Root noobie

[sardonycus]

Hey guys, I wish to permanently root my Epic using Z4root. I'm extremely nervous about bricking my phone, so I have a few questions.

Will I still receive the OTA update (gingerbread) if I don't flash a new ROM and leave the bloatware alone? Is it possible to brick your phone during the rooting process or just when flashing ROM's?

 

[Paul627g]

Hey guys, I wish to permanently root my Epic using Z4root. I'm extremely nervous about bricking my phone, so I have a few questions.

Will I still receive the OTA update (gingerbread) if I don't flash a new ROM and leave the bloatware alone? Is it possible to brick your phone during the rooting process or just when flashing ROM's?

To root your phone I suggest using the following thread. Procedure #1 will be basic root, good for removing bloatware, wireless tethering, use of backup programs like MyRootBackup or Titanium Backup. Procedure #2 will convert your filesystem to EXT4 and give you full options like running custom ROMs, flashing themes, custom kernels, etc.. Last I remember Z4root is only a temporary root process and I'm not sure if it still even works as I haven't heard of it being used for some time.

[Root] Samsung Epic 4G Official Froyo EC05 w/Optional EXT4

It was a 50/50 shot on receiving the OTA update for people who were rooted before when the EB13/EC05 OTA updates came out. Even those who followed the recommended procedures to receive the updates. When the next OTA update comes out there will be ways to update even if you don't receive the OTA so that is not a real problem.

Bricking your device is very rare during the rooting or flashing ROM process. Usually it happens when using Odin to flash back to stock OS or flash a custom ROM using Odin. Its normally the fault of the user due to not following directions and pulling your cable early or during the process causing a flash failure. Even most "bricks" using Odin can still be overcome, but occasionally it does happen that someone gets a true brick but its not too often. As we suggest, read read read and ask as many questions possible if your unsure of anything before attempting rooting or especially Odin.

Before I forget, welcome to the Rooting/Hacking section were glad to have you aboard and no question(s) are considered stupid or wrong to ask.

 

[Randy T]

I'd also encourage you to take a look at the Bonsai MasterKey app to unlock/root your phone.

Could not get any easier and there is native support for Windows, Mac and Linux hosts.
Bonsai Tools for Android Devices | Bonsai for Android

I have successfully received the OTA while rooted and running the stock ROM. Great way to test is to ODIN an EB13 ROM, root and see what happens. You'll notice that the phone will start pestering you immediately to download the update.

 

[sardonycus]

Thanks to the both of you for the info and advice. I checked out Bonsai and registered with them- it looks like a good method but I opted to try the 1 click method simply because it seemed the less scary of the two . Z4root did not work no matter what I did. I now have basic root and am very happy. I finally was able to try Voodoo which is awesome. Now, I guess I need to consider converting the file system and choosing a ROM.