Database Users

Modifying the update to keep root

Ok, here is a new version of OTA2 for US tablets that should be flashable in CWR and should keep CWR and root without requiring the use of OTA rootkeeper. I would still protect root with OTA Rootkeeper and temp unroot before updating (you can try it without temp unroot but it has caused some problems for other users). This update will still scan all your system apps so you need to restore or unfreeze any system apps that you deleted or froze using Ti Backup.
Instructions:
This update is for owners of US tablets with root and ClockworkMod Recovery. Make sure your battery is well charged before flashing this, a dead battery mid update can create major problems!
1. Install OTA Rootkeeper and protect root. You should now temp unroot. Users who did not temp un-root have had issues with su access after updating.
2. Download the update below and put it on your external sdcard
3. Restore any system apps that you have removed
4. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery (Shutdown Thinkpad, turn on and press vol+ repeatedly until you see booting recovery image)
5. I would also highly recommend making a nandroid backup if you have not previously done so.
6. Select install zip from sdcard>choose zip from sdcard then browse to and select the update you downloaded here
7. update.zip will run, it will check your system apps during the update and may fail if you have changed something, if so the error message should explain why
8. Reboot tablet; it will be a very long reboot. This is normal; it seems to take forever but just let it boot.
9. Use OTA Rootkeeper to restore root.
Flash at your own risk! I am not responsible if this totally bricks your tablet! This is the US update, do not flash if you are using a tablet from another region! Seriously this stuff could cause problems.
ThinkPadTablet_A310_02_0039_0086_US_CWR.zip
-----------------------------------------
Original Message
So I would like to modify the new OTA so I get the updates without losing root and my current recovery. It is my understanding that the file: \META-INF\com\google\android\updater-script contains the instructions for how the update should run. Can I simply modify this script so that it won't delete root or overwrite my recovery or boot and then flash it in CWR? It looks like it would be pretty straight forward but it would be nice to get some information from someone more knowledgeable so that I don't mess something up and brick my TpT. One obvious line to remove would be where it deletes superuser.apk and su. There is also a section where it patches the boot image, I'm not sure what this patch does but I am worried that maybe somehow they might lock the bootloader. EDIT: I updated, and still have CWR so the bootloader didn't get locked. The other lines I would remove are the ones that reference recovery. If someone with knowledge of android would be willing to help me with this then I will upload my modified update.zip (assuming it works) so that others can avoid the hassle.
So I think that the process would be to delete the current \META-INF\ folder, then put in my modified updater script in \META-INF\com\google\android\updater-script and sign the update with SignApk.jar? Is this the correct process? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I attached the original updater-script below for anyone interested in taking a look.

I appreciate you posting the file. I've never worked with Android code and this was a great intro.

I'm not sure this will work. Although I'm not super knowledgeable in this.
I did find these two threads.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1185881
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21351145&postcount=101
Of course, the latter is in respect to the Galaxy Nexus, and I am sure most of those people have unlocked bootloaders, etc. So again, not sure if those shed any more light on it, but am also curious on a process like this.
The update popped up on my tablet last night and I clicked "more info" and from what it lists, does not seem to be very many fixes

So I successfully updated in ClockworkMod Recovery without losing CWR and without deleting my Superuser.apk and su files by modifying the updater-script in the update.zip. Unfortunately it still messed up my superuser permissions somehow and I ended up having to use ADB while booted into CWR to push and symlink the proper files to get su working again (OTA Rootkeeper wasn't functioning properly because the files were there but the permissions were messed up). I have modified the update.zip so that now it deletes the superuser.apk and su files but keeps clockworkmod recovery. With this and OTA Rootkeeper I think you should be able to update while keeping CWR and restoring root. I will also provide directions here for those seeking to make their own modifications and possibly improve upon my efforts, but proceed with caution.
So what I did was open the zip in winrar and extracted the updater-script. I then edited some lines of code using Notepad++, deleting the ones that referred to deleting recovery or installing a new recovery as well as the lines to delete superuser.apk and /system/bin/su and /system/xbin/su. I also commented out a couple lines at the beginning (assert(getprop("ro.product.device") == "Indigo") because I was getting an error code status 7 when it was trying to perform this check while using clockwork mod. I checked my build.prop and it does say Indigo so I don't know why the check failed but just removing the check was easier for me than figuring out the problem (generally it is not good to remove such checks but I was sure I had the right file). In Notepad++ you must select save as and choose type all files then just save it with the same name. Then replace the updater-script in your zip file with the modified one, I used winrar and chose the compression to just be store (ie no compression). Then you need to delete the CERT.RSA, CERT.SF, and MANIFEST.MF files in the META-INF folder of your update.zip and you sign the update.zip using testsign.jar. Then your new modified update.zip is ready to go.
I think that the reason things did not work out for me is that there are a bunch of lines in the updater script about symlinking and setting permissions for stuff in /system and I think /system/bin/su was originally symlinked to /system/xbin/su which is the real file so things got messed up and I had the files still but the symlink and or permissions were messed up. I eventually fixed this by booting into CWR mounting system and using adb to repush /system/xbin/su and setting permissions and making the new symlinked su file in /system/bin just like the last lines of Dan's Thinkpad root bat file did.
Here is a modified update.zip that should delete your Superuser files but keep your ClockworkMod Recovery. I think that with this file you can use OTA Rootkeeper to make a root backup, temp unroot, then boot into CWR and update to the new OTA then you should be able to reboot and use OTA Rootkeeper to restore root and download Superuser from the market, while keeping CWR through the entire process.
Flash at your own risk! I am not responsible if this totally bricks your tablet! This is the US update, do not flash if you are using a tablet from another region! Seriously this stuff could cause problems.
That being said I think it will work. I followed this guide to sign my update.
Original updater-script
Modified updater-script in the update.zip linked above (this one deletes Superuser /system/bin/su and /system/xbin/su but keeps CWR)
Modified updater-script that I flashed on my tablet (this one messed up my su but doesn't delete the files)
If you need a good online file locker join Dropbox here and we'll both get an extra 250mb of space.

Unfortunately that update.zip didn't work for me, game me an error in CWR.
Is the other method, replacing the update scrip in the OTA and trying it ?

freezepop said:
Unfortunately that update.zip didn't work for me, game me an error in CWR.
Is the other method, replacing the update scrip in the OTA and trying it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on the error you can likely edit the updater-script yourself and successfully installed. Most errors are due to changes in system apps causing them to fail checks. If you remove an app check you should probably remove the corresponding patch for that app in the updater script. What error did you have?

Ok, here is a new version of OTA2 for US tablets that should be flashable in CWR and should keep CWR and root without requiring the use of OTA rootkeeper. I would still protect root with OTA Rootkeeper and temp unroot before updating (you can try it without temp unroot but it has caused some problems for other users). This update will still scan all your system apps so you need to restore or unfreeze any system apps that you deleted or froze using Ti Backup.
Instructions:
This update is for owners of US tablets with root and ClockworkMod Recovery. Make sure your battery is well charged before flashing this, a dead battery mid update can create major problems!
1. Install OTA Rootkeeper and protect root. You should now temp unroot. Users who did not temp un-root have had issues with su access after updating.
2. Download the update below and put it on your external sdcard
3. Restore any system apps that you have removed
4. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery (Shutdown Thinkpad, turn on and press vol+ repeatedly until you see booting recovery image)
5. I would also highly recommend making a nandroid backup if you have not previously done so.
6. Select install zip from sdcard>choose zip from sdcard then browse to and select the update you downloaded here
7. update.zip will run, it will check your system apps during the update and may fail if you have changed something, if so the error message should explain why
8. Reboot tablet; it will be a very long reboot. This is normal; it seems to take forever but just let it boot.
9. Use OTA Rootkeeper to restore root.
Flash at your own risk! I am not responsible if this totally bricks your tablet! This is the US update, do not flash if you are using a tablet from another region! Seriously this stuff could cause problems.
ThinkPadTablet_A310_02_0039_0086_US_CWR.zip

jhankinson said:
Ok, here is a new version of OTA2 for US tablets that should be flashable in CWR and should keep CWR and root without requiring the use of OTA rootkeeper. I would still protect root with OTA Rootkeeper just in case something goes wrong but don't temp unroot before updating and see if root still works after the update. This update will still scan all your system apps so you need to restore or unfreeze any system apps that you deleted or froze using Ti Backup.
Instructions:
This update is for owners of US tablets with root and ClockworkMod Recovery. Make sure your battery is well charged before flashing this, a dead battery mid update can create major problems!
1. Install OTA Rootkeeper and protect root (just in case), you shouldn't need to temp unroot though with this update.
2. Download the update below and put it on your external sdcard
3. Restore any system apps that you have removed
4. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery (Shutdown Thinkpad, turn on and press vol+ repeatedly until you see booting recovery image)
5. I would also highly recommend making a nandroid backup if you have not previously done so.
6. Select install zip from sdcard>choose zip from sdcard then browse to and select the update you downloaded here
7. update.zip will run, it will check your system apps during the update and may fail if you have changed something, if so the error message should explain why
8. Reboot tablet; it will be a very long reboot. This is normal; it seems to take forever but just let it boot.
Flash at your own risk! I am not responsible if this totally bricks your tablet! This is the US update, do not flash if you are using a tablet from another region! Seriously this stuff could cause problems.
ThinkPadTablet_A310_02_0039_0086_US_CWR.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your work. I have ROW version and waiting OTA2 for that, but still now I know how to modify update-script. I have a question, why not to remove any unneeded software from update and remove check for installed software which are already removed?

redbaron said:
Thank you for your work. I have ROW version and waiting OTA2 for that, but still now I know how to modify update-script. I have a question, why not to remove any unneeded software from update and remove check for installed software which are already removed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different people have removed different apps so one person may want the patch while another might want it skipped. I was just posting a generic version here that works for stock system apps. If others want to further customize their script then they are welcome improve upon it or customize it for their own system.

jhankinson said:
Ok, here is a new version of OTA2 for US tablets that should be flashable in CWR and should keep CWR and root without requiring the use of OTA rootkeeper. I would still protect root with OTA Rootkeeper just in case something goes wrong but don't temp unroot before updating and see if root still works after the update. This update will still scan all your system apps so you need to restore or unfreeze any system apps that you deleted or froze using Ti Backup.
Instructions:
This update is for owners of US tablets with root and ClockworkMod Recovery. Make sure your battery is well charged before flashing this, a dead battery mid update can create major problems!
1. Install OTA Rootkeeper and protect root (just in case), you shouldn't need to temp unroot though with this update.
2. Download the update below and put it on your external sdcard
3. Restore any system apps that you have removed
4. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery (Shutdown Thinkpad, turn on and press vol+ repeatedly until you see booting recovery image)
5. I would also highly recommend making a nandroid backup if you have not previously done so.
6. Select install zip from sdcard>choose zip from sdcard then browse to and select the update you downloaded here
7. update.zip will run, it will check your system apps during the update and may fail if you have changed something, if so the error message should explain why
8. Reboot tablet; it will be a very long reboot. This is normal; it seems to take forever but just let it boot.
Flash at your own risk! I am not responsible if this totally bricks your tablet! This is the US update, do not flash if you are using a tablet from another region! Seriously this stuff could cause problems.
ThinkPadTablet_A310_02_0039_0086_US_CWR.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed this zip. It didn't delete su or Superuser.apk, yet apps cannot get root access afterward. any suggestions?

mandrsn1 said:
I flashed this zip. It didn't delete su or Superuser.apk, yet apps cannot get root access afterward. any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what happened to me originally, it can be fixed though. Did you make a backup with OTA Rootkeeper? If so open Android Terminal emulator and type:
/system/su-backup
mount -o remount,rw /system
cp -f /system/su-backup /system/xbin/su
ln -s /system/xbin/su /system/bin/su
chown root /system/xbin/su
chmod 6755 /system/xbin/su
Then reboot your tablet. I believe this should fix your root access. If you don't have a backup I think you can also fix it by running adb while booted into CWR. I can give you those instructions if this doesn't work.

Apparently you should temp un-root before installing my update then restore your su backup with OTA Rootkeeper after updating.

You wear the crown
Thanks for posting the fix, too. Waiting for reboot to finish.
Really appreciate all your hard work. The instructions you posted for me in thinkpad forums worked perfectly and I learned a lot in the process.

toenail_flicker said:
Thanks for posting the fix, too. Waiting for reboot to finish.
Really appreciate all your hard work. The instructions you posted for me in thinkpad forums worked perfectly and I learned a lot in the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the fix work for you?

Still waiting for reboot. I waited about 20 minutes and rebooted manually. So far it still hasn't made it in for me to try the fix.
---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 PM ----------
jhankinson said:
Did the fix work for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fix not yet working. Got this far
/system/su-backup
mount -o remount,rw /system
cp -f /system/su-backup /system/xbin/su
error message
cp: applet not found
Any ideas?

toenail_flicker said:
Still waiting for reboot. I waited about 20 minutes and rebooted manually. So far it still hasn't made it in for me to try the fix.
---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 PM ----------
Fix not yet working. Got this far
/system/su-backup
mount -o remount,rw /system
cp -f /system/su-backup /system/xbin/su
error message
cp: applet not found
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try
busybox cp -f /system/su-backup /system/xbin/su
may have to type busybox before some of the other commands too if they give an error.

So my line would be
busybox cp -f /system/su-backup /system/xbin/su
cp: applet not found

Just a quick note of thanks for getting me through this. Root is wonderful!

If
cp -f /system/su-backup /system/xbin/su
fails, use
dd if=/system/su-backup of=/system/xbin/su
instead.

jhankinson said:
Ok, here is a new version of OTA2 for US tablets that should be flashable in CWR and should keep CWR and root without requiring the use of OTA rootkeeper. I would still protect root with OTA Rootkeeper just in case something goes wrong but don't temp unroot before updating and see if root still works after the update. This update will still scan all your system apps so you need to restore or unfreeze any system apps that you deleted or froze using Ti Backup.
Instructions:
This update is for owners of US tablets with root and ClockworkMod Recovery. Make sure your battery is well charged before flashing this, a dead battery mid update can create major problems!
1. Install OTA Rootkeeper and protect root. You should now temp unroot. Users who did not temp un-root have had issues with su access after updating.
2. Download the update below and put it on your external sdcard
3. Restore any system apps that you have removed
4. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery (Shutdown Thinkpad, turn on and press vol+ repeatedly until you see booting recovery image)
5. I would also highly recommend making a nandroid backup if you have not previously done so.
6. Select install zip from sdcard>choose zip from sdcard then browse to and select the update you downloaded here
7. update.zip will run, it will check your system apps during the update and may fail if you have changed something, if so the error message should explain why
8. Reboot tablet; it will be a very long reboot. This is normal; it seems to take forever but just let it boot.
9. Use OTA Rootkeeper to restore root.
Flash at your own risk! I am not responsible if this totally bricks your tablet! This is the US update, do not flash if you are using a tablet from another region! Seriously this stuff could cause problems.
ThinkPadTablet_A310_02_0039_0086_US_CWR.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx jhankinson, this work for me. my TPT 1838 US.

(OUTDATED) Nook HD+ root, modified 2/15/13 RIP

THIS METHOD IS NO LONGER WORKS as of update version 2.0.5 and higher.
Please visit this thread instead for the current rooting method.
Posting in this thread will get you nowhere, let it RIP.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
If you have a new Nook HD/HD+ and want to root and get the GAPPS running, you should follow the guide at the All-in-One thread instead. That said, I won't copy all the information here to there, so you should continue to read on.
Let me start by saying that I didn't come up with the working root method. The original root instruction came from verygreen in this thread. And I am not a developer, I merely have a few linux background and even less so in the Android. I worked on this on my spare time by myself.
I merely take what was working, but unusable to make it usable. I found something that he is missed. This may actually be working on Nook HD (non-plus) also, but since I don't own one I can't say that it will.
Disclaimer:
If something gone wrong, it's all your fault. I take ZERO responsibility for what happen to your device, your life, your wife/husband, your kids, your unborn child and etc. You get the idea.
Background:
When I found out the root doesn't actually work past a reboot, I start looking what actually cause the Nook to be pissed and factory reset itself. Well, it seem that the /system and anything in there is basically coming from a /dev/block/mmcblk0p8 And if something got change, Nook get pissed and do a FULL FACTORY RESET(I'll explain in a moment). Well, at least I start investigated under that idea.
What I found:
What I found, or at least what I think I found is that, probably just adding file, or increase in the size(maybe there is a threshold for this), will cause it to do a full factory reset. What I also found is that there is a $PATH for /system/sbin but not pointing to anywhere. So I come up with the idea of making another ext4 file system in a file and loop mount it to /system/sbin I guess that work(very well). What I also found is that, there are two kind of factory resets. The one that you perform yourself, which is actually not a full factory reset and the one that Nook get pissed and do the full one.
A factory reset that you perform yourself, whether from the GUI or button combination will basically clean the partition /data while a full blown one will basically restore other partition such as /system
What is included:
basically a zip file, inside that zip file are 6 files.
boot_complete_hook.sh.bak this is basically a modified version of verygreen's
busybox & su are basically from his thread
superuser.apk well I found this one floating around and seem like a good idea to stick it in there (not even sure if it gonna work w/ Nook)
makeroot.bat this is basically what do most of the work. It's base on verygreen original rooting instruction.
sbin_mount This is basically an ext4 file system which have su and another version of busybox all setup nice and tidy for you all. This version of busybox is 1.20.2r2 which I grabbed from here.
Prerequisite:
ADB, it's your responsibility to have adb up and running, meaning not just have it install, but it can see your nook also.
leapinlar wrote a post to help you getting ADB to work here.
Now to get root:
all you have to do is unzip it and run makeroot.bat (obviously you run this in windows command prompt). Yub that's all. The batch file will do the rest, including reboot the nook and wait for it to reboot and stuff. Won't make a coffee for you though.
The manual and hard way:
well, I will only explain this in a summarize way. Basically this start with verygreen rooting method. It basically take advantage of the exploit and run /data/boot_complete_hook.sh which you adb push yourself(with correct permission) with root privilege. What you can run in there is basically up to your creativity. So obviously in this case, you mount the sbin_mount as an ext4 filesystem in the /system/sbin You can make this file yourself if you want to, in linux using dd and mkfs command. Basically using dd to create a file volume to the size you want and mkfs to format it to ext4. Mount it and start uploading stuff you want in there. You will have to correct all the file permission as well. Since all of this will be mounted to /system/sbin you should be aware what you gonna put in there. I guess I could make this thing 100MB, but for this specific purpose 10MB is enough. I my case, just the su and busybox and the symbolic links for the busybox. I'm doing this for the long term. I'm too lazy to point to busybox everytime I wanna do something.
What to do afterward:
Now that you have root, you can Enable Unknown Source to allow you to install app from within the device and install GAPPS. Follow the two guides below if you interested.
Enable Unknown Source: Again, I make an easy little tool for you here.
GAPPS: here.
Did I missed something:
Well, as I said I'm no coder so if I didn't do a clean job, you can refine it. If I didn't document or give proper credit, then I guess I missed that. Sorry about that, again I'm no coder and never done this. And finally:
If this thing work for you, feel free to hit that "THANKS" button. I spent many hours trying to come up with this solution.
FAQ:
Q: My so and so application when attempting to have root access get freeze up, or superuser doesn't work?
A: Well, I'm not sure if this is dued to how the Nook side-loading work or not, but it seem for some reason superuser won't start by itself. So you have to start it manually the first time.
Q: I type in "adb root" and I can't get in as root, it doesn't work?
A: yes it does, it's just not working with adb root. You can get in via "adb shell" once you get in, type in "su" and you can see that you now should have root access.

Thank you so much! This works perfectly. Survives reboot.

here's the Linux version.
Thanks someone0 for getting this started.
Haven't fully tested the linux version, but it loads and starts up, so should work.
extract, and open up terminal and navigate to the dir you extracted to, and type
./makeroot.sh and then enter.

This sounds like a good idea initially.
It is true that the B&N does not just check for /system/xbin/su directly like they did in the past.
This time they check for something else and I just had no time to look into it more deeply to find out what is it they are actually checking for. I plan to figure this out on Friday when I am back home.
Also wanted to tell you that having Linux background is a great thing when tinkering with Android (at a low level, anyway). I don't have much Android background to speak of as well.

This works really well, and thanks to Someone (and mad props too) for getting persistent root working on this.
I may be being very naive, but my suspicion on the reboot is around the manifest file that's present at root.
It seems to be generated by the boot process and it might provide a quick and dirty list of what's permitted on the device to check. With persistent root, lots of investigation becomes a lot less painful. I expect that by end of day we'll have install unsigned running.
Early in my experimenting with the HD+, I noted:
- some versions of the Google Services Framework can be installed via adb
- when I launched the native calendar app after installing gsf, it wanted to sync to a google account, and was able to add the google account
- one version of the Play store installed and launched as far as throwing the 'you must accept the terms of service' before crashing

What BN most likely does is calculating the hash value (or digest, if you prefer) of certain system files that they think shouldn't be tampered with, then during reboot, the values of these files must match, or they will do a factory reset.
The key point is to find out where they do these checks and fool the check.
This sound simple but it depends on how they implement it. If they use binary decisions (like if the hash_value == calculated), then it is easy to get around. If not (e.g. using white box algorithm to hide keys), then it get more complicated.

excellent and very elegant solution. Kudos!

I'm heading out to work, and if you think your theory is right, try poking around with it. Now that your have root, you can try to dd those bootloading partitions out to user area and upload them out to PC and inspect them.
looking at the vold.fstab
Code:
xloader -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
bootloader -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
recovery -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p3
boot -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p4
rom -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p5
bootdata -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p6
factory -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p7
system -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p8
cache -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p9
userdata -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p10
Be extra careful when touching those partition if you not sure, don't touch them. But making a block copy of them and taking them out should be relatively easy and safe. Obviously you gonna need a Linux box to do this. I setup a VM on one of my PC last night because I need to get a ext4 partition and put all the goodies in there.

krylon360 said:
here's the Linux version.
Thanks someone0 for getting this started.
Haven't fully tested the linux version, but it loads and starts up, so should work.
extract, and open up terminal and navigate to the dir you extracted to, and type
./makeroot.sh and then enter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wonder why do use a zip file for the linux version? Wouldn't this kinda messup the permission when compress/uncompress? meaning, makeroot.sh may not have the proper permission when unzip. Please double check.

someone0 said:
Just wonder why do use a zip file for the linux version? Wouldn't this kinda messup the permission when compress/uncompress? meaning, makeroot.sh may not have the proper permission when unzip. Please double check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
works just fine.
I chmod a+x'd the script before putting it into the zip.
heh, yeah, it works. Forgot I had my touchpad pluged in and it rebooted it....
whoops.

thanks for posting the location of the /recovery partition. I want to put a copy of htat on ice to prevent BN from undoing any of my work in a future update - I may want some of the fixes they have, but I want to be able to roll them back if needed.

Someone0 are you around can you pm me, Your root works, I installed nook color tools ver .02 in system/app folder and was able to see it in my sideloaded launcher, was able to uncheck/check install non market apps which sets the setting for US to be able to install .apk files from the nook itself, ONLY ISSUE is since I put that file in the system/app folder and the nook didnt like it I got stuck in a bootloop and get to start this process all over again! (nook resetted to ground zero)
maybe we temporary can leave it there get us the permission to install non market apps then remove the file and we will be ok or maybe stuck in another bootloop.
---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 PM ----------
GOT IT WORKING NOW:
1. Once rooted, get a file manager with root support and enable read/write permission to /system
2. temporary copy nook tools ver .02 .apk to the system/app folder
3. have a sideloaded launcher and check the app drawer youll see nook tools, run it, first screen uncheck and check the install non market apps box couple of times make sure its checked afterwards
4. have a test .apk to run the BN installer on and see you can now install .apks from the NOOK HD and HD+
5. remove the nook tools.apk file from the system/app folder and quit your file explorer which should reset everything for the system folder back to the way it orginally is!
6. reboot, if you reboot successfully with no boot loop 8 times, your GOLDEN FOR NOW! once again load up a file manager go select an .apk file and see you can now install it! Next step is trying to get amazon market working! then google somehow, but for google you need files in system/app folder permanently!
7. YOU CAN NOW SUCCESSFULLY DOWNLOAD .APK FILES through web, email, any other app and install through the NOOK HD or HD+ BN installer for .apk files. Watch what you install, if it gets put into /system or /system/app folder DREADED BOOT LOOP which resets everything! AMAZON MARKET WORKS!!!! and apps from there install fine to the BUILT IN MEMORY.
** Hopefully amazon market dont install stuff to the system/app folder and if it does hopefully you do not get the dreaded boot loops where you got to start this whole process over again so be forwarned!!! you will loose all data on NOOK HD and HD+ if u get stuck in the bootloops! BACKUP STUFF before messing with root and this kind of thing! DEVELOPMENT!

Aside from moving the actual apk to /system/app/ temporary (since you only do it once), putting a symbolic link there may work also without creating a reset loop. But can't you just side load the apk and run it in other folder?

someone0 said:
Aside from moving the actual apk to /system/app/ temporary (since you only do it once), putting a symbolic link there may work also without creating a reset loop. But can't you just side load the apk and run it in other folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you sidelaod it OR install or have it installed to another folder or ran from another folder it cant modify the setting to allow non market apps to install!!
has to be in the /system/app folder THEN RAN from app drawer then you can set the setting uncheck and check box quit program and for now YOU HAVE to remove the .apk from the system/app folder and then you can reboot and the setting sticks! I GOT AMAZON MARKET INSTALLED right now installing apps! NOW WE GOT A KINDLE ladys and gentleman!

Amazon apk installs in internal memory. Apps downloaded from Amazon get installed in internal memory. You can then move them to SD card or leave them in internal memory. System apps are provided in the ROMs by the developers or vendors. ALWAYS back up before making system changes.. Now rooted - use Titanium Backup. System/app should be static throughout ROM lifecycle unless modified by user.

skyhawk21 said:
7. YOU CAN NOW SUCCESSFULLY DOWNLOAD .APK FILES through web, email, any other app and install through the NOOK HD or HD+ BN installer for .apk files. Watch what you install, if it gets put into /system or /system/app folder DREADED BOOT LOOP which resets everything! AMAZON MARKET WORKS!!!! and apps from there install fine to the BUILT IN MEMORY.
** Hopefully amazon market dont install stuff to the system/app folder and if it does hopefully you do not get the dreaded boot loops where you got to start this whole process over again so be forwarned!!! you will loose all data on NOOK HD and HD+ if u get stuck in the bootloops! BACKUP STUFF before messing with root and this kind of thing! DEVELOPMENT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I put the /system back to ro, at least that is what I think I did.

Amazon Store working on ROOTED Nook HD
Proof of Concept:
http://youtu.be/wCyd730L74Y

skyhawk21 said:
Proof of Concept:
http://youtu.be/wCyd730L74Y
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, your internet is slow. Could have cut the video time by 1/2 if not 2/3 if you switch to faster ISP.

skyhawk21 said:
Someone0 are you around can you pm me, Your root works, I installed nook color tools ver .02 in system/app folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly did you install? I cannot find "nook color tools" in Google Play or on APKTOP. Thanks for your hard work!
NEVERMIND! I found the thread that has the link for the app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=868366 Thanks again.

does this root method work on Nook HD+2.0.2?
if not how I can downgrade to 2.0.0?

Nook HD+ Google Play Store. GAPPS, modified 12/04.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
If you have a new Nook HD/HD+ and want to root and get the GAPPS running, you should follow the guide at the All-in-One thread instead. That said, I won't copy all the information here to there, so you should continue to read on.
Proof:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MssQ25bnZnk
Okay this one is more interesting than the root I created. I don't think there will be a simple batch file for this one. I barely get this working and I'm going to try to write instruction for the people. I guess let me start off with the same disclaimer.
Disclaimer:
If something gone wrong, it's all your fault. I take ZERO responsibility for what happen to your device, your life, your wife/husband, your kids, your unborn child and etc. You get the idea.
Background:
I basically taking the installation process from the Kindle Fire HD and apply it it here. The original instruction which I "borrow" from is here. For the most part, the process is the same, but we have to be extra careful for writing into /system partition or we are toast.
What I found:
Well, since we didn't have "UNKNOWN SOURCE" option, we have to adapt and fix that first. You can thanks skyhawk21 for coming up with that idea. Since then, there have been other way to enable Unknown Source. LeapinLar have wrote an excellent here. And I have make it even simpler here. Also, I have found that trying to install Google Play store after some other stuff already installed is kinda pain and brought some error. So I would strongly start this fresh. I mean factory reset and apply root. If you don't know how to gain root on the Nook HD+, I wrote an excellent piece for it here.
Hugh big caution
I did all my stuff based off my root method. I also noticed that verygreen updated his root. While there are some similarlity in our methods, THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCE ALSO. For example his root doesn't have a working superuser or he have busybox installed and symbolicly linked for all sub command. This mean the instruction I have may not work if you used his method to root.
Addendum 1: 11/19/[email protected]:50PM Pacific
I have been told that the first set of instruction is no longer necessary by leapinlar. This mean that if you only want the ability to install app via Google Play, you can do the first set of instruction and be done with it. But this means you won't be able to utilize the rest of Google's services. On the other hand, you can skip the first instruction and purely do 2nd instruction and get most of the stuff working. Well I say most because it doesn't include Google Maps and Chrome.
Addendum 2: 11/19/[email protected] Pacific
I have added Google Map below so you can download separately But Chrome Browser is like 20MB and over the filesize limit of the xda forum. Since most people don't use it, and there are many good alternative browser already, I won't bother. You can also look up both apk online if you want. they both should work on Nook. You don't have to make symbolic link on these two, but you can't have it on /system either. Either try install it via "adb install" command or open it using your favorite file browser. I forgot which method I use, probably the first.
Addendum 3: 11/30/[email protected]:25AM Pacific
I rewrite and hide unnecessary stuff and streamline the guide.
Addendum 4: 12/01/[email protected]:25PM Pacific
Adding gapps-ics-inst.sh.img which should be compatible for both my and verygreen root method.
Addendum 5: 12/02/[email protected] Pacific
Adding troubleshooting tips
Addendum 6: 12/04/[email protected]:45PM Pacific
Update with brand new easy to follow instruction.
Addendum 7: 12/07/[email protected] Pacific
The Google Map will no longer install as part of the script. I think Maps may not function properly if google framework weren't installed correctly first.
So, you will just have to install it manually after the Google Play updated.
EXTREMELY OUTDATED NOT FULLY WORKING Instruction is hidden since it's no longer necessary.
Instruction:
Optional, factory reset it. Seriously I cannot say this will work unless you start from scratch. If you already have rooted earlier, then install something like titanium backup and backup your porn(I mean data).
Gain root access. Follow this guide.
Follow my instruction here to enable "UNKNOWN SOURCE".
Upload 3 files to /data/su/ using "adb push" command
GoogleServicesFramework.apk - mediafire.com/?zaumfwhraxcifqf
Vending.apk - mediafire.com/?31bn3e258jjpj8d
Play.apk - mediafire.com/?wwcqrlfwt8o1gnv
If you have problem downloading this Play.apk I suggest try using this Vending_v3.9.17.apk instead. Be sure not to confuse with the earlier Vending.apk file, or better yet, rename it to something like Play3917.apk
adb install $your_choice_of_file_manager(must support root), I prefer ES File manager
using your file manager and browse to /data/su and install GoogleServicesFramework.apk (I'm not sure if you can just do adb install GoogleServicesFramework.apk from your PC, but since I didn't do it that way and this is a known result, so I recommend doing it this way)
adb shell
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
mv /data/su/Vending.apk /system/app/Vending.apk
chmod 644 /system/app/Vending.apk
chown 0.0 /system/app/Vending.apk
mount -o remount,ro /system (not sure if this is necessary, but I better safe than sorry)
using your file manager and navigate to /system/app and install Vending.apk
mount -o remount,rw /system (only if you did step 11)
rm /system/app/Vending.apk
mount -o remount,ro /system
using your file manager and go to /data/su and install Play.apk or Play3917.apk depending on what you download
now you can delete both GoogleServiceFramework.apk and Play.apk in the /data/su folder.
That's all, your Google Play Store should now be working.
Login and have fun. I manage to install some stuff through that.
Click the "THANKS" button below.
OK, now to get a more complete gapps. The below steps are to be only after you have Google Play Store, meaning all the above steps are done. The instruction below will let your other app sync and use google account. Meaning stuff like RSS reader sync with google reader or Youtube app access your personal account. Well, atleast those are the two I have tried and seem to be working.
OUTDATED Instruction:
Instructions:
Download these two files. gapps-ics-inst.sh.img and gapps-ics-system.zip (if you use verygreen root method use this gapps-ics-inst.sh.img , the one embedded on this post instead. This one should work universally but untested. I re-wrote it to adapt for verygreen root method also. If it works I'll rewrite this part of instruction again to use the new version of the shell script.)
adb push gapps-ics-inst.sh.img /data/su/gapps-ics-inst.sh
adb push gapps-ics-system.zip /data/su/
This step might take some time
adb shell
su
cd /data/su
chmod 755 gapps-ics-inst.sh
./gapps-ics-inst.sh
This step could take some time too, once it return to shell, then go to next step
(optional delete installation file to save space) rm gapps-ics-system.zip
(optional delete installation file to save space) rm gapps-ics-inst.sh
exit
exit
(you should be back to your OS by now, if not keep exiting until you are out of adb)
adb reboot
once your nook is rebooted, the screen may say updating some files, this is normal.
enjoy, everything should work now.
If you didn't hit that "THANKS" button, you better do now. If you did, do it again?
Thanks leapinlar for catching the typo, I have reupload the shell script file now. And thanks to him for hosting the gapps-system.zip
There have been some errors on my initial instruction. Certain things have been point out. I have updated the instruction accordingly. leapinlar have also fixed gapps files and the shell script for that in post #34. So big kudo to him. I haven't have much time to toy with this lately, but since people report that his script work. So here are the new instruction.
If you were using verygreen version of root, try running this first.
Code:
adb shell su -c "/data/su/busybox chown shell.shell /data/su"
FAQ:
Q: I don't see the Google Play Market on the list of apps.
A: If you use the "Skip OOBE" aka Test mode, then (reboot first or go into shell and kill the app launcher and then) you have to hold down the Vol-Up key and tap the word Apps on the top to see them. After that I recommend installing other launcher, then they can see all the apps.
Q: Some people are saying after they install an adblock app, after reboot it get into bootloop and wipe everything.
A: The way most adblock apps work is that they modify the hosts file which usually located at /system/etc/hosts Well, as we have discussed before this is not a good idea to make change directly to /system folder(directory). The only adblock I know of that work is AdAway with a specific setting.
When installed, first you have to go to menu > preferences > target hosts file > /data/data/hosts, it will then ask to create symbolic link, say yes and then you can reboot.
Troubleshooting Tips:
I had a little problem today, unrelated to the GAPPS install mod here. But the problem involved Google Play not working correctly. I kept getting Google Play error pop up. So, I use Titanium Backup ROOT to wipe the data and then uninstall all the apps which names start with Google. I'm not sure if this is enough, it might but I didn't want to take any chance. This maybe unnecessary but I did it anyway; I delete all the files that I created in the /data/su/system that have anything to do with google. Basically anything that was unzip there. Rebooted, then re-apply the same google mod here. And problem solved. I did have to re-login again, but yes I clear up that Google Play error.
Pre-Requisite:
ADB + ROOT + Enable Unknown Source.
1. ADB: leapinlar wrote a post to help you getting ADB to work here.
2. ROOT: I wrote a guide on how to get root the easy way here.
3. Enable Unknown Source: Again, I make an easy little tool for you here.
Brand New and Improve Instructions:
Download these three files. New.zip GoogleMaps.apk and gapps-ics-system.zip
Unzip New.zip (don't unzip gapps-ics-system.zip)
run install.bat
PS: Now I know how hard it's to write a guide in xda. Prop to all those dev that have been there b4 and after, especially the one I have use their works.

That's it, I'm going out to buy one ASAP. Thanks for your hard work!

thanks for you Howto
after that is it possible to use Youtube and Google Maps apps?

Youtube can be install from Play Store but you have to sideload the Google Maps since it's not available for download in Play Store. GMail works, but the authentication through google account on other apps still aren't working. I guess this problem may be beyond my current level of tinkering knowledge.

great job on getting google market somewhat working!!!! We need the manual nooter developer or author to make what we need for the Nook HD AND HD+. Anyhow I belwive you need more framework files to get google authentication working and unfortunately they need to be installed within root folders like the /system folders and sub folders... Also Barness and noble included frameworks for google authentication, probably just not working with google apps installed manually.... gotta figure it out...
---------- Post added at 05:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------
By the way youtube app works installed older version from my Motorola Droid 3 manually through es file explorer and it works and does HD fine

I have been thinking about that and wonder if we can put those lib files on diff folder and sym link them? I still afraid it might reset the thing.

someone0 said:
Instruction:
[*]Optional, factory reset it. Seriously I cannot say this will work unless you start from scratch. If you already have rooted earlier, then install something like titanium backup and backup your porn(I mean data).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to do this with root explorer after rooting with no problem.
Thanks for this (and your rooting zip - both are super!)

issue was fixed, removed obnoxiously long quote

smatticus said:
still have the issue where i can't get the nookcolortools to run properly from /system/app. it just crashes. i googled this and it says that i need to reboot the nook to apply the system/app move BUT that supposedly creates the bootloop. i REALLY don't want to do that so can someone help me out here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably shouldn't quote anything that big unless you very need to. As far as getting nook color tool to run, did you set the file to have proper permission, eg: chmod and chown the file? Your other option is factory reset and start from scratch. Sometime getting a clean slate to start with make things easiler to follow.

Thank you for the Google Play Store. It works great for me. I want to install Google Voice. Before I installed your framework apk, I was not able to get the credentials to come up. Now since installing that, it comes up with my Google credentials and tries to authenticate them. But immediately Android System force closes and the sign in screen just sits there. Any ideas on this one? This is the last thing I need to make this my everyday device.
Sent from my Nook HD+ using Tapatalk

someone0 said:
As far as getting nook color tool to run, did you set the file to have proper permission, eg: chmod and chown the file? Your other option is factory reset and start from scratch. Sometime getting a clean slate to start with make things easiler to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
turns out i wasn't supposed to install the app via adb. my fault for not following instructions. thanks for your hard work

Nice, I think I am getting the Nook HD+.. Hope there is custom ROM soon.. thanks man

leapinlar said:
Thank you for the Google Play Store. It works great for me. I want to install Google Voice. Before I installed your framework apk, I was not able to get the credentials to come up. Now since installing that, it comes up with my Google credentials and tries to authenticate them. But immediately Android System force closes and the sign in screen just sits there. Any ideas on this one? This is the last thing I need to make this my everyday device.
Sent from my Nook HD+ using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking about that right now but as I suggested, putting the google lib in other place and make symbolic link in the appropriate /system sub. I won't be able to test that theory of mine until I get home later tonight. I will have to research where all the files suppose to go and their permission. Unless you want to do it, you are welcome to.
I agree, getting authentication would be tha last missing link to make this device fully enjoyable as day-to-day usage. And the we can wait for custom ROM from real developers. That is definitely out of my knowledge.

works without full reset
figured i'd put it out there that i DID NOT do a full factory reset (partly to be a guinea pig, partly because i'm lazy) and this method DOES WORK without it. It took 2 tries (it loaded up the first time, then crashed a few minutes later.) the second time it worked like a charm. One note: the chown command gave me an "operation not permitted" notice, but the market IS working, i grabbed a TON of apps and thankfully got updates to the ones i purchased through the nook shop that hadn't seen an update since they first launched (i'm looking at you, machinarium).

Thanks!
Thanks so much for your work on this! I can access the Google Play Store along with the Amazon App Store now and have loaded up my new Nook with my favorite apps. My only disappointment is that I still can't get Amazon Instant Video or Google Play Movies to work...once these work I'll be in heaven!

leapinlar said:
Thank you for the Google Play Store. It works great for me. I want to install Google Voice. Before I installed your framework apk, I was not able to get the credentials to come up. Now since installing that, it comes up with my Google credentials and tries to authenticate them. But immediately Android System force closes and the sign in screen just sits there. Any ideas on this one? This is the last thing I need to make this my everyday device.
Sent from my Nook HD+ using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW, I got that working now, my theory works. Now only if I have a place to store 60+MB file. Then I can update this guide to include that. I was able to use Youtube app to access my account and so is my RSS reader to sync with google reader.

Access Denied
I'm getting an error when I try to execute ./gapps-inst.sh. It's saying cannot execute - Permission denied. I've rooted and followed the instructions to install Google Play and all worked fine...I'm on this last step and it won't work! Advice is much appreciated!! I also keep having permission denied issues with the adb push command...I can paste the files manually via ES File Explorer and rename to remove the .bin but I still can't install from adb shell.
I've also tried chmod 777 on the gapps-inst.sh prior to doing ./gapps-inst.sh but that produces a giant string of errors.
I'm at a loss!

someone0:
I just rehosted your files on my MediaFire account.
Removed links. New links on OP.

Alright, so I have no idea what Nook HD/HD+ thread to put this is in... so here i go.
1. Will these steps get the play store on the Nook HD as well?
2. Will the apps show up in the Nook app section, or do we still need a launcher. I have sideloaded all my apps, but have to use a launcher to get at them.
Thanks!

someone0:
There is are a couple of typos in your gapps-inst.sh file -
Code:
ln -s /data/su/system/usr/srec/en-US/google_hotword_clg /system/usr/en-US/google_hotword_clg
ln -s /data/su/system/usr/srec/en-US/google_hotword_logistic /system/usr/en-US/google_hotword_logistic
are missing the /srec in the second /system link.
Also it seems the real /system has these files so the symlinks fail.
Code:
ln -s /data/su/system/etc/permissions/com.google.widevine.software.drm.xml /system/etc/permissions/com.google.widevine.software.drm.xml
ln -s /data/su/system/framework/com.google.widevine.software.drm.jar /system/framework/com.google.widevine.software.drm.jar
ln -s /data/su/system/usr/srec/en-US/acoustic_model /system/usr/srec/en-US/acoustic_model

Problems flashing recovery image

Greetings;
I am having trouble getting a recovery image flashed. I am unable to remove the install-recovery.sh from /system/etc
I have searched far and wide and did everything I saw as solutions and that worked for other people to no avail.
More information:
- I have root
- I am primarily using ADB shell
- I have remounted /system with RW (no longer getting the 'read-only filesystem' error)
- I tried to remove it, rename it but it says operation not permitted.
- I tried to chmod 777 it, but I got the same error of operation not permitted
- I have done these under root and the root user owns the install-recovery.sh file.
Thank you in advance.

MF3
reikokuko said:
Greetings;
I am having trouble getting a recovery image flashed. I am unable to remove the install-recovery.sh from /system/etc
I have searched far and wide and did everything I saw as solutions and that worked for other people to no avail.
More information:
- I have root
- I am primarily using ADB shell
- I have remounted /system with RW (no longer getting the 'read-only filesystem' error)
- I tried to remove it, rename it but it says operation not permitted.
- I tried to chmod 777 it, but I got the same error of operation not permitted
- I have done these under root and the root user owns the install-recovery.sh file.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In about phone, your Baseband version is?

It is the MF3 baseband. I was using a Loki'd image but it kept on failing.

reikokuko said:
It is the MF3 baseband. I was using a Loki'd image but it kept on failing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have MF3 sadly at the moment you can not install a custom recovery.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forum Runner

Stop before you brick your phone. There is no way to install a custom recovery to MF3.if you did read as you claim, you would know this information.
I know I am coming off in a harsh manner, but I am sure you would rather have me being mean about it than have a $650 paperweight.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I did read, and there is supposedly a workaround to getting one installed, bypassing the locked bootloader. I am trying to use the loki flasher with a loki'd image.

reikokuko said:
I did read, and there is supposedly a workaround to getting one installed, bypassing the locked bootloader. I am trying to use the loki flasher with a loki'd image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The work around is not for the mf3 firmware. It works on the previous versions of the firmware but not mf3. You're going to brick your phone if you keep trying.

I am having a hard time flashing a recovery image as well
This is the method i used to root my phone
New Root Method for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 (OTA FM3)
Credits:
***Exploit adapted for AT&T by Jortex***
***Original Guide by Open1Your1Eyes0 for Verizon Galaxy S 4***
***Original Exploit by DooMLoRD***
HOWTO:
1. Format the micro SD card to exFAT (FAT32 or other formats does not work) using Windows. I haven't tried Linux or MacOS X, so they may not work.
2. Download the attached file (Root_for_ATTSG4_FM3.rar) and extract it into the root of your EXTERNAL microSD card. (You can do the extraction using WinRAR or 7-zip).
3. Download a Terminal Emulator app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm
4. Open the Terminal Emulator app and run below 3 commands:
cd /mnt/extSdCard
./pwn
./script.sh
5. Then, open SuperSU and check everything looks good.
6. Then open a root app and it should be working properly.
7. Reboot your device once to confirm root is still working after reboot.
8. Come back to the post and press the THANKS button
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577
Notes:
* Remove any SuperSU apps from your phone before following the above steps. script.sh installs it automatically.
* You can use adb shell instead of a terminal app which is more convenient but requires Android SDK. Follow these steps only if you are about to use adb:
- Download and install all Samsung Galaxy S 4 drivers from http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SGH-I337ZWAATT .
- Activate Developer options -> USB Debugging mode. To have the phone show the Developer options, go to Settings -> More -> About device. Tap on "Build number" 6 times.
* You have to use an external SD card. No other alternative have been found yet. Using the device storage, i.e. /mnt/sdcard, or /data/local/tmp, DOES NOT work.
* Warning (suggested by rushi.1986): "We have root for MF3 but we neither have a working recovery, nor an ODIN back to stock package. Be very careful what you do with your root. At this point, there is no way to recover even from a soft brick. (unless you know exactly what caused the soft brick and can correct it using adb)"
* For those who do not know how to format an SD card on Windows (thanks to jee'sgalaxy):
1. Insert micro SD into the computer (may have to use a reader or a micro SD adapter).
2. Go to "My Computer".
3. Right click on your SD card that showed up.
4. Click Format.
5. Choose exFAT as the format.
6. Click "OK".

camarodemon said:
This is the method i used to root my phone
New Root Method for AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 (OTA FM3)
Credits:
***Exploit adapted for AT&T by Jortex***
***Original Guide by Open1Your1Eyes0 for Verizon Galaxy S 4***
***Original Exploit by DooMLoRD***
HOWTO:
1. Format the micro SD card to exFAT (FAT32 or other formats does not work) using Windows. I haven't tried Linux or MacOS X, so they may not work.
2. Download the attached file (Root_for_ATTSG4_FM3.rar) and extract it into the root of your EXTERNAL microSD card. (You can do the extraction using WinRAR or 7-zip).
3. Download a Terminal Emulator app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm
4. Open the Terminal Emulator app and run below 3 commands:
cd /mnt/extSdCard
./pwn
./script.sh
5. Then, open SuperSU and check everything looks good.
6. Then open a root app and it should be working properly.
7. Reboot your device once to confirm root is still working after reboot.
8. Come back to the post and press the THANKS button
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387577
Notes:
* Remove any SuperSU apps from your phone before following the above steps. script.sh installs it automatically.
* You can use adb shell instead of a terminal app which is more convenient but requires Android SDK. Follow these steps only if you are about to use adb:
- Download and install all Samsung Galaxy S 4 drivers from http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SGH-I337ZWAATT .
- Activate Developer options -> USB Debugging mode. To have the phone show the Developer options, go to Settings -> More -> About device. Tap on "Build number" 6 times.
* You have to use an external SD card. No other alternative have been found yet. Using the device storage, i.e. /mnt/sdcard, or /data/local/tmp, DOES NOT work.
* Warning (suggested by rushi.1986): "We have root for MF3 but we neither have a working recovery, nor an ODIN back to stock package. Be very careful what you do with your root. At this point, there is no way to recover even from a soft brick. (unless you know exactly what caused the soft brick and can correct it using adb)"
* For those who do not know how to format an SD card on Windows (thanks to jee'sgalaxy):
1. Insert micro SD into the computer (may have to use a reader or a micro SD adapter).
2. Go to "My Computer".
3. Right click on your SD card that showed up.
4. Click Format.
5. Choose exFAT as the format.
6. Click "OK".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have no idea why posted that whole thing from the mf3 root thread...the guys already has root...he just didn't read that mf3 blocked recovery
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

"Busybox" didn't load successfully in system/xbin then what or how? (2012 7 wifi)

"Busybox" didn't load successfully in system/xbin then what or how? (2012 7 wifi)
I used Wug's all in one root. All went well. It also included the busybox app. I did the installation using the default choice of system/xbin, which appeared in a "how-to" video as well. In the video it showed that it loaded successfully. Mine did not load successfully. It specifically said that there was a conflict with the location. I tried system/bin and it basically said the same.
My main question is. 1. What does busybox do that I will need on this device, and 2. How then do I load it, as in, what options should I choose for location? Or delete altogether and reload it? and that question is asked because I want to make sure that deleting the app will not mess up my root/rom/twrp or anything else.
Thank you in advance.

busybox provides a set of linux commands needes especially when you want to run scripts e.g. in init.d
What version of Android do you have installed? Most likely there is no space left on /system and so installation of busybox failed. If you are on a custom rom, you can try to flash micro / pico gapps instead of the normal ones to leave some space left on /system for busybox, or you need to root your device "systemless" and you can install busybox on the partition provided by SuperSU ...