Database Users

[Question] how to unroot/restore

Hello,
I recently bought a nexus one from Craigslist. I thought it hadn't been tampered with but it turns out that it is rooted. I read you can tell its rooted when theres an open lock underneath the nexus sign when loading it. I don't know how he rooted but its preventing me from updating to the pinch and zoom capabilities. Always get (status 7) error. So I want to unroot the phone, update it then perhaps later root it. Is there a way I can unroot it with a Mac?
Thanks for the help!
Extra info about my phone (if it makes a difference)
Firmware version
2.1
Baseband version
32.19.00.16U_4.02.02.14
Kernel version
2.6.29-gad36b87
[email protected] #1
Build Number
ERD79

It's rooted without an unlocked bootloader? I doubt that, or maybe you have the only one in existence.
You can always just flash this:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/hy2yj42my3i/gapps-passion-ERE36B-2-signed.zip
in recovery and you'll get the multitouch update.

mortzz said:
It's rooted without an unlocked bootloader? I doubt that, or maybe you have the only one in existence.
You can always just flash this:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/hy2yj42my3i/gapps-passion-ERE36B-2-signed.zip
in recovery and you'll get the multitouch update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude did you not read his first post? It has an OPEN lock. There is a way you can get the update. Man

Extra info about my phone (if it makes a difference)
Firmware version
2.1
Baseband version
32.19.00.16U_4.02.02.14
Kernel version
2.6.29-gad36b87
[email protected] #1
Build Number
ERD79

change your thread title. Its seriously misleading....[HOW TO] is for threads TEACHING how and not for questions or requests.

shonanthebarbarianTP2 said:
Dude did you not read his first post? It has an OPEN lock. There is a way you can get the update. Man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I update it then? I have always gotten (status 7) error. Better yet how do I unroot it? Any ideas?

As of right now, theres no way to unroot a phone. But if I were you, id consider upgrading it to CyanogenMod (search in nexus one development for it) that enables the multi-touch capabilities.

Its not possible
The best you could do is this, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=614850
But anyway, why unroot, a rooted phone is much better
How about you look around the site and see wah u can actually do with your phone now

Just look for modaco's 1.7 , download it. Put your phone into recovery by powering down then hold volume down, down while holding that down press n hold power button. A white screen should come up. Leave it be until the green lettering disappears. Then press volume down to navigate to "recovery". Once in recovery use trackball to navigate to USB toggle . Click on it via trackball. Now plug ur phone into your comp via micro USB cable. Go to "my computer" on ur comp. Double click removable disk to open ur SD card. Delete everything from ur SD. Go to where u saved modacos 1.7 drag it to your empty SD card. Now click ur track ball to disable USB connection. Unplug your phone. Go to wipe. Click on it with ur track ball. Now click wipe data. Let it do its thing. Then wipe dalvik cache. Let it do its thing. After that push volume down to get back to ur menu. Go to flash update. Click on it and click on the zip you just put on ur Sd card. Let it do its thing and you're done.

1. Download a ROM of your choice, and then load it on to your SD card in the root directory.
2. Shut the phone off.
3. Hold down the volume down button, and hit + hold the power button at the same time.
4. Continue holding until the phone boots up
5. Scroll down to recovery by hitting the volume down button once.
6. Press the power button once.
7. Scroll down with the scrollball to Wipe
8. Wipe device/factory reset
9. Wipe cache
10. Click the volume down again
11. Scroll to Flash update/zip
12. Scroll to the ROM you downloaded and loaded to your zip, and then click
13. Click the trackball again to accept.
Now, you really just have to make sure the ROM you downloaded has the pinch to zoom, which most have. I don't believe you'll lose root, but you should at least gain the features you're looking for.

Your Nexus One is unlocked, not rooted. There is difference.

Thanks everyone for the help! I ended up needing to install the Amon RA recovery image and then installed the MoDaCo ROM. Works good but I read that Cyanogen is better with better features. I think I will now install the Cyanogen ROM. Not sure what he means by updating the radio if needed though. My radio is RADIO-4.02.02.14
If anyone knows if this is ok then I would appreciate it, I will try to research and see if it's ok too.
Thanks again!

Remember to do a nandroid backup in case you either screws something up or you wish to go back to your previous Rom (saves time and headache).

As far as i know updating the radio is optional, you just download it, nandroid backup, update like a rom, and reboot, IMPORTANT ON REBOOT IT WILL GO TO A LOADING SCREEN WHERE IT UPDATES THE RADIO DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING OR PULL BATTERY OR YOU MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE-FOR REAL. With that said after the radio loads it will take you back to recovery, then nandroid again if you want(never hurts), wipe and flash cyanogens rom then the gapps add on and then reboot and youre good to go.

I just download all the files but I noticed that the radio is a .img file
Not sure how I can install it... any suggestions?

Full Downgrade from 2.1root (any) to 1.5 stock - FULLY WORKING

Download removed, go ahead and thank user nimdae for pointing out the wrongness of my work. I am done with Eris dev work because of people like him.
nimdae <-- that user right there.
THIS IS NOT FOR LEAK USERS SO DON'T ASK
*start rant* THIS MEANS DON'T MESSAGE ME ASKING HOW TO USE IT ON 2.1LEAK, ITS NOT CURRENTLY POSSIBLE TO DOWNGRADE FROM LEAK. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME MESSAGES ASKING HOW.*end rant*
If it bricks your phone, not my fault (it shouldn't and I hope it doesn't).
Please read and follow the directions included in this thread.
unzipme.zip md5sum: 0ed3c91d7574367d65428b3bc230f217
This is fully working, I just did a full reflash to 1.5, including the kernel, the system software, the radio firmware, recovery image and the bootloader.
This must be done from a PC with Fastboot, which comes with windows. Linux/Mac users will have to find it and compile it. You will need to have Amon's recovery image installed to use this downgrade, at the end we will overwrite his image with the stock one.
Inside unzipme.zip are three files
downgrade.zip md5sum: c440c87f1e67f4b62e05da0d255e80e9
-Do not unzip/open/alter this file
--Contains your kernel, radio firmware, and system.
recovery.img md5sum: 71a4b633bdb32de9dcdd8953fef43cdc
--stock recovery image
hboot.nb0 md5sum: 38899da4e5e002e3be22900f5f4eb6f7
--Original bootloader
Step one:
Put hboot.nb0 and recovery.img in the tools dir of your sdk.
Put downgrade.zip on the sdcard of your phone
Step two:
Turn your phone off, then turn it back on holding the power button (red) and send button (green). Once in the boot loader press volume down, then volume up to get to Amon's recovery image. Go to wipe, wipe dalvik cache, and do a factory reset (aka wipe data). Then choose flash zip from sdcard, and flash downgrade.zip. The phone will flash the kernel, and system softare, then ask you to reboot. Let it reboot so it can flash the radio, it will restart back in the recovery image. You can power down your phone now.
Once the phone says "Formatting CACHE:" wait 30seconds and your done. This is an minor error in the update-config on my part, but it is not harmful and I won't be fixing it.
At this point if your just wanted 1.5 back, you are done.
If you want the original bootloader and recovery image, (ie 100% stock) continue on.
Step three:
Plug your phone into your PC. Power your phone on using the power button (red) and send button (green). Your phone should now be sitting back at the bootloader screen and say FASTBOOT USB. Now on your PC, go to the sdk tools dir in command line. Issue this command.
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Let it flash, when done wait a minute (just to make sure).
Then issue this command
Code:
fastboot flash hboot hboot.nb0
Once this is done, wait a minute then pull your battery and restart your phone.
You are now back at factory stock.
Thank you ivanmmj for showing me how to do this crud, and zifnab06 for telling me the right way to flash hboot.
...
..
.
jcase

Risk of losing root permanently? I could be up to test, but I won't be home til after 5 pst. I'll hit you up on irc later to check if you're still looking for someone.

This is not the droid your looking for......

move along move along.

What are the risks / requirements?

Darn, if this was a 2.1leak to 1.5 test, I would so be your guinea pig, since I'm getting a new phone tomorrow anyway. lol

Ruh17 said:
Risk of losing root permanently? I could be up to test, but I won't be home til after 5 pst. I'll hit you up on irc later to check if you're still looking for someone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no you could just root again by loading the rooted 2.1 rom

Thanks jamezelle. Good job devs. Don't know how you find the time to work your magic every day.

I have 2 eris's here. Ones an extra. Let me know..

This kind of gets me excited being on 2.1 leak atm but I guess I should not bother to get hopes up doing things while rooted is a lot easier than when not so Im guessing I am going to be stuck.

OH DANG!!!!!
i am so excited!!! if you're like 90% seure it will work i volunteer!!!
i love 2.1 but i WANT to root SO BAD

Too bad its not for 2.1 leakers huh?

Has anyone tried this? I have an extra eris sitting around running the 2.1 root. If it has not been tried i will test it on the extra one (warranty have to send it back in a few days)

morbidpete said:
Has anyone tried this? I have an extra eris sitting around running the 2.1 root. If it has not been tried i will test it on the extra one (warranty have to send it back in a few days)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please try it! I want to have a sure downgrade after root.

no links :-/

Apparently I need to fix it, and i dont have time right now.

jcase said:
Apparently I need to fix it, and i dont have time right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ohh ok. NP

where is the link to download
?

bah never mind shouldhave read the last post.... =X

Now, if I root and go stock, the engineering bootloader stays correct? Would they notice that the engineering bootloader was there if I turned it in for warranty? What's the difference in appearance on the engineering bootloader?

[Q] All I want is Frodo 2.2 + root...but how???

All I want to do is upgrade to Froyo 2.2 and retain root so that I can use Wireless Tether. I've been reading several different EVO/Android forums but it seems like the more I read, the more confusing it gets. I'm still a noob, but here are my questions so I hope someone can lay it all out in the open for me.
Currently, my EVO has Unrevoked3 applied so I'm running on the "updated" 2.1, and I have root access and wireless tether is working as of now. Phone specs are:
Firmware version: 2.1-update1
Baseband version: 2.05.00.06.10
Build/Software number: 1.47.651.1
PRI version: 1.40_003
PRL version: 60665
1) What is the best/most reliable way for me to update to 2.2? Can I use Unrevoked Forever to do so? Or do I have to use some manual method? Toast's method? ROM Manager?
2) I read the steps for installing on the Unrevoked site, but I don't understand the terms it uses. It says to "flash from custom recovery". First of all, how do I access this custom recovery tool or whatever? Second, some ppl said they use a ROM Manager. Other sites say to "boot into recovery". Still, some instructions say boot into Clockwork....How do these method differ? Or are they the same? Which do I use???
3) One post says "After you unrevoke4, you can use your custom recovery image to flash a rooted 2.2 stock rom". I dont understand. A ROM is an image...so how can I use an image to flash another image?? makes no sense =\
4) Is "recovery" an app/tool that is already on the phone (or needs to be downloaded), and if so how do I access it? Or is it a ROM image?
5) After unrevoked is done, do I accept the OTA firmware update (i think it's the ugrade to Froyo update that keeps popping up)?
6) Which ROM needs to be installed? The zip that Unrevoked is going to install, or HTC Stock Froyo 3.26.651.6 [Rooted][Deodex'd], or both?
7) What is PRI and PRL and why are ppl so concerned about getting those updated? Will they get updated automatically once Frodo is installed?
8) Same deal with the Wimax and Radio updates. What do they do? Why do ppl want to retain them so badly, and if they are so important, why don't the updated ROMs or OTAs have them included?
9) What's the difference b/t a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup? And which one should I do?
Please help! Thanks!

one does not simply walk into Mordor.

So I can identify with the OP. I don't know many of those same things, but I am slowly learning through reading these forums.........
However........that comment was quite amusing, also very accurate......... Ya that made my night
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

1) What is the best/most reliable way for me to update to 2.2? Can I use Unrevoked Forever to do so? Or do I have to use some manual method? Toast's method? ROM Manager?
Use Simpleroot to fully root. Then flash SteelH's 2.2 Stock Rooted ROM/
2) I read the steps for installing on the Unrevoked site, but I don't understand the terms it uses. It says to "flash from custom recovery". First of all, how do I access this custom recovery tool or whatever? Second, some ppl said they use a ROM Manager. Other sites say to "boot into recovery". Still, some instructions say boot into Clockwork....How do these method differ? Or are they the same? Which do I use???
Power + Volume Down while the phone is off boots your into the bootloader. You can then enter your custom recovery from there. Or you can use Rom Manager/Spare Parts to boot into recovery directly within your phone. Clockwork is a custom recovery; AmonRa is the other custom recovery. Use either one.
3) One post says "After you unrevoke4, you can use your custom recovery image to flash a rooted 2.2 stock rom". I dont understand. A ROM is an image...so how can I use an image to flash another image?? makes no sense =\
You need to install a custom recovery, ie AmonRa or Clockwork (an image) so you can flash a ROM (another image)
4) Is "recovery" an app/tool that is already on the phone (or needs to be downloaded), and if so how do I access it? Or is it a ROM image?
Recovery is already in your phone, but you need to flash a custom recovery after you root. Simpleroot will allow you to flash a custom recovery on the last step.
5) After unrevoked is done, do I accept the OTA firmware update (i think it's the ugrade to Froyo update that keeps popping up)?
Not relevant, when you are on 2.2, you won't be notified of OTA updates. After you root, NEVER accept any OTA. Wait for the updated rooted roms.
6) Which ROM needs to be installed? The zip that Unrevoked is going to install, or HTC Stock Froyo 3.26.651.6 [Rooted][Deodex'd], or both?
Don't use Unrevoked. Root using Simpleroot and flash your downloaded ROM afterwords.
7) What is PRI and PRL and why are ppl so concerned about getting those updated? Will they get updated automatically once Frodo is installed?
No one can really prove that an updated RPI/RPL affects your phone in positive ways. Your RPL will be updated. RPI will be 1.34 after Simpleroot, this forum just figured out how to get 1.40 RPI today (go read the dev forum)
8) Same deal with the Wimax and Radio updates. What do they do? Why do ppl want to retain them so badly, and if they are so important, why don't the updated ROMs or OTAs have them included?
Wimax and Radio updates improves your 4G/Radio/Data performance. They should be flashed after you flash your rom.
9) What's the difference b/t a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup? And which one should I do?
Nandroid backup creates a complete image of your phone. Titanium backup only backs up your apps.

Speak friend and enter...
Speak friend and enter!
OK then, all the LOTR references aside, I was in your shoes not to long ago. You could have done a little more reading or googling (something like "how to root EVO"), as these forums usually contain a number of threads with titles something like "Moron-proof guide to....."
Anyway. Unrevoked seems to be considered a somewhat incomplete root according to most ROM threads (I don't know the details to speak intelligently on
the matter).
Here is what I did, and it worked well.
1) Get SimpleRoot. This will let you root your phone for real.
NOTE: I don't know if you need to get rid of unrevoked before this; maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this one.
2) Step 2 of SimpleRoot is to flash recovery. There are two options; I chose RA. There are a few threads that talk about pros/cons of each.
For simplicity sake, I think of "recovery" as a program that lets you do lower lever system stuff, like flash files, do backups, etc. The general way to reach it is to hold VolDown while powering up you phone, then selecting "recovery".
Anyways, after you've flashed recovery, you'll be able to flash whatever ROM you want.
3)If you want stock 2.2 get THIS. Get the radios as well. Generally there are instructions with the ROMS, READ THEM.
You should have three zips. Put them on your sdcard. Then in recovery select flash from zip file (or something like that). Do that for all three with reboots in between.
You should now have the latest stock ROM and radios.
There are a ton of other ROMs out there. NO one will be able to tell you which one is the best, so don't ask.
Wireless Tether - the newest version is floating around here somewhere (pre7). It works well with the rooted stock 2.2
The PRL/PRI debate is still going on. You can read the million threads and see if you want to worry about it. I don't.
As far as backup goes, the more knowledgeable folks can speak to the details. A simple way of describing it is nand backup (from recovery) is like a ghost of your system, where as Titanium is more of an apps/settings kinda thing.
I strongly suggest reading the guide threads to gain more insight.
And, of course, I didn't come up with any of this stuff. If you find anyone's work helpful, then you should thank/donate to them.
EDIT: Hehe, looks like I was second in the helpful line.

That pretty much answers it all.
I can address #7.
Once Frodo is installed into mount doom he must cast the ring into the fiya.
Quickly though. For the creature gollum lays await in the shadows of every crevice left behind.
You must upgrade your puke ridden leggings and ingest some pain reducing ibuprofen for maximum connectivity with the force.
There I go switching epics again..

PLEEEASE STICKY!!!!!!!!
Then I could always find this thread in a hurry when I'm in a bad mood and need a pick me up.
This thread has brought great joy to my life. Expect me to bump it about once a week.
It's funny that I have no clue how to do this, because I full-rooted my EVO with the first firmware and never looked back. I've just been running custom recovery and custom roms ever since. I need to root a friends phone soon, so I guess I'll have to learn.

After much lurking and wiki reading I would like this stickied as well.

To get Frodo 2.2, you would have to write a novel, placing him in a setting similar to The Terminator. From there, create a back story on how his first version was inferior and lacking superior abilities, dubbing the need for a new version. After that have a fight scene of him going against his creator, thus needing to make him version 2.2. The non violent version. From there he would have the dramatic speech in a weird code of language.
Simple root, click click, RA, click. Power button volume down. Wipe, wipe. wipe. rooted rom zip, radio zip, reboot, power button volume down wimax zip, reboot.
After that Frodo will walk away into the sunset, in search of the future version of him, Frodo 3.0 - Fighting in the conquest of his arch nemesis, Apple Conner.

Quiksmage said:
one does not simply walk into Mordor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dammit Bilbo, you beat me to punch

Can I get frodo as well?will this give me wifis?
Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk.

LOL, it would appear I'm "that guy."

You know the guy I'm talking about: while he's sitting in the VD clinic with an itchy crotch, he's praying to God: "Oh God, please don't let it be herpes. If it's not herpes I swear I won't visit another whorehouse as long as I live."
Then, as soon as the doctor announces that he's just got a case of jock itch and he should put some anti-fungal on it, the guy runs to the whorehouse to celebrate....
Because, see, just a few days ago I semi-bricked my Evo running after a failed Unrevoked. Not sure why it failed, but the phone would lock up every 15 seconds. So I flashed a stock image to repair the damage, and then a newer one, and wound up with a phone that worked except it wouldn't read the SD card or USB port (charging would only occur if the phone was turned off).
So as I was working my way through the fix I kept promising myself that if I got it fixed I'd just keep it stock unrooted and be happy with it.
Then, thanks to the good fold here, I managed to get the device running again the way it should. Wheeew, I thought, I'm happy now.
But... of course... it only took a few hours before the "root" itch hit me again. Fixing the semi-brick issue required installing z4root, and that app gave me a taste of da root acces... and ooooh did it taste goooood! Problem with z4root, though is that you're still s-on, and it's my understanding that if you're s-on and take the new GB update, you're SOL (at least for the time being). And I wanted to be s-off for the peace of mind it offered.
So my desire for real permanent root got the better of me. I decided that the reason unrevoked had failed for me the first time probably had something to do with all the cr*p I had installed on my phone. So I used Titanium backup along with z4root to back up the stuff I'd installed since getting my phone back and re-flashed the stock 2.2 image that had worked for me, and started with afresh phone.
Tried unrevoked one more time and... viola! It worked!!!
I'm happy now... a happy, unrepentant sinner!
Anyway, if you've read through all this: bless you.
I do have a couple of questions:
1) Am I correct that being s-off means I can now install unsigned ROMs the same way I installed the stock image I am on? (basically, rename it PC36IMG.zip, put it on the root of the SD card and boot into the bootloader and let it install)?
2) do I need to run "unrevoked forever"? I'm not clear on this. Getting some conflicting information from searching. My best guess, from what I've read, is that the latest unrevoked includes all the stuff that unrevoked forever does.

-Is blessed-
1. You don't need to make a PC36IMG to flash a rom; just download the file, then backup your current rom, do a full wipe, then flash the rom zip
2. You don't need to flash the forever zip; it was used to give you nand unlock -s-off- in the older versions of unrevoked, and was incorporated into the new one.
And keep applying that jock itch.

And once you flash a couple roms, you will get the itch to start using the kitchen and playing with your own custom rom, its only a matter of time, lol

I probably try two a week now. Its amazing how much work these guys do.

Unrevoked forever is incorporated in Unrevoked now. So need for that.
Also, you dont flash them in the bootloader. Boot into the bootloader, then use volume down to go down to the option that says "recovery" then use the power button to select. It will boot into recovery menu which should have a list of options, go down to flash zip from sdcard, then select zip from sdcard. It will show you a list of everything on your sdcard. Navigate to wherever your rom .zip file is that you downloaded and select it. It will ask you if you want to flash, select yes.
PS dont forget to wipe before you flash. ("Wipe all user data/factory reset" option when your in recovery.)

RileyGrant said:
Unrevoked forever is incorporated in Unrevoked now. So need for that.
Also, you dont flash them in the bootloader. Boot into the bootloader, then use volume down to go down to the option that says "recovery" then use the power button to select. It will boot into recovery menu which should have a list of options, go down to flash zip from sdcard, then select zip from sdcard. It will show you a list of everything on your sdcard. Navigate to wherever your rom .zip file is that you downloaded and select it. It will ask you if you want to flash, select yes.
PS dont forget to wipe before you flash. ("Wipe all user data/factory reset" option when your in recovery.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so that's pretty much the same as with the Nook flashing Phiremod (a Cyanogenmod variant).

[Q] A sort of newbie query but...

Hi there,
I had been umming and arring about rooting and installing a new ROM one of my familys HTC Heroes for some time now and finally after reading lots of "How to's" on lots of different forums I decided to take the plunge and give it a go using the guide on here.
Both my wifes phone and my sons phone are sim unlocked Orange HTC Heros running 2.1-Update 1.
Rooting it was easy. One press of a button and I was there. Its pretty much worked OK and I have sucessfully made three backups of the wifes Hero.
My main query and this is the bit I have not really been able to find much info about despite spending a day trawling through the forums looking for similar queries is this:
Having flashed my recovery image file, the first time I reboot I can get into the recovery mode just fine. From here I can make a backup of the current ROM after which the Hero reboots and goes back into the OS as it should.
If I then shut it down and reboot using the HOME key + POWER option It does not go into the recovery mode. I get the screen with an image of the phone next to a red triangle with an exclamation mark in it.
Using the advice from various forums whilst searching for further advice / hints I have left the phone for up to half an hour but it stays on this screen. The only way to get it out of this screen it to pull the battery.
If I then boot up the phone and reflash the recovery image, I can then get into the recovery mode once again but for ONE BOOT ONLY.
I have tried AmonRA Revcovery v1.7.01. and also the Clockwork Recovery 2.5.0.7 images and both produce the same results. I have tried flashing the images via ROM Manager and also via Android Terminal Emulator
My question is this: Do I have to flash the recovery image EVERY time I want to open the recovery mode or is there something I have missed? At present I have held back from installing a new ROM in case I go past a point of no return where I brick the phone. Neither my wife or son would be too pleased despite my son wanting a better ROM on his.
Apologies for writing "War and Peace" but I wanted to make sure I had covered all I could and hope this is a) not a query already posted elswhere which I have missed b)posted in the right place. Apologies to any forum mods if its not.
Regards
Rhinestone.

hmm look on the unlokr.com or something like that. They use some simple passes and it's the way i did it. the on;y difference is that my phone wasn't blocked on a carrier...
1.there is a program that roots the hero's rom
2.after that i recommend installing clockwork recovery mode (it doesn't need signed zips)
3.if you don't feel safe doing this, i recommend to stop... I know that the 2.1 rom is boring but you can end up with a bricked phone after this...

The official 2.1 update has a script that reflashes the stock recovery every time the phone is shut down.
Hunt about for a modified 2.1 rom, all of them have had that script removed. I'm not a huge fan of sense now, but when I did use it, I found villainrom to be a good 2.1 sense rom.

TheReverend210 said:
The official 2.1 update has a script that reflashes the stock recovery every time the phone is shut down.
Hunt about for a modified 2.1 rom, all of them have had that script removed. I'm not a huge fan of sense now, but when I did use it, I found villainrom to be a good 2.1 sense rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, just flash a custom ROM and it will stick.

Hello,
Problem might be with rooting, possible it has not been rooted completely or anything messed up. You can try this for rooting.
http://unrevoked.com/
If you are sure its rooted completely, then check out Superuser apps, if its there, and you are rooted, if not then download terminal emulator and type "su" command, if its doesnt display any error then its rooted.
Other then this,
problem might be with the recovery images you are flashing, download droid explorer its a window application, its has an option of flashing recovery with one click, simply choose recovery image & flash it, clockmod recovery or amonr any of this you can get in xda.