Radio vs. RUU?

[PhreePhlyer]

Sorry for the really newbie question, but what is the difference between a radio update and a RUU? I have a rooted, but stock T-Bolt. I have tried to update to the new MR2 radio update, but whenever I do, I lose my radio and IMEI and other info.

I install the stock radio and all comes back. Is there an update stock ROM for the latest radio updates?

Thanks,
Sam

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

A radio is just that...an update for the radio.

An RUU is a FULL package (radio, kernel, OS) that can be flashed in HBOOT. In most cases, RUUs are "official" OS packages, and should only be installed by NON-ROOTED users unless specifically indicated otherwise.
**Installing a RUU on a rooted device could result in an un-rooted device (best case) or possibly even brick your phone (worst case)**

In order to use the MR2 radio, you need a ROM that is MR2 compatible. If you really want to stay "stock" and run MR2, you'll need to install the new radio and then flash this ROM in recovery:
[ROM] Official 1.70.605.0 MR2 OTA Deodexed Rooted Busybox Debloated [Link Added]

FWIW, I'd recommend installing a custom ROM over the stock OS, if for no other reason than the next update (Gingerbread) will completely break what is currently the only known exploit that allows root. If you're running stock OS (rooted or not), there's always a chance you could accidentally install the update and render your phone un-root-able.

There's some great ROMs over at the BAMF forums worth checking out...every version over 1.8.6 is MR2 compatible.
ROMs
1.8.6 = FROYO MR2
2.1 = Gingerbread with Sense 3.0 elements
3.0 = Gingerbread with full Sense 3.0

1.8.6 is probably the most "stable", but to be honest, all of these are great ROMs and perfectly fine to run daily.

 

[PhreePhlyer]

Actually, I accidentally installed the OTA when it arrived on my rooted phone and it caused a reboot loop. I was able to stop that and get my phone working again. It was when I tried installing the MR2 rooted update, the one you linked in your reply, that is when I lost all of the phone information.

I have contemplating a new ROM, but the GB ones seem to all have some incompatibility, such as the camera doesn't work, etc. I hadn't heard the GB update would unroot the phone. I figured that once this update is released the community would create a "stock" GB update for rooted phones. Is that not the plan?

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I'm sure it is...

The thing to do is, make sure you still have root and s-off. If not, take care of that now. Second, make sure you don't install any "official" updates from Verizon if you wanna keep root.

Keep in mind that if install a MR2 rom, you must install the MR2 radio. Installing only the radio or Rom with incompatible counterpart will result in a, complete loss of data signal. If you installed the rom I linked to without also installing the new radio, that would explain it.

 

[PhreePhlyer]

You hit the nail on the head. I installed the radio, but not the updated, rooted ROM with the stock Froyo. I'll have to wait until this weekend to go through the updating process, but I really want to thank you for taking the time to walk this newb through the process a bit.

Sam