[Q] Googling for days, STILL confused about S-OFF - HTC EVO 3D

Ok, so I have been looking for days on what to do, I want to make sure I don't screw up.
I have been reading this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1817513
When I press Power + VolDown I can see it say "H-Boot 1.5.0000" so I assume this means I have 1.5 and not 1.58 or whatever right?
So then according to that, I can only use a ICS rom if I have hboot 1.58 right? And the only exploit that turns Hboot to fully S-OFF so I can flash both custom roms AND radios runs on 1.40 right?
So basically,... I need to purposely make my phone fail a flash and brick it on PURPOSE (I am really REALLY worried about this) and make it kick into an emergency boot flash mode, use a specially designed Linux BootCD to flash hboot 1.40, hack 1.40 after installing it to turn S-OFF, and then upgrade to hboot 1.58, keeping S-OFF that way, right?
Is there any way some app or update or whatever can turn S-ON back again? Or will it be permanently S-OFF once I do this?
Will any of the internal or SD memory be wiped if I do this? Can I do the temp-root method first to use titanium backup just in case it wipes my data before I try to brick it?
I know bricking is a pretty nasty thing, have there been people who permanently bricked it like this? How will I know when to fail the flashing process?
And I am assuming that since this entails flashing an upgrade then making it fail, I am only going to have one shot at this aren't I?
I wish this wasn't so risky...

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Cyber Akuma said:
I wish this wasn't so risky...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the downgrade method seems risky, you could try the JuopunutBear (wire trick) method to gain S-OFF. I have a guide thread here that outlines a pretty simple process to get root and S-OFF.
If you are concerned about the wire trick, read through the tips and references for Step3 of that guide. Many people have used that method to gain S-OFF on the Evo 3D and other phones, and I have yet to hear of a confirmed report that it damaged a phone. It may corrupt the SD card used during the process, but that can easily be restored.
ramjet73

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I looked into that, but it says flashing a stock hboot would re-lock it, plus it needs me to do the HTC Unlock first meaning i would lose the information on my phone.

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I used the wire trick. Easiest thing in the world. I personally used the wires in a USB cable and it worked fine. it took only 3 or 4 tries and BAMN! your s-off.

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But will I be able to upgrade to hboot 1.58 while keeping s-off with the wire trick? And will it work for radios too?

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Cyber Akuma said:
I looked into that, but it says flashing a stock hboot would re-lock it, plus it needs me to do the HTC Unlock first meaning i would lose the information on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, flashing the RUU (Step1) requires relocking the bootloader if it's currently unlocked (which it sounds like you are not), and the wire trick (Step3) requires being HTC unlocked, which you need for rooting (Step2) as well.
Just backup the information on your phone using MyBackup or an equivalent app and restore it after you have S-OFF. I believe that was mentioned in the guide.
There is currently no way to get root or S-OFF on the Evo 3D without resetting your phone, since the HTC unlock does that and the hboot downgrade requires flashing an RUU that will reset everything to stock. If backing up and restoring your apps and data seems difficult to you then you are probably better off staying with a stock configuration and hope you don't damage or lose your phone.
Cyber Akuma said:
But will I be able to upgrade to hboot 1.58 while keeping s-off with the wire trick? And will it work for radios too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you follow the guide exactly as it is written you will wind up with the current Sprint ICS (2.89.651.2) firmware, and the JuopunutBear 1.58.5858 bootloader which is a modified version of the 1.58 hboot that allows more fastboot commands. You will be rooted with a radio S-OFF status, and can flash whatever hboot, recovery, ROM and kernel you want.
It's really pretty easy, and you are making it more complicated than it needs to be. If you want to do it, backup your phone and SD card and follow the guide. If not, just be happy that the Evo 3D is a pretty nice phone in its stock configuration.
ramjey73

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My ultimate goal is to have this thing fully S-OFF and running a rooted stock Sprint ICS firmware (At least for now, I will use a custom rom someday down the road), is that stock rom you mentioned rooted?
And I never heard of that backup app, pretty sure you need root access in order to backup everything, I want all of my apps and their settings backed up too, not just stuff like my contacts (useless since gmail syncs them anyway) and texts.

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Cyber Akuma said:
My ultimate goal is to have this thing fully S-OFF and running a rooted stock Sprint ICS firmware (At least for now, I will use a custom rom someday down the road), is that stock rom you mentioned rooted?
And I never heard of that backup app, pretty sure you need root access in order to backup everything, I want all of my apps and their settings backed up too, not just stuff like my contacts (useless since gmail syncs them anyway) and texts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check the backup apps, including MyBackup, on the Google Play Store. Like I said, you might be better off just staying with a stock configuration since my guide does exactly what you are asking for via a procedure that is as simpified as I can make it. Maybe someone else can offer you what you are looking for, but there is no "one click" root and S-OFF for the Evo 3D that maintains all your data, apps and settings, so you may be searching for a long time.
Good luck!
ramjet73

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One-click isn't what I'm looking for, its not that the procedure is complicated to me so much as I have a choice between either a very risky method or a method that is safe but will make me lose data and corrupt my SD. I mean, I can backup my SD, but I also want to backup my internal memory too.
I remember hearing that there was a method to gain temporary root without erasing anything, it would go away on the next reboot. if I can do that I can at least back up the data first.

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Cyber Akuma said:
One-click isn't what I'm looking for, its not that the procedure is complicated to me so much as I have a choice between either a very risky method or a method that is safe but will make me lose data and corrupt my SD. I mean, I can backup my SD, but I also want to backup my internal memory too.
I remember hearing that there was a method to gain temporary root without erasing anything, it would go away on the next reboot. if I can do that I can at least back up the data first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, there's no temporary root that works on the Evo 3D. Someone posted one here that works on the Sensation, but it was tested and didn't work on the Evo 3D. Apparently you can only run ADB commands with that even on the Sensation, so that wouldn't help you much.
It's really not a big deal to restore your apps and contacts from Google if you choose that option in the privacy settings, and you shouldn't have to worry about email. In the worst case you might lose some text messages if you are not using Google Voice, but there are non-rooted apps that will back those up as well. You will have to reconfigure your home screens and enter a few userid's and passwords, but that doesn't take much effort.
I really don't understand what is holding you back, but that's your choice. I'm not going to try to convince you anymore given the type of reservations you are expressing.
Edit1: Just out of curiosity, how do you backup your phone now? How would you recover your data, apps and settings if your phone got lost, stolen or had to be replaced? If you can answer that, it may be the solution to how you can approach getting root and S-OFF.
Edit2: Here's a temp root procedure that might work with the hboot 1.5 (assuming you are on GB build 2.17.651.5) that you have now. I've never used it myself so if you have questions or problems you will need to contact the OP of that thread. I know this and other temp root procedures have not worked with the Sprint ICS build (2.89.651.2) because the exploit used has been patched.
ramjet73

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Ramjet is the master, google is your friend but with 40 different explanations you are going to get confused with google, If your have any reservations do not unlock nor root your phone. Ramjet has been around for a very long time, he absolutely knows all the ins an outs in regards to the evo, android and rooting. With any new process there's always a learning curve and always the possibility of bricking your phone. The decision must be yours , good luck.
( Don't ask me for help, as I couldn't care if your phone explodes, eh!!!)

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I DON'T have a current backup method (other than what Google syncs) that's why I want to do a backup first. I know my purchases are stored on my Google account, but I have multiple Android devices and my apps are split between them, if I just hit download all it would fill myemory with junk apps. There are many apps on my phone and I doubt I would remember them all. However, the main reason is that I want to backup their data and settings, that's more important than backing up the apps themselves for me.
My phone is thankfully still on stock Gingerbread.

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Cyber Akuma said:
I DON'T have a current backup method (other than what Google syncs) that's why I want to do a backup first. I know my purchases are stored on my Google account, but I have multiple Android devices and my apps are split between them, if I just hit download all it would fill myemory with junk apps. There are many apps on my phone and I doubt I would remember them all. However, the main reason is that I want to backup their data and settings, that's more important than backing up the apps themselves for me.
My phone is thankfully still on stock Gingerbread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are going to try the "tacoroot" temp root method, you should be aware of this post by coal686 in response to my posting possible temp root methods in my root and S-OFF guide thread.
Good luck!
ramjet73