Unlocking bootloader with HDX Nexus ROM - Kindle Fire HDX 7" & 8.9" Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Howdy,
I bought a refurbished HDX 7" (thor) off Amazon, it came with HDX Nexus ROM (v4.0.5 @ ggow), Android 4.4.4 already installed. It has a few hick-ups (like the updated Play Store always stops, and some apps, like Dialer, will startup themselves), anyways I'd like to switch to CM or at least get a fresh install of Nexus. Rooting was easy with KingRoot, the bootloader is locked and all attempts to unlock have failed (Unlock code is not correct).
From what I understand, I can't install TWRP without unlocking the bootloader and I can't install SafeStrap since I don't have FireOS installed.
Any ideas?
Thanks a bunch.

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yoyohoho said:
Howdy,
I bought a refurbished HDX 7" (thor) off Amazon, it came with HDX Nexus ROM (v4.0.5 @ ggow), Android 4.4.4 already installed. It has a few hick-ups (like the updated Play Store always stops, and some apps, like Dialer, will startup themselves), anyways I'd like to switch to CM or at least get a fresh install of Nexus. Rooting was easy with KingRoot, the bootloader is locked and all attempts to unlock have failed (Unlock code is not correct).
From what I understand, I can't install TWRP without unlocking the bootloader and I can't install SafeStrap since I don't have FireOS installed.
Any ideas?
Thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HDX Nexus 4.0.5 was likely rooted. Regardless, it's an older/discontinued build that should be updated.
You can install TWRP on any rooted 3rd gen HDX by following step #2 (only) in the OP in this thread; steps #1 and #3 pertain to unlocking the bootloader.
Please note that while the above procedure has been sucessfully executed by dozens of HDX owners there is risk involved that could easily lead to a bricked device. Basically if anything goes wrong the device is toast.
Once TWRP is available you can flash the HDX builds of CM 11 or Fire Nexus HDX (successor to v4.0.5). Be sure to follow the flashing instructions in the relevant ROM thread OP. You will need to unlock the bootloader to install any other custom ROM.

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Unlocking bootloader
Thank you, thank you, your simple instructions worked liked a charm. Only took about 10 minutes to complete, yet I spent 4 hours searching forums for an answer....ackkk.
Anyhow, at some point I'd like to upgrade to CM12 since there are a couple apps that require Android 5.1 or later. So I need to get my bootloader unlocked. I followed the posting by ONYXis, but it kept saying that unlock code is incorrect. My question is: Would the procedure work if I installed FireOS (maybe 4.5.2)? Or am I missing some other step?
Thank you, thank you again

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yoyohoho said:
Thank you, thank you, your simple instructions worked liked a charm. Only took about 10 minutes to complete, yet I spent 4 hours searching forums for an answer....ackkk.
Anyhow, at some point I'd like to upgrade to CM12 since there are a couple apps that require Android 5.1 or later. So I need to get my bootloader unlocked. I followed the posting by ONYXis, but it kept saying that unlock code is incorrect. My question is: Would the procedure work if I installed FireOS (maybe 4.5.2)? Or am I missing some other step?
Thank you, thank you again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock code and application procedure works on any rooted 3rd gen HDX with a vulnerable bootloader regardless of installed ROM, recovery, etc. Most likely you have a typo in one of the input values or the concatenated string fed to the code generator is not in the proper format. Look carefully at required format in the OP along with your manfid and serial to insure everything is to spec.
If still no joy post your manfid and serial in the other thread (referencing this discussion) and request someone generate an unlock code on your behalf. I am travelling this weekend with no access to my Windows box until Monday.
Be aware unlocking poses no risk to your device; it will either work or not. Also try a different USB port and/or cable. I know it sounds far fetched but amazing how many times that "fixes" fastboot weirdness.

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Solved
Davey126 said:
Unlock code and application procedure works on any rooted 3rd gen HDX with a vulnerable bootloader regardless of installed ROM, recovery, etc. Most likely you have a typo in one of the input values or the concatenated string fed to the code generator is not in the proper format. Look carefully at required format in the OP along with your manfid and serial to insure everything is to spec.
If still no joy post your manfid and serial in the other thread (referencing this discussion) and request someone generate an unlock code on your behalf. I am travelling this weekend with no access to my Windows box until Monday.
Be aware unlocking poses no risk to your device; it will either work or not. Also try a different USB port and/or cable. I know it sounds far fetched but amazing how many times that "fixes" fastboot weirdness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many, many thanks to you, Davey126, for your encouragement and patience with my noobness.
I knew my unlock file was OK since I verified with OpenSSL... cable, ports and drivers were OK too.
The solution for ME was to switch over to a WinXP box from a Win10 box, and it worked flawlessly. I admit though that I still use XP as my main system so I'm very familiar with it, however, when I started this endeavor things like Android SDK needed a 64-bit box.
Anyways, thanks again for your support and score one for WinXP

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yoyohoho said:
Many, many thanks to you, Davey126, for your encouragement and patience with my noobness.
I knew my unlock file was OK since I verified with OpenSSL... cable, ports and drivers were OK too.
The solution for ME was to switch over to a WinXP box from a Win10 box, and it worked flawlessly. I admit though that I still use XP as my main system so I'm very familiar with it, however, when I started this endeavor things like Android SDK needed a 64-bit box.
Anyways, thanks again for your support and score one for WinXP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got everything working! Sometimes good old XP still shines bright.

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I too have got the same device as yours with the same HDX nexus ROM installed which has glitches like you mentioned (automatic startup of apps etc), managed to root it and managed to install twrp but just can't make fastboot execute unlock probably windows fastboot driver issues. I am working on it, may be i will try with win xp on a virtual machine. By the way, i wanted to know which ROM did you try and which one did you find to be working well with this device with buttery smooth experience and no glitches and that all those glitches were settled after bootloader unlock and flashing of a ROM? kindly do suggest some ROM and if possible the drivers that you used to unlock or any other details necessary. thanks

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Same here, but i can't to root my device
I tried kingroot and towelroot, but didn't works

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ybridos said:
Same here, but i can't to root my device
I tried kingroot and towelroot, but didn't works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here, refubrished device from ebay, Nexus Rom, stock recovery, and unable to root it, kinroot didn't work :crying:
---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------
Hey, im just rooted it! All what needed were Factory reset and mobile Kingroot. Hope this will work for other preople!

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xob0t said:
same here, refubrished device from ebay, Nexus Rom, stock recovery, and unable to root it, kinroot didn't work :crying:
---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------
Hey, im just rooted it! All what needed were Factory reset and mobile Kingroot. Hope this will work for other preople!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried with Kingoroot and it is worked on first try. May be helpful to you, good luck

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I have same device with #Davey126
I wanna install TWRP and then root my KF,
so, Is this step below is good for me?
2. Flash old vulnarable aboot and cubed twrp (just in case). Check that all these commands executed without errors. If you'll get one - read second post below. If your firmware <=13(14)3.2.3.2 skip this step.
Download aboot and twrp for Thor (Kindle Fire HDX 7) https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2...GxXMUZPZTlZTUk or for Apollo (Kindle Fire HDX 8.9) - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2...zJDQkczNzRLaHM - and put this two files (twrp_cubed.img and aboot_vuln.mbn) into root of your kindle internal storage.
Run:
Code:
adb shell
su
dd if=/sdcard/twrp_cubed.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/recovery
dd if=/sdcard/aboot_vuln.mbn of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/aboot
Now you have working twrp recovery. It already works even without unlocked bootloader. You could boot into it by holding volUP during grey kindle logo. But no need to flash anything until unlock. At this point this is just emergency tool if something goes wrong =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quoted from https://forum.xda-developers.com/kindle-fire-hdx/general/thor-unlocking-bootloader-firmware-t3463982

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yoyohoho said:
Howdy,
I bought a refurbished HDX 7" (thor) off Amazon, it came with HDX Nexus ROM (v4.0.5 @ ggow), Android 4.4.4 already installed. It has a few hick-ups (like the updated Play Store always stops, and some apps, like Dialer, will startup themselves), anyways I'd like to switch to CM or at least get a fresh install of Nexus. Rooting was easy with KingRoot, the bootloader is locked and all attempts to unlock have failed (Unlock code is not correct).
From what I understand, I can't install TWRP without unlocking the bootloader and I can't install SafeStrap since I don't have FireOS installed.
Any ideas?
Thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone help me unlock bootloader?
my KF HDX 7 ís same #yoyohoho with 4.4.4 installed.
I searched few days, but cant find exactly way, because my english is so bad
Hey yoyohoho, can u help me?

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Mark2014 said:
Can anyone help me unlock bootloader?
my KF HDX 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ki...ing-bootloader-firmware-t3463982/post75284993

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Davey126 said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ki...ing-bootloader-firmware-t3463982/post75284993
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read it before but not sure. tks

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Davey126 said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ki...ing-bootloader-firmware-t3463982/post75284993
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm follow your link but stucked after go into [fastboot]
image attached below.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
KF screen alway show Ready without step:
5. On the Computer go to Device-Manager and change driver in "Other Android" to "Fire Devices - Android Adb Composite Driver" . It should say "Ready" on the Kindle.
it shows "waiting for device" and I wait a half of hour but nothing happen.
Iam using win7 64b, and usb driver already installed.
What should I do next?

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hi there, i have similiar situation, yet a little bit different. from Fire OS (don't remember version number) i went to this ROM: https://forum.xda-developers.com/kindle-fire-hdx/orig-development/rom-fire-nexus-rom-ktu84q-t3322931 and i have Bootstrap on my device. it means, that my BL is locked. may i use this steps https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75284993&postcount=1006 to unlock BL?

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miguelm75 said:
hi there, i have similiar situation, yet a little bit different. from Fire OS (don't remember version number) i went to this ROM: https://forum.xda-developers.com/kindle-fire-hdx/orig-development/rom-fire-nexus-rom-ktu84q-t3322931 and i have Bootstrap on my device. it means, that my BL is locked. may i use this steps https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75284993&postcount=1006 to unlock BL?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Linked procedure does not care how the device is currently configured.

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Davey126 said:
Yes. Linked procedure does not care how the device is currently configured.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. i have one problem - where should I look for drivers to change drivers to "Fire Devices - Android Adb Composite Driver"? because when i try to change to drivers installed to c:\Program Files (x86)\Amazon.com\Fire_Devices\, system says "I cannot install Android device".
my operation system is Windows 10

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miguelm75 said:
thanks. i have one problem - where should I look for drivers to change drivers to "Fire Devices - Android Adb Composite Driver"? because when i try to change to drivers installed to c:\Program Files (x86)\Amazon.com\Fire_Devices\, system says "I cannot install Android device".
my operation system is Windows 10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the Motorola Device Manager (here) which contains compatible drivers for HDX devices that work on a wide variety of platforms. You don't need to run the manager, just install it. One click goodness that actually does something userful.

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Davey126 said:
Install the Motorola Device Manager (here) which contains compatible drivers for HDX devices that work on a wide variety of platforms. You don't need to run the manager, just install it. One click goodness that actually does something userful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still no luck
this is strange - when Kindle is powered on, is visible in "Device Manager" as "Android Adb Composite Driver", but when i reboot it to BL, it's "Other devices"/"Android" and it cannot be changed
and i installed Motorola drivers. should i restart system?