Rooting the Kobo after March 2 2012 Update

[Tordre]

Originally Posted by samysdad

Yup Tordre and muskiestallker are both having the same issue I had. Here's the fix...

1. Install VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
2. Install Windows XP Pro (SP2) as a VM in VirtualBox and give it access to USB
3. In the VM load up danifunker's package and follow his instructions

I got it working under linux after, my udev settings were wrong. You can just use the bat file provided and make proper conversions or try below copy and paste this code block into a file in the same folder as runme.bat, save it as runme.sh, chmod +x runme.sh, and then ./runme.sh to run it. This assumes you have the adk installed in linux, and your path includes where adb is.

echo "---------------------------------------------------------------"
echo "	              Easy rooting toolkit (v4.0)"
echo "                   created by DooMLoRD"
echo "        using exploit zergRush (Revolutionary Team)"
echo "   Credits go to all those involved in making this possible!"
echo "---------------------------------------------------------------"
echo "[*] This script will:"
echo "     (1) root ur device using latest zergRush exploit (21 Nov)"
echo "     (2) install Busybox (1.18.4)"
echo "     (3) install SU files (binary: 3.0.3 and apk: 3.0.6)"
echo "     (4) some checks for free space, tmp directory "
echo "         (will remove Google Maps if required)"
echo "[*] Before u begin:   "
echo "     (1) make sure u have installed adb drivers for ur device"
echo "     (2) enable \"USB DEBUGGING\" "
echo "           from (Menu\Settings\Applications\Development)"
echo "     (3) enable \"UNKNOWN SOURCES\""
echo "           from (Menu\Settings\Applications)"
echo "     (4) [OPTIONAL] increase screen timeout to 10 minutes"
echo "     (5) connect USB cable to PHONE and then connect to PC"
echo "     (6) skip \"PC Companion Software\" prompt on device"
echo "---------------------------------------------------------------"
echo " CONFIRM ALL THE ABOVE THEN "

echo "--- STARTING ----"
echo "--- WAITING FOR DEVICE"
adb wait-for-device
echo "--- creating temporary directory"
adb shell "cd /data/local && mkdir tmp"
echo "--- cleaning"
adb shell "cd /data/local/tmp/"
echo "--- pushing zergRush"
adb push files/zergRush /data/local/tmp/.
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/zergRush"
echo "--- executing zergRush"
adb shell "./data/local/tmp/zergRush"
echo "--- WAITING FOR DEVICE TO RECONNECT"
echo "if it gets stuck over here for a long time then try:"
echo "   disconnect usb cable and reconnect it"
echo "   toggle "USB DEBUGGING" (first disable it then enable it)"
adb wait-for-device
echo "--- DEVICE FOUND"
echo "--- pushing busybox"
adb push files/busybox /data/local/tmp/.
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox"
echo "--- remounting /system"
adb shell "/data/local/tmp/busybox mount -o remount,rw /system"
echo "--- checking free space on /system"
adb push files/makespace /data/local/tmp/.
adb shell "chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/makespace"
adb shell "./data/local/tmp/makespace"
echo "--- copying busybox to /system/xbin/"
adb shell "dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox"
echo "--- correcting ownership"
adb shell "chown root.shell /system/xbin/busybox"
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 04755 /system/xbin/busybox"
echo "--- installing busybox"
adb shell "/system/xbin/busybox --install -s /system/xbin"
adb shell "rm -r /data/local/tmp/busybox"
echo "--- pushing SU binary"
adb push files/su /system/bin/su
echo "--- correcting ownership"
adb shell "chown root.shell /system/bin/su"
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 06755 /system/bin/su"
echo "--- correcting symlinks"
adb shell "rm /system/xbin/su"
adb shell "ln -s /system/bin/su /system/xbin/su"
echo "--- pushing Superuser app"
adb push files/Superuser.apk /system/app/.
echo "--- cleaning"
adb shell "cd /data/local/tmp/"
echo "--- rebooting"
adb reboot
echo "ALL DONE!!!"

Also if you are going for a virtual method, if you are using windows 7 pro or ultimate you could use XP mode that is free you don't need to worry about getting an XP license (provided for free from microsoft), and has USB emulation mode.

EDIT Just tried to get it working on windows 7 again and it worked. I went into the device manager and uninstalled the mass storage device with the kobo vendor ID 0x2237, then when I plugged it back in it caused windows to re-install all the drivers for the device including the ADB drivers. You need to have the device plugged in to uninstall its drivers. muskiestallker try this.

Speculation I have a feeling this is occurring because of certain android phone manufacturers improperly installing drivers.

[muskiestallker]

Tordre I tried what you suggested, when I plug the Kobo back in, I get the Kobo listed 3 times.

I then run the runme and it says
----Starting ------
----Waiting for Device
C:\Temp\ZergRush-forKobo\zergrush>files\adb wait-for-device

and that's it, nothing happens.

[Tordre]

muskiestallker could you show me the Universal Serial Bus Controllers (expand the bottom category)? Did you uninstall the mass storage entry in there?

[muskiestallker]

Here you go, no I did not uninstall anything from the universal serial bus controller.

[Tordre]

Originally Posted by muskiestallker

Here you go, no I did not uninstall anything from the universal serial bus controller.

Is this the Vox plugged in? there should be at least one mass storage controler in there even if it is not mounted.

[muskiestallker]

Here is the device manager with the Vox plugged in.

[danifunker]

Originally Posted by muskiestallker

Here is the device manager with the Vox plugged in.

What's under portable devices?

[muskiestallker]

Here you go

[Tordre]

Originally Posted by muskiestallker

Here is the device manager with the Vox plugged in.

If you just remove the entry called "USB Mass Storage Device" in the last section, (right-click uninstall) The next time you plug it in it should search for new drivers for everything giving you a chance to install the drivers provided.

[muskiestallker]

Okay thank you, I will give it a try

[themechaniac]

Originally Posted by Tordre

I got it working under linux after, my udev settings were wrong. You can just use the bat file provided and make proper conversions or try below copy and paste this code block into a file in the same folder as runme.bat, save it as runme.sh, chmod +x runme.sh, and then ./runme.sh to run it. This assumes you have the adk installed in linux, and your path includes where adb is.

echo "---------------------------------------------------------------"
echo "	              Easy rooting toolkit (v4.0)"
echo "                   created by DooMLoRD"
echo "        using exploit zergRush (Revolutionary Team)"
echo "   Credits go to all those involved in making this possible!"
echo "---------------------------------------------------------------"
echo "[*] This script will:"
echo "     (1) root ur device using latest zergRush exploit (21 Nov)"
echo "     (2) install Busybox (1.18.4)"
echo "     (3) install SU files (binary: 3.0.3 and apk: 3.0.6)"
echo "     (4) some checks for free space, tmp directory "
echo "         (will remove Google Maps if required)"
echo "[*] Before u begin:   "
echo "     (1) make sure u have installed adb drivers for ur device"
echo "     (2) enable \"USB DEBUGGING\" "
echo "           from (Menu\Settings\Applications\Development)"
echo "     (3) enable \"UNKNOWN SOURCES\""
echo "           from (Menu\Settings\Applications)"
echo "     (4) [OPTIONAL] increase screen timeout to 10 minutes"
echo "     (5) connect USB cable to PHONE and then connect to PC"
echo "     (6) skip \"PC Companion Software\" prompt on device"
echo "---------------------------------------------------------------"
echo " CONFIRM ALL THE ABOVE THEN "

echo "--- STARTING ----"
echo "--- WAITING FOR DEVICE"
adb wait-for-device
echo "--- creating temporary directory"
adb shell "cd /data/local && mkdir tmp"
echo "--- cleaning"
adb shell "cd /data/local/tmp/"
echo "--- pushing zergRush"
adb push files/zergRush /data/local/tmp/.
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/zergRush"
echo "--- executing zergRush"
adb shell "./data/local/tmp/zergRush"
echo "--- WAITING FOR DEVICE TO RECONNECT"
echo "if it gets stuck over here for a long time then try:"
echo "   disconnect usb cable and reconnect it"
echo "   toggle "USB DEBUGGING" (first disable it then enable it)"
adb wait-for-device
echo "--- DEVICE FOUND"
echo "--- pushing busybox"
adb push files/busybox /data/local/tmp/.
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox"
echo "--- remounting /system"
adb shell "/data/local/tmp/busybox mount -o remount,rw /system"
echo "--- checking free space on /system"
adb push files/makespace /data/local/tmp/.
adb shell "chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/makespace"
adb shell "./data/local/tmp/makespace"
echo "--- copying busybox to /system/xbin/"
adb shell "dd if=/data/local/tmp/busybox of=/system/xbin/busybox"
echo "--- correcting ownership"
adb shell "chown root.shell /system/xbin/busybox"
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 04755 /system/xbin/busybox"
echo "--- installing busybox"
adb shell "/system/xbin/busybox --install -s /system/xbin"
adb shell "rm -r /data/local/tmp/busybox"
echo "--- pushing SU binary"
adb push files/su /system/bin/su
echo "--- correcting ownership"
adb shell "chown root.shell /system/bin/su"
echo "--- correcting permissions"
adb shell "chmod 06755 /system/bin/su"
echo "--- correcting symlinks"
adb shell "rm /system/xbin/su"
adb shell "ln -s /system/bin/su /system/xbin/su"
echo "--- pushing Superuser app"
adb push files/Superuser.apk /system/app/.
echo "--- cleaning"
adb shell "cd /data/local/tmp/"
echo "--- rebooting"
adb reboot
echo "ALL DONE!!!"

Also if you are going for a virtual method, if you are using windows 7 pro or ultimate you could use XP mode that is free you don't need to worry about getting an XP license (provided for free from microsoft), and has USB emulation mode.

EDIT Just tried to get it working on windows 7 again and it worked. I went into the device manager and uninstalled the mass storage device with the kobo vendor ID 0x2237, then when I plugged it back in it caused windows to re-install all the drivers for the device including the ADB drivers. You need to have the device plugged in to uninstall its drivers. muskiestallker try this.

Speculation I have a feeling this is occurring because of certain android phone manufacturers improperly installing drivers.

Many thanks for the script and info,.It took awhile to figure out where it belonged in my system and get it working. I already had adb installed for my Acer A500. I also want to thank danifunker and the rest of the group that worked on this. After Kobo bricked my wife's stock Kobo Vox I figured it needs to be hacked and backed up. All done. Had to relearn Linux to do it and I am going to keep at Linux and Android.

[NonCorporeal]

Hey all,

First time post, Yes I am a noob. I have been following the development of Oogle Vox an I am desperately trying to install on my Kobo to make the useless thing have some kind of functionality. I have manged to install Oogle Vox however I cannot successfully root my device. I understand the majority of your instructions but I am at a loss for step 3. Is this a directory on the kobo vox ( %USERPROFILE% )? If so I cannot locate it. Obviously I am missing some critical information.

Any help or advise is greatly appreciated.

[danifunker]

Originally Posted by NonCorporeal

Hey all,

First time post, Yes I am a noob. I have been following the development of Oogle Vox an I am desperately trying to install on my Kobo to make the useless thing have some kind of functionality. I have manged to install Oogle Vox however I cannot successfully root my device. I understand the majority of your instructions but I am at a loss for step 3. Is this a directory on the kobo vox ( %USERPROFILE% )? If so I cannot locate it. Obviously I am missing some critical information.

Any help or advise is greatly appreciated.

Hi there,

The easiest thing to do is click on start -> run -> cmd
a DOS window will appear.

exclude the quotes from the following commands...

Type "cd %USERPROFILE%" then press enter.
Next, type "md .android" then press enter.
then type "exit" and press enter.

now, press start -> run and type in "%userprofile%\.android" (no quotes)
drop the file adb_usb.ini into this folder.

Good luck!

[NonCorporeal]

Thank you danifunker I will try this later tonight

[Moketa]

I am using Win 7 & cannot change kobo driver.Keeps saying "The best driver software for your system is already installed"
Also device manager says "this device cannot start.(Code 10)