3.17.651.4 S-OFF method in the works for HTC EVO 4G LTE
When the HTC EVO 4G LTE 3.17.651.4 update rolled out earlier this month, it came with some radios and a couple of minor bug fixes, and evidently it broke the ability to S-OFF using the Moonshine S-OFF tool or any other tool.
S-OFF allows users to flash unsigned code to partitions on their phones that are generally write-protected/HTC-only, such as the radio firmware partitions, and kernel space in some builds. S-OFF is a wonderful thing on the EVO 4G LTE series of phones due to the way HTC managed to screw up their unlocking to embrace the developer community. I’ll note that S-OFF should not be required to root and flash custom ROMs, but unfortunately it is if you want to not have to jump through hoops.
I learned of the 3.17.651.4 S-OFF break through a comment on the current State of Root guide yesterday, and after scouring the internet for hours on end (actually it was the first post I saw), I found announced that beaups is currently alpha testing a new version of Moonshine for those stuck on S-ON.
So, if you’re feeling like being a guinea pig for the first round tests of the new version of Moonshine, head over to the #moonshiners IRC channel, or check this thread on XDA for more information as it becomes available. Keep in mind to be nice, since these people do this for free and owe you nothing.
Whatever the case, it’s nice to see development continuing on getting S-OFF for the EVO 4G LTE, and anyone who’s considering rooting and joining the ROM crowd – please, please, please do not ever accept an OTA update. You’ll end up with a phone that can’t be S-OFFed for weeks, or even months.
If you end up testing the new build, let us know how it works for you. Also make sure to tell your root-curious friends, never accept an OTA if you’re planning on rooting. You’ll just end up very very frustrated.
