How to downgrade and root your DInc from 2.2
- August 30th, 2010
- Posted in Android . How To
- By zeiroe
- Write comment
I had a buddy that wanted to test out the leaked Droid Incredible froyo RUU … The 3.21.605.1 RUU with the 2.15 radio. Problem was that he quickly found out that he lost root and his clockwork recovery. The race condition that allowed you to pop in an sdcard had been fixed and unrevoked’s root and reflash utility didn’t work on this new leak. It was also pretty safe to say that any future shipments of DInc’s would have this type of load as well by default. Oh noes!
Fortunately we have an exploding community. Forumite smwoodward posted a guide on xda-developers.com to roll back your Radio, HBOOT and OS. With his guide, you can install the rom.zip file for any RUU applicable to your DInc. Seems smwoodward saw that the EVO users were in the same boat in the past and the same fix for them applies to the DInc. This fix should also apply to any new DInc’s that come to stores with 2.2 already installed.
Unfortunately, smwoodward didn’t have enough posts under his belt to post links in his thread. It was kind of hard to follow without working links. Here’s my reiteration of this fix:
** Not responsible if you break/brick your device or if your dog gets diarrhea. This guide was written assuming you have a basic understanding of ADB and it is required that your SDcard be formatted in FAT32**
- If you haven’t already, download the Android SDK here. Extract it to the root of your C: drive.
- Download the downgrade files here mirror. The zip contains 3 files. Extract those 3 files into the tools directory of the SDK folder. Should be “c:\android-sdk-windows\tools”.
- Download the PB31IMG.zip file here. Place this file in your “c:\android-sdk-windows\tools” directory. This was originally the rom.zip file found within the DInc’s RUU for 1.22.605.2_Radio_1.00.03.04.06_hboot_0.79_release_161494. I renamed it to PB31IMG.zip. This will be the file that the bootloader will look for. More on that later.
- With your phone on, plugged into your computer and “USB Debugging” enabled (Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging), open a cmd prompt and type
cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
- Once ready, type these commands in cmd prompt from your adb tools directory. After every line press enter.
adb push flash_image /data/local/ adb push rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin /data/local/tmp/ adb push mtd0.img /sdcard/ adb push PB31IMG.zip /sdcard/
Note: the PB31IMG.zip will take longer than expected to transfer to the sdcard. It is a BIG file.
- Now we chmod a few things. After every line press enter. It should repeat what you typed in and then return you to a blank line with an $ for everything in adb shell
adb shell cd /data/local/tmp chmod 0755 /data/local/tmp/rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin cd /data/local chmod 0755 /data/local/flash_image cd /data/local/tmp ./rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin
Note: You will now see some text on your cmd prompt screen explaining the exploit.
- Wait for the adb shell to go away, and it will dump you into your windows command prompt again (no shell) should look something like this: “C:\android-sdk-windows\tools>”
- Typing adb shell now should produce a # prompt.
cd /data/local ./flash_image misc /sdcard/mtd0.img
- that will flash your misc partition with Toast’s mtd-eng.img. Once completed, This should return you to a blank line with #.
reboot bootloader
- This will reboot your device into the bootloader and start to automatically install the PB31IMG.zip file you pushed on to your sdcard. The load process will take a little while.
- After a minute or so, there should be a prompt on your DInc’s screen asking if you want to apply the update. Press the volume up key to confirm. This will take a while. Your phone will reboot a couple of times during this process. Just let it sit. There will be a confirmation message once its done.
- Congrats! You are now rolled back to 2.1. Your HBOOT is rolled back prior to the race condition fix. Downloading the unrevoked root and reflash utility and running it will root your DInc and install the latest clockwork recovery.
Source: xda-developers.com



When ever I try to to do a push, it tells me, “error: devicenot found”.
Can I just manually copy the file over through Windows without be in CMD prompt?
Any ideas?
make sure your device is turned on like normal and that usb debugging is turned on. Also set it to “charge only”
Having troubles.. the ./flash_image misc /sdcard/mtd0.img line runs almost instantly, then restart with ‘reboot booloader’ and it just comes to a screen that says ‘fastboot usb’ with options for bootloader, reboot, reboot bootloader, and power down. Doesn’t look like anything installs automatically. If I select the bootloader option, a bunch of updates just look like they fail (too fast to read), then its back to the main screen only the options are: fastboot, recovery, clear storage, simlock, factory reset.. Rebooting just brings me back to 2.2. What am i missing here?
Update:
I reformatted my sd card to fat32. Loaded the two files (file copy). reboot bootloader. Installed. Updated. Updated. OK OK OK OK. REBOOT. Updating…
Works!
I had everything set that way except for “Charge Only”. Thanks, I’ll give it a rip. Will report back.
OK, that didn’t work either. This is what I get:
* deamon not running. starting it now *
* deamon started successfully *
error: device not found
When I try it again, I get this error again:
error: device not found
_______
My info:
Own an HTC Droid Incredible
USB Deguggins is enabled
When I plug in the USB, I choose, “charge only”
Manually pushed the Froyo 2.2, couldn’t wait for the update form Verizon.
Running Windows 7 on my laptop.
Anti-Virus is turned off.
Is there anything I’m missing?
Thanks
Do I need to create these directories/subdirectories in the root of the phone?:
1) data
2) local
3) tmp
Sorry, I’m new to this… Guess you could say, NUB… lol
Thanks again.
Thanks for the rewrite. It was much easier to follow than the original especially with the addition of the links. Worked like a charm and I’m back on 2.1
Thanks again!
Kilch, you may need to run the cmd with admin rights … Start > Programs > Accessories … Right click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator”
No, I do not…
Kilch, you may need to run the cmd with admin rights … Start > Programs > Accessories … Right click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator”
oh yea, you know… I never thought of that. I’ll give that a try… Thanks and will report back…
grrr, nope. It’s a no-go… I’m about to give up and live with it, shich is something I really don’t want to do.
Just the ticket, this worked like a charm to get my Incredible back to 2.1. As soon as phone rebooted, the 2.2 started downloading so I turned off all networks and am now rooting and getting S-OFF ~! YAY !~
Kilch, You probably have a existing adb.exe process running when you tried to run cmd again with admin. try rebooting your pc then run cmd again with admin permissions
Thanks zeiroe for you help, I’ll give that a rip on Sunday. I’m off for the weekd, a little R&R after this feosco… lol
ok i don’t know anything about this but i like to give things a try, in this step
Once ready, type these commands in cmd prompt from your adb tools directory. After every line press enter.
i don’t even know what to do. what is adb? help!!
I am having the exact same problem as Kilch. I have also noticed on my Sirius App the sound keeps looping because it loses connection and any streaming radio channel the commercials sound correct but the actual talk is slowed down like when they are speaking slow motion. Everything else mentioned by Kilch is the same. Please help.
cd /data/local
./flash_image misc /sdcard/mtd0.img
after this i get error opening /sdcard/mtd0.img no such directory.
anybody know
@ Kilch – You may be having a driver issue. Don’t bother with the HTC site, not there. I had to use the Verizon disk & install the app/driver
I did have issues at the unrevoked3 bit. I’ll be digging around for that solution for a bit. Hit me with a link if y’all see something on that.
bis spater
also starting from the top again i get acces denied now when trying to push mtd0.img /sdcard/
why! it was letting me do this befor.
I’m getting the following error when pushing the mtd0.img
failed to copy ‘mtd0.img’ to ‘/sdcard’: Is a directory
Anyone know what it means?
Thanks!
Daniel
Hey zeiroe,
I retried it again on a fresh boot. Still getting the same error. Thre was one app (free) I was able to use to eliminate the startup of the Amazon MP3, howver, I still get the Skye Mobile app popping up. It’s called “Memory Task Cleaner. Seems to help with the amount of proga that load. Still want the ability to remove those progs I dont want…
m1cromanaged,
Do you happen to have a link for Verizon’s version? Can’t seem to find it, even on Verizon’s site…
Thank.
haha simple question i have update.zip 2.2. does my phone have to be rooted to do this?
tj, nope. There are some issues you should know about. You may want to wait…
OK, for everyone that is haveing issues trying to push files over, here is what you need to do. Is’t all about drivers. I was told this earlier, but I didn’t understand. ahaaaa. So in the nutshell, follw the link below, download and read the HTML file to load the driver. DO NOT run the reflash.exe (I think). We’re just trying to get the driver for the HTC Incredible, nothing more (correct me if I’m not correct and remove the link if it violates you policy).
Now that I figured out why, I do have one issue. When I try to push the mtd0.img file over, I get a “Permission denied” error. note below:
Exact Error Coed: “failed to copy ‘mtd0.img’ to ‘/sdcard//mtd0.img’: Permission denied”.
I did notice there is a “//” after the “sdcard”. Any ideas?
Thanks, again.
Trying to keep a happy face here all. lol Getting there!
Link: http://www.unrevoked.com/#inc
@Tim
How did you reformat your sd card? I’m having the same issue as you described. Thanks!
Update:
Reformatted my card to Fat32 and retried everything. When I do the last step ‘reboot bootloader’ it does not automatically start to install the pb3img.zip file. It just goes to my fastboot screen and stays there. Any ideas?
@Kilch
@Kilch,
I ran into the same issue while following these instructions. The problem was that I did not have the drivers for my Dinc (HTC Droid Incredible) installed on my computer. To do so, I just plugged it into the USB while powered on. If the WINDOWS WIZARD INSTALL NEW HARDWARE window does not pop up, which it did not for me I then changed the CHARGE ONLY option to HTC SYNC. (I did not want to install HTC SYNC, I just needed the NEW HARDWARE popup to show. Once it did, I followed the wizard instructions to install the drivers to my computer.
Once my computer had the drivers installed it was now able to recognize that my Android Dinc was plugged in.
So when I followed the above instructions (which are awesome by the way), it was now able to FIND my phone.
Hope this helps you out.
Ok, I was able to fix my other issue about the mtd0.img not copying. But now I have another question!
During the chmod steps, the instructions say a $ sign should appear, however I get a # sign. Does that make a difference?
perfect, worked great! I had gotten anxious and manually downloaded and upgraded to 2.2, but got nervous that it may not be “authentic”, so I went back to 2.1 via this method, and within 5 minutes, voila!!! The OTA update to 2.2 was there…now I feel at ease! thanks again!
OK!! Everything worked out excellent!! Just a note. If your system only boots up to the fast boot screen after running the update.zip file (in other words, you keep rebooting, but keep getting to hboot screen), try unplugging the device, and running the update one more time. Mine was plugged into the usb. One member in the xda forums suggested to do it while unplugged, and it work!!
Worked like a charm, thank you so much!
I’m not sure if it’s necessary, but if so I’d suggest telling people they need to install the ADB drivers via either HTC Sync or from the package on the revoked site.
But fantastic work, thank you again for freeing me from HTC’s terrible “upgrade”!
I did step by step, I get to the last part and reboot, then does nothing zero.
I did format the SD card to FAT32
Then I get No image or wrong image
So what did I do wrong ?
Anyone?
Finally, got through all the steps, not really sure how, but I did it. Now the only thing I dont get is how long is it suppose to take to the install the PB31IMG.zip file? It says it’ll take a while, but how long? 1, 5, 10… minutes? I let it go for about 10 minutes and it never gets past the bootloader window… I’ve done this twice and yet, nothing happens. I end up doing the manual boot and I still have 2.2.
Is there something I’m missing here?
Thanks…
@kilch … at the bootloader portion for the pb31img file, you may have to select bootloader from the screen
Does anyone have a mirror link to the downgrade.zip? The link on top is unavailable.
Thanks
hers a mirror … updated the main blog with the mirror also
http://db.tt/Og4QpqV
Tanks zeiroe for all you help. Finally was able to return back to 2.1 by doing a hard reboot and accidently came across the update.
Thanks again.
OK, one more stuipd question… What are the commands to remove the PB31IMG.zip file? I’m trying to Unrevoke it so I can be rooted. Everytime I use the prog, I keeps wanting to update (just what I did here)?
Also, after I’m done with Unrevoke and install Froyo 2.2, will I still be rooted?
OK, that was two… lol
Thanks
THANK YOU SO MUCH
this is what i needed after weeks of struggle.
excellent instructions and it actually worked. which is more than i can say for a lot of other things i went to.
thanks again!
Awesome! Updated to Verizon Froyo 2.2 before I rooted. Easy to follow instructions and links here. Rooted back to 2.1 without any problems. I am now rooted and ready to test some ROMs. Thanks for the “rewrite”.
I’ve gone through all the steps with no problem but then I run into issues as others have after typing in reboot bootloader. My phone reboots right to fastboot and when I select bootloader it just gives me
Loading PB31DIAG.ZIP
No Image
Loading PB31DIAG.nbh
No image or wrong image
Loading PB31IMG.zip
No Image
Loading PB31IMG.nbh
No image or wrong image
I reformatted my sd card to fat 32 using full format and still can’t figure out why it won’t work. Can anyone lend a hand? thanks
I have the same issue as Rich. I’ve formatted the SD to Fat-32, verified that PB31IMG.zip isn’t named .zip.zip, etc.
I’m running leaked 2.2 rooted with Unrevoked3 and I’m looking to revert to stock 2.1.
Any help is much appreciated!
ive tried it 2 times and it gives me this ./flash_image : permission denied ive tried many times and even rebooted computer and still noting is working any help would b appreciated
@Jordan
When you format the SD card to FAT32, UNCHECK “Quick Format.”
I crawled the other forums for awhile and found this solution.
Cheers,
Michael
Hi,
Right getting denied access when pushing mtd0.img and pb31img.zip files. Is there a driver issue, or is there something I am doing wrong?
Many thanks for help before hand!!
Cheers!
Phill
I’ve gone through all the steps with no problem but then I run into issues as others have after typing in reboot bootloader. My phone reboots right to fastboot and when I select bootloader it just gives me
Loading PB31DIAG.ZIP
No Image
Loading PB31DIAG.nbh
No image or wrong image
Loading PB31IMG.zip
No Image
Loading PB31IMG.nbh
No image or wrong image
I have the same issue this is incredible frustrating and ideas? Everything worked perfectly until this, I tried it with and without the USB connected and tried going into fastboot manually as well but no luck. Any help would be appreciated!
hey for the people that had problems with permission errors. If your Dinc is set to “disk mode” it will not work it has to be in “charge only mode”.
good luck