X8 Custom ROM - XPERIA X8 Android Development

Because propoff2 got himself banned, I've decided to re-create his threads for you, hopefully with easier to follow instructions than before.
X8 Android 2.1-rus
X8 Android 1.6
Modified Image (x8.img)
Data.img
Busybox, Rootshell, Chargemon
(If for whatever reason any of the above links don't work, scroll down and see propc's post.)
Before moving on, decide whether you want to boot the rom from the sdcard or from the internal memory, then use the correct instructions to do so.
If you've tried this method and REALLY don't like the customized rom, then see this thread for how to install a clean, pre-rooted rom!
==BOOTING CUSTOM ROM FROM SD==
Before you begin, put chargemon, busybox, rootshell, x8.img and data.img onto the sdcard.
1. Flash 1.6 firmware to the phone.
2. Root the phone.
3. Copy the files rootshell, chargemon and busybox to /system/bin
(You can do this by putting the files on the sdcard, and using a file manager such as root explorer to copy the files into /system/bin. Command line instructions will be here soonish. This guide is still a WIP).
4. Chmod the files.
Code:
chmod 4755 /system/bin/rootshell
chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
chmod 777 /system/bin/chargemon
5. Copy both x8.img (/system) and data.img (/data) to the sdcard.
6. Flash 2.1 kernel using this flashing utility. (The GUI version is perfectly fine to use.)
Remember to remove system.sin and userdata.sin from the flash files!
7. Reboot and hope it works.
==BOOT CUSTOM ROM FROM INTERNAL MEMORY==
Before you being, copy x8.img and busybox on to the sdcard.
1. Follow steps 1-2 from the instructions above.
2. Copy busybox to /data/local/tmp
Code:
cd /data/local/tmp
cat /sdcard/busybox > /data/local/tmp/busybox
3. Chmod busybox.
Code:
chmod 755 busybox
4. Using busybox, remount /system as rewriteable.
Code:
./busybox mount -o remount,rw /system
./busybox sh
5. Mount x8.img.
Code:
./busybox mkdir /data/local/tmp/1
./busybox losetup /dev/block/loop1 /sdcard/x8.img
./busybox mount -t ext2 -o rw,noatime,nodiratime /dev/block/loop1 /data/local/tmp/1
6. Remove the contents of /system. ADVICE: Remove the folders one by one, leave /system/bin and /system/app last! That way your phone is less likely to crash whilst doing this step. DO NOT TRY AND USE YOUR PHONE WHILE DOING THIS, YOUR PHONE IS CERTAIN TO CRASH! Make sure the phone is locked.
Code:
./busybox rm -rf /system/media
./busybox rm -rf /system/usr
./busybox rm -rf /system/etc
./busybox rm -rf /system/lib
./busybox rm -rf /system/xbin
./busybox rm -rf /system/framework
./busybox rm -rf /system/fonts
./busybox rm -rf /system/drm
./busybox rm -rf /system/build.prop
./busybox rm -rf /system/app
./busybox rm -rf /system/bin
7. Now copy the files into the phone's internal memory. Again, we have to copy these over one by one, as the phone WILL run out of memory during this process! Most important files go first.
Code:
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/bin /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/xbin /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/etc /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/usr /system/
./busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/build.prop /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/lib /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/framework /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/fonts /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/drm /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/media /system/
./busybox cp -prfR /data/local/tmp/1/app /system/
Hopefully you won't run out of space until you try and copy /app over. No worries! Your phone will still start, and you can easily restore those files after.
8. Flash the 2.1 kernel, and userdata.
Unlike in the previous instructions, you only want to remove system.sin from the flash files! Put userdata.sin back if you've removed it!
9. Turn on your phone and just hope you didn't mess up!
==APPS ON SD==
See this thread: App2SD Mod (Moves dalvik cache to SD) Instructions
ARGH!! MY PHONE IS STUCK IN A ETERNAL REBOOT? WHAT DO I DO?!
Well, if you know for sure what you did, and don't fancy reflashing all over again, then just plug in your phone and use adb to shell into the phone. Quickly fix the problem before the phone reboots!
Just putting this out there: These instructions were roughly written up. If you're having issues, don't be afraid to ask! If you spot any mistakes, please let me know! I'll expand on these instructions later.
All credits go to pulpoff2, for figuring out this solution, and propc for re-uploading the files, discovering steps 6 and 7 in the internal memory instructions, and for helping me fix these instructions multiple times.

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Thank you! I will try this as soon as the files are available.
Are there any downsides? Is everything working as before? What about the speed (when loading apps for example)?

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Yes, there are a few downsides. While booting from the sdcard, you cannot mount the sdcard via the phone (you'll need to use a card reader, or push/pull files with adb). There may be some performance issues while booting from the sdcard aswell. The camera and the music player also don't work.
However, if you decided to put the rom into the phone's internal memory, all this is fixed! Absolutely no downsides. Unless you don't like the theme, then I guess that is a downside.

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thanks for making a new thread, thread pulpoff2 was hacked by ****-arsehole people! maybe.

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I don't think so. The site that he used to host the files has been redirected to an anti-muslim site, by the looks of it.

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aktw
Thanks man! Really appreciate it! Now I just need your tut for internal memory. Thanks again!
ML

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Edit: Can you add app2sd tutorial?
Much more concise internal flashing (for anyone who wants it)
Code:
adb shell
su
cd /data/local/tmp
cat /sdcard/ext/bin/busybox > /data/local/tmp/busybox
chmod 755 busybox
./busybox mount -o remount,rw /system
./busybox sh
/data/local/tmp/busybox mkdir /data/local/tmp/1
/data/local/tmp/busybox losetup /dev/block/loop1 /sdcard/x8.img
/data/local/tmp/busybox mount -t ext2 -o rw,noatime,nodiratime /dev/block/loop1 /data/local/tmp/1
/data/local/tmp/busybox rm -r /system
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/* /system

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There, the internal memory instructions are up.

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EDIT
ALL FILES NEEDED FOR ABOVE METHOD STATED BY a-k-t-w
Mediafire folder
http://www.mediafire.com/?2kk19r7u4x1w3\
duckload:
data.img
X8.img
X8 2.1 russian
Hotfile:
data.img
X8.img
X8 2.1 russian
ext.rar at the attachment
for external rom (if you use adb shell)
Code:
su [B]look at phone screen and press "allow"[/B]
cd /data/local/tmp
cat /sdcard/ext/bin/busybox > /data/local/tmp/busybox
chmod 755 busybox
./busybox mount -o remount,rw /system
./busybox cp -r /sdcard/ext/* /system/
chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
chmod 777 /system/bin/chargemon
chmod 755 /system/bin/e2fsck
chmod 4755 /system/bin/rootshell
to mount x8.img
Code:
mkdir /data/local/tmp/1
cat /sdcard/ext/bin/busybox > /data/local/tmp/busybox
/data/local/tmp/busybox losetup /dev/block/loop1 /sdcard/x8.img
/data/local/tmp/busybox mount -t ext2 -o rw,noatime,nodiratime /dev/block/loop1
EDIT : a-k-t-w completed the instruction himself. LOL..i think i'll be here for support..
-there you go.
ext.rar and unyaffs uploaded
i'll help by uploading the firmware files on mediafire.

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actually I need the firmware 2.1 unmodified, but I'm okay to waiting.
Thx before.

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That can be done. You mean unmodified, but rooted, right?
propc said:
...
i'll help by uploading the files on mediafire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!! You have the latest ROM right? I'll add these to the OP when you are done.
a-k-t-w said:
[highlight]Mod Edit: Sorry, but I had to remove the link to the former dev's site due to the nature of that link[/highlight]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood.
Edit: @propc, What is unyaffs used for?

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will the custom ROM have Timescape???? Or it will be the non-customized Android version.....
sry if this is a stupid question....
and i am just a beginner, so want a ask, what to you mean by "Flash 2.1 kernel" how to do it.....what are the files?? what is 2.1 kernel file??
i am new here...sry!

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a-k-t-w said:
That can be done. You mean unmodified, but rooted, right?
Thank you very much!! You have the latest ROM right? I'll add these to the OP when you are done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's the latest. btw, it's stable no worries

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mohakrastogi said:
will the custom ROM have Timescape???? Or it will be the non-customized Android version.....
sry if this is a stupid question....
and i am just a beginner, so want a ask, what to you mean by "Flash 2.1 kernel" how to do it.....what are the files?? what is 2.1 kernel file??
i am new here...sry!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorrry, I'll edit the OP. What I mean is, flash the 2.1 firmware, but without the files system.sin and userdata.sin (if your doing the sdcard method). This is basically flashing the 2.1 kernel only. Hang in there, the files will be available for download soon.
The custrom rom does not have timescape. You may have to restore ALL apps as there are some missing that will prevent you downloading your providers settings. I'm not sure which it is, so my solution is restoring them all. :-S
propc said:
I think it's the latest. btw, it's stable no worries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thanks again for the help.

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a-k-t-w said:
Sorrry, I'll edit the OP. What I mean is, flash the 2.1 firmware, but without the files system.sin and userdata.sin (if your doing the sdcard method). This is basically flashing the 2.1 kernel only. Hang in there, the files will be available for download soon.
The custrom rom does not have timescape. You may have to restore ALL apps as there are some missing that will prevent you downloading your providers settings. I'm not sure which it is, so my solution is restoring them all. :-S
Excellent! Thanks again for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm uploading data.img, x8.img and russian 2.1(.sin files)
any other files that need to be upload?
using unyaffs, you can extract x8.img directly to /system
maybe needed for future
folder for needed files are up (uploading other files .....)
HERE

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please help me when write a command i got a problem with copy file
screenshot:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
this a file problem with copy:
/data/local/tmp/busybox rm -r /system/app/com.mizusoft.relaxandsleep.apk
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/bin/* /system/bin/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/drm/* /system/drm/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/fonts/* /system/fonts/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/framework/* /system/framework/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/lib/* /system/lib/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/usr/* /system/usr/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/xbin/* /system/xbin/
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/build.prop /system/build.prop
/data/local/tmp/busybox cp -prf /data/local/tmp/1/media/* /system/media/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but remove a system -rm -r work for all files. help me pls

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What is this custom ROM I keep reading about? What exactly is different there, except for the theme? I would like to see a screenshot of the theme, btw. Is JIT enabled?

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Uhh. Probably not. The difference is just the theme, and root on 2.1. Because you can't get root any other way, if I'm not mistaken.

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novincobra said:
please help me when write a command i got a problem with copy file
screenshot:
this a file problem with copy:
but remove a system -rm -r work for all files. help me pls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is that you didn't mount the x8.img properly?
Or my cp command could be wrong. OH! Don't copy each app one by one, just the folders!
Don't put /* at the end! That means you are copying the contents of the folder! You want the entire folder on /system !

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Ok, this means we have to use this customized ROM to gain root. Thanks for clarifying.