Some Rooting Questions

[Elfazard]

I am just getting ready to root my Xoom but as this is my first time doing this for any Android device I have a few questions first. I have done quite a bit of research already but I just want to clear up a couple of things I am not sure about. The main reason I want to root my Xoom is so that I can enable USB hosting as I can't get the camera support in 3.1 to work with any of my cameras, although I am sure to find other things to do once I have full access.

For background I used to develop software for a living (it's still a hobby though) and now I am a freelance business analyst, I also used to be a Linux admin so no worries about getting technical with some of the answers. I already have the Android SDK downloaded and installed as I plan to do a bit of development with it when I get some spare time.

I have an MZ601 3G and being based in the UK I have been looking at UK/EU guides to make sure I am referencing the correct hardware.

I understand that I have to unlock the bootloader before I can do anything, that bit seems to be fairly straightforward.

There seems to be two different approaches to rooting depending on whether you want to keep the stock ROMs or not.

• The simplest seems to be based on keeping the stock ROMs, installing an su program then downloading an app called superuser. While simple I assume with this solution I would have to remember to run the superuser app each time I want root access after switching on. I found this guide explaining how to do this.
• Installing a custom Kernel and ROM seems to be more complex as the guides I have seen indicate that I have to overwrite my recovery image and then install from that. I am not sure if this would then result in a permanent root (don't have to run superuser) though.

If I took the first option does it mean that OTA updates would still work or would I be better off avoiding them just to be safe?

What are the benefits of going to a custom kernel and ROMS (I understand USB hosting is built in so what else would I get)?

If I was to update to Tiamat kernel and ROMs (Tachi & Hammerhead) do they have full support for UK 3G Xooms?

If the Tiamat kernel and ROMs support UK 3G Xooms would any guide do or do I still need to find an EU specific one (can anyone recommend a good guide for going from stock 3.1)?

My current feeling is to go for the Tiamat ROMs but as I am new to this I want to fully understand what I am doing before I start. Any other constructive comments/recommendations would be welcome.

Sorry about the epic post

[Ads]

[NewAge]

Once your rooted the superuser app simply keeps track of what apps you authorize to have super user permission. I honestly never open it.

Root won't get you USB support. The custom kernel does. Root allows you to install custom kernels or ROMs. The recovery is a must. Pushing the recovery is very easy.

Flashing ROMs is very easy. Its done through the recovery. Its as simple as a couple bottom pushes on Xoom.

In order to install them you need to be on US firmware. There are several people who have done it, unfortunately I am not 100% as I am US.

You CANNOT take ota updates. A rooted version is always available before it would be pushed to you anyways so just be patpatient.

[Hash]

Hi elf, i have a UK wifi xoom and have done alot to it over the past few months.. Last night my bro gave me his 3G UK xoom to root and put on custom rom for usb hosting and overclocking ( I was shocked he trusted me with it lol ) Anyways i was basicly in the same situation last night that you are in now.. So i will put it in a very simple way for you to understand and follow through, u should be rooted and running tiamat hammerhead in no time !

Firstly i beleive you are on 3.1 at the moment correct?

The first thing you need todo is install ADB on your computer.. heres the link --> Setting up ADB on Windows 7 64 bit (and other Windows platforms)
Now on this link there are two installations 1) easy adb 2) SDK and ADB for development
You want to only install Easy ADB (simplest and easiest way todo it)

Secondly you need to download the Hammerhead rom 2.1 and put it on your external SDcard (just place it in the root of the SD so that you dont need togo into folders to find it, its just there..)

Once this is complete go on this link (do not start anything here without reading below)--> [How To] Root The 3G/4G And Wifi-Only Xoom (Stock 3.1)

Now if you read the heading on the link it says it is only for US 3g xoom not UK.. I made the mistake of rooting with this guide and ended up with a rooted US xoom with broken 3g I later realised that going straight to hammerhead rom will give u the root and bring you up to 3.2 aswell as maintaining your 3G system (with usb-hosting)

So basicly you want to follow that guide until ''Flash Recovery Img'' DO NOT continue with the next step which is labelled ''Root Time'' Also in the downloads section you only want to download the recovery img not the rest of the US stuff ok...

Once you have flashed on the recovery img your xoom will reboot, while it starts to reboot you want to go into the CWM recovery straight away without it booting, if it does fully boot, you need to flash recovery img on again and try again.. [i dont know why its like this but after putting on hammerhead your recovery will stay permanently ]

Ok so once you have entered CWM recovery you want to FIRST make a full backup so incase things dont go well, you can always go back to stock and be happy lol.. Make your nandroid backup (should store it automatically on your SDcard)

What i did was reboot my xoom and my CWM was not working :s so i had to reflash the recovery img then through the recovery install/flash hammerhead... However im pretty sure that after making your backup you can install/flash hammerhead straightaway and be done with it Make sure that you do a wipe/factory reset in CWM before your flash Hammerhead and you should be good to go..

If you have any question or further enquires feel free to pm me..

[Hash]

sorry for the 'epic' reply to your epic post lol.. but its needed since there is no proper guide for the UK/Euro versions..

[magpiemini]

Are this su and superuser apps/methods capable of mounting the external SD card read/write for us non-rooted users?

[NewAge]

Great post Hash!

@magpiemini, unfortunately no.

[magpiemini]

Great post Hash!

@magpiemini, unfortunately no.

With the amount of intelligence and ingenuity on this forum, surely someone could come up with a way. (hopefully sucking up like this will stimulate someone)

[Hash]

lol.. im pretty sure u need to be rooted tho.. Is there any reason you do not want to root?? i guess the only downside would be that you lose all your data once you unlock the bootloader, however once youve done that and hav CWM you can backup your whole system and be safe..

[Sardo Numspa]

Nice one Hash.

Magpie, I think the only way right now to get what you are asking for is through rooting and flashing a rom

[Noobz2Men]

Very nice Hash.