[q] problem editting build.prop - G Tablet Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

cannot edit build.prop. i get an error when trying to edit it with es file explorer (there was an error when trying to save this file.)
any help? ive edited it before, but i dont know how. im pretty sure i did it this way but im not sure why its not saving properly this time.
running calk+clemsyn rom/kernel combo.
thanks!

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Copy it to another folder edit the copy and then move the edited file in the correct folder.

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tried that already, didnt work. got another error

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I use Root Explorer to do any editing.

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Any other suggestions? I'd rather not have to pay for it

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joshtb86 said:
cannot edit build.prop. i get an error when trying to edit it with es file explorer (there was an error when trying to save this file.)
any help? ive edited it before, but i dont know how. im pretty sure i did it this way but im not sure why its not saving properly this time.
running calk+clemsyn rom/kernel combo.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the build.prop you want to edit is in /system, then you'll have to mount /system read-write before you can modify any files there:
Code:
$ su [I]Become superuser. Prompt will change to '#'.[/I]
# /system/xbin/mount -w -o remount /system
[I]Edit the file[/I]
# /system/xbin/mount -r -o remount /system
You must have the Superuser app from Market and busybox installed on the gTablet for the commands to work. If you can't edit the file in ES File Explorer because of permission errors, copy the file into /mnt/sdcard via the command line, edit it there (or on the PC after removing the card), then move it back into place in /system and restore the old permissions:
Code:
$ cp /system/build.prop /mnt/sdcard/.
[I]a) The build.prop file in /mnt/sdcard should be editable now in ES File Explorer.
Edit the file, then do:
OR
b) Unmount the SD card via Settings > Storage, then remove the SD card and
edit the file elsewhere. Plug it back in, and, after it mounts do:[/I]
$ su
# /system/xbin/mount -w -o remount /system
# /system/xbin/mv /mnt/sdcard/build.prop /system/build.prop
# chown root.root /system/build.prop
# chmod 644 /system/build.prop
# /system/xbin/mount -r -o remount /system
All this is much easier through adb if you have that setup.
Note: Do not type the prompts--the '$' and '#' characters--in; they're just there to tell you what the Terminal screen should look like.

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joshtb86 said:
Any other suggestions? I'd rather not have to pay for it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have ES file explorer in Root mode?
In Es file explorer
Settings->Root Options -> both boxes checked, (HiAPK mode for first box)
I usually copy the file to sdcard and modify it, get ES explorer in root mode and copy it back. Do a backup before, in case you mess it up.
I usually use a terminal in su mode for editiing/copying, but that might not be needed.

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cbay said:
Did you have ES file explorer in Root mode?
In Es file explorer
Settings->Root Options -> both boxes checked, (HiAPK mode for first box)
I usually copy the file to sdcard and modify it, get ES explorer in root mode and copy it back. Do a backup before, in case you mess it up.
I usually use a terminal in su mode for editiing/copying, but that might not be needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i use CM Mod, i cant see any files. if i use HiAPK, all the files have -rw and a lot of stuff before it and i cant read anything, but it does mount. CW had problems mounting the drive. im gonna try out the terminal commands

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rajeevvp said:
If the build.prop you want to edit is in /system, then you'll have to mount /system read-write before you can modify any files there:
Code:
$ su [I]Become superuser. Prompt will change to '#'.[/I]
# /system/xbin/mount -w -o remount /system
[I]Edit the file[/I]
# /system/xbin/mount -r -o remount /system
You must have the Superuser app from Market and busybox installed on the gTablet for the commands to work. If you can't edit the file in ES File Explorer because of permission errors, copy the file into /mnt/sdcard via the command line, edit it there (or on the PC after removing the card), then move it back into place in /system and restore the old permissions:
Code:
$ cp /system/build.prop /mnt/sdcard/.
[I]a) The build.prop file in /mnt/sdcard should be editable now in ES File Explorer.
Edit the file, then do:
OR
b) Unmount the SD card via Settings > Storage, then remove the SD card and
edit the file elsewhere. Plug it back in, and, after it mounts do:[/I]
$ su
# /system/xbin/mount -w -o remount /system
# mv /mnt/sdcard/build.prop /system/build.prop
# chown root.root /system/build.prop
# chmod 644 /system/build.prop
# /system/xbin/mount -r -o remount /system
All this is much easier through adb if you have that setup.
Note: Do not type the prompts--the '$' and '#' characters--in; they're just there to tell you what the Terminal screen should look like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i tried the mv command to move it back, i still got errors in moving it and was not able to

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joshtb86 said:
when i tried the mv command to move it back, i still got errors in moving it and was not able to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try
Code:
/system/xbin/mv /mnt/sdcard/build.prop /system/build.prop
instead of plain 'mv'. The default Android mv command is idiotically implemented. (See this post if you're interested in the details):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13956585&postcount=4
Using 'cp' command instead of 'mv' should also work; this way, you'll also have a backup of build.prop in /mnt/sdcard/.

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rajeevvp said:
Try
Code:
/system/xbin/mv /mnt/sdcard/build.prop /system/build.prop
instead of plain 'mv'. The default Android mv command is idiotically implemented. (See this post if you're interested in the details):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13956585&postcount=4
Using 'cp' command instead of 'mv' should also work; this way, you'll also have a backup of build.prop in /mnt/sdcard/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks so much again. i finally got it to work, but i just wanted to get netflix to work, and it still doesnt. after all that work. ugh.

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JoTeC said:
I use Root Explorer to do any editing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I tried two other applications and they didn't work. Was able to edit with Root Explorer. didnt fix the Netflix playback. Bummer.
***** changing the Nexus S to HTC Vision and samsung to HTC did the trick.

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Root explorer will work, and is a great app. Worht the money.
Also, ADB from a PC will work as well. Just install the android sdk and use ADB.
From windows cmd prompts the commands are just adb remount (to remount as root) then "adb pull /system/build.prop" (this will pull it to the sdk platform-tools folder that adb.exe is in) and then edit to your hearts delite.
"adb push build.prop /system/build.prop" to send it back.

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I was able to use ES File System by unchecking the Mount File System option in the Root options menu and then rechecking it. I imagine that it forced a remount of the file system in a writable mode.

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This worked on our nabi big tab hd24
We now have true multiuser, where everyone has their own login, files, emails, bookmarks, web history, etc; as it should be.
I first did a factory reset, then installed kingo root, then another reset, did the build prop edit this suggested (es file explorer did not work) but build prop editor did....
We now have the nabi big tab hd 24 running as our primary desktop workstation computer...
No we just wish for a room update to be made available with the latest version of Android.
4.4.2 is getting old, and as is common little manufacturer long term support...