cannot root Optimus V

**livingaimlessly** · 07-25-2012, 06:48 PM

AHi all,
I have a VM670 VZ9.479A6632

I followed the [HOW-TO] root etc sticky using GingerBreak but running gingerbreak it just kept going for a while but failing to root the device. Eventually the program would quit, I left it on overnight but the device never rooted. (I enabled USB debugging and even installed the LG windows drivers)

So then I tried SuperOneClick several times without success. "CheckIfRooted..." boolean keeps returning False. CheckIfShellRooted returns false.

The console on the right posts the following output:

Code:

chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/psneuter > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1
export TEMPRANDOM=36945
export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output
Unable to chmod /data/local/tmp/psneuter: No such file or directory
END:36945export PS1=""

cd /data/local/tmp/ > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1
export TEMPRANDOM=14516
export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output
END:14516export PS1=""

export TEMPRANDOM=58171;export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;./psneuter
export PS1=""
./psneuter: not found
END:58171

I have a feeling the unable to chmod means there's an issue in the script.

I'm trying gingersnap now but it's been going for several hours and nothing has changed, and it uses GingerBreak which was unsuccessful. I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong here?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**cole2kb** · 07-25-2012, 06:57 PM

EDIT -- Go into About Phone and look at your Baseband version, if it says ZV9, neither of those will work. You need to follow this guide:

[ROOT] Virgin Mobile Security Update Now Rooted!!! Thanks jcase!!

It's a little more involved, but easy as long as you follow the steps carefully.

**livingaimlessly** · 07-25-2012, 07:12 PM

Update: apparently my PCs antivirus was removing the android exploits from superoneclick. After turning it off, it still doesn't work. At the ShellRoot part, it gets stuck on Step #5 "WaitForDevice" after multiple attempts. So still no gravy.

**Nate456** · 07-25-2012, 07:25 PM

Superoneclick and gingerbreak won't work on the ZV9 baseband. Use the method Cole2kb linked.

Sent from my shole using Tapatalk 2

**livingaimlessly** · 07-25-2012, 07:48 PM

So I followed the directions to the T and got into CWM-based Recovery v4.0.1.5. The problem is when i try to use the "menu" button to make the "install zip from sdcard" section, I cannot make a selection. It goes to the hat with orange circular arrow background / home screen. I've found other people with this problem but no solution. How do I make a selection to actually select "Install zip from sdcard"?

Right now my phone is stuck

**cole2kb** · 07-25-2012, 07:50 PM

Use the camera button.

**livingaimlessly** · 07-25-2012, 11:05 PM

Camera Button! I'm so bad... I've had the phone for a month and didn't even know it was there. My phone before it was a tiny nokia with a blue and white screen. I wasn't used to all these features.Thanks Cole, I owe you a coke, sir!

I got it rooted using that method once I found the mysterious camera button and installed the Bobzhome/IHO/CM mod thing. The gingerbread OS is fantastic and I have so much more room on the internal storage now that virgin's bloatware is gone, it's amazing.

Thanks to everyone who developed the hacks and roms, and thanks for the tips cole.

**MasterTec** · 07-26-2012, 09:33 PM

Welcome to your new addiction...

**vm_760** · 07-30-2012, 07:58 PM

Have a quick question or two concerning those who have the zv9 update(not me..thank goodness)

Does zv9 have clockmod recovery?

If so is it possible to restore back to a pre-zv9 nandroid if you can get one?

Just trying to find out more info for the first time root attempters who are dealing with phones with zv9 from the factory or those who updated and are now trying to root.

Sent from my twice fried VM-670 using Quattrimus for life support

**Phatninja55** · 07-30-2012, 08:40 PM

I don't believe that this phone comes stock with ZV9. Factory ships them out with ZV5 for newer models. ZV9 download was removed from virginmobileusa.com because of errors/fc's.

Other than that, zv9 roms will work on zv5/4 phones, zv5 rom will work on zv4, and zv4 will work on zv4.

**cole2kb** · 07-30-2012, 08:54 PM

Still no verification / information from Virgin on why the update was pulled. It could just as easily be because they were / are clearly planning to replace the V (see their newest phone, the Chaser.)

Recovery and ROM behavior isn't dependent on what baseband you have on the OV. They all work.

**tli** · 07-30-2012, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Phatninja55

... ZV9 download was removed from virginmobileusa.com because of errors/fc's.

...

Where's your source for this misinfo? I had no such "errors/fc's" problem at all with the VM's released download, and no issue whatsoever updating from ZV4 to ZV9 on my OV. There has only been one release from back in March, and it is the same version that is still available for download now at:

FYI.

**vm_760** · 07-30-2012, 09:21 PM

I guess the main thing I was wanting to know was if someone on zv9 could restore back to zv5/zv4 using a nandroid backup..possible or not?

Sent from my LG-VM670 using Android Central Forums

**cole2kb** · 07-30-2012, 09:27 PM

I think so. The only problem I can see you might have is losing root access because of the different process you have to go through on ZV9, but I have no idea. Although, if you're not on ZV9 now, and you get good reception, I see no reason for you to go through the process of updating in the first place.

**tli** · 07-30-2012, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by vm_760

I guess the main thing I was wanting to know was if someone on zv9 could restore back to zv5/zv4 using a nandroid backup..possible or not?

Not from a nandroid, since it doesn't change the baseband/radio version. However, there are guides on this forum and others with step-by-step procedure to switch back to the previous versions.

**cole2kb** · 07-30-2012, 09:35 PM

Oh, my bad, I thought you were asking if you could use a nandroid from when you were running ZV4/5 on ZV9, not to restore the baseband, but just for general backup purposes.

**tli** · 07-30-2012, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by cole2kb

Oh, my bad, I thought you were asking if you could use a nandroid from when you were running ZV4/5 on ZV9, not to restore the baseband, but just for general backup purposes.

Need to quantify this... not all ROMs that worked with ZV4/5 are compatible with ZV9... thus, nandroid backups of only 'ZV-9 compatible' kernels/ROMs are interoperable between the various baseband versions. FYI.

**cole2kb** · 07-30-2012, 10:25 PM

If the OP is running a current version of any maintained ROM we have on our forums now and upgrades to ZV9, he should be fine. There are no "ZV9 only" kernels / ROMs. There were compatibility issues with ZV9 on kernels developed with ZV4/5 back in May when the update was released, but have since been solved in all of our ROMs.

**tli** · 07-30-2012, 10:40 PM

Not all... BACKside (latest version 05022012), that runs fine on a ZV4/5, is incompatible with ZV9 as-is. Using nandroids of any existing versions of BACKside with ZV9 requires an updated kernel that's ZV9-compatible. No?

**cole2kb** · 07-30-2012, 11:10 PM

Maybe, but I wouldn't consider a ROM who's last update was in May as a currently maintained ROM referenced in my post either. vm_670, what ROM are you wanting to hopefully restore to after the update?

**andrewnelson23** · 07-31-2012, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by tli

Not all... BACKside (latest version 05022012), that runs fine on a ZV4/5, is incompatible with ZV9 as-is. Using nandroids of any existing versions of BACKside with ZV9 requires an updated kernel that's ZV9-compatible. No?

That's not true. I have a BACKside backup from quite a long time ago of the latest version. After I switched to zv9, it still works fantastically. On earlier versions of backside, after switching to zv9, I would get LOTS of reboots. but then the last version came out, fixing the kernel issue and now it doesn't reboot and it works fine.

**tli** · 07-31-2012, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by andrewnelson23

That's not true. I have a BACKside backup from quite a long time ago of the latest version. After I switched to zv9, it still works fantastically. On earlier versions of backside, after switching to zv9, I would get LOTS of reboots. but then the last version came out, fixing the kernel issue and now it doesn't reboot and it works fine.

That's interesting... as there seems to be a random reboot problem when using text and data that was highlighted in a thread you had actually started at:

kwknott reported the issue in his reply to your initial request-for-help posting:

and kwknott provided the resolution describing the reflashing of an updated ZV9-compatible kernel that was disclosed in this post:

**vm_760** · 07-31-2012, 06:53 AM

I'm trying to root my friends OV elite. His first attempt at it bricked his phone and he went and bought another one.

I'm trying I help him to root his new one and install mirage on it, but ill be doing it at work with no PC access and time limitation of only a half an hour.

He told me if I can pull it off I can have his bricked elite so I am trying to come up with a rapid and successful process. And then take on the challenge of unbricking the other..lol

Sent from my LG-VM670 using Android Central Forums

**tli** · 07-31-2012, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by vm_760

I'm trying to root my friends OV elite. His first attempt at it bricked his phone and he went and bought another one.

I'm trying I help him to root his new one and install mirage on it, but ill be doing it at work with no PC access and time limitation of only a half an hour.

He told me if I can pull it off I can have his bricked elite so I am trying to come up with a rapid and successful process. And then take on the challenge of unbricking the other..lol

Sorry for being OT, and I'm not ignoring your inquiries, but I've no experience with the Elite and couldn't offer any help. I'm sure one of the many knowledgeable peeps here could help you with your challenge.

**vm_760** · 07-31-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by tli

Sorry for being OT, and I'm not ignoring your inquiries, but I've no experience with the Elite and couldn't offer any help. I'm sure one of the many knowledgeable peeps here could help you with your challenge.

That ok. After talking to him he said he used the method here

However it uses a USB/PC connection. And looks like I'm in for a challenge unless someone can point me in a better direction

And after reading this I'm not even sure what rom to attempt to try

Sent from my LG-VM670 using Android Central Forums