4 replies to this topic

[sjb2016]

Hi All,

Sorry for this long post, but I think it's necessary.  I posted recently on this same topic, but I didn't really understand my situation, so didn't ask a very good question.  I understand my situation better now, so it's worth re-asking (I think).  

I've got my G300 running ICS 4.0.3 Build 940.  I got this stage by upgrading from stock Voda GB 889 (I think) to ICS via the full update method here:

http://www.modaco.co...ta-release-rom/

However, I cannot root the phone as there is no room left in the system area.  This seems to be a common problem with 940.  However, I do not have CWM installed, nor have I ever had it installed.  I had rooted at stock GB, but obviously, that doesn't carry over.  

I cannot install CWM without root (or can I?), so I need to find some way to clear some space in the /system area or find another full upgrade package which does provide enough room in the /system area for root to complete.  My ultimate goal is to get back to stock Voda software, either GB or ICS.    

So, I see three possible methods of achieving my ultimate goal of getting back to stock Voda GB or ICS.  Any advice on any method would be very, very much apprciated.

• Run a full update.app that takes me to a rootable version of ICS.  Is this even possible now that I'm at ICS and don't have CWM?  I think my bootloader is locked though as I'm at ICS, so would need someway of unlocking it, correct?
  
• Somehow manually mount the /system on my Mac with read-write permissions and delete a few files (wallpapers?) and attempt a re-root, hopefully with enough room in /system to complete the job.
  
• Obtain access to a Windows PC, run unlockbootloader.exe to partial root, and then install superuser.apk from Play store.  I tried this with the Mac rooting scripts, but this did not work.
  
• Attempt a root using the method described here, for gingerbread.  This seems dangerous, but somebody recommended it, just very nervous as I only get one chance!

In summary, how to I root a device at ICS 4.0.3 build 940?  

Thanks again,
Sam

[bentescort]

I had this problem a while back. I ended up flashing a different build of ICS via the update.app route.
When I did that it rooted no problem. I think it may have been 940 I was on too.

[sjb2016]

Thanks for giving me hope! Any idea which update.app you used?

[bentescort]

I think I had 934 on the PC and used that but I think all of them were OK except for 940 as far as rooting goes.

[sjb2016]

Hi All,

I've solved the problem. So, for anybody else that has this issue, the thin end of the wedge approach works.  I had to wipe a hard drive and install Windows on it to get it to work (vomit), but it has.  

Use unlockbootloader.exe to do a partial root.  I had to do this twice.  The first time I didn't run as Admin in Windows 7, so that may have been the problem.
Install superuser.apk from Google Play
Install and run SuperUser Update Fixer from Google Play

I can't take credit for the fix, I got it from this thread on Moneysavingexpert of all places! (Check out post 709).

As I said, I did the whole process twice, but it finally worked!  
Thanks for the other suggestions.  I think I'll at CWM and then get back to stock Voda  Ten years ago I would have loved to have been trying out all kinds of ROMs, but with 2 little ones, the time just isn't there, and if something goes wrong with the hardware, I need to be able to return it.  Thanks again for your help.  

-Sam

Edited by sjb2016, 14 November 2012 - 10:16 PM.