Database Users

Step by Step for Rooting Rogers Captivate (I896)

Hey Guys
So one of the biggest questions I have seen in the last couple weeks since the Rogers captivate was released is how to root. I figured I would write a nice tutorial for everyone to make it easier!
Method 1: SuperOneClick
This is the easiest way, however most people have not been able to achieve root using this. Try this first if no luck move to method 2. Instructions on how to root using SuperOneClick can be found here
Method 2: Manual Root using ADB and Terminal
This one takes more time and not as easy to do as you have to do everything manually. But haven't heard of any problems with it yet
Step 1: Install <PDANet> Drivers. Just download the file and install. Select Samsung drivers. No need to actually install PDAnet on the Captivate you just need the drivers from the install. Follow the instructions with the installer to properly install the drivers.
Step 2: Download <Andriod SDK>.
- Extract the Android SDK .Zip file to C:\AndroidSDK (this should name the new folder created AndroidSDK in the C directory.
- Go to your start menu and search cmd or click run and type in cmd to open command prompt
- Type the following into command prompt, hitting enter at the end of each line
cd C:\AndroidSKD\Tools
adb devices
- You should see a serial number pop up. This is the serial number of your phone. This means ADB is set up
Step 3: Download <RageagainsttheCage Rooting Files>
- Extract them to the c:\AndroidSDK\tools\ folder. HAS TO BE IN THIS FOLDER FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMANDS TO WORK
Step 4: Unplug phone if it is plugged in. Then, on the phone, go to Settings > Applications > Development and make sure USB Debugging is Checked ON.
Step 5: Plug phone back in to computer. Make sure SD are not mounted
Step 6: Reopen Command prompt if not open. In the command prompt enter the following, pressing enter at the end of each line
cd c:\androidsdk\tools\
adb devices
adb push Superuser.apk /sdcard/
adb push su /sdcard/
adb push rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin /data/local/tmp/
adb shell chmod 0755 /data/local/tmp/rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin
Step 7: On the phone, go to Marketplace and download Terminal Emulator
Step 8: Leaving the phone plugged in, open the Terminal Emulator on the phone. Type the following, pressing enter at the end of each line
cd /data/local/tmp
./rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin
Step 9: WAIT. It will take a full minutes for the rage root to install. When finished you will see "Forked Childs". DO NOT DO ANYTHING TILL YOU SEE THIS. Terminal will allow you to type as it goes back to $ while it is installing BUUT DO NOT DO ANYTHING JUST WAIT(Cannot stress this enough)
Step 10: once "Forked Childs" appears, exit the Terminal App, and then reopen it. Instead of $ you should now see #. If not redo Step 7. Otherwise continue.
Step 11: Type the following hitting enter at the end
cat /proc/mounts
This should bring up a list (Easiest to view in landscape mode. Look for the following
/dev/block/XXXXXXXXXX /system YYYY ro 0 0 (the XXXXXXXXX part should be different depending on which device you have. The YYYY part will either be; ext2, ext3 or yaffs2 or something similar. )
My YYYY was rtf , not sure if it will be the same for everyone (though i assume it is)
Step 12: Now in the terminal window, using the info from above, enter the following, hitting enter at the end of each line (Be sure to enter spaces where needed as below)
mount -o rw,remount -t YYYY /dev/block/XXXXXXXXXX /system
cat /sdcard/Superuser.apk > /system/app/Superuser.apk
cat /sdcard/su > /system/bin/su
chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
mount -o ro,remount -t YYYY /dev/block/XXXXXXXXXX /system
exit
Step 13: Close terminal window if still open. Check your app drawer and, assuming everything was completed properly, you should see Superuser. If not redo Step 12, again watching for spaces and using the correct info from Step 11.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I, in no way shape or form, came up with the above method or tools. This method was modified from and composed from the method decribed over at Theunlockr.com for ease of use and to root the Captivate specifically. I big thanks go out to those guys!
ORINGAL LINK CAN BE FOUND HERE
WARNING
I am not responsible for any damage doone to the phone or its file system as a result of this tutorial. It is for educational purposes only. You have been warned!

THANK YOU!
No other method was working for me (not SuperOneClick, not these ADB instructions). Sure enough, using Terminal Emulator, I was able to get #. I wasn't able get this through adb, nor was I through SuperOneClick (infinite loop @ "mount" command).
I noticed a few things:
-When I compared filesizes from your provided Rage Root files, to the ones that were included in this thread (which also come with SuperOneClick—and which I was unable to get working), I noticed major differences. This gave me hope!, as I'd tried everything else that I knew how to prior to this point.
-My "XXXXXXXXXX" was actually only 4 characters: "stl6".
-My "YYYY" was only 3 characters ("rfs").
-SuperUser showed up on my applist without even requiring a reboot.
THANKS AGAIN
I shall now attempt to apply a lagfix; I will report back with results.
--Bah: no luck. RyanZA's OCLF V2.2+ returns error:
Could not mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 onto /dbdata/rfsdata: mount: No such file or directory
--OCLF V1+ returns error:
Could not create /data/linux.ex2 - dd: can't open '/data/linux.ex2': Permission denied
Uh-oh.

PhrProfess said:
THANK YOU!
No other method was working for me (not SuperOneClick, not ). Sure enough, using Terminal Emulator, I was able to get #. I wasn't able get this through adb, nor was I through SuperOneClick (infinite loop @ "mount" command).
I noticed a few things:
-When I compared filesizes from your provided Rage Root files, to the ones that were included in this thread[/url] (which also come with SuperOneClick—and which I was unable to get working), I noticed major differences. This gave me hope!, as I'd tried everything else that I knew how to prior to this point.
-My "XXXXXXXXXX" was actually only 4 characters: "stl6".
-My "YYYY" was only 3 characters ("rfs").
-SuperUser showed up on my applist without even requiring a reboot.
THANKS AGAIN
I shall now attempt to apply a lagfix; I will report back with results.
--Bah: no luck. RyanZA's OCLF V2.2+ returns error:
Could not mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 onto /dbdata/rfsdata: mount: No such file or directory
--OCLF V1+ returns error:
Could not create /data/linux.ex2 - dd: can't open '/data/linux.ex2': Permission denied
Uh-oh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup same problem here. I was able to root it manually a few days ago, but have as of yet been unable to lag fix it.

Strange. After I rooted I had no problem using RyanZa's Lagfix. Your still using the stock rom after rooted correct?

deacfire said:
Strange. After I rooted I had no problem using RyanZa's Lagfix. Your still using the stock rom after rooted correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. I've tested out quite a few apps from the market, though.
When I mount my device, I notice that there are some files on my internal SDCard:
-su
-Superuser.apk
-nv_data.bin
-busybox (why is this there, I uninstalled that)
-update.zip
...and some folders:
-layar
-twc-cache
-Android -» data -» com.cooliris.media
-Android -» data -» com.google.android.apps.maps
-svox
...These all have subdirectories.
Not knowing what a default internal SD directory ought to look like, I wonder: Could any of these be causing a conflict? I read that some said not to have any apps installed on the SDCard while trying to mess around (with ROMs, I think), so I tried removing what I could, and then rebooting (and some folders respawned), and reapplying the fix—no dice. I've since replaced all of the folders and the files.

Stock rom here as well.

Hrmm not quite sure why lag fix isn't working for you guys. Just a quick question, in RyanZa One Click, is "Un-Root Device" green?
I still have no problems applying RyanZa Lag Fix to my Captivate as I had to redo it last night after i switched back to the Rogers stock rom after testing Cog 2.2. My guess, and it is just a guess, is that the root never applied properly. Have you tried rerooting the device?

deacfire said:
Hrmm not quite sure why lag fix isn't working for you guys. Just a quick question, in RyanZa One Click, is "Un-Root Device" green?
I still have no problems applying RyanZa Lag Fix to my Captivate as I had to redo it last night after i switched back to the Rogers stock rom after testing Cog 2.2. My guess, and it is just a guess, is that the root never applied properly. Have you tried rerooting the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought I might give you some info as well since i've been messing with mine for about a week now. I was able to root the device, oneclick did not work originally for this and I used ADB method similar to what you had here. After this I went for the lag fix, everything was green like it was supposed to be, installed the ext2 tools no problem and then get the same error about unable to mount when applying lag fix.
At this point I used OCLF to unroot the device and it did, I then used the oneclick to re-root which it did this time, in terminal I can su properly and again all the tools are green in OCLF. Tried to lagfix and failed again so I started making some changes manually based on the error messages that were out put. Created the folder it was trying to mount to for instance and then set the permission to this to 777 that would allow world write access, this allowed it to create the new partition in ext2 but when mounting the loopback device it fails saying it doesn't exist (which it doesn't I looked) so while I did get a bit further the lag fix still fails. I would gladly apply the lag fix manually through the terminal if I knew everything that was being done to re-format the partitions for ext3 but I can't seem to find that info anywhere.
Next best thing I would guess is to install a stock rom from rogers from someone else and see if there are any differences, I'm guessing based on the devices in the /dev folder that there are more then one image on the devices some set up more similar to AT&T that the lag fix will work on.

mrprefect said:
Thought I might give you some info as well since i've been messing with mine for about a week now. I was able to root the device, oneclick did not work originally for this and I used ADB method similar to what you had here. After this I went for the lag fix, everything was green like it was supposed to be, installed the ext2 tools no problem and then get the same error about unable to mount when applying lag fix.
At this point I used OCLF to unroot the device and it did, I then used the oneclick to re-root which it did this time, in terminal I can su properly and again all the tools are green in OCLF. Tried to lagfix and failed again so I started making some changes manually based on the error messages that were out put. Created the folder it was trying to mount to for instance and then set the permission to this to 777 that would allow world write access, this allowed it to create the new partition in ext2 but when mounting the loopback device it fails saying it doesn't exist (which it doesn't I looked) so while I did get a bit further the lag fix still fails. I would gladly apply the lag fix manually through the terminal if I knew everything that was being done to re-format the partitions for ext3 but I can't seem to find that info anywhere.
Next best thing I would guess is to install a stock rom from rogers from someone else and see if there are any differences, I'm guessing based on the devices in the /dev folder that there are more then one image on the devices some set up more similar to AT&T that the lag fix will work on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the stock rom in the main Rogers Captivate forum. It is one i used to go from Cog 2.2 back to stock and it applied the root and lag fix without a hitch. Give it a try and let us know!

deacfire said:
Try the stock rom in the main Rogers Captivate forum. It is one i used to go from Cog 2.2 back to stock and it applied the root and lag fix without a hitch. Give it a try and let us know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happen to have a link right to the forum? so many threads to search through...
I'm new to the whole android thing though I've been working with linux for years but its a bit of a learning curve coming from a blackberry.
also what are you using to flash your device?

I'm having the same problem. Let me know if you somehow fix it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App

I was finally able to get my last night.
Turns out my first root attempt was a failure. I had to unroot via an update.zip method as i did not have the permissions to remove the files from terminal.
Once unrooted i then did the update.zip method for the I897, and modified the script to look for I896 instead. It worked flawlessley. I am now getting the pop-up asking for root permissions. I had never seen it work previously.
I was then able to install OCLF without any problems. (and it popped up asking for root)
I am now rooted and lag fixed. Previous quadrant score was at 860's and i pulled a 2285 last night after the OCLF.

Can you please tell us how to modify script and how to flash back to stock..I need to return my phone and superuse app wont go away after unrooting and factory reset

inningsdefeat500 said:
Can you please tell us how to modify script and how to flash back to stock..I need to return my phone and superuser app wont go away after unrooting and factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i cannot help you flash back to stock as i don't quite know how to do that yet myself. But i can help you unroot, re-root, and lag fix.
I have found the files again and uploaded them to rapid share with the necessary modifications.
Download THIS FILE and once downloaded, rename it to update.zip Be careful not to name it update.zip.zip by accident.
Place the file into the root of your sdcard.
Shutdown the phone with the power button, or pull the battery out and put it back in.
Enter recovery mode:
While holding the volume up and volume down buttons press and hold the power button until you see the white text that says SGH-I896, then release the power button only.
When in recovery mode use the volume down key to highlight reinstall packages, then press the power button. It should say completed and reboot the phone.
Once the phone has rebooted, do the exact same thing again, only use THIS FILE instead. Dont forget to rename the file again!
Then install the OCLF from market. Install the EXT2 tools first. Then run the lag fix installer.
I assume you already know how to enter recovery mode, but this way someone else searching for a fix will have all the info at their disposal here.
EDIT!!!
Some mirrors for the files
For the UN-Root files go HERE
For the ROOT files go HERE

Hi all i am very lost here....i have tried for hours the last few days on how to root this i896 with the super one click method with no luck....anyways i was speaking to my brother earlier and he has done it with his bell vibrant no problem....anyways what i want to know is what is the purpose of rootindg the phone? I thought it was for downloading 3rd party apps or whats the purpose for superuser? The reason why i am asking is that i can download 3rd party apps already...i allow them on my application settings and download a app downloader and works fine? Im lost someone please help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App

dandroid123 said:
Hi all i am very lost here....i have tried for hours the last few days on how to root this i896 with the super one click method with no luck....anyways i was speaking to my brother earlier and he has done it with his bell vibrant no problem....anyways what i want to know is what is the purpose of rootindg the phone? I thought it was for downloading 3rd party apps or whats the purpose for superuser? The reason why i am asking is that i can download 3rd party apps already...i allow them on my application settings and download a app downloader and works fine? Im lost someone please help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look here. It answered alot of my questions.
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
Also, if you only follow the second half of my post above you should be able to root it as well.

Thanks deacfire! The one click wouldn't work for me but the second method did.
I am having a really annoying problem though. The superuser.apk that you included just gave me a black screen. So I updated it to this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=682828&highlight=no+apps+in+list
Which is newer. But now it just says "no apps in list". Tried installing it from the zip, tried from the market no different.
I do have apps that require superuser: ROM Manager, Root Explorer, Adfree. They all work, also have titanium backup but its is telling me it needs root access.
How can I fix this, it is a major issue.
EDIT:Thanks impulser91!! That work and was SUPER easy! Should probably get posted in the original post.

when i copy update.zip into the /sdcard and then try hitting reinstall packages, it results in an error and aborts. any suggestions?
Nevermind....it worked MUAHAHAHAHAHAH LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Sweet, 2 users. Not bad for under 10 posts
I'm glad its working for others. I had one heck of a time finding the right combination of files and process's for the I896. I am an IT professional and it took me a few days of fumbling around all the I896 and I897 posts.
Anyways, glad to hear it worked, and i hope other people find it useful as well. I will keep the originals, so if the links go down someone just PM me and i will load them somewhere else.

impulser91 said:
Well i cannot help you flash back to stock as i don't quite know how to do that yet myself. But i can help you unroot, re-root, and lag fix.
I have found the files again and uploaded them to rapid share with the necessary modifications.
Download and once downloaded, rename it to update.zip Be careful not to name it update.zip.zip by accident.
Place the file into the root of your sdcard.
Shutdown the phone with the power button, or pull the battery out and put it back in.
Enter recovery mode:
While holding the volume up and volume down buttons press and hold the power button until you see the white text that says SGH-I896, then release the power button only.
When in recovery mode use the volume down key to highlight reinstall packages, then press the power button. It should say completed and reboot the phone.
Once the phone has rebooted, do the exact same thing again, only use THIS FILE instead. Dont forget to rename the file again!
Then install the OCLF from market. Install the EXT2 tools first. Then run the lag fix installer.
I assume you already know how to enter recovery mode, but this way someone else searching for a fix will have all the info at their disposal here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could just about kiss you.... but I won't
Thanks for the update files they worked like a charm. I had a similar issue where the device didn't seem to be properly rooted, though it didn't give me any issues with most things when applying the lagfix it would die.
applied both your unroot and then root and it worked flawlessly the first time, lagfix then ran with no issues and my quadrant scores are 2250 now.
Not sure what you did exactly, I've tried rooting from update.zip from oneclick and neither worked I ended up rooting with the ADB and though it seemed to work it apparently did not.
Thanks again

[Q] Root after OTA

Has anyone gotten their fascinate rooted after the OTA Update? I uses to use z4Root but.this is no longer working. It goes rhough the steps but none of the root apps can get super uswr access. I prefer one touch as I dont feel comfotable typing in all the commads for it to be hooked up to the pc

Dirrk's EZ Root v0.2
I was able to edit the START_ROOT.bat file in Dirrk's EZ Root v0.2 so the it would pause for 120 seconds instead of 60 seconds after the first phone reboot. Then, after the reboot, unplug the USB from the phone and reconnect it. I'm not sure if this will work for everyone, but it worked for me.

Roblovesbox said:
Has anyone gotten their fascinate rooted after the OTA Update? I uses to use z4Root but.this is no longer working. It goes rhough the steps but none of the root apps can get super uswr access. I prefer one touch as I dont feel comfotable typing in all the commads for it to be hooked up to the pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a 1 click guide on i believe android central that is very easy. all you do is plug in your phone to a cpu download the .zip and open a file, then leave your phone alone for about 5 minutes and its done. it worked for me when z4 failed.. that was the first time i used anything other than z4 and was a little concerned but it was as easy as z4.. if not easier seeing as that z4 caused my phone to lock up a few times while it was in the process
EDIT: Here is the link.. you will need to register at android central to get the file but its very easy.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/fascinate-roms-hacks/33899-how-root.html

Powell730 said:
there is a 1 click guide on i believe android central that is very easy. all you do is plug in your phone to a cpu download the .zip and open a file, then leave your phone alone for about 5 minutes and its done. it worked for me when z4 failed.. that was the first time i used anything other than z4 and was a little concerned but it was as easy as z4.. if not easier seeing as that z4 caused my phone to lock up a few times while it was in the process
EDIT: Here is the link.. you will need to register at android central to get the file but its very easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked! I did do two things as it would error in the beginning. I changed the pause time in the file on the reboot to 120 seconds instead of the 60 as suggested in one post and I had to unplug my usb cable and plug it back in after the first reboot. Easy none the less, thank you!

Okay...it wont let me edit cause im a newb. The root worked or so I thought but now when I run Titanium backup it says it cant acquire root access. Any Ideas on this anyone?

Roblovesbox said:
Okay...it wont let me edit cause im a newb. The root worked or so I thought but now when I run Titanium backup it says it cant acquire root access. Any Ideas on this anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check and see if you have the Superuser app in your apps list. If not, download it from the Market, and then see if your apps that require root access work or not.

Yes I have the super user APP. The apps are just saying they aren't getting root access. They are in the list as well.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682
this worked for me, i used it last night

I was working on this last night. Z4root installs su to system/bin, while the 2nd root method installs to system/xbin. The ota changed the file permissions for su, but left the file in tact. That's why the one click mod will say your rooted (it sees the su file), but apps won't have root access.
I had to go old school and chmod the su file in system/bin rebooted and got root access again.
For anyone that used a one click root method like z4 root, and still hasn't done the ota update un root the phone first!
On the road but I will post instructions on how I re-rooted in a few hours as well as the specific files needed.
*actually from what I recall, any files needed are included in the one click root mentioned above.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
**Follow instructions in this post http://forum.androidcentral.com/526222-post739.html
except, when you get to the portion that says
cd /system/xbin , replace that with cd /system/bin
(I believe only z4root users that did not unroot need to change this, or anyone who has su copied to their /bin directory without the root.)
everything is exactly the same... It's much better linking the post than copying the info again.

My phone w/ OTA dl09 is rooted successful by using Fascinateforums method.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Rooting issue.. Cant get s off

Idk if its because im using android terminal emulator and not the regular one"wouldnt open kept force closing" but when I root using visionary 11 and atu, when I input last code "sh root.sh" it roots my phone but everytime I power down to check if the s is off it is still on.. Ive master reset and everything. Since I got the phone two days ago should I return for a new one and try to root that one??? Is there something im doing wrong.. Usb debugging on, fast boot off, on visionary last option checked.. Somebody...anybody.. Please help
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

Does usb debugging have to be on with that method?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

yes turn debugging on and turn off fast boot

jstew6260 said:
Idk if its because im using android terminal emulator and not the regular one"wouldnt open kept force closing" but when I root using visionary 11 and atu, when I input last code "sh root.sh" it roots my phone but everytime I power down to check if the s is off it is still on.. Ive master reset and everything. Since I got the phone two days ago should I return for a new one and try to root that one??? Is there something im doing wrong.. Usb debugging on, fast boot off, on visionary last option checked.. Somebody...anybody.. Please help
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you 100% sure that you have it extracted and set up as sdcard/root/root.sh
I've seen a lot of people not pull the folder out and it it'll be set up such as sdcard/root/root/root.sh

Yea ive extracted root from androzip.. Im sure because the first time I did it but didnt extract the root file the root didnt go through from term emulator.. Error message like cant find root file
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

I'm having this exact problem with my t-mobile replacement I just got.and its not me because I re rooted my bad phone with the same files and method and works fine... I'm very worried that htc or google may have locked us out... Please help guys I need to send my old phone I'm on now back and want to sort this out first... Mine haas dust under the screen.... In h-boot the info is identical to my old phone only difference is the part number on the phone. I'm very worried!

Also my replacement came with 2.2.1 from the box if that helps.I have pulled the battery and retried several times and no luck at all. Root.sh goes through like but when I reboot I always have so-on. I've done this several times on my old phone with no issues.

Soo I just got a new 4g.. since its within my 30 days.. and Ima use the same method... hopefully it works... ill keep y'all posted
Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using XDA App

2rz_taco_sr5 said:
Also my replacement came with 2.2.1 from the box if that helps.I have pulled the battery and retried several times and no luck at all. Root.sh goes through like but when I reboot I always have so-on. I've done this several times on my old phone with no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same issue with my replacement phone. The process goes through smoothly until I restart and find out that I'm still not rooted.

We might need a new root method... I hope not

Same issue here, gents. Tried a bunch and still showing s=on. Bum.

I pmed the mod to se ifeel we can post something up in the dev section to get this better noticed. Hope he agrees!

Dud you run visionary the second time?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

Hey man. Thanks for the tip. Ran multiple times and its still showing as s=on. Tried multiple methods with same results.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

dodgepot said:
Hey man. Thanks for the tip. Ran multiple times and its still showing as s=on. Tried multiple methods with same results.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did any of you have usb debugging check?

i promise its not a user error. i can root and unroot one phone and my new one WILL NOT root. i had already unrooted my phone to be returned and rooted it back in less than a min. but my new one will not root no matter what i try...

i feel dumb for taking so long to look at this method but this worked like a charm for me guys.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858996
if you just want s-off do these steps (from the link only simplified for s-off only which is all i cared about)
this uses adb so if you want you can try the method explained right after step 4 that uses only the phone.
Make sure you have visionary installed on your device. (If you were already permarooted w/s=off ignore this step.)
Download this file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?s7afymwe2wb3x60
md5sum: b73c56ca0e21664c5756d4ad295063c5
1. Now unzip the file into your SDK tools directory. (just put the files that are in the zip right into the tools folder that is in your sdk folder)
2. Plug your device into your computer. (have debugging on!)
3. Now go to your sdk folder and while holding shift down right click on the tools folder. Select open command window here. If you are in linux (ubuntu) right mouse click on your SDK tools folder, choose actions, and choose open command window(or whatever it's called). Otherwise, open a command prompt and cd your way to your SDK tools directory.
4. Type "adb push gfree /data/local" and hit enter.
Optionally, for those without sdk knowledge you could dl the file to your phone use androzip or something like it to unzip the file and then use root explorer to move the file named gfree to /data/local. Not the gfree.h file. All the other files are source code inlcuded for the gnu license. This would skip the first 4 steps.
5. Now unplug your device from the computer.
6. Run visionary to gain temp root.
7. Open terminal emulator on your device, type "su", and hit enter to gain root privileges.
8. Type "cd /data/local" and hit enter.
9. Now type "chmod 777 gfree" and hit enter to make the program executable.
10. Type "./gfree -f" and hit enter.
11. now to turn security off and set super CID the command is "./gfree --secu_flag off --cid 11111111" + enter.
reboot and s should be off again all credit to the link above this is just a simplified version for people like us who just want s-off. this is what i did and worked great. look at the thread for a list of things you can do with gfree like simlock off etc.

big nu said:
Did any of you have usb debugging check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I had that option selecteed.
Edit: trying that way now, 2rz

any luck? i tried to simplify it as much as possible for those of you just starting out...

Just one question, the section about downloading the file directly to the device, it says copy to /data/local, the local directory doesnt exist. Do I create that dir? I may have to sdk from my windows machine. Sorry for tbe trouble.
2rz_taco_sr5 said:
any luck? i tried to simplify it as much as possible for those of you just starting out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

[Q] The Unlockr.com

have any of you guys tried the unlockr.coms method of perm rooting?? I used it for my g2 and it worked but idk if it will work like a charm with the mt4g..also do we have to use visionary r14 or a different version because the link it gives us is visionary r14

Same as it was originally done though G2 then MT4G was developed. You can use it with ease nothing to worry about.
STHNS said:
UPDATE: Here I found you Youtube videos how to do step by step.
TempROOT> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gylaXOCNzqU
PermROOT> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy_aqKoeev4
Use the howto from Theunlockr video posted above it maybe easier for you to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Worked great for me, and easy as pie

Im sorry for any stupid/ noob questions, but in your honest opinion aside from having root access and being able to remove pre installed apps, what are the other benefits from going thru the root process?

You can overclock (make phone faster) also set cpu profiles to make phone cpu to run at lowest mhz to save battery. install customs romsthat have better customization and also have the newest android software before anyone else. .
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

kingvaj23 said:
install customs romsthat have better customization and also have the newest android software before anyone else. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just remember that this'll disable any OTA updates that'll come out for your phone...

But who needs ota updates we already have gingerbread if your rooted
Sent from my icey cold glacier 4g freezing every phone in its path

+1
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

jriv said:
But who needs ota updates we already have gingerbread if your rooted
Sent from my icey cold glacier 4g freezing every phone in its path
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL thats why I was laughing as it being on XDA lol and who would want to use OTA stock base in first place?

after I purchased my phone, I immediately hit the internet and looked up some info on the MT4G and saw the Unlockr method for rooting and following the guide made it very easy. 2 thumbs up for me, and yes visionary 14 works

Sounds good I'm gonna use that method once my replacement gets here wednesday
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

Best...simpliest...and easy
Temp and permarooted w the steps given....1 try and it was golden and flashing was easy
Highly recommended!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

i just got the mt4g and i wanna root it but i dont wanna lose swype like i did when i root my mt3gslide. is there a way i can get swype on 4g after i root it?

@RoyalTaco:
Several of the roms have swype. Including "iced glacier" and "evil's desire hd" (which I'm using now as I type. Love swype)
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

RoyalTaco said:
i just got the mt4g and i wanna root it but i dont wanna lose swype like i did when i root my mt3gslide. is there a way i can get swype on 4g after i root it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting a MT4G will not remove any applications. Swype is pre-installed, and will stay that way. The only way to "lose" Swype is to flash a ROM that does not include it. In that case, you can go to the Swype website and download it directly by signing up for the beta.

oh ok thx guys. Using this method i after i reboot the phone i keep getting S-On. what could i be doing wrong?

unlockr
I get this far
1. On your phone, go to Settings > Applications > Development > and make sure USB Debugging is ON (it MUST be ON) and make sure Fastboot is checked OFF (if it exists in your settings, otherwise don’t worry about it).
2.Download Visionary from here
3. Plug in your phone via USB cable and mount the sd card so we can transfer files to it.
4.Copy the Visionary .apk file to the root of your phone’s memory card (NOT in any folder just on the sd card itself).
5. Then simply open any file manager app on your phone (like Linda File Manager for free from the Market for example) find the visionary apk file in the file manager and click it and follow the prompts to install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I open the file manager app (i tried Linda and OI File Manager) the file isn't there.
I know I did everything, I tried several times, but nothing. Any advice?
Jonathan

lanternslight456 said:
... the file isn't there.
I know I did everything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the file isn't there, I can imagine only three possibilities. Choose one. These are the only reasonable possibilities, but as we're not psychic, you'll have to figure out which it might be of these three.
You did not transfer the file to the SD card at all.
You transferred it to the wrong directory on the SD card .
You're looking for it in the wrong directory.
Could it be something else? Sure. Perhaps you renamed the file. Perhaps you switched SD cards.... but if you're using the same SD card, and you did not rename the file, then one of those three are the likely candidate.

Here's the info I know from what I've done in regards to these options (I'm going to try again tonight though)
1. You did not transfer the file to the SD card at all.
My computer can see the file on the lettered drive, (the USB port it's plugged into) there is no other address info in the address bar other than the lettered drive
2. You transferred it to the wrong directory on the SD card .
Again, same as above
3. You're looking for it in the wrong directory.
In the file explorer on the phone the address in the directory is just /
again I'm going to try tonight but maybe this info can clear it up. I'm learning a lot about these things and how they work so thanks for all the help!
Jonathan

unLockr
II. Flash the S-OFF Hboot Image and Gain Perm Root
1. Download the rooting files:
* T-Mobile MyTouch 4G / HTC Glacier S-OFF/Rooting Files
2. Extract the files somewhere to your computer.
3. Plug your phone in via USB cable and mount the SD card so we can transfer files to it.
4. Copy the entire root folder from inside the extracted folder from step 2 to the root of your sd card on your phone (NOT in any folders, just on the SD card itself).
5. Unplug the phone.
6. Go to the Market on your phone and download/install Android Terminal Emulator (free).
4. Open the Terminal Emulator app and type the following with hitting enter at the end of each line (to get the touch screen keyboard to come up hit the menu button then toggle soft keyboard):
su
cd /sdcard/root
sh root.sh
5. Now, wait for it to finish.
6. After that is done, reboot the phone. When it boots back up, turn it off and back on holding down Volume Down and Power until the HBoot screen comes up. Confirm it says S-OFF at the top. If so, you have S-OFF.
i do steps 1-5 but when i get to step 6 and reboot my phone while holding volume down i have S-ON and not off! any ideas what i can be doing wrong. btw i did the temp root b4 trying this.

Please Help! Permanently Root MyTouch 4G

Hello,
I have been trying to figure this out for over 24 hours. I feel like I am so close yet so far. I have watched video after video, read guide after guide and still no luck.
I have tried the adb method (no luck whatsoever) and the root folder + visionary and cannot get my phone to permanently.
My android version is 2.2.1
I have Root File Manager installed
I have Super User installed
I have Visionary r.14 installed (tried MULTIPLE versions)
TempRoot works fine until my phone reboots (which is supposed to happen) but when I press Attempt PermRoot my phone reboots and it goes back the to the way it was unrooted.
My goal here is to put a new ROM on my phone (i.e. GingerBread) or something like it.
Can someone PLEASE help me?
Thank you in advance
Matt

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858996
Use this thread. Follow the instructions to the "T" and you will be fine. It is very simple and pretty much dummy proof. This is the g-free method. I have rooted 3 phones with this method with no issues, and this is my first Android phone. Good luck!

Thank you very much! I did get it rooted and I am working on installing my ROM. That was a very quick response, Thank you

You are very welcome.

i dont mean to sound like a noob, but can you push the gfree files to data local by using the terminal on your phone correct?

LewsTherin006 said:
i dont mean to sound like a noob, but can you push the gfree files to data local by using the terminal on your phone correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used the gfree method but you need atleast temp root access to make data R/W (read write) so unless you have temp root no. But if you do it'd be easier to just use a root explorer.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

i have temp root right now, but whenever i use file manager, it doesnt show data local for some reason. Im just trying to do everything from my phone. I prolly should just learn adb shell and get it over with.

LewsTherin006 said:
i have temp root right now, but whenever i use file manager, it doesnt show data local for some reason. Im just trying to do everything from my phone. I prolly should just learn adb shell and get it over with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need
1) root permission
2) root explorer
3) root permission for that root explore.
just astro or file manager will not work, they do not have SU access.
try Super Manager...https://market.android.com/details?id=gpc.myweb.hinet.net.TaskManager&feature=search_result

Question, i used visionary on my mt4g, but wondering i have to do this on someone elses phone and for the g2 there is the visionary gfree method via phones terminal emulator....is there a similar method for the mt4g? Adb does not want to cooperate with me on my computer so i gave up
sent from the rooty tooty fresh and fruity cm7 nighly powered G2