Related
Hi - first major post so bear with me!
After 'cookin' my own extended ROM a few times, I realised that harvesting the various CABs was only the first step - I then had to trawl this (fabulously informative) forum (and wiki) and identify each CAB to see if I actually wanted it in this particular ROM – sometimes I’d find a picture (really helps), and sometimes not, either way I would always forget what something was and have to re-find it.
So I wrote a utility to help me - and I'm sharing with everybody else 'cos that's just the kinda guy I am. XtendROM scans a folder (I’m old-school so I still call ‘em directories, but I’m trying to speak windoze here) and treats that folder as the ‘library’ – it is from there one can select which CABs you want to include. I’ve set things up for the Himalaya (I have an XDAII) so the default extended ROM size is 64Mb, although it only warns you if you go over that.
The principal is simple - deliberately so. Information on the CAB files is stored in TXT files and the preview images are stored as GIFs, BMPs or JPGs (always the same name as the CAB file, with an extra file-extension). I’m thinking that we could post TXTs/images and maybe even CABs in this thread, thereby making cooking a ROM as easy as downloading the CAB/TXT/image, saving it to the ‘library’ and choosing it for your ROM.
Drag & drop should work (to some extent at least) and the ROM files can be moved up/down in the config.txt file easily enough – after all I made this for my own use and getting the information from the web-pages is sometimes the trickiest part. I’ve recently added an option to copy the selected CAB files into a separate folder, this way I can easily copy the new files into the new ROM without having to search manually (computers ARE here to make life easier – allegedly).
Um, I think that’s about it – consider this a first-release so I’ve undoubtedly missed stuff, and I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten to save some settings into the registry (I’ve had to get on with some real work, but this version works okay – mostly). Of course, if this utility kills your system, turns into potted-plants or does anything else I’m not expecting then you’re on your own – if you have doubts then don’t use it, I ain’t getting sued just for sharing my stuff.
I'll be adding some TXTs/images/CABs here myself at some point - I'm just too busy with other stuff at the moment (patience, I'm told, is a virtue).
Any problems, comments, questions or thoughts then please post here – knowledge is a thing best shared.
:edit: - I forgot to mention above, but when a file is copied the file-extension is automatically checked and the approriate command inserted into the CONFIG.TXT - for example, copying a .EXE file will default to 'EXEC', whereas a .TXT file would generate a CPY1/CPY2 command (to copy into \Windows).
Toodz,
- StarFux -
Excellent, let's me try and I will post my feedback later.
Thank a lot.
cool program.... downloading now...
thanks
No further comments?
Just checkin'-in... so, no feedback? Must be just that good then ...
-sf
Thank you krab.. Let's me try..
Some TXT files to get things started
Attached are some TXT descriptions from xda-developers - the zip-files are named according to the username of the person who wrote the text (all credit to them, not me) - I've just compiled the data into a format that XtendROM will make use of.
yann.zip - from http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=6470
sin.zip - from http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=16916
Just unzip into your chosen library folder.
S'all - have fun.
-sf
besides of having one error on my first run .. just forgot wat it is .. i think you've done a greate job .. now its much easier to create config.txt and to avoid .. further error if i created it in notepad .. btw tnx for the tool m8 ..
...very nice looking tool )))
THANX
buzz
What a great application
Thanks for sharing
Now maybe we can create all huddle together and create a central library for all known extended ROMs so we can cook our own ExtROM
Thanks for all the positive feedback! - I'm working on some tweaks to cope with creating compressed ROMs at the moment (thanks to some great feedback) - I'll post here when I've sussed it
Thanks again!
-sf
Giving up
Hi all - well excessive demands on my time from work & home have meant I've been unable to tinker with my util, so I'm giving-up trying to find time and have decided to sleep more instead.
If anybody else wants to play with it (it's written in Delphi 7 & uses a few libraries but could be played with), then PM me and I'll send you the source so that you may continue development (if desired).
Hope everybody continues to enjoy the util anyway - L8rz.
-sf
Hi to everyone.
Before this HTC device I had others and also had a Motorola Mpx220 (WM2003 SE).
I was used to move the files within "\Windows\Start Menu" (mostly .lnk files to installed programs) into newly created subfolders, to be able to use and/or access the function I needed in a faster way.
I've tried doing the same on this WM5 device, but everytime I try I get an error message reporting it is not possible (File Explorer has greyed out options to cut and/or copy, while TotalCommander just reports it's not possible to "overwrite" ???).
Does anyone have an idea of how this can be done (registry ???) ?
Thank you.
Ciao
Here is the solution...
Hi Mix, it's Mix answering (yes, I'm the same person...)...
First of all I would like to thank you ALL the people which knew the solution and were fighting to answer to my doubt...
You were so many, I wonder why the message has been read times and so many answers arrived: 0 (yes, ZERO).
Anyway, I came across the solution myself, by chance...
The problems seems being the smartphone versions of WM5 being protected against file modifications. This protection extends also to some files execution and to certificate installations (hence some problems may arise when connecting to an Exchange Server for syncronization).
Some tools are needed to remove this protection, and some experience of registry modification is required too (I will not help anyone beside what is in this message and I take no responsability for any mistakes and/or troubles you may produce or face).
First of all you need a special version of RegEdit (the tool from PHM): you should find an HTC digitally signed copy of it called RegEditSTG.exe.
Look around for it: there are many forums around which do hold a copy of it.
Place it in your phone's memory, not on the MicroSD card...
With this tool you should change the following values:
HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies\00001001 = 2 => 1 (RAPI)
HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies\00001005 = 16 => 40 (Cert)
HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies\00001017 = 128 => 144 (?)
The first is the value you will find, the second is the value you should enter. The third line has a question mark because someone says it should be made, someone not... It's up to you. I made it.
Then you should find another tool (with the same above method) called SDA_ApplicationUnlock.exe which has to be run on your desktop PC with the phone already connected with USB (and possibly with ActiveSync not in the middle of a sync...).
Once you run this, you will get a message that the unlock took place (if not, it may be the first operations did not complete well).
Disconnect your phone from the USB cable and power cycle it (switch it off and then on again).
Opla'... the phone is not APPLICATION UNLOCKED and you will be able to move file around the directories as I was looking to when I first posted my message.
Now I have a very quick Start Menu, as I wanted.
Please, be aware that this operation hacks the security policies of WM5 and then any other application which may be dangerous can now run on your phone.
If you wish to stay on the safe side, it could be useful to restore the registry settings to their original values, but I do not know if this could cause other problems, since I didn't on my phone.
I actually double check every single file by myself before launching it and I do not run anything which I'm not sure it is safe.
So, pay attention... (you have been warned...).
Hope this helps someone else out there.
Ciao
Thanks for the tips mate! I was searching around for the same problem.
Can a hard reset put all the files back as in the old WM2003? I'm asking that 'cause if you look at the windows directory, many exe and dll files are repeated, with a different code. I guessed they are for the many different languages the phone support and the code is the country code. Maybe when you switch from one language to another those files are renamed so you have the correct exe and dll for the language you need...
If I can erase all the files I don't need (I will never change the language or maybe have only italian and english) I can save lot of space.
Am I wrong? Was that ever tried before?
vbi said:
Thanks for the tips mate! I was searching around for the same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
;-) I knew...
Can a hard reset put all the files back as in the old WM2003? I'm asking that 'cause if you look at the windows directory, many exe and dll files are repeated, with a different code. I guessed they are for the many different languages the phone support and the code is the country code. Maybe when you switch from one language to another those files are renamed so you have the correct exe and dll for the language you need...
If I can erase all the files I don't need (I will never change the language or maybe have only italian and english) I can save lot of space.
Am I wrong? Was that ever tried before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order:
- Yes, I suppose a hard reset of the device completely restores the original factory settings, hence, the device will appear as "brand new".
- You're right: all the localized files present there are just to be able to swithc to other languages (maybe following user's settings and maybe also following user's SIM settings too...).
- Erasing the unused files may appear as a "space saving" job. It is not. First of all you will not be able to remove ROM resident files, but provided you could be able to do this, you will not be able to use ROM space as you intend...
Finally then, it's completely unuseful to try to remove them, just a waste of time trying...
Ciao
Thanks Michele.
Are you sure the windows directory is in ROM?
I always tought ROM was only to store the "disk" image when you hard reset the device. I was so for the Qtek S100.
vbi said:
Are you sure the windows directory is in ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is. On the fact that it is then copied into RAM, well, this is a tecnique which was used up to WM2003 SE devices.
Starting from WM5 devices MS somewhat changed the behaviour of the whole system, hence I'm not then so sure.
Indeed, I have never been sure of anything, beside death, so you can imagine...
I'm not really so "expert".
Having used an MPx220 for over one year (with all its limitations, but exploiting it very much), using a WM5 device now is a much more relaxed experience (faster, more realiable and less troubly in terms of memory).
Just MHO
Thanks Mix - i followed your directions and it worked.
Got my QTEK (running i-Mate ROM) Application Unlocked
Since i'm not going to cook just yet for the Pro, nor am i helping out any specific crew Over At the Pro (SPC crew will come over to Pro someday anyway).
I have decided to make a OEMMORT Packages Repository.
For those that want to cook with the utmost optimized packages for their Pro.
OEM PACKS
To use these Optimized Packages to Cook (specifically with Touch Pro In Mind), you always need the the MortScript Base.
So if you use more or less packages the RFO.mscr & CLASC.mscr need to be adjusted appropriately to correspond with the correct File Operations.
Mort Script 4.112.b7
AdobePDF_2_5_103401_01
IA_ZIP_1_21_18171328_1
More coming eventually.
Explanations
If you do see the Logic and and improvements this adds to cooking control and performance enhancement, then don't forget to mention the SPC-MORT-COOKING Style, Wax in Wax Out
Any Comments, Opinions, Ideas or Questions welcome.
TNX to the rest of the bengalih for some pointers & SPC crew for testing and helping out.
And thanx of course to MORT.
Don't Know MortScript? Shame on you. (neither do i)
Donny Bahama's easy to carry Mortscript Manual in HTML:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...9&d=1214102654
excellent stuff
Hi Noonski... Very interesting concept.. Great Works! Cheerz..
would it be possible to put the cab files from UC all into 1 zip file to save space ?
da_jojo said:
would it be possible to put the cab files from UC all into 1 zip file to save space ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ExactMundo.
If you'd make the cab files into OEM packages first.
I have a WNDWS.zip
PRGF.ZIP
and a MYDOCS.zip
But even that would not be needed as one zip file should be able to do it.
As long as the Makedir command is used in a Mortscript before the Zip is extracted for folders that do not exist unless you have the complete folder structure in the zip files.
Unless you mean the Cabs from the UC on your SD card.
But even then you could also only extract just a cab at a time.
So i'm not sure you meant the ROM Autorun Cabs or the SD UC cabs?
Also unzipping the files instead of having them in Rom, or making the links with a script removes that darned ROM Read File Protection.
yes yes yes that is what i mean exactly my friend
i mean both ... it would save space on the storagecard as well as remove this freaking writeprotect on the dirs. dir structure in the zip file would be the best option i think as it copies 1 on 1 without setting userrights.
this writeprotect option is set on a hidden part of the systemflashdrive. in the mft i think. strange thing is that i got acces to my windows folder through activesync and it doesnt work on vista mobile device center.. frankly i have no idea what i did but it seems something in the pc as it works on my xp machine and not on vista. i didnt change anything yet on the phone itself relating to this.
pocketcommander www.totalcommander.com is able to ignore or overwrite the writeprotected files in windows dir so there must be a sollution to this.
i dont have the proper tools to do all this stuff but it would be the fastest way to extract all files from all cabs one need into one zip file and let mortscript handle the unpacking and settings of the registry. this way theres no need for autorun cabs merely the UC SD installer. maybe someone can make an nice logo for the custom uc installer.
da_jojo said:
yes yes yes that is what i mean exactly my friend
i mean both ... it would save space on the storagecard as well as remove this freaking writeprotect on the dirs. dir structure in the zip file would be the best option i think as it copies 1 on 1 without setting userrights.
this writeprotect option is set on a hidden part of the systemflashdrive. in the mft i think. strange thing is that i got acces to my windows folder through activesync and it doesnt work on vista mobile device center.. frankly i have no idea what i did but it seems something in the pc as it works on my xp machine and not on vista. i didnt change anything yet on the phone itself relating to this.
pocketcommander www.totalcommander.com is able to ignore or overwrite the writeprotected files in windows dir so there must be a sollution to this.
i dont have the proper tools to do all this stuff but it would be the fastest way to extract all files from all cabs one need into one zip file and let mortscript handle the unpacking and settings of the registry. this way theres no need for autorun cabs merely the UC SD installer. maybe someone can make an nice logo for the custom uc installer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think for that for the SD Autorun UC solutions there are already a few good solutions around some even supporting Mortscript.
And they all are pretty user friendly to.
Depending on what a user wants and knows, using mortscript being cooked in just gives them more freedom to play around customizing a cooked rom.
But it would need more hand work using your method, but it is possible of course.
It boils down to, do you like making Mortscripts to change registry settings or do you prefer making PROVXML files?
And not everyone is into decompiling cab files to make them fit their exact requirements.
But there's only one rule, Copy the Script to device memory and a folder name tat does not contain a space in it's path. And then run the script.
As the Exec: command from autorun doesn't like that.
But mostly the main way i use it is for the Cooked Autorun part.
I control when the Welcome wizard is run, Before Autorun or after the boot.
I can remove the extra parts of the Networkwizardauto.exe files and also run the networkwizard when i want during the process.
All i need to ad to my process is to open the Locale Preferences dialog during this process and then finish it of with Syncrotime. (or asking for the choice if you want threaded SMS on or not, the possibilities are plenty)
Put all the Setting up your device options after each other for those users that don't have the know how of how to use UC to setup their personal settings.
I even delete the back up files for the one App that i only get installed correctly through a cab file
DelTree( "\Windows\AppMgr\SRS Labs SRS WOW HD" )
So i hope that those that cook or customize and want even more control and detail into what happens can appreciate this.
I know i'll keep using this, and adjusting all my OEM packages to it. Because i have experienced the overall speed improvements in the Rom because of it.
I'm not a Pro in Mortscript and myself i only use the fairly simple commands.
i see.. thnx for explaning
it would be far simpeler using the xmlprov
unless one requires the extra functionality of mort script
the SRS wow HD is a driver enhancement so it needs the system to detach the driver which is only possible with the installer . hence cab files work good cause the're installed by the windowsinstaller which can temp disable the driver.
Instead of MortScript, there is a Yonsm's CeleCmd that perform roughly the same thing.
Check it out!
http://www.yonsm.net/read.php?329
V
vibranze said:
Instead of MortScript, there is a Yonsm's CeleCmd that perform roughly the same thing.
Check it out!
http://www.yonsm.net/read.php?329
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Vibranze, Long time no See.
Would you mind translating
Mort has a bigger fanbase here on XDA.
Yeah, long time no see How are you?
I really not used to your new avatar, without the cigarette it's not like you at all hehe
Actually you can try to download it and check out the sample, it's very easy to understand. I attached here for you
Anyway, here is the translated page by Google.
V
Noonski said:
Hey Vibranze, Long time no See.
Would you mind translating
Mort has a bigger fanbase here on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Explanations
What Does RFO.mscr do?
What Does CLASC.mscr do?
Which Packages Contain Modules and Why?
There's Files Missing from the Packages?
What Does RFO.mscr Do?
Well this script is copied to the regular Start up Folder in Windows.
I use short file names because as much as possible for anything that goes into Windows folder and have no other use being in the Windows folder then being copied by initflashfiles to another folder.
RFO.mscr basicly is the only file i use an initflasfiles.txt for (goes to \Windows\StartUp\ReplaceFileOperations.mscr)
Because after that it takes over the File Operations of the Default build in initflashfiles method.
Why?
Well You don't need actual shortcut files present in ROM to make them.
Code:
CreateShortcut("\Windows\StartUpDisabled\btdwake.lnk","\Windows\btdwake.exe")
in the RFO i don't put that much actual File Operations.
Only the ones that might be useful.
(Why start up WiFiInit.exe during autorun, if it's only useful after the Autorun reBoot?)
Code:
CreateShortcut("\Windows\StartUp\WiFiInit.lnk","\Windows\WiFiInit.exe")
I basicly set up the Second mortscript that will run after the Autorun reboot.
And i make sure the script is not to short. A script that is to short might actually copy the second script so fast into the autorun folder that it will actually be run immediately at during Autorun.
And i make sure the script deletes itself
Code:
RegDeleteKey( "HKLM" , "Services\SqmUpload" , TRUE , TRUE )
RegDelete( "HKLM" , "init" , "Launch99" )
SetFileAttribute("\Windows\StartUp\ReplaceFileOperations.mscr", "readonly", FALSE)
SetFileAttribute("\Windows\StartUp\ReplaceFileOperations.mscr", "system", FALSE)
CreateShortcut("\Windows\StartUp\WiFiInit.lnk","\Windows\WiFiInit.exe")
Copy( "\Windows\CLASC.mscr", "\Windows\StartUp\Clean AutoShortCutStartUp.mscr" )
Delete( "\Windows\StartUp\ReplaceFileOperations.mscr" )
So you can choose during which Boot you want to do what.
But it's better to do it after the first Reboot in case there is no Autorun installation and the phone reboots before finishing the RFO script.
So the Yummy goes to the CLASC.mscr.
What Does CLASC.mscr Do?
Well this does the actuall JuJu...
It takes over the Job of AutoAttribute.exe, so that can be kicked out of the Rom.
Code:
SetFileAttribute("\Windows\StartUp\Clean AutoShortCutStartUp.mscr", "readonly", FALSE)
SetFileAttribute("\Windows\StartUp\Clean AutoShortCutStartUp.mscr", "system", FALSE)
It Takes over the Job of AutoShortcut.exe and initflashfiles.
(less autoshortcut.provxml files in the final rom for the people to lazy to put these into a .rgu file for correct cleanliness)
Also Autoshortcut.exe is set up to run and check the regsitry at every Boot up, so out with this nonsense.
Code:
MkDir("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Office")
CreateShortcut("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Office\Adobe Reader.lnk","\Windows\AdobeReaderLE.exe")
And eventually it run some Post Stuff to make setting up the device easier at first boot.
Code:
Run("\Windows\ConnectionSetup.exe")
Delete( "\Windows\StartUp\Clean AutoShortCutStartUp.mscr" )
Message("Thank you for installing A SPC Optimized Rom. ","Installation Finished")
Also sometimes people encounter a registry setting that does not get applied directly because of .rgu or .provxml conflict.
So instead of making a new EXTRA .provxml file to fix this.
The registry setting can be added to a file that is already there.
Code:
RegWriteString ("HKLM", "Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Skins", "DefaultPortraitSkin", "\Storage Card\My Documents\Windows Media Skins\Mono SPC\portrait-htc-touch.skn")
RegWriteString ("HKLM", "Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Skins", "DefaultLandscapeSkin", "\Storage Card\My Documents\Windows Media Skins\Mono SPC\landscape-htc-touch.skn")
Or create a new start up script that runs at every start up when you have these annoying Registry settings that for some reason like to reset to a specific default value.
Code:
WriteFile("\Windows\StartUp\FixRightSFTKey.mscr", 'RegWriteString("HKCU", "Software\Microsoft\Today\Keys\113", "Open", "\Windows\Submenus\Contacts.mbi")^NL^RegWriteString("HKCU", "Software\Microsoft\Today\Keys\113", "Default", "Contacts")')
Less headaches going trough all the files finding the conflicts, as you now have a sure fire hit to get the registry right.
And we all know that eventually you will stumble upon the rgu or provxml file that is causing Havoc. But at least you don't have to stay awake pounding your head to find them.
Which Packages Contain Modules and Why?
Well the ones that do have Modules instead of regular files most propalby..
Work as a Module.
Show improved starting up of the application
Can be made into a module to start with (not all files like this)
Show improved handling speed or usage performance.
So when you do find Modulated files in the packages, these have been tested and found worth modulating.
These days most of the kitchen's have G'Reloc.exe build into the cooking process.
So the chance of Modules overlapping a specific memory allocation/space is fixed.
Some kitchens also offer this functionality to Make Modules of files.
But in some Junior Cheffs cases, that usually will result in (nice term coming) OverModulating.
If the kitchen you are using does not run G'Reloc.exe automatically please do so manually when cooking packages with modules.
Now Windows Phone 8 Got his First Real File manager.
Pocket File Manager .
Now The latest improvement:
- Full Access to media library
- Full access to video files
- Full access to SD Card
* I think Now Microsoft open windows phone 8 API's .
Common Developers....Hurry Up...
Now U can Make More Powerful File managers for Wp8.
Get it Here:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-in/store/app/pocket-file-manager/56dd9c3d-fe0a-4ceb-84b0-043e58e55b19
Checked....Working Fine with All capabilities in....
Yeaaaah this was posted a couple days ago so I wouldn't really call it "GRAB IT FAST" (nor, for that matter, is this post quite in line with the forum rules as you're kinda-sorta advertising a paid app, even though it's not yours).
If you read the dev's forum thread (it's not here, it's easy enough to find though) you'll see he got special permission from Microsoft to use a capability which is normally only available to OEMs. Sure, it's a good sign and may mean good things to come, but don't go getting all breathlessly excited about it *just* yet!
Also, "Full API Access" is a pretty bad description. It doesn't appear to use any non-standard APIs at all, in fact (I decompiled it already). The filesystem APIs are available to all developers. You just can't *DO* much with them because apps run in sandboxes with very low permissions. The dev got permission to add *one* extra capability, ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_PHOTO_FULL, which gives full access to the pictures library and the SD card. It does not give anything even vaguely close to full access to the whole phone (as a trivial example, it still doesn't give access to the Documents folder). It's also not something that just any random developer is going to be able to use.
Thanks for trying, though, I guess...
Not the means of any ad here.
I just got it...usefull....
Delete the thread...if its not suitable here.
thanks
Amirphp said:
Not the means of any ad here.
I just got it...usefull....
Delete the thread...if its not suitable here.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this thread should be deleted.
Anyway I just went to the Pocket File Manager facebook and this is what I found out :
"Hello developers.
I want to info you that in next version of Pocket File Manager we added support for third party application to save files into Phone storage and SD Card. It is very simple process and will cost you nothing.
How it works:
All what you need is to add special extension into your file and execute Launcher. PFM will receive file and save it to desired location , also it will remove extension so the file name remains original.
Extensions supproted:
.tosd - Save file to SD Card. For example you have file named "my new file.dat" and you want to save it to SD card. Rename the file to "my new file.dat.tosd" and use Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(); PFM will store the file named "my new file.dat" in SD Card. If no SD card is presents file will be stored into Phone's storage Picture folder)
.tols - Save file to PFM local storage.
.tops - Save file to Phone's storage under the Pictures folder.
If you have any questions fill free to ask!"
Maybe this can be helpfull to other developers that can't get the ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_PHOTO_FULL capability for their own app.
I think this is interesting ...
Best app
Super app!! Installed trial version on Lumia 925, all works as described. Hurry up developers!!!
This looks great! But I wish the ability to access even a small part of the SD card was open to all developers. Its been very difficult to build a productivity app when the only way to get files out of the phone is email. Looks like he got into the Nokia collection about a month before he added the capability, I assume Nokia made this happen.
That could be. Nokia has the ability to add ID_CAP_MEDIALIB_PHOTO_FULL to "their" apps if they want; they could probably arrange for this app to receive it.
I'm with you on the SD thing. The official APIs for SD access (read-only, limited to the file types you specify beforehand, can't specify reserved file types, can only see so many files) are really stupid.
The fact that 8.1 supposedly allows devs to enable installing apps to SD is encouraging. If that feature stays, there's a decent change it will mean the apps are installed to a FAT partition, which would mean they would have full access, automatically (MS can restrict access to the mount point, but then the app couldn't get at its own binaries and resources; if they allow that, they allow it all). Of course, they might split-partition the card, making part of it NTFS so that they can ACL it to hell again. Even then, though, you could remove the card and put it in a PC...
From my experience with the emulator, the SD card still appears to be a single partition, FAT32 to be exact. Installed apps are stored in a hidden folder, namely WPSystem\Apps. Unless there's some trickery here that I'm unaware of...
Heh, "hidden" folder. Yeah, that'll be effective. I bet they set the readonly flag too...
GoodDayToDie said:
Heh, "hidden" folder. Yeah, that'll be effective. I bet they set the readonly flag too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That folder was there before, but now it also contains apps and appdata as well, besides some system files from before. Some folders are marked as partially read-only.
Well if there is a difference between the winRT file access and the winPTR 8.1 file access for apps I am yet to find it (aside from not being able to get on network locations and DLNA from phone).
I say devs should be more focused on getting their apps ready for 8.1 than still trying to live up with the *redacted* limitations of WP8.0...
Hi all!
An oldie but a goldie!
I've changed from S6 32g, to S6Eedge 64g since I was running out of space.
Now I need to transfer 4000 photos (sorted by date) to the new phone. A direct copy/move from PC converts all the created dates to the current date (ie when transfer was done) which as you can imagine screws everything up royally!
Ive tried and failed in many many many ways including:
FTP
Syncing programs from pc to phone
ADB push
WEBdav
Hail marys, and praying to every god out there
They all bugger up the dates...........
The ONLY ONLY way Ive found out that works is by zipping up the original files, transferring to new phone, and unzipping locally with Total Commander. ONLY Total Commander seems to be able to unzip and preserve the dates, all the other file managers and extracting programs (I tried 10-15) out there can NOT manage this. Total Commander probably works cuz im rooted, and it can use this.
HOWEVER this only worked with smaller directories, but my main pics folder is an 8 gig compressed zip, and when I try the same way Total Commander only manages to unzip some 700 files and stops (anyone else come across this limitation?). So the only way I can manage is to zip up the original files in 7-8 different zip files and unzip locally individually, which is a big hassle.
Ive googled many threads on this problem, most of them were unresolved and some solutions refer to previous android versions or software and dont work anymore.
I'm hoping that you all dont spend four days setting up a new phone everytime ( home screen and app settings is a whole different drama! Thank you Titanium backup! iOS really has the jump on Andoird when it comes to changing phones...)
The only thing I can think of which I havent tried yet is USB OTG, since I dont have the cable. Anyone can confirm whether this method keeps the dates unchnaged?
So in your experience, whats the best way of doing this? How do you guys do it?
Why you need to store such a large amount of photos in your phone.
Did you try to sync to flickr or google photos?
Sent from my MI 5 using Tapatalk
I want to have immediate access, cant rely on patchy internet connection, areas without coverage (inside a lot of buildings, or basements) and can you imagine how much it would cost when roaming?
Everybody is talking about cloud cloud cloud, without taking account that its not a solution for all sitautions..
Update and for future help for people who will come across this issue.
I managed it!
I used Total Commander on the phone through the LAN plugin function, to access my backup folder on the pc, select all files and copy to local phone directory.
You need to initiate the copy from the PHONE on Total Commander, ie pull the files onto the phone, dont copy them by drag and drop from PC.
It took a while but it was done!
Dates and timestamps all preserved and correct!
k.aalai said:
Update and for future help for people who will come across this issue.
I managed it!
I used Total Commander on the phone through the LAN plugin function, to access my backup folder on the pc, select all files and copy to local phone directory.
You need to initiate the copy from the PHONE on Total Commander, ie pull the files onto the phone, dont copy them by drag and drop from PC.
It took a while but it was done!
Dates and timestamps all preserved and correct!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying to tackle this same problem over the last few days with no luck. I just tried total commander and it was unsuccessful. Was there anything special you did? Like you mentioned the entire copy process was initiated on the phone via total commander. However, I'm not rooted so I'm wondering if that's the issue...
k.aalai said:
Update and for future help for people who will come across this issue.
I managed it!
I used Total Commander on the phone through the LAN plugin function, to access my backup folder on the pc, select all files and copy to local phone directory.
You need to initiate the copy from the PHONE on Total Commander, ie pull the files onto the phone, dont copy them by drag and drop from PC.
It took a while but it was done!
Dates and timestamps all preserved and correct!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
I'm facing the same problem\task as yours and I want to know how did you transfer photos TO the PC with the file creation dates saved?
Has any of you tried compressing the images on your device to a zip file and then unzipping them on the PC?
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Hello its me, the OP.
Re your question about moving files from phone to PC, I used the usual way of plugging the phone into pc by USB, and simply copying from windows explorer. Things were ok for me like that.
Or as Ibuporfen said, try zipping the pics folder on the phone, transfer the zip file, and decompress on the pc.
I think the confusion here is the difference between CREATED and MODIFIED dates.
Try copying a file locally in windows ie from PC to PC, you see it always gets the current CREATED date and not the original date. I use the MODIFIED dates as my preferred sort method, which is the common sort option in many apps, so MODIFIED date is the one that matters to me.
Are you by any chance on the pc trying to sort by CREATED date instead of the MODIFIED? If proper sorting is what you are trying to achieve, is the created date critical for you? And if for some reason MODIFIED date column is not showing up, you can always add that column in the windows file explorer.
As a general update, my procedure now, for repeated use which I do about once a week, to have a current backup of the photos on the phone is as below:
1- Get "FTP server" (by olivetreesoftware, or any other ftp Server for android)
2- Get goodsync https://www.goodsync.com/ for pc
3- Setup a sync job from phone to pc over FTP (this was the only way I cold reliably get access to the phone and its files, cuz now the USB conncection is all about MTP, music files and that kinda of rubbish, which makes it really difficult to accesses it just as a disc.
4- This way I easily copy the files from my phone, to a backup folder on a pc so i have an uptodate backup, and every week or so when I run the program, the backup folder gets updated with all the deletions and additions that have happened on the phone! For copying BACK from pc TO phone, I still use the TotalCommander method, and I think to preserve dates, phone needs to rooted....
I had to this many times recently, since for some strange reason, there was a time that some system app (Samsung S6 Edge, never found which app or why) would suddenly change ALLLLLLLL the dates of ALLLLLL my pictures to the present moment, so you can imagine how that messed up all the sorting of the pics! I had to update my ROM and thankfully this bug has not appeared again. I still get some random changes when the seconds field is set to zero, but as long as the year/day/hours/minutes are not messed up, I can live with that.
Hope this helps!
PS Cant wait to upgrade my phone, to one with an SD card, so I don't have to go through all this rubbish!
k.aalai said:
Update and for future help for people who will come across this issue.
I managed it!
I used Total Commander on the phone through the LAN plugin function, to access my backup folder on the pc, select all files and copy to local phone directory.
You need to initiate the copy from the PHONE on Total Commander, ie pull the files onto the phone, dont copy them by drag and drop from PC.
It took a while but it was done!
Dates and timestamps all preserved and correct!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey where do you stay mate? Because Im about to come over to your place and KISS YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE! ITS FINALLY WORKING! AFTER 3 DAYS OF GRINDING TO FIND A SOLUTION. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have around 9000 plus photos that I keep with me at all times (from older iPhones, just jumped into the android bandwagon, which is why I had to do this), and its my only photo journal, and I need to access them based on the date and organization of the gallery. Its still transferring as I type this, but I know its working since I checked the gallery and the pictures that usually pop up in "today"'s folder, shows up in the right date.
Once again man, THANK YOU.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE STUCK:
Get Total commander
Get the lan plugin for Total commander:
Click on LAN, add in the static IP address, user name and password of the PC that contains the pictures you want to transfer.
Copy paste FROM THE APP itself! (Make SURE the folder that contains the pictures have the SHARE feature on in Windows.
I cant post links here yet so search for these on youtube:
'How to access files on Windows PC from Android"- by Busy Ping (I know its not Total Commander in the video, but it's the exact same process)
"Total Commander able to work around most SD write limitations in KitKat (tested on Note 3)" - By Android Police
Hope this works for you guys! Good luck!
You are welcome Vangelis!
A question though, are you on OREO, and if not are you rooted?
Cause the method/drama above is needed on pre Oreo phones, and works only on rooted devices (as I found out after lots of trial and error). The problem is/was lack of write permissions on non rooted devices, ie apps were not allowed to update the dates on files if not rooted.
I just came back to this thread to update it and add whats below, and I saw your post!
On my new S8 which I got in January, I couldn't be bothered with rooting etc, so I didn't have my pics on the new phone for a couple of months and just waited for OREO.
As I posted on an Oreo update thread elsewhere, this is now fixed on Oreo:
YEY! Finally got the XEU update!
And miracle of miracles, Google finally fixed the file write permissions, which means even when non-rooted you can copy files to the phone, and the file dates don't change. Which means that you can copy your pics etc from a PC to the phone and the file dates stay intact, so the sort order isn't screwed up! Only been waiting 4 years for this, since most phones removed the external SD card option! Now we have the SD card back, but for other apps like whataspp etc that still use the internal memory, this is finally fixed!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However, some apps (filemanagers, filesync apps etc eg Airdroid) still dont do this properly, but totalcommander works perfectly. I still havent tried a direct copy from pc to phone (by usb cable) so no idea if this simplest method works now.
As a suggestions(same as in my previous post, Im still doing it since it works very well), this is my current setup for regular backup of all my phone pics to a pc :
Put an ftp server on your android, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theolivetree.ftpserver&hl=en
Get this app for your pc, https://www.goodsync.com/
On the goodsync app, add the directories on the phone you need backed up, plus the backup storage directory, and any additional options
Whenever you want to backup your phone pics, just launch the ftp app on phone, and through goodsync, backup all the new and changed pics etc to a pc hard drive through the WIFI (don't need to plug in the phone). Works great!
PS I copied my pics to the now OREO phone, first with the totalcommander through wifi (to check that it works now!), and then using a USB stick with the OTG adapter (since it was 13gigs, and then using totalcomamnder to copy from usb to internal memory). And it worked fine, so this is another method. You could also try putting a zip file on the phone and unzipping them there, which hopefully due to the fixed permissions should work also!
Hi there,
I have similar problem on my Huawei Mate 10 PRO, which runs on Android 8.0.0, with the security updates from 01.01.2018., kernel 4.4.23+. This phone has only the internal storage, no sd card. And when I am trying to copy/move files from external storage (i.e. with usb drive on OTG), then the files have the current date, the original is gone. I tried to change the date of file in the internal storage with total commander, and I get the error with no priveleges. Do you think, that this
And miracle of miracles, Google finally fixed the file write permissions, which means even when non-rooted you can copy files to the phone, and the file dates don't change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have to be implemented in update for my phone and only this can solve my problem?
Hello there!
I have no experience with Huawei, so cant give you a perfect answer. As far as I found out the write privilege option was implemented in Oreo, so I assume that means from the first versions of Oreo.
I can suggest a couple of things though.
1- Zip your pics on the pc, and then put the zip file on the usb card, and try unzipping to the phone (using totalcommander) . If it doesn't work, try copying the zip file first on to the phone memory and unzip from there
2- Use totalcommander to copy the files on to the phone using the network method as mentioned previously.
PS on further thoughts, try copying a file ALREADY on the phone, to a different directory, and see what the date is on the copied file. If I remember correctly, before the Oreo update, when I copied a file (instead of move) it always got a new current date, but now when I copy it still retains the original date. By checking this, you can find out if your Huawei, will or will not let an app set the date when performing a copy/move operation.
worked like a charm thanks!
Setting up sync job is confusing
k.aalai said:
Hello its me, the OP.
Re your question about moving files from phone to PC, I used the usual way of plugging the phone into pc by USB, and simply copying from windows explorer. Things were ok for me like that.
Or as Ibuporfen said, try zipping the pics folder on the phone, transfer the zip file, and decompress on the pc.
I think the confusion here is the difference between CREATED and MODIFIED dates.
Try copying a file locally in windows ie from PC to PC, you see it always gets the current CREATED date and not the original date. I use the MODIFIED dates as my preferred sort method, which is the common sort option in many apps, so MODIFIED date is the one that matters to me.
Are you by any chance on the pc trying to sort by CREATED date instead of the MODIFIED? If proper sorting is what you are trying to achieve, is the created date critical for you? And if for some reason MODIFIED date column is not showing up, you can always add that column in the windows file explorer.
As a general update, my procedure now, for repeated use which I do about once a week, to have a current backup of the photos on the phone is as below:
1- Get "FTP server" (by olivetreesoftware, or any other ftp Server for android)
2- Get goodsync https://www.goodsync.com/ for pc
3- Setup a sync job from phone to pc over FTP (this was the only way I cold reliably get access to the phone and its files, cuz now the USB conncection is all about MTP, music files and that kinda of rubbish, which makes it really difficult to accesses it just as a disc.
4- This way I easily copy the files from my phone, to a backup folder on a pc so i have an uptodate backup, and every week or so when I run the program, the backup folder gets updated with all the deletions and additions that have happened on the phone! For copying BACK from pc TO phone, I still use the TotalCommander method, and I think to preserve dates, phone needs to rooted....
I had to this many times recently, since for some strange reason, there was a time that some system app (Samsung S6 Edge, never found which app or why) would suddenly change ALLLLLLLL the dates of ALLLLLL my pictures to the present moment, so you can imagine how that messed up all the sorting of the pics! I had to update my ROM and thankfully this bug has not appeared again. I still get some random changes when the seconds field is set to zero, but as long as the year/day/hours/minutes are not messed up, I can live with that.
Hope this helps!
PS Cant wait to upgrade my phone, to one with an SD card, so I don't have to go through all this rubbish!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even after setting up right and left folders i keep getting errors. Can u kindly give me a link or guide me how to set it up ?
will this lan method also work for normal files ? i.e. non pic files such as .m4a voice recorded files, pdf files, word, excel files etc...
thank you
Maybe a quick update from me: after switching phones I installed Whatsapp and it reloaded all media (animated gif, pics and video) from it's own backup store. And all the dates were 31 May 2018. I copied these Whatsapp folders to my linux pc over wifi using Ghost Commander and the SMB plugin. Works similar to TC, no root required.
Now the neat trick: because the date (and sometimes the time) is in the filename, I could reset dates to the original with a oneliner using touch.
After that, copied the folders back with Ghost Commander (replace always) and all was set
---------- Post added at 12:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:34 PM ----------
[email protected] said:
will this lan method also work for normal files ? i.e. non pic files such as .m4a voice recorded files, pdf files, word, excel files etc...
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely (with Ghost Commander, but TC will be the same I expect). I have copied MP3 and M4A files, .epub files, etc....
have been tryin to get my 4000+ photos to my iphone since last week. just figured out this easiest way to do this. Using the Documents app wont show the correct date and time the photos were taken. Using a .zip file wont work either. If u have the correct dates n time on the files u have on ur pc, download SHAREit to ur pc and iphone. Connect both to same wifi and probably i dont have to tell u guys how to do a file transfer.
If the dates are wrong on the files on the pc, download File Date Corrector n fix the dates.
Cheers!
We're all trying to do the same thing! It's amazing an easier solution doesn't exist off-the-shelf.
So I've just been through the same process coming here late in the game. Like you guys I've been trying to copy images from my OnePlus 3 to my new OnePlus 6 without changing date information. And here's what worked for me :
I installed RAR on both phones from the Play store. I connected an external USB memory stick using an OTG cable. As I am using Oreo I had to enable OTG from the top menu on both phones (I added the OTG option using the top menu editor) before the phones would see the external memory.
Then the process was really straightforward and extremely fast: I created RAR archives for groups of folders from the source phone directly on the memory stick - I had to give it permission to access the external drive - then I moved the memory stick to the new phone, copied the RAR archives to a temporary folder on the phone and finally expanded the contents directly back to their correct positions in the file system.
I can't believe how fast it has been compared, for example, with trying to use SuperBeam over WiFi which also changed file dates and seemed to remove exif data from images making it impossible to index them. Gbytes copied in seconds rather than minutes.
k.aalai said:
PS I copied my pics to the now OREO phone, first with the totalcommander through wifi (to check that it works now!), and then using a USB stick with the OTG adapter (since it was 13gigs, and then using totalcomamnder to copy from usb to internal memory). And it worked fine, so this is another method. You could also try putting a zip file on the phone and unzipping them there, which hopefully due to the fixed permissions should work also!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely works with a zip file unzipped using totalcommander on oreo.
I just copied a zip file from pc to phone via normal usb cable.
Then unzipped to the right folder. All dates modified correct.
Works like a charm and very easy.
Finally!! after a long time suffering with zips i accidentally found a program that saved all my pics/videos with modified dates correctly. Fast and you can use in portable mode.
Best find of the year so far! :victory: :laugh:
Download here: fosshub.com/MyPhoneExplorer.html
1 - Connect your device via USB with debug enabled
2 - Click on the Sync icon (or F1) to find the device
3 - Go to Files and choose the folder you want to save
4 - Click on the icon Download files... and choose the destination location
5 - Enjoy!!!
PS: By default it keeps a copy of everything saved in cache folder, to delete go to Settings> Advanced 2 and mark Delete filecache on exit.