[Q] Taking rooted EVO in for service - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have an EVO with a cracked screen that's running one of the CM7 nightlies. I need to take it in for service, but I was wondering if I should flash back to some stock ROM first. If I do, what should I download that will allow me to re-root the phone? If I understand things correctly here, the current Sprint image has not been rooted yet, so I want to make sure that I don't wind up locking myself out of my phone.

Flash the ruu for 2.2 and make sure when you take it in you make sure to tell the tech not to update your phone cause they will do it out of habit.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

arekcl said:
Flash the ruu for 2.2 and make sure when you take it in you make sure to tell the tech not to update your phone cause they will do it out of habit.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea where I might find the specific RUU that I will be able to root my way out of?

last time I took my Evo for service I was running Mik3D... they replace the kickstand without any questions.. also tech guy was looking at different setting in my phone and didn't said a word to me..

Anku13 said:
last time I took my Evo for service I was running Mik3D... they replace the kickstand without any questions.. also tech guy was looking at different setting in my phone and didn't said a word to me..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get the impression that they mostly don't care. I originally took it in last month and the guy first asked if it was rooted (the lock screen was different), to which I replied yes, and he said something along the lines of "cool I rooted mine too". He then asked if I had insurance, and when I said no, he told me to sign up for insurance and come back in a month. Yet another reason I'm happy with Sprint

Eh, it is a hardware issue, cracked screen. You should be able to leave it as is. If you want, put a PC36IMG.zip of stock Froyo on your SD card in case they are ridiculous and insist on unrooting. Never S-On, they rarely ever check for it
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

luma said:
I have an EVO with a cracked screen that's running one of the CM7 nightlies. I need to take it in for service, but I was wondering if I should flash back to some stock ROM first. If I do, what should I download that will allow me to re-root the phone? If I understand things correctly here, the current Sprint image has not been rooted yet, so I want to make sure that I don't wind up locking myself out of my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint service and repair policy FACTS
Please search next time.

Related

[Q]How can Sprint tell if your phone has been rooted?

I just unrooted my phone back to stock because I'm thinking about taking it Back to Sprint to see if I can get a replacement for it, since my WiMax stopped working.. How will Sprint be able to tell if my phone has been rooted or not? By files on the memory card or something in the phone itself? Also, do I need the insurance plan to get a replacement? Hoping to get some answers from people with experience in taking back their Evo, after losing their RSA keys..
Thanks for your time.
I would say the super user application but I honestly don't know.
from my EVO using XDA app.
The SuperUser whitelist app in the market?
If you have unrooted back to stock they won't be able to tell. They won't look at your sdcard, but if you are worried about it back everything on it up to your PC and then wipe it before going in. About the insurance thing, if you have TEP all repairs or exchanges are free, if not it will cost you $35 unless it is a lost or stolen, water or physical damage or something like that then you will need insurance or pay full retail.
Okay, so without the TEP, it'll cost me $35 to exchange it at a Sprint location?
nonpointtruth said:
Okay, so without the TEP, it'll cost me $35 to exchange it at a Sprint location?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct sir.
Just make sure you turned you S back to S-On and flashed back to a stock RUU. So boot into your hboot and check to top for that S-On. Make sure you clean up your SD card just in case too, would be suspicious if they look and they see an rom zips or rooted app folder lol
bizdady said:
Just make sure you turned you S back to S-On and flashed back to a stock RUU. So boot into your hboot and check to top for that S-On. Make sure you clean up your SD card just in case too, would be suspicious if they look and they see an rom zips or rooted app folder lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just run the ruu.
bwcorvus said:
Or just run the ruu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The RUU won't turn the hboot back to s-on. You have to flash the unrevoked s-on zip and then run the RUU to fully unroot your phone.
So I've got a dilemma.. Like, I wanna go get a new phone, so I can have 4g back.. But I'm going over what I actually ever used 4g with in the first place.. It's not like downloading or streaming music over 3g is dial-up slow or anything.. And downloading apps from the market doesn't take forever either..
So this is kind of an unofficial poll..
Should I take my phone back and get it replaced by Sprint, and then root it, make sure to back up my WiMax Keys, and run the sweet CM6.1.2 with 4g?
OR
Just root my current phone again and cruise along on 3g?
Like I said, I hardly use my phone for anything other than taking pictures, or listening to music.. And thus far, I haven't noticed a quality decrease using Audiogalaxy over 3g..
So guys, what should I do?
nonpointtruth said:
Okay, so without the TEP, it'll cost me $35 to exchange it at a Sprint location?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong!
You have 1 year warranty no reason to pay anything.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
nonpointtruth said:
So guys, what should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 4g and don't even use it
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Then that settles it.. I'm re-rooting my phone tonight, and rocking out with some CM6.1.2.. I might even try some others, like the MIUI.. I have noticed some stellar battery life with the newest stock update, though.. Of course, that could be because my 4g isn't always on anymore.
nonpointtruth said:
I just unrooted my phone back to stock because I'm thinking about taking it Back to Sprint to see if I can get a replacement for it, since my WiMax stopped working.. How will Sprint be able to tell if my phone has been rooted or not? By files on the memory card or something in the phone itself? Also, do I need the insurance plan to get a replacement? Hoping to get some answers from people with experience in taking back their Evo, after losing their RSA keys..
Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think losing your RSA keys itself is a clue you were rooted. If you have a tech who knows what to look for, they'll know. If you're lucky, you'll get a tech who doesn't know what to look for, but my understanding is that if they diagnose it as missing keys, that's a problem that isn't happening to people who aren't rooted.
nonpointtruth said:
So this is kind of an unofficial poll..
Should I take my phone back and get it replaced by Sprint, and then root it, make sure to back up my WiMax Keys, and run the sweet CM6.1.2 with 4g?
OR
Just root my current phone again and cruise along on 3g?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4G's very nice to have available. Can you live without it? Sure. But you are paying extra for it (despite what Sprint tries to say). Also think about the resale value of the phone, if that's something you care about.
I'm technically not paying for 4g(employee line).. So I'm not worried about that.. My main concern was someone finding out after the fact, and trying to bill me for the full amount of the phone.. Plus, I can always save up for one from Craigslist, or eBay.. Or just wait for the next big, awesome phone to come from Sprint.. I will say this, I like the feel of the Evo Shift, but it's still an inferior phone, even if it does have 4g.
novanosis85 said:
Wrong!
You have 1 year warranty no reason to pay anything.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Well, if the reason his 4g isnt working is because he messed up his keys while trying to root or flash, the warranty wont cover that.
What is this root in which you speak of? That's not why I lost 4g.. Not at alllllllll.. *shifty eyes*
for all you 4g haters, try 4g again. i use it constantly. it covers about 1/3rd of my daily car circle through the city. i say get your keys back!
btw, you forgot to back them up didnt u
I definitely got mine backed up, on my phone, computer, external, AND dropbox! LOL!

Should I unroot or flash sprint lovers for a quick repair?

I'm thinking about going to sprint because there's some dust on the inside of my screen, which probably wont require them to turn on my phone. But in case they do, I'm wondering should I unroot my phone or is it safe to just flash sprint lovers and reflash cm7 after the repair is done?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Just take a Nandroid backup, copy it off your SD card, and then RUU your phone:
http://j.mp/ruuevo4g
When you get back, you can just run UnrEVOked and re-root.
brennod10 said:
I'm thinking about going to sprint because there's some dust on the inside of my screen, which probably wont require them to turn on my phone. But in case they do, I'm wondering should I unroot my phone or is it safe to just flash sprint lovers and reflash cm7 after the repair is done?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sprint lovers has some modded icons and the notification widget, so its not stock looking.
Here is a rooted stock 3.70 rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12748841&postcount=1881
Unroot in case they check for s on s off
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
For anything hardware related, they shouldn't check root. Doesn't matter if they do anyway, it's not related to the problem.
Sunsparc said:
For anything hardware related, they shouldn't check root. Doesn't matter if they do anyway, it's not related to the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but can't they mark your account if they find it's rooted? I'm not sure, but I would think they could make some notation to future techs.
bad fishy said:
Yeah, but can't they mark your account if they find it's rooted? I'm not sure, but I would think they could make some notation to future techs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's funny if it's true, which wouldn't surprise me. If customer service puts a note on your account it doesn't mean a whole lot, but a note about being rooted would probably mean the world to them
swyped from my cyanogenized and gingerbreaded EVO
Sunsparc said:
For anything hardware related, they shouldn't check root. Doesn't matter if they do anyway, it's not related to the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, that's correct. However, it's ALWAYS a good idea to unroot and flash the stock rom, just in case. WE all know that rooting doesnt cause hardware problems like this, however to sprint, rooting voids your warranty, no matter what the problem is. Yes, there is a chance you could not unroot and they wont notice. However, it only takes a few minutes to do, and it could save your phone from being blacklisted.
brennod10 said:
I'm thinking about going to sprint because there's some dust on the inside of my screen, which probably wont require them to turn on my phone. But in case they do, I'm wondering should I unroot my phone or is it safe to just flash sprint lovers and reflash cm7 after the repair is done?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The moment you root your phone, you VOID your warranty. Whether you flash a ROM that "looks" like the stock sense ROM or not and they see that your phone is rooted, Sprint will not fix your phone. This hasn't happened to me, but my buddy tried to bring in his rooted Evo to fix the spring in his kickstand. Checking the interface and for s-on or s-off was irrelevant, but they checked anyway and sent him on his way. So, unroot it first and take it to get repaired.
Unroot here.
http://www.thedroiddemos.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=13
Then go back and root it through unrevoked.
http://www.thedroiddemos.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=15
And you can flash whatever ROM you want afterwards. Hope this helps.

Should I unroot before taking my phone in for a screen replacement?

I went by the print store today to ask about getting my screen replaced. the guy I talked with said that for a hardware fix it wouldn't matter if I were rooted.
But they couldn't put my phone on any kind of blacklist or anything could they? I'd rather not waste the time unrooting if I don't have to.
Thanks
Sent from my EVO using XDA App
Sprint will work on rooted phones for hardware issues. It's internal policy for them now as of recently. I confirmed this with my local Sprint repair store.
They may work on them, but they may also take note of the fact that you're rooted in case you have software problems. Takes 10 min, just make a backup before you do, so when you root again, easy to get back to where you were.
Do not unroot your phone to take to sprint. Ive had 2 screen rep;acements and many other replacements rooted. And that was before the alleged new policy regarding root. Used to be, they would say (after fixing), 'yeah, as long as you atleast try to make it look stock, thats all good'.
But apparently/allegedly now, even obvious root is ok. I'd still flash a stock theme
Why are there so many threads about this? people no searchy?
thanks for the info.
scottspa74 said:
Why are there so many threads about this? people no searchy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry about that search on the xda app is almost unbearable...
I would unroot it. Better safe than sorry.
send from MikFroYo v4.61
I took my Evo's for screen repairs, speaker phone repair and battery issues many times, all while having MIUI flashed. No one ever said anything to me.
Sprint people didn't even know what it was. I just said "oh I downloaded a new theme."
I thought rooting was not illegal anymore. Maybe it depends on the technician you speak with. Some are cool, some are not. I say unroot just to be safe. Thank god for easy rooting practices...
screen fix and root
I think it all depends on what store you are taking it into, i took my rooted phone in and had the screen replaced no issues,

Can sprint techs do this...

well i recently received a refubed evo 4g with 2.3. my question is, can the techs at sprint downgrade my evo back to 2.2 or to a lower hboot ?
They may downgrade you to 2.2 if you complain about gingerbread..but if you ask about downgrading the hboot, I think it'll tip them off you're trying to root it / had it rooted before.
ok cool, funny thing is the techs at my sprint store have all there phone rooted LOL
call asurion and tell them the screen and battery is overheating and that you want a brand new evo and not a refurb, they will send it to you no charge.
crakerjaks said:
call asurion and tell them the screen and battery is overheating and that you want a brand new evo and not a refurb, they will send it to you no charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may or may not do that, but the new one could have GB on it too. So no point.
Right now they can't do it, unless Sprint/HTC give them a tool to do so. If they were to do so, it'd probably leak here pretty quick. My understanding is that they have the same RUU we do, which was specifically coded not to allow downgrading. That's no accident, by the way...they plugged the old root holes and didn't want to let people downgrade and root.
bkrodgers said:
They may or may not do that, but the new one could have GB on it too. So no point.
Right now they can't do it, unless Sprint/HTC give them a tool to do so. If they were to do so, it'd probably leak here pretty quick. My understanding is that they have the same RUU we do, which was specifically coded not to allow downgrading. That's no accident, by the way...they plugged the old root holes and didn't want to let people downgrade and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
didnt HTC say that they unlocked the bootloaders, why did they lock it up on hboot 2.16.0001 ?
ok first off no they cant backrev your phone, they can only replace it
also they no longer care if you are rooted
munesh23 said:
didnt HTC say that they unlocked the bootloaders, why did they lock it up on hboot 2.16.0001 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe they have 30 days from the release, and I thought I saw the official release was like 26 June [or mid June] so they 'technically' still have time.
teh roxxorz said:
I believe they have 30 days from the release, and I thought I saw the official release was like 26 June [or mid June] so they 'technically' still have time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if thats so, then hopefully soon i can root my 2.3, i seriously hate my evo right now it so boring without root.
munesh23 said:
if thats so, then hopefully soon i can root my 2.3, i seriously hate my evo right now it so boring without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only good that will really come of that is the source, so they can start making custom kernels for GB, like synergy, kingdom, ect; but yes, bring on the root.
munesh23 said:
if thats so, then hopefully soon i can root my 2.3, i seriously hate my evo right now it so boring without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this might not be what your looking for but there's a thread in the EVO Development section for a mod for un-rooted EVO's. Might give you something to tinker around with while you wait for root
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
teh roxxorz said:
I believe they have 30 days from the release, and I thought I saw the official release was like 26 June [or mid June] so they 'technically' still have time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that's how long they are supposed to have to release the kernel source code to comply with GPL.
As far as unlocking bootloaders, HTC said they were changing their policy, but haven't made commitments to how soon it will happen or how whether it'll apply to current devices.
I'm also not totally convinced that the carriers won't try and succeed in vetoing this new policy. Granted, they've allowed the Nexus, but they haven't promoted that device either. Hopefully they will get the message though and not stand in the way.
if a sprint store can downgrade a phone. why can't we do it as easily? I want to know exactly how they do it so we can spread the word. :-D
runcool said:
if a sprint store can downgrade a phone. why can't we do it as easily? I want to know exactly how they do it so we can spread the word. :-D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can't do it.
bkrodgers said:
I'm also not totally convinced that the carriers won't try and succeed in vetoing this new policy. Granted, they've allowed the Nexus, but they haven't promoted that device either. Hopefully they will get the message though and not stand in the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint has been running commercials for the NS4G like crazy.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk
thank you for this
munesh23 said:
didnt HTC say that they unlocked the bootloaders, why did they lock it up on hboot 2.16.0001 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader on the EVO has never been unlocked.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Sprint tech here, we can not revert phones back to 2.2 our RUU does not allow this. Lol I tried on a buyback yesterday, no dice. You shouldn't have taken the update, sorry.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
dgomez720 said:
Sprint tech here, we can not revert phones back to 2.2 our RUU does not allow this. Lol I tried on a buyback yesterday, no dice. You shouldn't have taken the update, sorry.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i had to replace my phone and it came with 2.3, i would never take an OTA.
dgomez720 said:
Sprint tech here, we can not revert phones back to 2.2 our RUU does not allow this. Lol I tried on a buyback yesterday, no dice. You shouldn't have taken the update, sorry.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconded. The only way to rollback 2.3 is to remove the chips and force flash them via a programmer. I have done this ONCE just to see if it could be done. To be honest, no customer would ever pay the cost of having it done and even if they would I can't tie up the service center that long for one customer.

Taking phone back to Sprint...

Due to an issue where my phone will randomly turn off on its own and not being able to turn it back on for an extended period of time or being able to charge it (I think it was it too humid an area for too long), I want to take my phone back to Sprint but am rooted. So, I ran the s-on tool and have been trying to get completely back to stock but haven't been able to completely because I can still see super user in the app drawer. What is the best way around this? I tried flashing 3 or 4 different PC36IMG from bootloader but continually got an error saying something about my version being older? I was finally able to flashed a rooted stock image but still see superuser and can't get rid of it! As a last resort, I decided I would just go to system updates and let it upgrade me to gingerbread. However, when I click on system updates/software update, it searches for awhile and then says there are no updates available!!! What am I missing and what is the best way to just plain start from non-rooted scratch????
I can still see super user in the app drawer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have s-on, then you are unrooted. There is no need to flash a stock rom if you are already on one. The SU app can just be uninstalled.
I tried flashing 3 or 4 different PC36IMG from bootloader but continually got an error saying something about my version being older?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That means you are trying to install a rom that is older than the one you have now. You probably need the latest version.
Again. SPRINT SERVICES ROOTED PHONES! Please use the search feature.
From what I have tried and read, you can't uninstall superuser. As an aside, I decided to accept the ota advice figured it was the quickest and easiest way to be sure I wasn't rooted. I don't mind being temporarily unable to reroot cause I'm sure a new method is close. Here's the weird thing though, I did the ota update to 4.24 and installed it, but still have Superuser in the app drawer! Wtf? I even did a factory reset but it still is there! How the hell do I get rid of that program!?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
legasus233 said:
From what I have tried and read, you can't uninstall superuser. As an aside, I decided to accept the ota advice figured it was the quickest and easiest way to be sure I wasn't rooted. I don't mind being temporarily unable to reroot cause I'm sure a new method is close. Here's the weird thing though, I did the ota update to 4.24 and installed it, but still have Superuser in the app drawer! Wtf? I even did a factory reset but it still is there! How the hell do I get rid of that program!?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need to unroot your phone?
Lokifish Marz said:
Why do you need to unroot your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe he is already unrooted so this question doesn't matter lol. Some people don't read when invaluable advice such as yours is provided and they are left freaking out about the SU app.
Yes, I am unrooted because my local Sprint store checks for root. What makes you so sure it doesn't matter to sprint? So, can either of you answer my original questions?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Super User gets placed in the system/app folder so as far as the phone is concerned it's a part of the core OS and cannot be removed without root. It honestly should not be a concern. You just have Super User preinstalled for when we get root for 2.3 OTA.
legasus233 said:
Yes, I am unrooted because my local Sprint store checks for root. What makes you so sure it doesn't matter to sprint? So, can either of you answer my original questions?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter to Sprint because Sprint says so.
Just had my EVO serviced and I'm on Synergy ROM and got the phone back without any problems but a friend of mine took his in and got it back returned to stock unrooted so I guess depends where you go.
I read the PDF but don't see how that means sprint doesn't care. All I read is what sounded like sprint cs employees talking about policy. How is that official? Or am I missing something?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
hellraiser2011 said:
Just had my EVO serviced and I'm on Synergy ROM and got the phone back without any problems but a friend of mine took his in and got it back returned to stock unrooted so I guess depends where you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What was your phone in for, hardware or software? It's supposed to be that hardware issues (charge port, screen, buttons,, etc..) do not require that the phone bo returned to stock. On a phone with software issues we are supposed to return the phone to stock, run updates then troubleshoot. I know it blows getting that finely tuned custom ROM/Kernel wiped but the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.
Now I personally will not flash a customers phone back to stock unless there is no other option but will generally start with a wipe to clear any crap out of the phone. Then again, when I was working with teamwin and orrebmas I was rooting/unrooting and flashing all the major ROMs as many as 10-15 times a day so I'm a bit more familiar with custom ROMs than most techs.
legasus233 said:
I read the PDF but don't see how that means sprint doesn't care. All I read is what sounded like sprint cs employees talking about policy. How is that official? Or am I missing something?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a tech I can verify that for one, only Sprint employees have access to that forum and the service subforum from which that came is for ASC techs. Second, almost the entire thread was techs complaining about why should they service rooted phones for free. These are the same people that claim there is no way to be sure if a phone is rooted.
OK, now I see, I didn't realize you were a Sprint tech. Anyway, you know my situation, what would you recommend? What could be causing my random shutoffs related issues? Also, I've only had the phone since March. Is my issue covered by warranty? I don't have insurance
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Thermal shutoff bug: If the phone gets to hot it will shut off and not turn on til it's cooled down. The sensor can get out of calibration and require lower and lower temps before it will boot. The worst case I have personally observed was a phone that needed to be below freezing before it would boot. This bug will also cause the charging circuit to not charge (it thinks it's too hot).
In a room that's no more than 75deg Fahrenheit turn on all the radios and run neocore interactive mode. Let it run for atleast an hour. If the phone shuts off immediately check to see if the kickstand is hot. Now I don't mean warm but hot. If the kickstand is not hot then your phone's temp sensor is out of calibration and requires that the phone be replaced. This is a known issue or "Device KIS". If the phone is within it's one year warranty there is no charge for the replacement. If the phone is out of warranty it is up to the discretion of the tech and/or manager to assist you in getting it replaced via Authorized Exchange or "AE".
I ran through the program as you suggested and the kickstand wasn't hot and didn't power cycle at all. Then what?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Go HERE this is my live support chat so I can walk you through a couple things. I'll wait for you for the next 30mins or so.
Sprint said they wouldn't work on my phone because it was rooted
Sent from my dope fly fresh EVO
I have three Sprint stores in my area. Two of them are managed technically inept managers, one of them is managed by a techno-god, I don't know what he's doing managing a Sprint shack but so be it. I talked to him about rooted Evos and he said that the other two stores don't check for it because they don't know anything about the concept of rooting. But HE DOES because it's hard to guarantee a repair on a rooted phone. According to him, it's up to the store's management and also up to Sprint. They don't necessarily check for "root" but if servicing a phone requires a software update, they're going to use a stock RUU and voila! That was my experience.

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