and place it on the paper
4. move it back and forth quickly on the paper surface
5. repeat as necessary ....
Worked multiple times, and other people who've used the technique says it works great.
What it does, cleans off dirt, grit, grime, residue, loosening the trackball back to normal behavior.
- JB
p.s. If you ever think your trackball stopped lighting up, consider the battery level ... I figured out today that my trackball had stopped lighting up, because battery level dropped below 15%.
scary alien modified (with help from ra and others) the ra recovery so that the use of a trackball is no longer required.
androidforums. com /eris-all-things-root/214240-amon_ra-1-6-2-custom-recovery-trackball-not-required.html
Remove spaces in url
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
Eris with bad trackball. Simple fix for root, recovery and roms.
Go get the Unrevoked painless reflash and get the Amon_RA recovery for non working trackball. The unrevoked has a option to use a custom recovery instead of Clockwork, which tends to brick Eris' anyway. Too easy!
I'd hope this problem has been figured out by now.
#BlameAnt
Related
So my trackball is no longer completely functional so using the amon ra-recovery via my phone is useless. I am currently running a rooted ROM on the phone and want to take the phone to verizon so I can get an eris with a working trackball. My question is which is the best way to get my phone back to as close to stock as possible without having to use the trackball on recovery mode
Try going through this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=742335
Chiggins said:
Try going through this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=742335
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you have to use the trackball to move around in the hboot mode or just to select options? because if it requires me moving the trackball around to get to options then i wont be able to do it but if its just to click on an option and I can maneuver around with out the trackball then I am all for it
Nah, you don't need the trackball to move through HBOOT, just the volume buttons. I'm having problems with my trackball too right now, so I feel your pain.
Plug your AC adapter into the the USB port on the bottom of phone and push up on from the bottom side of the plug and voilla! The trackball will work fine as long as you gently push up on the usb plug. Just be gentle with it. I do it constantly, or you can use Clockworks recovery which doesnt require any trackball. I have the same problems and originally used Clockworks recovery image to get around it, and then now I use the USB cable trick because my phone isnt warrantied from Verizon because I bought it from a friend which voids warranty.
Before you try any of these download and install Rom Manager from the market and install. once installed install clockwork mod recovery, it allows you to scroll using volume keys, although to select you must click with the trackball, if youre still able to click you should be good
You can also try this to see if it fixes the trackball.
I'm having problems with my trackball as well. Sometimes it just goes nuts and starts scrolling on its own. Anyways I'm going to use jcase's method to return it to 100% stock, bootloader and all (its in a sticky on this forum). He took off the unzipme.zip download but I found it with a google search. Verizon better make good and replace my phone!
*edit* I've read its a problem with the trackball and the charger port and can confirm. When I move the charger at the port the trackball goes wild. Its a known issue with verizon so I emailed then about a replacement.
Called verizon. Replacement will be shipped today.
Sent from my leaked rooted HTC Droid Eris with Aloysius 2.0.1 using Swype
n0yd said:
Plug your AC adapter into the the USB port on the bottom of phone and push up on from the bottom side of the plug and voilla! The trackball will work fine as long as you gently push up on the usb plug. Just be gentle with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you X 100. Mine won't go down and I am now able to root, thanks to your bit of advice!
I would reccoment using the paper method of rubbing it back and forth on the blank paper. So far I've had no problems. I hope I don't get any...
2wisted said:
So my trackball is no longer completely functional so using the amon ra-recovery via my phone is useless. I am currently running a rooted ROM on the phone and want to take the phone to verizon so I can get an eris with a working trackball. My question is which is the best way to get my phone back to as close to stock as possible without having to use the trackball on recovery mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey i was got the same problem before and i found thist apps and they fix fix the problem so maybe they help you
the name is trackball monitor search on android market
my bad guys stell not working
I was trying to root my Eris and i went to the 1 click eris root thread, downloaded it, followed all the directions, now when i hold vol up and power it boots to the recovery thing. From here im supposed to scroll down to flash zip from sd. I cant. Ive tried the track ball, the volume keys, everything. All it will let me do is press the trackball to select "reset device" or whatever the first option is. Any help? Like is there any way to flash that zip without using that recovery thing? Sorry if this is some simple noob mistake. just got my eris last week.
Anybody? Is there a different bootloader/recovery program i could load onto my phone to flash the "rootme.zip"?
EDIT: i think my trackball might just be broken or something, is there somethin i could edit to make it where the vol keys move the selector up and down instead of the track ball? i can still press the trackball, just cant scroll with it.
Sounds like a broken trackball to me. Mine broke a month after I first got my Eris, it would only scroll left. The phone was under warranty so I got it exchanged no problem. My younger brother had the same problem except his trackball would not scroll down.
The trackball on the Eris seems to be really sensitive and any pivoting force placed on the usb cable when it's plugged in seems to be the culprit. Just swap out your phone for a new one at a Verizon store and you'll be good to go.
Read the 2nd post in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804946
and follow the links there.
This is a method for technically sophisticated users; if you are intimidated by it, then DON'T USE IT.
(The author of that method - me - will not offer spoon-feeding services.)
There is a chance that ROM Manager/Clockwork recovery will work without a trackball, but I don't use that, and in any event you need to be rooted to install that, so there is a chicken-and-egg problem in proposing it as a work-around.
bftb0
If your trackball is rooted please do not go further in the process... simply run the RUU and go back to 1.5 or 2.1 and return your phone for a new one/ Incredible.
Hungry Man said:
If your trackball is rooted please do not go further in the process... simply run the RUU and go back to 1.5 or 2.1 and return your phone for a new one/ Incredible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to offer the OP the same advice, except for one thing: he didn't mention whether or not the trackball problem is also present with the stock O/S booted.
In addition to lots of reports from folks that clearly have broken/bad trackballs, there have also been multiple reports from people that experience scrolling problems with the trackball only when Amon_RA is booted - those folks are sort of SOL when it comes to a return, as they can't demonstrate the problem occurs with factory software.
But, yeah - if it is broken in both Amon_RA and the stock O/S, the OP should try and get a replacement phone. (Ugh! From the looks of recent reports, the OP might just end up with a "refurb" that also has a broken trackball)
bftb0
No way i can return it. im not the original owner, i bought it off of a friend for $20 lol, he thought it was broken but it just needed a new battery. the trackball scrolls left and right just not up or down, and it does this whether im in Amon_RA or not. its just the track ball is broken. I consider myself pretty "tech sophisticated" so ill try bftb0's first word of advice and see if that will work. Thanks for the help guys. if it doesnt work i guess im just SOL on getting my Eris rooted. Oh well, im due an upgrade and will probably get the droid 2 anyway but i was hoping to get the eris going.
EDIT: LOL go figure my luck here...my USB port is also gimped, like as in doesnt work at all, i charge my batteries on battery cradles that plug in the wall, and the method of flashing a zip without using the trackball requires you to connect your phone to your computer with usb cable, so im SOL. Thanks for trying guys, any other help (doubtful there is any) would be much appreciated.
So i opened up the app drawer in landscape and had an idea. is there anyway someone could mod the 1 click root thing so that the recovery operates in landscape? because since my trackball scrolls left and right i could then scroll "down" to the flash from sd card option, if it was in landscape.
use clockwork mod. be warned tho people have reported that using that their phone has bricked. but i didnt have problems with it when i was waiting on my referb with a working trackball. Call verizon and tell them your trackball is screwed up scrolling or not scrolling whatever its doing.
Does anyone have a link I can use go back to stock. I need a new phone what Tom do I flash
Sent from my Eris using XDA App
tperson1 said:
Does anyone have a link I can use go back to stock. I need a new phone what Tom do I flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=792026
It IS Lupus said:
use clockwork mod. be warned tho people have reported that using that their phone has bricked. but i didnt have problems with it when i was waiting on my referb with a working trackball. Call verizon and tell them your trackball is screwed up scrolling or not scrolling whatever its doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do i install clockwork on an eris? ive looked around but everythings for the facsinate or aria or EVO
i had similar issues with my trackball not responding in recovery earlier this week
did some searching and found that i had to connect the usb cable and try some gentle wiggling - the usb port is so close to the trackball that it sometimes affects how the ball's movement is read
doesnt need to be plugged into PC, just the part that connects to the phone
i wanted to update Kaosfroyo to v38 and i had no control when navigating recovery screen or it would scroll to the bottom of the list without me touching anything
after doing some investigation i booted into recovery with the usb connected and held the plug where it connects to phone and tried holding the cord at different angles until it responded as i needed it to and presto! now running KF38 with no trackball issues
XDA has had all of the answers to my Eris problems so far, just have to do some digging
Hey all,
Just a couple days ago, my track ball stopped working when I use it to scroll down. In recovery, you need to be able to scroll down to do anything. Is there a way to flash things and do nands without the track ball? I know there is Clockwork, but I don't trust it with the stories of bricking. If anything, all I need to do is be able to flash the flashback ROM so I can send it in and get a new phone.
Any remedies?
Thanks
Have a read here.
chris22_2 said:
Hey all,
Just a couple days ago, my track ball stopped working when I use it to scroll down. In recovery, you need to be able to scroll down to do anything. Is there a way to flash things and do nands without the track ball? I know there is Clockwork, but I don't trust it with the stories of bricking. If anything, all I need to do is be able to flash the flashback ROM so I can send it in and get a new phone.
Any remedies?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happened to me. I was trying to flashback to send it back...no trackball. I found that pushing on the phone with my thumb above the trackball enabled the trackball enough to flash the zip. Keep in mind I was sending the phone back to Verizon for the broken trackball, though, so I wasn't worried about breaking it further.
Chevelle1768 said:
Have a read here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DoubleByte said:
It happened to me. I was trying to flashback to send it back...no trackball. I found that pushing on the phone with my thumb above the trackball enabled the trackball enough to flash the zip. Keep in mind I was sending the phone back to Verizon for the broken trackball, though, so I wasn't worried about breaking it further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you and thank you!
By the way, you probably should grab the recovery-RA-eris-v1.6.2-trackball-optional.img 1.7.1 version (it has all of the functionality of the "original" 1.6.2 Amon_RA; the first "trackball-not-required" version I built was based on the 1.6.2 source that actually omitted some of the menu options).
Cheers!
i have the trackball not working during recovery issue as well
I have found, and I am almost certain this will work for you, plugging your phone into your charger will get your trackball to work
If I don't have my cord to plug into the usb, I've used a paper clip to press against the top of the usb port towards the trackball and have found this to work as well
if you have any questions on the process please don't hesitate to contact me
NPH- said:
i have the trackball not working during recovery issue as well
I have found, and I am almost certain this will work for you, plugging your phone into your charger will get your trackball to work
If I don't have my cord to plug into the usb, I've used a paper clip to press against the top of the usb port towards the trackball and have found this to work as well
if you have any questions on the process please don't hesitate to contact me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, most people find out about the problem, or it's more severe when a cord/charger is plugged in.
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
Actually, most people find out about the problem, or it's more severe when a cord/charger is plugged in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the problem worsen over time to the point at when it does it if it's not on the charger? Cuz mine's pretty bad on the charger.
I went through this as well. The various tricks to get it to work succeed on some phones and not others, but they're worth a try. In most cases the trackball will continue to deteriorate over time and mine got to the same point where I couldn't scroll down and therefore couldn't use RA to flash. But I needed to flash it back to stock so I could get a refurb from Verizon via my warranty. At that time, I don't think this RA that doesn't require a trackball was available. I asked about if there was and I couldn't find anything about it. Thought about trying to use the RA source and build a version myself but I just didn't have the time and lord knows, screwing that up might have really borked my phone for good, so I get it go. Now that RA without the trackball is out there, I'd use it if you can get that on your phone.
But there's another very easy solution. You can download ROM Manager from the market: ROM manager will let you flash ROMs without the trackball. It uses Clockwork Recovery for flashing and I was concerned at first about the stories of CR possibly bricking phones (in fact this not really a serious risk) or maybe making it harder to return the phone to unrooted stock or something else. But in fact, ROM manager uses Clockwork by only temporarily loading CR in memory, where you can use it to flash a ROM, and it does NOT replace RA! It leaves RA intact on your phone. If you reboot, RA is there. You can use ROM manager to flash any ROM and in my case I used it to flash the easy, return to stock zip that you can find here on the Eris forum. I brought it to the Verizon store and all I had to say was the trackball died and they traded me for a refurb.
BTW, this was a few months ago and there were several threads here with stories about people calling Verizon (not the stores) with tales of woe about their Eris and getting a free upgrade to Incredibles, Moto Droids, etc. if they were very nice about asking. This might have been a time when the inventory on the Eris was low. Anyway, I tried twice times and couldn't swing it - they only offered a refurb Eris. Found a local store with the Eris in stock and did it on the spot.
Now, if an Eris is out of warranty, then the best route is to replace the trackball. There are threads on XDA with all the step by step instructions you need. These are the same trackballs that are used in many of the Blackberrys and apparently those fail frequently and there are a LOT of options available on line for about $3-$5 via Amazon, etc. And hey, you can get them in kinds of whizzy colors ;-p
Hope this helps!
Good luck!
CPCookieMan said:
Does the problem worsen over time to the point at when it does it if it's not on the charger? Cuz mine's pretty bad on the charger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my observation and experience.
Sent from my Eris using XDA App
Oh Man!
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
That's my observation and experience.
Sent from my Eris using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
crap! that is what I thought and this just confirmed the fate and almost certain death
I think I'm being stalked but maybe I'm not the only one.
So many of you know that the track ball on the eris does not do very well in the normal fone and for mine atleast does nothing in recovery mode. When i went to flash a new rom last night i coudnt even scroll down at all. An easy way to atleast let you navigate recovery and get your rom flashed is to press againts the slilver ring around the trackball with your fingernail. Its not perfect but it gets the job done. You have to keep pressing while you scroll which is not to easy but it works.
shawn.m656 said:
So many of you know that the track ball on the eris does not do very well in the normal fone and for mine atleast does nothing in recovery mode. When i went to flash a new rom last night i coudnt even scroll down at all. An easy way to atleast let you navigate recovery and get your rom flashed is to press againts the slilver ring around the trackball with your fingernail. Its not perfect but it gets the job done. You have to keep pressing while you scroll which is not to easy but it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you are aware (in case you weren't ): Amon_RA 1.6.2 Custom Recovery: trackball not required!
Cheers!
scary alien said:
Just so you are aware (in case you weren't ): Amon_RA 1.6.2 Custom Recovery: trackball not required!
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, personally I wish all the most popular rooting methods would be more or less officially modified to include your customized version. The only reason I haven't put it on my phone yet is pure laziness, so far my trackball troubles are isolated to when I'm plugged in, and maybe that was because for so many months until recently tethering of one sort or another was my only internet. Even when WIFI tethering, I was often plugged in since it drank battery juice up like beer.
I digress. So the only reason I haven't put your customized recovery on my phone is because I don't have to, yet.
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
You know, personally I wish all the most popular rooting methods would be more or less officially modified to include your customized version. The only reason I haven't put it on my phone yet is pure laziness, so far my trackball troubles are isolated to when I'm plugged in, and maybe that was because for so many months until recently tethering of one sort or another was my only internet. Even when WIFI tethering, I was often plugged in since it drank battery juice up like beer.
I digress. So the only reason I haven't put your customized recovery on my phone is because I don't have to, yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol...yeah, I still think people have some options to try to clean them first (i.e., like the BlackBerry trackball cleaning video, etc.).
I PM'd jcase a while back to see if he would mind me rebuilding his 1-click app (he shared the source with me), but I never heard back from him and didn't want to do it without his consent.
Also, there's lots of ways to get it on there... I'm actually kind of curious how many people have installed and needed it (although I would have built it for just one person, but its nice to know that I helped a few folks out ).
Cheers!
scary alien said:
lol...yeah, I still think people have some options to try to clean them first (i.e., like the BlackBerry trackball cleaning video, etc.).
I PM'd jcase a while back to see if he would mind me rebuilding his 1-click app (he shared the source with me), but I never heard back from him and didn't want to do it without his consent.
Also, there's lots of ways to get it on there... I'm actually kind of curious how many people have installed and needed it (although I would have built it for just one person, but its nice to know that I helped a few folks out ).
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah, you might have mentioned that before about contacting jcase.
Yes, it would be nice to know; I've wondered myself. I'll let you know when I eventually do it! Thanks for it in advance!
I know i am a noob on this site but there are other ways to fix or clean the trackball rubbing alcohol on a cloth and move it fast over the ball.
second with no battery and sd card put the phone in the freezer in a zip loc bag or 20 mins.
plug the phone in and lightly push up on the usb cable and move the trackball
pluging a small video game controller into the usb port and working it that way...
I know all these work cause I use them myself at work and I am proud and not proud to say i do work for vzw and we have to check phones and thats how i do it
scaryalien I used your modded version and would only use this method because the trackball is unreliable. You Rock!
Sent from my Eris using XDA Premium App
oneders65 said:
scaryalien I used your modded version and would only use this method because the trackball is unreliable. You Rock!
Sent from my Eris using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it...won't say it was easy...and props to Amon_RA for helping me figure-out how to do this for everyone.
Cheers!
Is there a file I can edit or remove to disable trackball functionality entirely?
The trackball has the bug where it perpetually scrolls to the left. Just curious what I can do to work around the problem.
Many thanks in advance
Sent from my ADR6200 ERIS using XDA App
Ah yes, I remember this problem. Not a fun experience at all.
The only luck I had was sending in my Eris to Verizon and getting another one. I'm pretty sure you can't do that anymore though, and they'll send you a D1 instead, if they even do that anymore.
Cleaning the trackball might work, since it could be just a piece of dirt causing problems. If you're as unlucky as I was though, its a hardware flaw that can't be (easily) fixed.
Yeah, its a common issue. However that would be an interesting fix lol i know there is another version of the recovery you can use that does not require the trackball, use that to unroot if it dies completely so you can return to Verizon.
Sent from my ADR6350 using XDA App
I have the same problem too, but i cant send to verizon because i am in canada for family and two days from now i will be in saudi arabia...so i cant really send it to verizon. I use my phone daily and it roams perfectly. I have 2.3 SENSE on my phone. Back when I had recieve teh bug, it was going on and on and on. After sometime, and also after some flashing new roms, the bug is not as "powerful" as it was before. Now it only does it when i charge it. I remember there was an app in the market that actually stopped the trackball but it only worked for a min. and then the app stops working. I hope this gives you a bit help!
Search under the Stickys here under Eris and it will point you to the link to download & flash the Recovery Rom - where use of trackball is optional, especially if do you boot into doing NAND backup/recovery or flash ROMs, etc.
Cleaning the trackball by pressing down hard & rubbing on a hard surface over a white printer/copier paper sometimes worked wonder (at least for a while - to me.) Stickys for earlier posts (plus look into YouTube for a demo) ....
I got my Eris via eBay and it's been out of warranty and the ultimate solution was to spend $2.50 (including shipping from USPS) to get a Blackberry (8300, etc.) trackball replacement & did a simple transplant or replacement - available in many colors (I got a black one, least expensive, to replace the transparent/clear one on the phone) - and less than 10 minutes of labor to get it changed, as good as brand new. Just need to use a jeweler's screwdriver (it's a torx/hex style micro screws x 4 plus 2 on the circuit board) to open the case with the cover removed, take out 4 screws & then pry carefully around the edge/rim to avoid scratching to pop it open enough, then taking out the 2 crews to get to the trackball. A slight push or nudge, it will pop out - note the direction of the contacts before putting your new one in - reverse the disassembly sequence. Power up once everything is tighten back together & you are good to go - watching that black/blue/red/orange colored trackball dance & light up.
It was a fun project for me & feeling of accomplishments, giving new life to the aging Eris coupled with one's choice of Froyo or GB Rom's.
Actually, I've had the problem for a while now. I've tested many rom's and it really depends on the rom. Funny isn't. I had come up infrequently in GSB. MacRom it didn't it a little but wasn't crazy. What i do to fix it is press down hard and that seems to fix it. I'm running Gin-Sense Tazz and haven't noticed it yet, but i've just flashed the rom.
I've heard of people fixing it by laying the phone down face first and rolling it around with pressure to reseat it. I'm not saying to, it might make the problem worse. But its a thought
Sent from my ADR6200 ERIS using XDA App
Thanks for the suggestions!
Sent from my ADR6200 ERIS using XDA App
I've replaced the trackball on a phone with this problem, still having occasional issues... The trackball replacement didn't fix it entirely. What to do next?
From what I understand of the trackball problem is that it is a grounding issue with the contacts and the charging/usb port. Mine is doing it also so when it breaks I will take it apart and find out for sure:}
I finally broke the annoying sucker and flashed a recovery that uses the call and end buttons instead of the trackball. I'm not having any issues.
sjpritch25 said:
I finally broke the annoying sucker and flashed a recovery that uses the call and end buttons instead of the trackball. I'm not having any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love seeing another satisfied customer .
Cheers!
Yep. I've been frustrated for so long that I was glad to finally fix it
Sent from my ADR6200 using XDA App
sjpritch25 said:
I finally broke the annoying sucker and flashed a recovery that uses the call and end buttons instead of the trackball. I'm not having any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did that recovery also disable the trackball within the ROM? Or just in recovery? can you post a link to it? Thanks!
haganme said:
did that recovery also disable the trackball within the ROM? Or just in recovery? can you post a link to it? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the custom recovery is mutually exclusive of the ROM. Sorry, my tweaked version of Amon_RA's custom recovery can't touch the ROM that's installed...
Here's a link to the XDA post where for my tweaked version of the trackball-optional custom recovery for the Eris:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9124095&postcount=83
And here is the sister thread over on AndroidForums that has some installation options for you:
http://androidforums.com/eris-all-things-root/214240-amon_ra-1-6-2-custom-recovery-trackball-not-required.html
Good luck and cheers!
After, I broke the trackball. All the trackball issues left and i needed a way to use the recovery. The recovery without trackball works great.
I also had a bad trackball, now using my wifes old eris since she upgrade to an inc2.