Database Users

[Q] The correct order of things to updrade the phone?

So I'm confused; what is the correct order to start upgrading your Huawei u8800? Which is the thing to start with? From what i gathered, the first thing is to do a backup and the best way to do it is with Clockworkmod, but when i check CWM page here on XDA, it says root requiered. Ultimate Guide to Huawei U8800 says that i can root the phone with Super Boot, so should i just go with that and worry about backup later? What if i screw my phone up and don't have a backup? Then is the part of selecting a proper ROM, and i think that i'm interested in the most stable one, so wich one i should go with (oh, and a circular battery with a presentage would be nice) custom or just a firmware update? And the Re-Partition mentioned in MoDaCos Ultimate Guide to Huawei U8800, does it also require a root?
Sorry for the n00b questions, but well, i am one.

I would recommend upgrading to stock ROMs first, but in order to install a custom ROM, you need both root and recovery mod. These 2 functions are being are done from the "shadow" memory, using 2 img files (boot.img and recovery.img).
To access that memory and replace the 2 files follow these steps:
1) Download the boot file and rename it to boot.img ( should be "boot.u8800-modaco-superboot-r1") from here:
http://android.modaco.com/content/h...nd-then-some-for-the-huawei-u8800-ideos-x5/om here the zip file (rename if not called that recovery.img).
2) Download and extract the recovery file (extract.zip) from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14870348
3) Turn off your phone and unplug the usb cable. Make sure you have enough battery (at least 50%).
2) Turn on your phone, holding VOL+, VOL- and POWER (should come up with pink screen, to indicate access to shadow memory)
3) Connect the usb cable and the driver should install (don't worry if it says drivers not found, the partition called "image" should still be accessible)
4) Browse your phone to find the folder with boot.img and recovery.img. Copy these 2 files somewhere on your computer, to create a backup of the original files. Now, replace both files with the ones you've downloaded.
5) Remove the battery from the phone to exit "shadow" memory.
To access the recovery mod, press VOL+ and Power, while the phone is off.
I hope this helps...

It does help, thanks! The rooting AND the recovery installation are done simultaneously. But i still have few conserns. Does this all work backwards? I mean in the case of hardware breakage - if i am giving the phone back to maintenance - can i just re-replace the original boot.img and recovery.img and thus "unroot" the phone? Previously recovering backupped data? Is the phone then as it were before whole prosidure?

Vk_ said:
It does help, thanks! The rooting AND the recovery installation are done simultaneously. But i still have few conserns. Does this all work backwards? I mean in the case of hardware breakage - if i am giving the phone back to maintenance - can i just re-replace the original boot.img and recovery.img and thus "unroot" the phone? Previously recovering backupped data? Is the phone then as it were before whole prosidure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, replacing all things you done with stock will by default revert it to normal.

Right. One more thing, though this is a bit beside the subject. The re-partitioning, when upgraded from 600mb to 1.2G, does this actually add space for running apps or gives only more installation space?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Vk_ said:
Right. One more thing, though this is a bit beside the subject. The re-partitioning, when upgraded from 600mb to 1.2G, does this actually add space for running apps or gives only more installation space?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it gives both actual space for installation. Running apps will always be loaded into ram and swap.

So RAM is its own thing and separate from (ROM?) the increasable space? But what is the actual gain IN increasing it? More apps in the phone? But I've read that the phone gets all cluttered and buggy, if its full of apps. Is this the gain in re-partitioning?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Vk_ said:
So RAM is its own thing and separate from (ROM?) the increasable space? But what is the actual gain IN increasing it? More apps in the phone? But I've read that the phone gets all cluttered and buggy, if its full of apps. Is this the gain in re-partitioning?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where have you read that?
The thing is huawei included a external storage(build in SD card) which had the size of 2GB, and internal storage at 600MB, with geno's partition flash you just change the partitions, the 600MB becomes external storage, and the 2GB(1.2GB data) becomes internal storage. So we gain rather than lose storage. So I have used it for now quite and not experienced any problem.
Please link me up on where you found out this cluttered and buggy thing with this ok?

I think that I accidentally misled you on this. It was some SGS(maybe) thread that I read sometime ago. The talk was about phone being laggy and probable cause that it was full of apps. So I kinda gathered that if any android phone is stuffed full of applications, it gets slow. But I guess I am wrong?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Vk_ said:
I think that I accidentally misled you on this. It was some SGS(maybe) thread that I read sometime ago. The talk was about phone being laggy and probable cause that it was full of apps. So I kinda gathered that if any android phone is stuffed full of applications, it gets slow. But I guess I am wrong?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha, well if the phone gets sluggish is because swap and ram is being used and less free for other processes. You could make it similar to any OS. I have tried once with this phone filled it up had 6mb left wasn't sluggish at.

So if I have still 389mb phone memory left free, re-partitioning isn't really acute procedure for me?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Vk_ said:
So if I have still 389mb phone memory left free, re-partitioning isn't really acute procedure for me?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The partition thing will work independently, only thing it does is formatting the external storage(2GB) and then moves all your data on to the 2GB internal SD and that's it. You can do this if you feel like you need lots of space for apps ok?

Yes, I understand. And since I still have lots of free space left, I think I save this for later. Thanks for explaining this to me. Oh jeah, what custom ROM would you recommend? Preferably one that has all its bugs smoothed out?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

This ROM seems to be stable and very fast.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059753

Vk_ said:
Yes, I understand. And since I still have lots of free space left, I think I save this for later. Thanks for explaining this to me. Oh jeah, what custom ROM would you recommend? Preferably one that has all its bugs smoothed out?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm, I am really uncertain about this fact. It seems like phones from different regions have different problems with ROMs.
I would say like this, take a tour , visit different roms out and try out them for yourself and see which one suits your needs and such things.
What I use
http://android.modaco.com/content/h...rom-for-the-huawei-u8800-with-online-kitchen/
I am using this because I seem to have problems with other roms out nowdays. Might be only me
Other ones...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1147103
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059753
Try out and see for yourself, that's the best thing you can do !
Hope it helps !

Thanks for the help. Wanna Google+ invite?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Vk_ said:
Thanks for the help. Wanna Google+ invite?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but no thanks
I am happy with forums and iirc.

The n00b question parade continues.
I applied new boot.img and new recovery.img and updated to B160 ROM (for now). So far so good. But its the Superuser that I can't figure out. I can't seem to make it do anything..
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Vk_ said:
The n00b question parade continues.
I applied new boot.img and new recovery.img and updated to B160 ROM (for now). So far so good. But its the Superuser that I can't figure out. I can't seem to make it do anything..
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the superuser application is there for applications who require root access to make changes and such thing, so if you were to use SetCPU, noAds or Titanium Backup, they will require access from superuser(root). So don't worry, it works but you need something that demands root access to see anything happen !

And yet more questions. Is there a way to upgrade the touch screen? I mean to up the number of simultaneous touches from two to more?
Sent from my u8800 using XDA Premium App

Flash won't rewrite

The flash storage on my nexus 7 seems to not be rewriting like it should, when i pull it up in Windows i can see and delete things from the MTP interface. But when i use a file manager (OI File Manager) i can see the files once more and get an error when i attempt to delete them. i have done the Backup & Reset option within android after attempting a full data reset in ClockworkMod Recovery. At this point i am scratching my head. i am downloading another rom and will flash and post what i get from that.
Anyone else have this strange issue?

I've noticed this as well, anything I delete with ES File Explorer still shows up when it's plugged into my macbook but isn't actually accessible, I'm still on the stock ROM.

jabsys said:
I've noticed this as well, anything I delete with ES File Explorer still shows up when it's plugged into my macbook but isn't actually accessible, I'm still on the stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you hoooked up any form of external storage through an adpater? thats the only thing i have done "out of the ordinary" and a complete rom change doesnt fix it

AlanWarrick said:
Have you hoooked up any form of external storage through an adpater? thats the only thing i have done "out of the ordinary" and a complete rom change doesnt fix it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not even rooted, not really a big issue since I mostly use airdroid to transfer files but it would be nice to fix it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

jabsys said:
Nope, not even rooted, not really a big issue since I mostly use airdroid to transfer files but it would be nice to fix it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The next thing i am going to do is return to stock, a complete re-flash to see if it empties the storage, I am posting all my theories so that anyone with the same issue could easily follow.

Success!
Using Wugfish Nexus Toolkit, my problem appears to have been solved. whether it is a perminant fix or not has yet to be known.

Is there a way to use a USB drive without rooting

I don't won't to root my tab is there a way to use my flash drive with out rooting. I want to watch movies from it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

No, you need a root to use stickmount to enable access.

There's got to be a way I don't want to root my tab.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

darchur said:
There's got to be a way I don't want to root my tab.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you say so. Tell us when you find it. I heard it's over --------> that way!

darchur said:
There's got to be a way I don't want to root my tab.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't Android have native support for flash drives or something? Like I could of sworn people had flash drives working on another device, and didn't mention use of Stickmount at all

I have not heard of an option that does not require root as the mounting of USB drives (or any drive for that matter) is something that requires root access on Linux. As such, to mount one on Android you need root as Linux is the underlying OS of Android. There is no way around it for security reasons. Even if a Linux distribution for PC has auto-mounting of removable media it still requires and goes through root, even if it doesn't tell you.
In theory you could setup an auto-mounter on Android but it would still require root. I suppose you could rewrite parts of the OS to not require root for mounting a drive as an alternative but the code changes would most likely be extensive and would require you to unlock the device to write the new code in. Good luck not breaking anything else in the process and the result would most likely be glitchy. A long road of debugging various issues would be ahead of you.
After unlocking the device to write your code patches rooting it is so close and such an easy option in comparison that you might as well go with that.
Edit: Those devices still go through root in a way, they have a mounter built into the OS so it has the root access it need (by virtue of being located in the area that root gives access to). Getting a similar feature would require an unlocked boot loader and some patches pushed onto the rom from adb or recovery if I am not mistaken, and it could still require root.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I don't need root to mount flash drives to my Galaxy Note, even on the original stock GB ROM. Worked directly out of the box.

johnus said:
I don't need root to mount flash drives to my Galaxy Note, even on the original stock GB ROM. Worked directly out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too bad he isnt asking about a galaxy note.

What exactly makes you so apprehensive to root? This is a Nexus device, after all. Unlocking/rooting, and even locking the device/returning to factory are completely trivial tasks. There are utilities available that do everything for you.

Yeah I am also curious why not root? It's so easy and comes in so handy!

darchur said:
There's got to be a way I don't want to root my tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly is the big deal about obtaining root? Its just like having admin access to a windows box. It lets you do more things with the OS, but only if you want to.
You want to use a tools to enable you to access the USB drive using an OTG cable (you know that right?).... and that tools needs admin (root) access to do it.
Simple, unlock, root and use it. If you don't want to use other admin (root) features from that point on, don't.
Rooting has NO effect on your Hardware Warrantly...

You can use a device like Airstash to use SD cards as external storage (play movies, music, store/read files, etc...). Doesn't require root.

digriz said:
Too bad he isnt asking about a galaxy note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shouldn't matter... Apparently Android can support USB drives without need of an app, but why can't the Nexus 7 support flash drives, when other devices apparently can?

Android CAN'T support USB on its own. The gNote has an app built-in that does what stickmount would do for you. Because he app came in the OS by default it is allowed root access without rooting the device so it can mount stuff.
To get the same setup on our N7 you would need to flash a custom ROM with it built in which would require unlocking the boot loader and the ROM would most likely have root anyways.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Will it void my warranty and what's the easy way to do it and undo it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Please read through all of these threads that I'm going to post BEFORE doing anything so as to make sure you understand the process.
To root and understand the process: Link 1
To return to stock and relock: Link 2
One click toolkit. Use this to actually root/unlock/relock. MAKE SURE YOU READ EVERYTHING FIRST: Link 3.
Here's a step-by-step video explaining everything for you.
It might void your warranty temporarily - but you can return the thing to stock as long as you don't drop it into a bathtub, so it won't be an issue "re-warrantying" it.
Just make sure you know how to do everything manually in case something goes wrong. And don't be afraid to read a bunch before you do anything. Knowledge is key!

You could always get this device http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_m4ey2rr04_b
It lets you use Wi-Fi to access it's storage. Even has a pass through mode so you can stay on Wi-Fi while accessing them.

I called Google and it voids the warranty so I'm not going root it. Its not for me but thanks to everyone for enlightening me. If there is an app to mount a USB drive without rooting I will be the first to get it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Is there an app that let's me network with my computer and stream things like music and movies using WiFi.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

darchur said:
Is there an app that let's me network with my computer and stream things like music and movies using WiFi.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search LAN Streaming on the market if you like, but I personally use the LAN sharing capabilities in ES File explorer. That app is amazing IMO
Sent from my N7 with XDA Premium

4.4.2 - Issues after update? SD Card Write fix?

Hi, I just wondered if anyone else is having issues after the Kit Kat update? Maybe we could start a list here.... I'm on the stock recovery and not rooted (and have been since day one). If you add issues, please could you tell everybody whether or not you're rooted etc.
1.Can't write files so MicroSD card using file manager apps (but I can do it if I connect the Note to a PC in MTP mode, then drag and drop files from internal to external storage
2. MC3 doesn't work - this one may bring about the end of civilisation as we know. No really, it might.
3. Stuttering when playing movies over HDMI to a TV (this was present in 4.3 too, but not 4.2.2)
4. Options to use auto-correct, double tap of the space bar etc when a hardware keyboard is connected do not work (this extra menu only appears when your keyboard is connected).
5. Various slow downs and pauses.
6. Battery life, as mentioned by foxxorrrorororors (approximate spelling)
7. GPS - still pretty bad for me, even with GPS Test....
Anybody else got the same, or perhaps other issues?
*UPDATE* I just tried a full factory reset and the microSD card write issue remains. You also can't write files to an external USB drive either. Clearly Nvidia doesn't have a very thorough procedure for testing these updates before pushing them to our devices. Muppets.
**UPDATE** If you are rooted, the tutorial in this thread fixes the write to SD card problem as far as I can tell http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2617921

1. jup, vlc cant access sdcard either - seems they changed something here.
2. na
3. na
4. na, using swiftkey
5. not yet
6. maybe, time will show
7. jup

wonders who this foxxoorrroxororors person you speak of is.
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app

foxorroxors said:
wonders who this foxxoorrroxororors person you speak of is.
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry dude, I couldn't remember how to spell your username - too many letters for me
cars10k, thanks for responding - do you mean MC3 does work for your, or that you haven't tried it? Sorry if I'm being a bit dumb
Writing to Sd card was killed by Samsung in their KitKat update - apparently the permissions are set wrong in platform.xml. I don't know if this is the case for us. I can't even use Helium Backup to write to the MicroSd card. Darn.

yeah my sd cards isnt working either, moving or with es file man. that sucks i use it daily.....
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app

did not try MC3.
surprisingly, mx player works for me, even with files on the sdcard.

cars10k said:
did not try MC3.
surprisingly, mx player works for me, even with files on the sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
Reading files from the MicroSD card works fine, writing does not unfortunately

foxorroxors said:
yeah my sd cards isnt working either, moving or with es file man. that sucks i use it daily.....
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I use it daily too. Really frustrating. I'm tempted to cut my nose off to spite my face and just take the tablet back to Currys. There's no point Nvidia throwing out updates with newer versions of android and extra features if they break basic stuff in the process (USB OTG hard drive unmounting being one example of something that was broken by the 4.3 update).

foxorroxors said:
yeah my sd cards isnt working either, moving or with es file man. that sucks i use it daily.....
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's actually a KitKat thing: http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...at-and-even-samsung-may-be-implementing-them/
---------- Post added at 09:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------
Ouzo said:
5. Various slow downs and pauses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean like the whole tablet becomes unresponsive at times? You can't even get to the home screen or turn the screen off? Then after anything from 30 second to 2 minutes it just comes alive again? I was experiencing that even before the update - with very few apps installed (same as my Sammy 7.7 which never froze). I've reset to factory and haven't had it again... Yet...

cars10k said:
did not try MC3.
surprisingly, mx player works for me, even with files on the sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto for me. I keep my vids on the SD card. Watched a couple today. Oh, and I've never rooted this; still stock.

fbales said:
Ditto for me. I keep my vids on the SD card. Watched a couple today. Oh, and I've never rooted this; still stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a thread about how to solve the problem of not being able to write to the SD card. You need to root first though unfortunately. On the plus side there's absolutely no reason why Nvidia Shouldn't push a fix out very quickly if they are paying attention.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2617921
After rooting I used ES File Explorer. Before you can do anything, in ES File explorer turn on Root Explorer in the side menu by tapping the button next to that entry, then tap on the Root Explorer text itself to enter the options menu for root access. In the menu that pops up tap "Mount R/W" and press the radio button to mount "/system" as RW, then press ok. After that you can follow the instructions to edit the Platform.xml as laid out in the link above. I used ES File Explorer's in built text editor to do this. After you've made the changes to platform.xml, you to set the correct permissions for the file, again using ES File Explorer (long press platform.xml, press the menu button in the bottom right hand corner, then tap properties) change the permissions to rw-r-r-. That should be it, in theory you can now write files to external storage.

Ouzo said:
Here's a thread about how to solve the problem of not being able to write to the SD card. You need to root first though unfortunately. On the plus side there's absolutely no reason why Nvidia Shouldn't push a fix out very quickly if they are paying attention.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2617921
After rooting I used ES File Explorer. Before you can do anything, in ES File explorer turn on Root Explorer in the side menu by tapping the button next to that entry, then tap on the Root Explorer text itself to enter the options menu for root access. In the menu that pops up tap "Mount R/W" and press the radio button to mount "/system" as RW, then press ok. After that you can follow the instructions to edit the Platform.xml as laid out in the link above. I used ES File Explorer's in built text editor to do this. After you've made the changes to platform.xml, you to set the correct permissions for the file, again using ES File Explorer (long press platform.xml, press the menu button in the bottom right hand corner, then tap properties) change the permissions to rw-r-r-. That should be it, in theory you can now write files to external storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, thank you. I just spent about 3 hours trying to edit the file, but I couldn't figure out how to get the permissions to do so. That did it.
Brew

Ouzo said:
Hi, I just wondered if anyone else is having issues after the Kit Kat update? Maybe we could start a list here.... I'm on the stock recovery and not rooted (and have been since day one). If you add issues, please could you tell everybody whether or not you're rooted etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clear your dalvik cache and normal cache using the recovery kernel options.

e8hffff said:
Clear your dalvik cache and normal cache using the recovery kernel options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I just FAC reset before I read this, but everything is nice and spangly after reset, try SD card now
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app

foxorroxors said:
Haha I just FAC reset before I read this, but everything is nice and spangly after reset, try SD card now
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google's KitKat is supposed to be restrictive on allowing apps to be installed to sdcard1, but you maybe able to trick installs using symbolic linked folders.

Damn this game mapper is awesome arcane legends rocks with it
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium HD app

e8hffff said:
Clear your dalvik cache and normal cache using the recovery kernel options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping dalvik cache isn't an option in the stock recovery on Kit Kat. I just looked a few mins ago. Wiping cache is there and I used it, but it still isn't solving the slow booting/loading time.

titetanium said:
Wiping dalvik cache isn't an option in the stock recovery on Kit Kat. I just looked a few mins ago. Wiping cache is there and I used it, but it still isn't solving the slow booting/loading time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok You'll need root mode and either use a custom recovery partition options.

e8hffff said:
Ok You'll need root mode and either use a custom recovery partition options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fine, I'm not going bother with rooting, I'm rolling back to stock 4.3. This whole kit kat update left a really sour taste in my mouth and rooting the tablet just to put in a dirty hack to fix it is ugly, IMHO. The fix isn't even guaranteed to solve it completely as others have expressed other issues. At least with 4.3, I know I didn't have much problems with it, and I need my sdcard for hosting files (25GB worth) for an app that putting them in the cloud isn't workable when I can't access them on the road or at places sans wifi.

titetanium said:
That's fine, I'm not going bother with rooting, I'm rolling back to stock 4.3. This whole kit kat update left a realthy sour taste in my mouth and rooting the tablet just to put in a dirty hack to fix it is ugly, IMHO. The fix isn't even guaranteed to solve it completely as others have expressed other issues. At least with 4.3, I know I didn't have much problems with it, and I need my sdcard for hosting files (25GB worth) for an app that putting them in the cloud isn't workable when I can't access them on the road or at places sans wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. While I think Nvidia have done a great job at pushing out updates in a timely manner, the quality of those updates has been poor. Each time they have added some useful features, they have also either introduced new bugs or failed to fix existing bugs. On the one hand, I want the latest update due to the game mapper functionally and the fact that they fixed the bug regarding unmounting external hard drives (which they introduced in 4.3), but i don't want to have to employ a workaround to use my microSD card or an external hard drive freely. It's such a shame as this device has so much potential. I don't think I'll be buying the next Nvidia device.
To roll back to 4.3 involved installing unsigned drivers on my PC (a real no no) and unlocking the boot loader (which means my warranty is now void). What a stupid end user experience Nvidia and Google have created between them. At a time when I want to move away from rooting my device and flashing custom recoveries and ROMs they are actually making doing so more and more of a necessity. If I'm going to have to keep tinkering with my devices to get them to function in the way I want, then I would like a better OS that does less dodgy stuff with my data and is truly open....

Easy guide to root your tablet and keep your warranty

I must write this guide because I spent yesterday 6 hours of doing all of following steps (together with 2 useless firmware flashes and other worthless stuff). Why? Because it was really complicated for someone who is not really familiar with all the names, definitions etc. I just wanted to have my tablet rooted, keep my warranty and use my external SD card without limitations. It is not easy but it is DIFFICULT to find these few steps on XDA forum in tens of topics with many information posts and garbage around.
Important thing is that you can do these steps WITHOUT loosing any data! (Which I lost yesterday because of my lacking information.)
Here we go (written without tablet around, so some things can be generalised):
I did it on Z2 Tablet 511, firmware .402 (no need to downgrade as I did at the beginning...)
1. Open up your device’s “Settings”. Now scroll to the bottom and tap “About phone” or “About tablet”. At the “About” screen, scroll to the bottom and tap on “Build number” seven times. Make sure you tap seven times. You will then see a notice that you are now a developer.
2. Now you should have Developer options in the System settings. Go there, enable USB debugging.
3. Again in Settings go to Security options and allow installations from Uknown source.
4. Download Easy Root v5 here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53448680 (guide is there also)
5. Download Backup TA v9.11 here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598 (optional for backing up your system info if you will later unlock your phone, install new ROMs etc. But if you need just root, it is not necessary. But it is recommended so you can be sure that you can get your tablet to the default status when it was bought and you can make a complaint in case something else will break down.)
6. Connect your tablet to your pc normally. Just have your tablet switched on and use USB cabel. Let it install all drivers.
7. Run Easy Root v5 (install.bat) and your tablet will be rooted in few seconds
8. For TA backup run Backup-TA.bat. Follow instructions and save your TA files. It will be created in the folder from which you run the applications. It is compressed in one file. Save it somewhere and keep it!
9. Reboot
10. If you want to use external card without limitations, install SD fix https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix
For common users who want to install apps which need root and do not want to install custom ROMs or do another tricky stuff this process is enough. Enjoy your tablet now .
There can be maybe some problems with drivers. Then you can try install PC Companion which should install everything for you. http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/tools/pc-companion/
Another thing from @stress40 who had also problems rooting the tablet:
1) I used easy root tool (on windows with Android SDK installed, ADB drivers etc)
2) extract easyroot v5 onto desktop (keeping extracted files together in a folder)
3) download towelroot.apk and put in Files folder of towelroot
4) reboot phone then plug in phone and double kick install.bat (so you get the ADB message on phone) and most importantly DON'T LET YOUR*PHONE*SCREEN*TURN*OFF (mine did so was stuck at waiting for phone but as soon as I turned it on it was fine) I was rooted in a few minutes after double clicking install.bat.

Good job, beats people having 3 tabs open trying to dissect which steps they should be following and then trying to piece together the timeline of events with other people screaming "read and search"
Sorry you lost data though, have you tried out Sony's backup app that for me was embedded in "tools" folder in app drawer? I hadn't noticed it for a while.

GandalfTehGray said:
Good job, beats people having 3 tabs open trying to dissect which steps they should be following and then trying to piece together the timeline of events with other people screaming "read and search"
Sorry you lost data though, have you tried out Sony's backup app that for me was embedded in "tools" folder in app drawer? I hadn't noticed it for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a big issue for me at this time. I just had to reinstall everything but data etc. are on cloud plus I have titanium backup just it was not used . For me tablet must be ready for summer when I will be off home. Now it's ok.
And yeah, there are like 8 topics with 49 pages in 5 subforums and then try and go through it. I don't know why there was no simple guide like this before. Only updated long ago created topics in first post plus other mess around in tens of threads.

Good guide for those who want to root it; and exactly the steps I followed, so I can confirm (again) that this method works like a charm.:good:

Thanks worked great for me installed supersu from the play store and all working great nice to see a clear tutorial . Would be good if development jumped up on this fantastic device
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Thanks a lot for this compilation of all the relevant steps!
It makes things really easy as there is no more need for searching hundreds of postings
Would it be possible, to also have an "easy guide" for noobs, explaining how to go back to a stock unrooted tablet (in case you should need to send it in for warranty reasons)?
Thanks again!

deb10042 said:
Thanks a lot for this compilation of all the relevant steps!
It makes things really easy as there is no more need for searching hundreds of postings
Would it be possible, to also have an "easy guide" for noobs, explaining how to go back to a stock unrooted tablet (in case you should need to send it in for warranty reasons)?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's really no need for that. As you will be sending your device back just use PC Companion to install the latest Sony rom. This will automagically do what you want.
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Premium HD app

guhvanoh said:
There's really no need for that. As you will be sending your device back just use PC Companion to install the latest Sony rom. This will automagically do what you want.
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, seems that was the "easy guide" :fingers-crossed: Thanks!
In several other threads, I read about the need of the so called dualrecovery, which is not part of the above guide.
Is it optional or should I go for it?
btw.: my SGP512 is now rooted and the guide helped me very much! :good:

deb10042 said:
Well, seems that was the "easy guide" :fingers-crossed: Thanks!
In several other threads, I read about the need of the so called dualrecovery, which is not part of the above guide.
Is it optional or should I go for it?
btw.: my SGP512 is now rooted and the guide helped me very much! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A recovery makes it easy to 'flash' kernels, roms etc that come in zip files as well as make a nandroid backup. If you see yourself doing this, then yes install a recovery system. As a whole, it doesn't hurt to have one installed.
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Premium HD app

guhvanoh said:
A recovery makes it easy to 'flash' kernels, roms etc that come in zip files as well as make a nandroid backup. If you see yourself doing this, then yes install a recovery system. As a whole, it doesn't hurt to have one installed.
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted to have "root" but do not intend to flash any other ROM, therefore, I will leave this part away from my tablet
Thanks for helping!

permission denied
Hey, thanks for a great guide!
All steps went smoothly and for the most part my Tablet Z2 now appears to be rooted.
For instance MyBackup Pro, Tasker, Secure Settings, App Quarantine all work.
However, there are some apps that have issues and they complain about permission denied in /system folder.
Apps are
BusyBox (unable to install binaries),
SuperSU (I was able to install it from Play Store, but as soon as I start it it tries to update to latest version, which fails)
AdAway (fails to apply hosts file)
Any ideas?

Your /system folder is not mounted with r/w permissions.

How do I do that?
I tried this app: Mount /system (rw / ro)
But it did not help
Is the only solution to install a custom recovery? Would be nice to avoid a full wipe if possible.
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

Your device is not properly rooted.
Please re-root.
All other attemps only lead to problems.
Perhaps you try the XZDualRecovery (rooting is included in the installation procedure), worked like a charm here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2794175

Ok, so you are saying that the method mentioned in the first post in this thread is not the proper way to do it?
The thread you are referring to, the method mentioned there will result in a full wipe, if I understand it correctly?

cewan said:
Ok, so you are saying that the method mentioned in the first post in this thread is not the proper way to do it?
The thread you are referring to, the method mentioned there will result in a full wipe, if I understand it correctly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I updated my Z2 fone to the 314 rom, I needed to reroot. My /system couldn't be mounted rw. I tried multiple ways to remount it rw and none worked. Installing XZDualRecovery solved my problem. No wipe was necessary, nor was one performed. No data was lost either.
HTH
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Free mobile app

guhvanoh said:
When I updated my Z2 fone to the 314 rom, I needed to reroot. My /system couldn't be mounted rw. I tried multiple ways to remount it rw and none worked. Installing XZDualRecovery solved my problem. No wipe was necessary, nor was one performed. No data was lost either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is good news! I will try it
I suggest that the author of this thread should add to the description that full rooting will not be possible for the 314 firmware version.

Thanks for your guide. So I don't need to unlock the bootloader? Are there any advantages of having an unlocked bootloader, if I gain root using your guide?

woggly4 said:
Thanks for your guide. So I don't need to unlock the bootloader? Are there any advantages of having an unlocked bootloader, if I gain root using your guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking your boot loader is only needed off you're going to flash non-stock roms like CM or kernels that require it. If you only need root, there's no need to unlock your bootloader.
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Free mobile app

cewan said:
That is good news! I will try it
I suggest that the author of this thread should add to the description that full rooting will not be possible for the 314 firmware version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need. The solution to your problem is to install superuser first and then run the latest version of the easyroot tool. It will root your tablet fully, no need for dual recovery unless that's something you want