Easy method to update to 2.3.4 (rooted)

Jerry Hildenbrand

Space Cowboy
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Oct 11, 2009
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[INFO]You'll need to already be rooted, and have ClockworkMod recovery installed. You'll also need to know how to navigate and use the options in ClockworkMod recovery. If you're not quite ready for that yet, find out first :)

As always -- this is all at your own risk. Nobody is forcing you to hack your phone, and you can easily opt-out by closing this thread :)[/INFO]

Here's an easy way to jump to stock + rooted 2.3.4 for ALL Nexus S phones.

  • Download this full version of 2.3.3 from Google and place it on your internal storage.
  • Download the 2.3.4 ( GRI40 to GRJ22) OTA update from Google and place it on your internal storage.
  • Download the SuperUser package from ChainsDD and place it on your internal storage.
  • Reboot into recovery, and Nandroid your current system. If you don't do this, and something goes wrong you'll be sorry.
  • In ClockworkMod recovery, wipe data/factory reset. this may not be needed, but if you boot loop when restarting and have no recovery installed, you'll be SOL. Just do it.
  • Next flash the f182cf141e6a.signed-soju-ota-102588.f182cf14.zip (the first file you downloaded). Don't exit recovery!
  • Then flash the a14a2dd09749.signed-soju-GRJ22-from-GRI40.a14a2dd0.zip (the second file you downloaded). Don't exit recovery!
  • In Clockwork, go to the mounts and storage menu and mount /system and mount /data.
  • The flash su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip (the third file you downloaded).
  • Reboot.

When you boot up, you'll be running 2.3.4, and be rooted. But you won't have ClockworkMod recovery any longer. There's two ways to tackle this one.

The easy way, but not permanent:
  • Go to the Market.
  • Install Rom Manager.
  • Flash Clockwork recovery every time you need to boot into it.

The better way, and is permanent.
  • Using a file browser with root permissions, find /etc/install-recovery.sh in your system.
  • Rename it to /etc/install-recovery.sh.bak
  • Go to the Market
  • Install Rom Manager
  • Flash Clockwork recovery.


Note this is just a rooted copy of 2.3.4. You won't have BusyBox. You can get it on the market either standalone here, or install titanium Backup to get it.
 

nickmv

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Jan 2, 2011
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Everything worked great following your instructions.

Funny thing is, I almost immediately flashed back to CM7 2.3.3 after checking it out. I got busybox installed and had Titanium up and running, and lo and behold it treated my fresh apps backup as un-installable. I even rebooted, made sure to rescan my backups, and every single user app was still crossed thru with a line. I'd forgotten how great CM7 was til I got back on stock. I think I'll just wait for the CM team to get to 2.3.4 fully. Not to mention T-Mobile screwed us over on 3G vid chat. Not sure why it was advertised when carrier the phone launched with won't even allow it.
 

NM31

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Feb 28, 2011
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Installed 2.3.4 now my phone is un-rooted.

When I follow your steps after placing the Zip onto my root and reboot I get

(Andorid System Recovery <3E>) with options:
reboot system now
apply update from /sdcard
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition

I've tried to apply the zip with "apply update from/sdcard" and it gives me an error....

What should I do?
 

Aloha73

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Aug 13, 2011
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Hi gbhil

Greetings from the UK.

I've a rooted Nexus S (Samsung GT-I9020), on Android Version 2.3
Kernel Version: 2.6.35.7-g119403d
android-build@apa28#1
Build number@ GRH55

I do get a system update notification offering to take me to Gingerbread MR2 (2.3.4)
I assume if I do this I will no longer be rooted.

(1) Is this a correct assumption?

Your instructions are very clear, but I notice the 2nd download is for (GRI40 to GRJ22)

(2) Will I be OK to run your whole procedure on GRH55?

Having only just purchased my phone 1 day ago, I have successfully tried the Cyanogen(mod) 7.0.3.
Disappointed in boot-up time (1 min 20 secs) to Home screen, and it didn't look much better than what I started off with! I decided to go back and restore to what I had before. I'm on the lookout for a good ROM.

(3) Any recommendations?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Adeos