I've got to give one of the units back and need to decide which.
Since it's possible to flash CW recovery using ODIN both locked/unlocked bootloader devices, is there a benefit to having an "unlocked" bootloader?
I've been able to flash both locked/unlocked as well install Kernels..
I understand, nvflash can't be used on locked bootloader units.. but it seems (from what I understand and have read via searching), most everything can be accomplished via ODIN + CW.
Thanks!
scmguru said:
I've got to give one of the units back and need to decide which.
Since it's possible to flash CW recovery using ODIN both locked/unlocked bootloader devices, is there a benefit to having an "unlocked" bootloader?
I've been able to flash both locked/unlocked as well install Kernels..
I understand, nvflash can't be used on locked bootloader units.. but it seems (from what I understand and have read via searching), most everything can be accomplished via ODIN + CW.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lock vs unlock means that if you are unlock you can flash kernels made for ubuntu and other linux distro. Locked bootloaders are generally limited to the samsung kernel so it would be harder to flash other things and make some serious mods that would require nvflash.
Thanks for the reply. Will keep unlocked. Cheers.
Related
I have a rooted HTC Desire but that used the Unrevoked method, however I'm a bit puzzled when it comes to rooting/bootloader-unlocking the Galaxy Tab.
What's with the unlocked bootloader, do I already have that? (UK wifi Tab).
Is the info contained in this video all that I need to be able to flash rom's etc?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krQDP7xYlWg
UKseagull said:
I have a rooted HTC Desire but that used the Unrevoked method, however I'm a bit puzzled when it comes to rooting/bootloader-unlocking the Galaxy Tab.
What's with the unlocked bootloader, do I already have that? (UK wifi Tab).
Is the info contained in this video all that I need to be able to flash rom's etc?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krQDP7xYlWg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need an unlocked bootloader to root or flash ROMs or kernals.
Unlocked bootloader is necessary only for ROMs which require manipulation of the bootloader . That means you can't load ubuntu in your Gtab with a locked bootloader.
the above mentioned video is about how to insall CWM recovery and rooting.
Using CWM recovery you can install ROMs
That's great, thanks for clarifying that.
I am trying to understand some more about this tablet, so far I have learned (please correct any errors):
These were given away at Google I/O with fastboot and an unlocked bootloader.
The ones you purchase in the store do not have fastboot, and have a locked bootloader.
An unlocked bootloader will show an unlocked padlock at the bottom of the screen.
You can still root and change ROMs with a locked bootloader, but cannot repartition your device, or use NVFlash without currently-unknown keys.
Without aforementioned keys, you cannot unlock or downgrade the bootloader, even with Odin. That or none of the Odin tars have the old unlocked bootloader.
The reason I am so fixated on the bootloader, is because this tablet seems to be nearly impossible to hard brick.
APX and Odin offer 2 modes of recovery, which should always be available, unless you wipe the bootloader portion of your NAND.
I am more interested in seeing what else I can make the tablet do besides run Android. The TABUNTU project is of great interest to me, but my GT-P7510 won't let me flash via APX...
I'd like to thank you as you have just managed to educate me a little I've only had my tab a few weeks so this was some good information I hope to try out some stuff also now I've herd its possible ill be fixated also
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk
It seems I have gotten TABUNTU to work via some Odin trickery, by sacrificing Android completely. Just because I cannot repartition the NAND, does not mean I can't use the existing partitions for un-intended uses
linux.img -> boot.img (modified boot.img-cmdline to mmcblk0p8)
ubuntu.img -> data.img
make into odin tar, flash.
Edit: more details here if interested in flashing TABUNTU on locked bootloader
Hey all,
I'm fairly new to unlocking/rooting (I'm from the simple iPhone jailbreak world).
I have my Atrix 4G rooted with no issues and ClockworkMod installed... that was the easy part it seems.
Where I am struggling is to figure out IF I can unlock my Atrix 4G and if it is safe to do.
I am running Android 2.3.6 on the Bell network. I see a bunch on unlocks for bootloader 2.3.4 and am confisued if that bootloader version has any relation to the android version? How can I figure out what bootloader I have? Would it also be 2.3.6?
If it is indeed 2.3.6, is it possible to unlock, I see no specific unlocks for that version.
Thanks,
You cant install a different recovery with out being unlocked. so if you can boot into CWM then your phone is already unlocked.
Where did you get the phone? was it new?
Its possible if its used that it was already unlocked and someone RSD back to stock for sale purpose, if its new and you havent unlocked yet then you dont have CWM installed.
Random Canadian said:
You cant install a different recovery with out being unlocked. so if you can boot into CWM then your phone is already unlocked.
Where did you get the phone? was it new?
Its possible if its used that it was already unlocked and someone RSD back to stock for sale purpose, if its new and you havent unlocked yet then you dont have CWM installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry should have been a little more clear, I have installed ROM Manager and choose the CWM install, but I cannot boot into it, I get a boot error 2 (I think). Sorry phone is at home now so I can't recall exact error will post later.
I got phone 6 month ago, was used phone. I am fairly certain its not unlocked because I cannot boot with CWM, hence cannot install custom ROM.
Thanks for the reply.
Random Canadian said:
You cant install a different recovery with out being unlocked. so if you can boot into CWM then your phone is already unlocked.
Where did you get the phone? was it new?
Its possible if its used that it was already unlocked and someone RSD back to stock for sale purpose, if its new and you havent unlocked yet then you dont have CWM installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to be unlocked to have CWM on your Atrix. I had it on at least 1.83 if not the original stock firmware. I know it was possible with only root on 1.83 because that was what I was running up until a month ago and I had CWM on it with a locked bootloader.
cerps said:
You don't need to be unlocked to have CWM on your Atrix. I had it on at least 1.83 if not the original stock firmware. I know it was possible with only root on 1.83 because that was what I was running up until a month ago and I had CWM on it with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, my phone is rooted so I have CWM, just can't boot it. My understanding is because I need to unlock, but I don't know how to unlock because I don't know how to figure out what bootloader I have.
cerps said:
You don't need to be unlocked to have CWM on your Atrix. I had it on at least 1.83 if not the original stock firmware. I know it was possible with only root on 1.83 because that was what I was running up until a month ago and I had CWM on it with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked or it just didnt say unlocked at the top? two very different things.
avalanche333 said:
Right, my phone is rooted so I have CWM, just can't boot it. My understanding is because I need to unlock, but I don't know how to unlock because I don't know how to figure out what bootloader I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dur im pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader allows unsigned code to run at boot, I could be wrong but I think you two are out to lunch on installing CWM with just root.
That or you can install it but you cant run it because the boot loader wont allow something with out motorolas signature to execute. making the point of if it is or is not, installed, a moot one. Aside from the fact you no longer have any sort of a functional recovery mode.
There is a LOT of info on how to unlock the bootloader and its not exactly hidden. I dont know if its even still done with RSD but that would be a place to start as that is how I did mine in sept of last year.
Random Canadian said:
Locked or it just didnt say unlocked at the top? two very different things.
dur im pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader allows unsigned code to run at boot, I could be wrong but I think you two are out to lunch on installing CWM with just root.
That or you can install it but you cant run it because the boot loader wont allow something with out motorolas signature to execute. making the point of if it is or is not, installed, a moot one
There is a LOT of info on how to unlock the bootloader and its not exactly hidden. I dont know if its even still done with RSD but that would be a place to start as that is how I did mine in sept of last year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I see what your saying, but I am saying that I cannot run CWM. I can only install onto my SD card. But the boot in recovery does not work (ie it will not run CWM). I'll post the error little later tonight when I try at it again.
I realize there is lots of info on unlocking bootloader and I am not concerned about doing the unlock, once I find a way to verify my bootloader version. Ive seen a few posts warning that bootloader must be v 2.3.4 or you can brick the phone.
So I guess ultimately my question is, how can I figure out my bootloader version? Have not seem this answers after some googling.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136261
Read that and your version will be in settings and then about phone. although I do believe that 234 and 236 unlock via the same method.
If you are going to install Custom roms CM7/9/10 or a blur based then you dont need to even worry about root. otherwise there are instructions in that thread to root that SBF
Random Canadian said:
Locked or it just didnt say unlocked at the top? two very different things.
dur im pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader allows unsigned code to run at boot, I could be wrong but I think you two are out to lunch on installing CWM with just root.
That or you can install it but you cant run it because the boot loader wont allow something with out motorolas signature to execute. making the point of if it is or is not, installed, a moot one. Aside from the fact you no longer have any sort of a functional recovery mode.
There is a LOT of info on how to unlock the bootloader and its not exactly hidden. I dont know if its even still done with RSD but that would be a place to start as that is how I did mine in sept of last year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm positive it was locked, running 1.83, and had CWM on it. I bought the phone at an AT&T store myself. I rooted it and put CWM on it. The early version of CWM for the Atrix only was accessible by turning the phone on while plugged into the wall charger that came with the phone.
I thought it was necessary to unlock the bootloader on android phones before i could root them and flash different roms. A buddy of mine had rooted his old s3 but forgot to unlock the bootloader, so when he tried restarting it, it soft bricked. For the longest time I thought you had to unlock the bootloader then root the phone in order to flash custom roms, have I been wrong all this time?
Think of the Loki workaround as a way to trick the bootloader into flashing improperly signed files. Its like using a credit card on the bolt of a locked door. The door is still locked but you get through anyway.
brizey said:
Think of the Loki workaround as a way to trick the bootloader into flashing improperly signed files. Its like using a credit card on the bolt of a locked door. The door is still locked but you get through anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what are the risks of using the loki tool if you use it correctly? if there is an OTA update to the phone, will it mess it all up?
You don't you the tool...the developers do. And technically, it is only used for flashing a recovery and flashing ROMS with the recovery. You can root without unlocking the bootloader because there is an pre-release official rootable kernel than can be flashed with Odin. It flashes because it is legit.
So I should be able to just go to the how to root page on here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2290798 and follow the instructions and flash one of the roms as usual?
yes,go ahead
I have this PadFone S for over a week, and it's my 5th android device, but certainly the 1st one having a locked bootloader. So far I have read how to flash stock firmware, how to root and unroot, which requires unlocking bootloader first using CrowLock, how to install CWM and CM12 etc. I haven't try anything yet (still uprooted, and my bootloader is still unlocked).
One question still unanswered, is there any way to lock the bootloader after it's unlocked ? Perhaps by using the CrowLock app, or simply flashing stock firmware ? I need to be assured that any changes I do is reversible.
Thanks in advance
I too purchased the Padfone S and have the same question. Also, does anyone know if flashing crowlock will void the warranty of the phone? Can someone who has unlocked their bootloader using crowlock paste the output of "fastboot oem device-info"?
Does Asus' bootloader not check the signature for the recovery partition before booting from recovery? Given that everyone is flashing the recovery after rooting and running crowlock from the recovery, it seems so, but I'm not sure.
Anyone know if the bootloader's source code is available? I know it's based on the littlekernel, but I'm not sure which version it was built from.
Bump! I need the answer too.