[Q] Clockworkmod hanging on backing up system... - G Tablet Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I apologize if this has been covered in another thread but I have been doing multiple searches on XDA and in google trying to find a solution but so far no luck. Long time reader of XDA but first time poster.
Details -
I successfully used NVFLASH, loaded Clockworkmod 0.8 and loaded Vega-Ntab gingerbread edition (stable RC1 I believe its called). I have been running this for a month or so with no major issues but I want to test out Vega-Ntab 5.1 and Brilliant Corners. Thinking of going with 5.1 for the hardware acceleration for gaming etc. Oh I also received my new Gtab with bootloader 1.2 and I downgraded that to 1.1 successfully before loading Vega-Ntab gingerbread. I think I can handle loading the new roms etc (may have to switch to 1.2 for Brilliant Corners I believe) but I want to do a full backup before doing so with clockworkmod so I can go back to gingerbread if I decide I liked it the best. But clockworkmod will not do a backup for me. I have tried multiple times and it always freezes/hangs at the same point. On the screen I see
ClockworkMod Recovery v2.5.1.1-bekit-0.8
SD card space free: 9697MB
Backing up boot...
Backing up recovery...
Backing up system... and here it will go no further
I have let it set at that point for hours but nothing changes. I checked the clockworkmod backup folder and it has a folder dated the current date of the backup but the contents is only boot.img and recovery.img and nothing else so I think that confirms it really isnt completing the backup.
I am unsure what the cause or solution to this is. I thought about reloading clockworkmod 0.8 but I don't think I can do this since it's already loaded. I thought about loading a newer version but from what I have read gingerbread and the other 1.1 roms will not work with anything but 0.8. I could just do a melt and repour and just go back to stock level and load 5.1 or Brilliant Corners but then I lose any apps I have loaded. I am not concerned about the majority of them but I have loaded a couple good ones as of late from Amazon that were the free app of the day and I am unsure whether I can "reload" these at a later date without being forced to pay. I have also paid for a couple games but I am assuming I can reload those without issue. I did back up all of the apps I paid for and amazon games that I loaded that I got for free (normally have to pay) with titanium backup. So assuming I can restore these with titanium backup after loading brilliant corners or vegan 5.1 then I guess the only thing that I lose by not being able to do a full backup/restore with clockwork is that if I want to go back to gingerbread then I have to start from scratch for reloading the rom.
So is the problem I am having running the back up successfully a known issue that I just can't seem to find a discussion thread about?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Boot into ClockworkMod Recovery and get me a dmesg output (kernel messages) using adb. See this post for how.
Attach the dmesg.txt to your next post.

thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am not having any luck getting the dmesg.txt file for you. I downloaded the iso image for Knoppix 6 but when I boot off the disc it starts processing everything but then it gives an error "the file /mnt-system/knoppix/knoppix is broken. then after about 30 secs it gives the following
/sbin/init: line 76: syntax error near unexpected token '/usr/share/fonts/type1/gsfonts/a010013l.pfb'
/sbin/init: line 76: '/URWGothicL-Book (usr/share/fonts/type1/gsfonts/a010013l.pfb);
I will try and download the iso from a different site and burn another disc.
I also tried a different route and loaded SDK manager to get to ADB by that route. I am running windows 7 if that makes a difference. I am not 100% sure when I am supposed to run the adb command line you listed. Do I have my gtab running clockworkmod and then mount USB so it will show up on my pc? Do I have to try and perform a backup and then run the adb command when it freezes? I don't think I can do that because if I navigate away from the mount USB it automatically unmounts it. Anyway adb doesn't appear to be seeing the gtab anyway. When I run the SDK manager it does not find any android devices. If I run the "adb devices" command it comes back with no devices. So I am not sure what basic thing I am missing to get adb or SDK to recognize the gtab.
I apologize for my lack of knowledge on adb. Your first link says if I have adb already set up to run adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt while in clockworkmod so I am assuming I do this after mounting USB to get the pc to recognize the gtab.
I will try download and burn another iso image from a different location and see if I can boot off a disc. Assuming this time it is successful do I run the ADB command you listed in the second link while the GTab is mounted to USB and recognized by the pc? Hopefully ADB will see it if I can get this to work.
*update* I downloaded the ISO image from a different location. When I went to the folder it was downloaded to I noticed that the first ISO image I downloaded was only approx 100MB in size instead of 700+ mb. So I am re-burning another disc. Hopefully this will allow me to boot properly.
*update #2* I was able to successfully boot off of the new disc. Now I just need to figure out how and where to enter the adb command line in your link ($ sudo ./adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt) i tried this using the Shell option but it says command not found. If I choose the File Manager option and navigate to where the adb file is that was in your linked zip file it just prompts me to edit/copy/move/rename or delete the file. I am out of time tonight so I will work on it more tomorrow. The good news though is that when I use File Manager the Gtab is listed so it is at least recognized. Now I just need to figure out how to get the dmesg.txt file you request but making some progress... I think

ashton555 said:
*update #2* I was able to successfully boot off of the new disc. Now I just need to figure out how and where to enter the adb command line in your link ($ sudo ./adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Step by step instructions in this post.

thanks a bunch. Those instructions were easy to follow and made sense. I have never used linux before but alot of it reminded me back of my old unix days (terminal commands that is).
Anyway I think I did everything correct and I am now attaching the txt file.
Thanks again for your help and patience with this Linux newbie let me know if I need to provide any additional information.

ashton555 said:
Anyway I think I did everything correct and I am now attaching the txt file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did indeed. And I can't see any obvious problems with the NAND-flash device, judging from the kernel messages.
Since you've already tried to take backups using CWM before, that action should've created a log file. This file might be useful. Retrieve it. Inside an xterm window on Linux, run:
Code:
hostpc$ [B]sudo ./adb pull /cache/recovery/log recovery.log[/B]
Attach this "recovery.log" file.
Next, try to read, one by one, the NAND flash partitions that CWM usually backs up. Here's an example run on my gTablet:
Code:
hostpc$ [B]sudo ./adb shell[/B] [I]Get into the shell in CWM[/I]
~ # [B]dump_image boot /dev/null[/B]
~ # [B]dump_image recovery /dev/null[/B]
~ # [B]dump_image system /dev/null[/B]
mtd: read error at 0x029a0000 (I/O error)
mtd: read error at 0x02da0000 (I/O error)
~ # [B]dump_image cache /dev/null[/B]
~ #
Type in only the commands in bold.
As you can see, my "system" partition on the NAND flash has errors (and the kernel also report this when it boots), but, the command will not hang. According to the kernel message that you just supplied, you don't have any errors on your onboard NAND flash, so, theoretically, you shouldn't get any errors at all. But, we'll see if the dump_image command hangs when reading system just like CWM does.
And if the dump_image command does hang somewhere, we can see if formatting just that system partition will get it working again. There is a utility on this board which we could use for doing that, though I've never tried it.

I successfully completed the next two tasks. I am attaching the recovery.log file. Note I had an issue copying the .log file to where I could access it in win7 (for some reason I cant attach a file while in linux). I opened it with a word processor and then saved it to my c drive which messed up the formatting. So I opened it in Word to get the formatting correct and saved it as a txt file so thats why the attached file is recovery.txt. Let me know if it messed it up to where its not useable.
On the second task
~ # dump_image boot /dev/null
this worked fine and quick
~ # dump_image recovery /dev/null
this worked fine and quick
~ # dump_image system /dev/null
this worked but took maybe 10-15 seconds
~ # dump_image cache /dev/null
this one gave an I/O error but completed the dump
mtd: read error at 0x00080000 (I/O error)

ashton555 said:
Let me know if it messed it up to where its not useable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is just fine... and I can't see any error messages in it.
~ # dump_image system /dev/null
this worked but took maybe 10-15 seconds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is normal -- "system" partition is ~200MB.
~ # dump_image cache /dev/null
this one gave an I/O error but completed the dump
mtd: read error at 0x00080000 (I/O error)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This also looks like normal behaviour, but, I'm puzzled that the kernel did not report any bad blocks on this partition. Check if this is a transient error:
1. Repeat the "dump_image cache ..." command a few times and see if the I/O error location is the same.
2. Try to "fix" the error on the cache partition by using the "wipe cache partition" menu item in CWM. Do this a couple of times.
3. Run the "dump_image cache ..." command again.
4. Attempt another full system backup using CWM.
If step 4 fails, we'll see if the writing of the backup to the sdcard is the problem, because the reading seems to be completing without any hangs as of now.
BTW, the most important partitions are all being read fine. The "cache" partition is not that important -- it can be empty (but not corrupt) each time the system boots and only the initial bootup might go a little slower.
And, if, in the end of all this, you can't use CWM at all, you can still make a full system backup using nvflash and a few Unix commands.

1. Repeat the "dump_image cache ..." command a few times and see if the I/O error location is the same
....i did the dump 4 times and it always gave the same I/O location
2. Try to "fix" the error on the cache partition by using the "wipe cache partition" menu item in CWM. Do this a couple of times
.... I wiped the cache 4 times successsfully
3. Run the "dump_image cache ..." command again.
.... same I/O error location
4. Attempt another full system backup using CWM
.... still freezing at backing up system
So I guess I need to try and do the backup with NVFlash and unix/linux commands? If you have a link on how to do that I will give it a try or I can search for it and see if there is a discussion thread on it.
Thanks again for your help and trying to resolve this
Question - if I started over from scratch and went back to stock and then loaded vegan gingerbread would this issue possibly correct itself? Also more importantly if I back up some apps using titanium backup before I go back to stock can I then restore them with Titanium once I have vegan ginger back loaded? Also if I loaded vegan 5.1.1 could I restore the same apps I backed up in vegan ginger? Hopefully that made sense. I don't mind starting from scratch if I need to I just wasnt sure if I would permanently lose certain apps I have loaded. It's only about 10 apps I care about
*update* - well I think I am going to be forced to start over anyway. After wiping the cache a couple times and attempting another backup (froze again at backing up system) I now can't get the gtab to boot completely. It is stuck at the flashing vegan ginger edition screen. It flashes for awhile then the screen goes black then it goes back to the flashing screen again. I know you said it would take longer to boot up the first time after wiping the cache but was doing the flash cycling for over an hour which I assume is too long? I tried wiping the cache again and I also wiped the davlik cache as someone suggested in another thread but it is back to being stuck in the flashing screen loop. Assuming I do have to start over can I at least boot to CWM, mount ext USB and copy off the titanium backup files I made so I can restore some of the paid for apps?

ashton555 said:
3. Run the "dump_image cache ..." command again.
.... same I/O error location
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like a permanent I/O error in the cache partition, then. But, I don't understand why it is "system" which is hanging on backup.
4. Attempt another full system backup using CWM
.... still freezing at backing up system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get me the recovery.log.
So I guess I need to try and do the backup with NVFlash and unix/linux commands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll think this over during the weekend. In the mean-time, read through this thread. You can safely take a complete backup of your tablet while I do a bit of experimentation on a clockworkmod-like solution. But, I suspect that you may not be able to backup "cache" using nvflash going by the I/O errors. I have errors on my "system" partition and a nvflash backup fails on it, but CWM doesn't have any problems backing up and restoring.
Question - if I started over from scratch and went back to stock and then loaded vegan gingerbread would this issue possibly correct itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. But, see this thread. It shows you how to wipe all the partitions on the NAND flash device. We don't need to format the entire NAND flash. We can see if doing a few repeated formats of the "system" and "cache" partitions gets CWM working again, if you're willing to wipe "system"--you will have to load Vegan-Ginger right after this.
Also more importantly if I back up some apps using titanium backup before I go back to stock can I then restore them with Titanium once I have vegan ginger back loaded? Also if I loaded vegan 5.1.1 could I restore the same apps I backed up in vegan ginger? Hopefully that made sense. I don't mind starting from scratch if I need to I just wasnt sure if I would permanently lose certain apps I have loaded. It's only about 10 apps I care about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used Titanium backup so I can't say how well it works, but, judging from the reports that other users have made, what you're suggesting should work without any problems. User downloaded applications are stored either on /data or on /mnt/sdcard (for apps moved to SD card). Since your SD cards don't seem to be affected, you can go ahead with Titanium backup.

ashton555 said:
Assuming I do have to start over can I at least boot to CWM, mount ext USB and copy off the titanium backup files I made so I can restore some of the paid for apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, copy the files in CWM, then just do a "wipe data/factory reset" and see if it boot loop goes away.
But, before you do that, gimme a half-hour and I'll send you commands which you can use to save the files in /data and /sdcard. I just have to compile and test a new version of busybox. The tar command already present in CWM doesn't seem to work properly for me.

Attaching the recovery file
I am running the nvflash back up right now.
It successfully did part-1.img through part-11.img with no errors. The last thing it said though is
"rem CACHE PARTITION BACKUP NOT NEEDED
"nvflash.exe" -r --read 12 part-12.img
press enter to continue
Is this maybe because I wiped the cache and it's empty?
I looked on my ext SD card and the titanium backup files are there (except for a couple I had forgotten do ....) so I think I am okay for going back to square one if need be.
I will go ahead (tomorrow probably) try doing what is described thread about wiping partitions on the NAND device and just formating the system and cache partitions. I am assuming that at this point I guess its okay to go ahead and try to load vegan tab 5.1.1 instead of ginger again since I wanted to try out 5.1.1 anyway or if you have any experience with it would you recommend Brilliant Corners instead since its a newer rom. I think I will have to reload the 1.2 bootloader which is okay.

ashton555 said:
Attaching the recovery file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No errors in there.
The last thing it said though is
"rem CACHE PARTITION BACKUP NOT NEEDED
"nvflash.exe" -r --read 12 part-12.img
press enter to continue
Is this maybe because I wiped the cache and it's empty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so. The cache partition isn't that important anyway, so it can be skipped.
I will go ahead (tomorrow probably) try doing what is described thread about wiping partitions on the NAND device and just formating the system and cache partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest that you copy the Titanium backed-up apps safely away immediately, then format just the system and cache partitions as per that thread. You will need to be in APX mode to use nvflash.
Immediately after the nvflash, (since the system partition is now gone), boot into CWM, then do a factory reset, repartition the internal sdcard, copy the Vegan-5.1.1 update file onto the now clean sdcard through the PC and then flash it. This should give you a clean slate.
Then check if you can do a backup using CWM. If you still can't, then I'll see if a solution can be devised to do partial backups.
And, I have tried neither Vegan* nor Brilliant Corners, so the choice is up to you.
Sorry, my test commands aren't working so I can't send you those commands I promised to back up your /data and /system--I suspect a bad USB cable.

Related

Clear Cache and Data from Stock Recovery

I've seen a number of requests for this functionality and recently it became necessary for one user who had a disabled Home Key to clear cache and data without the use of ClockworkMod. I have reserached two methods to address this issue. These instructions require some familiarity of android, computer and tablet terminology and usage. Feel free to ask for clarifications in comments. Here we go...
Method I - Stock Recovery Command File
Technical: Stock Recovery command file can be used to perform a few additional functions as well as to alter the path to update files. These commands will execute with all privileges available to recovery mode.
Advantages: Very easy to use. Very little technical knowledge required. No third party software is required for use.
Prerequisites: You will need a MicroSD card formatted FAT32 and a method for transferring files from your computer to the MicroSD.
Usage:
1) Prepare a text file named "command" (no file extension) with one of the following commands on a single line. The wipe data command will wipe both data and cache. Wipe cache will wipe cache only.
--wipe_data
--wipe_cache
2) Place the file in a folder named "recovery" in the root directory of your MicroSD card.
3) From a powered down state, insert the MicroSD card into your tablet and boot into recovery by powering it on while holding down the Volume Up key.
4) Allow the command to execute completely then the tablet should reboot (this may not occur automatically depending on firmware installed).
Method II - Updater Script
Technical: The attached "Updater Scripts" perform delete commands (recursively if necessary) on the named directory or file(s). The directories are mounted automatically by the system before the script executes but it could be easily revised to include that step if necessary. The partitioning, formatting and directory structure are left untouched. Only files are deleted.
Advantages: No third party software is necessary for execution. Relatively easy to modify for more surgical precision (i.e. leaving installed apps but clearing possibly corrupted system data). Included example: "Clear Battery Stats"
Prerequisites: You will need a MicroSD card formatted FAT32 and a method for transferring files from your computer to the MicroSD.
Usage:
1) Download the attached archive (ClearData.zip) to your computer.
2) Extract the files to your computer. You should then have a folder named "recovery" (which contains a file named "command") and an additional archive named "update.zip"
3) Place the recovery folder and the update.zip in the root directory of the MicroSD card.
4) From a powered down state, insert the MicroSD card into your tablet and boot into recovery by powering it on while holding down the Volume Up key.
5) Allow the script to execute completely then reboot the tablet (this may occur automatically depending on firmware installed).
This will become handy someday.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
You're welcome. One quick note... the new stock recovery adds a menu simiilar to ClockworkMod. These methods will still work since the recovery folder/command file are checked first but it really isn't as necessary any more.
Need Help
Tried both methods above but either way I get to the viewsonic splash with the message "Booting recovery kernel image" in the upper left and it just stays there, stuck there, I left it for a long time to see and it never leaves that screen.
Any ideas?
Me too
I can't get into clockworkmod either. My machine is running faster. I almost hate to mess it more.
lrgche said:
Tried both methods above but either way I get to the viewsonic splash with the message "Booting recovery kernel image" in the upper left and it just stays there, stuck there, I left it for a long time to see and it never leaves that screen.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an indication that you may have more serious problems. nvflash will be required. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950
Once done you will likely need to install ClockworkMod and repartition your internal storage.
Loukoebel said:
I can't get into clockworkmod either. My machine is running faster. I almost hate to mess it more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your tablet boots properly but you can't get into CWM then it probably isn't installed properly (or at all). http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
Keep in mind that CWM is NOT compatible with all ROMs. Make sure the developer for your chosen ROM recommends it before installing it.
Does your method in opening post have to be run from external micro sdcard?
Both methods are performed with an external MicroSD card. They will work from internal also but it is a little more difficult to get the files in place if your tablet is not booting properly.
K J Rad said:
Both methods are performed with an external MicroSD card. They will work from internal also but it is a little more difficult to get the files in place if your tablet is not booting properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so your method is a simple way to replace one of the main uses of Clockword MOD?--Plus you stay stock more or less.
That is correct. Method II can also be modified to be less intrusive (leave user apps installed) or embedded into update scripts to perform a wipe during new ROM installs.
K J Rad said:
That is correct. Method II can also be modified to be less intrusive (leave user apps installed) or embedded into update scripts to perform a wipe during new ROM installs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe data does what--remove the apps installed?
And the partitions?
Your post is very interesting. It implies that you have a knowledge of the g-tabs partition structure. I have played with Linux off and on for the last 10+ years. When I began, I used Slackware and when you set it up you had to manually create partition tables using fdisk. You were only required to create two - the data partition and a swap partition but it was often recommended that you create several others - one to contain the home directory to prevent users from using all the disk space (in the days of small disks) for example. It appears that there are a lot of partition on the g-tab. Up to now, I have used various wiping tools like clockwork or calkulins wipe all on faith. I would really like to know what all the partitions are and what is in them. I have used terminal to get to the root folder and tried to do an fdisk to display the partitions but try as I might everything remains hidden. It would seem that a script like yours could be adapted to do many things but I would certainly want to understand the structure a little better before I did anything. I have searched and been unable to find that information. Can you point a way for the curious to learn more about the partition structure on the g-tab?
Wish I had a direction I could point you in. What I've found so far has mostly been stumbled upon while looking for something else. What I can tell you is this...
1) When using fdisk in Android you must specify the device to look at. Try something like: fdisk /dev/block/mccblk3 That should list the current partitions as defined by CWM or whatever was used originally.
2) Within one of those partitions in the list generated above are sub-partitions holding the bootloader, system, data, etc partitions. You can see how they're described in the .cfg files in the nvflash restores that are lying about.
lsu205 said:
Wipe data does what--remove the apps installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removes user apps and their associated data as well as system related data and settings.
K J Rad - any idea if the partition size can be set with these methods (2048 & 0) in case I can't get clockwork installed?
CodeNamePapa said:
K J Rad - any idea if the partition size can be set with these methods (2048 & 0) in case I can't get clockwork installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for a solution to that problem. Unfortunately these methods still require the ability to get into recovery mode which likely won't work if you're having trouble getting CWM installed.
If, however, you can get into recovery... then it is theoretically possible to create a script that would accomplish that. As soon as I have one I'll be adding it to the mix ;-)
Edit: I've found something I think will work. Will do some testing tonight. It will still require access to recovery.
I wasn't sure if you saw my other post but I am seeing no partition 0 when I NVFlash with a verifypartition.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13059520&postcount=57
I haven't yet but I will. Let's try to keep this thread on topic. Thanks.
More thoughts:
because I went w/ cyan7 is it possible i have a "bad" kernel and that the stock bekit-1105 or the roebeet-3588 files are crashing w/ the kernel in place already?
I know custom ROMs can have a custom kernel applied separately, but I have no idea whether cyan7 loads it's own kernel...
I have yet to try the nvflash_gtablet_46 version, as I see the img files w/in are different from the original 1105 .zip
Also:
read on another thread that part 2 and part 3 aren't loading for other users when doing nvflash - I did notice that it pauses, runs some stuff, then starts loading part 4 through to the last part, then success. - do part 2 and 3 run for you?
edit: I see a 4349 downgrade.zip in another thread for those who got the OTA update but want to go back to stock 3588 prior to jumping off somewhere else - I can't expect that would help me as I can't do squat w/ recovery yet, but could that possibly "reset" any bad kernel problems? - again, I'm just thinking out loud.
This is well outside the scope of this thread but I find some of what you mention interesting so I'll address it and then end any further off topic discussions.
I did not build nor have I ever used Cyan7 so I have no basis for an opinion on the matter other than this... Each ROM comes with a kernel installed so if properly done an nvflash should overwrite any "bad" kernel.
Part2 and Part3 do indeed load, they are just displayed differently than the other Parts. Just minutes ago I flashed down from Mountain Laurel (4349 based with the new bootloader and recovery) with absolutely no trouble. I can, and have, read back those partitions after an nvflash to prove that point.
The 4349 downgrade will only work for you if recovery is working. Having never used it I don't know that it would "reset" the kernel but any subsequent flashing of a new ROM image would.
I am working on a stock recovery solution for partitioning but it isn't likely to help anyone who is stuck in an APX loop. I do have some ideas on what might help for that condition but I haven't been able to get my hands on one for testing and trying to help people here is like being a consulting mechanic for a car repair that's in someone else's shop having work done on it that you're not being told about.
I'll be happy to address any further comments or questions regarding your specific issue in an appropriate thread or via PM. Thanks.

[Q] Possible Brick? internal SD card seems to be "stuck" as is. WEIRD

Okay guys, so here's a weird one.
My g-tablet was working great. Was running VEGAn-Tab Build, BETA 5.1.1, no reason to update it, because it did everything I needed. I finally had it to where I wanted it, then it all kind of started falling apart. Here's how.
I power it on and notice my home screen got all messed up for some reason (using launcher pro). All of the settings defaulted to the original. I tweaked it back to more or less how I wanted it, and when I had it back to normal, thought nothing better of it. Must have glitched out some how.
Then I notice a bunch of things starting to force close, specfically android market, amazon market, titanium backup, google services framework, launcher pro, etc. Odd thing is it would do it one at a time, but otherwise my tablet would carry on as normal.
I go ahead and restart the tablet, to see if that helps at all, and what do you know, the homescreen is messed up again! I thought launcher pro might have been the culprit, so I un-installed the app and rebooted... And launcher pro is still there.
I go ahead and delete it again and start deleting other apps, restarting the tablet, and no matter what I do, everything stays the same. time for some clockwork mod action. I go into clockwork mod, and try to do the factory reset option, thinking what the hey, I'll try anything right now. Hit it, mourn the loss of my user data, and reboot the system... and again, everything is still the same.
I hook up my tablet to the computer via usb, and it looks like I'm able to at least delete misc. files that way. But when I return to good old Tabatha (my nickname for Gtab) everything is stuck just the way it is.
Needless to say, it feels like I'm stuck in the twilight zone.
I know I should have researched it by now, but I'm going to finally look it up to see if I can recover with NVFlash (I know I know, very noobish of me, using strange roms and not knowing any of the basics).... but I'm increasingly worried I've got some kind of a hardware malfunction on my hands. Could it be the memory? The internal SD card?
Oddly enough, my tablet still functions... I can browse the web, hook it up to my computer, etc etc, but no matter what I do I can't alter the data I already have on my tablet. Can't delete things, can't change settings, update apps, etc. etc. Which makes it pretty much useless for what I wanted to use it for.
I finally realized what this is like. The movie groundhog day, and I'm stuck in the same day, over and over again.
Any help or input that might get me out of this mess would be greatly appreciated.
Phil: "I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get *that* day over, and over, and over..."
This is now the second time that I've seen this exact same problem. I was in the process of troubleshooting the original one when the user returned his gTablet for replacement. If you can stand the deja vu, read this thread.
Do not nvflash your tablet--nvflash cannot fix SD-card related problems. Read this post for why not.
Instead, do this for me: Reboot the gTablet, then open a Terminal, or, use adb and run this command:
Code:
$ dmesg > /mnt/sdcard/dmesg.txt
Attach that dmesg.txt which will contain messages from the kernel to your next post.
I'll check this thread in the evening.
rajeevvp said:
This is now the second time that I've seen this exact same problem. I was in the process of troubleshooting the original one when the user returned his gTablet for replacement. If you can stand the deja vu, read this thread.
Do not nvflash your tablet--nvflash cannot fix SD-card related problems. Read this post for why not.
Instead, do this for me: Reboot the gTablet, then open a Terminal, or, use adb and run this command:
Code:
$ dmesg > /mnt/sdcard/dmesg.txt
Attach that dmesg.txt which will contain messages from the kernel to your next post.
I'll check this thread in the evening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the direction, at least I know it isn't an isolated incident. It's 1:45 AM where I am right now, and I have to wake up for work in about 5 hours... So I probably won't be able to get in depth with the follow up on this stuff untill after work tomorrow night (so long as the wife doesn't hog the computer )
Again thanks for the quick response, I appreciate you pointing me into some sort of direction. Can't wait to try to get this sorted out!
Currently trying to figure out how to get ADB going.... pretty intimidating, but I'm trying. I got the Java JDK installed, installing the SDK, but can't find the "SDK Setup.exe" file or even a USB driver folder in the SDK directory. Got a good resource for getting ADB set up?
Save yourself some trouble. Got to http://www.knoppix.org/ and download the latest Knoppix live CD image.
Burn it, boot it, then use the adb executable from this post. For simple things like just running adb, you don't need the entire Android SDK.
Get me a dmesg while inside ClockworkMod:
Code:
$ [B]sudo ./adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt[/B]
ADB commands documentation
Thanks, I'll try it out sometime this weekend!
Well, I really screwed myself now. I got the Linux distro loaded but still couldn't figure out how to get ADB to work. For whatever reason, When I boot from the DVD, I can't download the zip from within linux (get errors) and I could not open the ADB command by navigating to where I have it extracted in my hard drive. [Do I need to load the OS onto a flash drive instead?]
So I started messing with some stuff in clockwork mod. I apparently really goofed it, and I got a "Magic Value Mismatch" error everytime I tried to boot it up.
I looked up Magic Value Mismatch, and from there it pointed to using NVFlash to try to fix that problem. So tried that. After I flashed it, I thought for sure I finally had it back to stock, as the intro screen started to show the tap n tap logo... but i basically got stuck in a boot loop, tap n tap, then "n", then tap n tap, then "n", etc, until it dies.
I looked up this issue and apparently the key is to get into clockwork mod and do factory reset, reset cache, and partition the SD card to 2048 and 0, which I did... (per post #4 on this thread: http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/17501-helpstuck-in-bootloop/ ) but still no dice.
Not sure where to go from here, or if I can even get it to interface with ADB in its current state. Looks like I'm done for
Thanks for trying though
On second thought, I may have had a breakthrough, at least in getting ADB to see my tablet!!! Woohoo! It finally sees the device and has a serial number. Was following the device on this thread:
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/viewsonic-gtablet-technical/5377-adb-g-tab-step-step.html
7. under the "[Google.NTx86]" section, paste the following:
Code:
;NVIDIA Tegra
%SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0955&PID_7000
%CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0955&PID_7100&MI_01
save the file and exit.
But I have a 64 bit machine, so I finally figured it out and plopped that into the 64 bit portion of the .inf file. DOH!
So now let me see what I can drum up through the previous commands above.... though the parameters have changed now to be sure... Due to my haste things may have taken a turn for the worse.
To recap, now my tablet is stuck in a boot loop after having done NV Flash, after having screwed up some settings in clockwork mod trying to fix a "Magic Value Mismatch" error.
Tried:
$ dmesg > /mnt/sdcard/dmesg.txt
I just run this in the cmd prompt at my platform-tools directory where the adb is correct?
All it says is, "The system cannot find the path specified."
Am I doing something wrong, or is my tablet that messed up?
Okay, this is slightly weird. So I was browsing around in clockwork mod, and lo and behold, the original zip flies for vegan tab are all STILL THERE. So I reloaded them... And My tablet zips back to exactly the way I had it before!
Only this time, so far no force closes. This looks way too good to be true after what I've been through. I'm going to try modifying some files and settings and restart my tablet to see what it does. I'm pretty sure I can't be out of the woods yet. Allthough it is 3:33 AM as this is happening... magic hour. I may be going insane.
EDIT: Nope, was definitely way too good to be true. All my data is as stuck as it was ever was. But at least now I can get into it again. But now we're back to square one. Lemme figure out this dmesg business and get back to you. X(
So I would try issuing the following exactly in the command line at the adb platform tools folder:
$ dmesg > /mnt/sdcard/dmesg.txt
Is that code supposed to be copy and paste in? I don't seem to be getting anything. I can do the following command and get the info to pop into the command interface:
adb shell dmesg
But I can't figure out how to save that to a text file. And you want me to do that while the g tablet is in recovery, correct?
FYI, trying to do it through Windows 7. Would that command only operate in the linux environment via knoppix?
Thanks
titobetlogs said:
I can do the following command and get the info to pop into the command interface:
adb shell dmesg
But I can't figure out how to save that to a text file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Redirect the output to a file:
Code:
C:\SOME\PATH> [B]adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt[/B]
titobetlogs said:
I got the Linux distro loaded but still couldn't figure out how to get ADB to work. For whatever reason, When I boot from the DVD, I can't download the zip from within linux (get errors) and I could not open the ADB command by navigating to where I have it extracted in my hard drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggested using Knoppix just because it is so easy to use adb in Linux. Broken-down steps for future reference:
1. Download and burn the latest Knoppix Live CD iso image. Check the downloaded file size. The .iso file should be ~700MB in size. Also, test the CD by booting it and then typing at the boot prompt: knoppix testcd
2. Boot Live CD and skip the creation of any partition or file to store user data. After all, we just want to run adb.
3. After Knoppix has booted into the desktop, run a browser, right click on the adb.zip attachment in this post, then select "Save Link As..." and save the zip file into /tmp.
4. Connect the gTablet to the PC via the USB cable.
5. Open a terminal window, then type in it:
Code:
hostpc$ [B]cd /tmp[/B] [I]Change to the dir. where adb.zip was saved[/I]
hostpc$ [B]unzip adb.zip[/B] [I]Unzip zip file[/I]
hostpc$ [B]ls -l adb[/B] [I]Check if the adb program was extracted OK[/I]
-rwx------ 1 rvp rvp 159620 Dec 1 22:23 adb
hostpc$ [B]chmod 555 adb[/B] [I]Make adb executable.[/I]
hostpc$ [B]sudo ./adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt[/B]
Note 1: do not type in the shell prompt, 'hostpc$'. It is only there to show you what the screen should (roughly) look like.
Note 2: If adb says something like "device not found", just unplug the USB cable from the PC, wait a few moments, then re-plug the cable and re-run the adb command again.
6. Go back into the browser and attach the dmesg.txt file that is there in /tmp. You will have to tell the Noscript plugin to allow scripts from xda-developers to enable attachments. Right click on the page, then select the Noscript menu item, then choose "Temporarily allow xda-developers.com".
I thought for sure I finally had it back to stock, as the intro screen started to show the tap n tap logo... but i basically got stuck in a boot loop, tap n tap, then "n", then tap n tap, then "n", etc, until it dies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not surprised. If the files on the internal SD card cannot be modified then that boot loop behaviour is to be expected. Here's why:
Android requires certain partitions to exist on the system. These partitions can be either on the flash or on SD cards. The partitions are:
/system: This is where the binaries and system apps that come with the firmware are stored. This partition is usually mounted read-only to protect it. On the gTablet, this partition is on the 512MB built-in NAND flash chip.
/cache: As the name indicates, this is the partition used to speed up the execution of the Java apps. Temporary files are also created here. This partition too is on the built-in NAND flash chip.
/data: This is where user-downloaded apps are stored by default, and also where Android stores its system configuration data. This partition, on the gTablet, is on the internal SD card.
/sdcard: This is where user content like media files, books, and the apps moved to SD card are stored. This partition too is on the internal SD card.
The first 3 partitions are critical and Android won't come up without them being present (or, if there are any errors on them). Among these 3, only /system needs to be correctly populated (When you install a ROM, new stuff is copied here). The other 2 partitions, /data and /cache can be empty and the system will boot up fine--with defaults. In fact, when you select "wipe data/factory reset" in CWM, /cache and /data are re-formatted--effectively, wiped clean.
(There are 2 other important partitions on the NAND flash chip, but, these are not mounted because they don't contain a proper filesystem. You have to use special tools to create the contents of these 2 partitions.
The first of these is the "boot" partition. This one and "system" are re-written when you install a new ROM. The "boot" partition holds the Android Linux kernel. If you install a new kernel, only the "boot" partition is rewritten.
The second is the "recovery" partition. This contains a separate, and usually different (and safe), Linux kernel and a mini filesystem image. This is a fail-safe partition. Stock recovery and ClockworkMod sit here.)
In your case, nothing on the internal SD card can be modified, so the stuff in /data will still be from your old ROM. (nvflash also cannot modify SD card contents, as I mentioned before.) When the stock firmware boots up, it will find incompatible stuff in /data. Critical apps will then die. Android will restart them, they will die again. This is your boot loop.
Get me the dmesg output and then we'll run a few tests using CWM, but, judging from your previous posts, I don't think your internal SD card can be fixed. You have 2 options:
1. Return the tablet for a replacement.
2. If you can't return it, I can switch the internal and external SD cards on your ROM so that you can boot and use the system (almost) normally. But, this is a custom solution and you will need to have an external SD card in its slot always. Read through this thread.
Wow, you really know you're stuff! I'll see what I can get you later on in the day with regard to the dmesg, I'm currently still at work.
I had suspected a hardware error... bummer. I'll definitely be interested in seeing if I can just use the external micro sd slot to sub out for the internal sd card. I would at least like this thing to be functional again, though I suppose I'll never be able to try any of the honeycomb roms when those get past alpha. Oh well.
Do you know if this thing takes 32 gb micro sd cards? That would be pretty awesome, I at least wouldn't feel too limited on space.
By the way, thanks for all your help on this, I know I'm a huge noob. I greatly appreciate your patience and taking the time to break everything down for me. I have absolutely zero background in programming or anything computer related, though I do find this stuff extremely fascinating! If I could rewind the clock and study this stuff in school, I would do it in a heartbeat.
Again, thanks so much, can't thank you enough.
titobetlogs said:
I would at least like this thing to be functional again, though I suppose I'll never be able to try any of the honeycomb roms when those get past alpha. Oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you should be able to run whatever ROM you want. I'll send you an installable zip file, in a few days, which should get you going again on Vegan-Tab, at least. You'll just need to remember to flash this zip file right after you've flashed the ROM (of your choice).
Right now, I don't know if I need one zip file for each kind of ROM in existence for the gTablet, or, if I can use some scripting and do the internal/external SD card switch using just a single installable zip file. I'll look into this on the weekend.
Do you know if this thing takes 32 gb micro sd cards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it does.
By the way, thanks for all your help on this, I know I'm a huge noob...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a complete noob to Android myself back in April of this year. I've picked all of this up in just a few months. I'm pretty sure you can do it too, with a bit of poking around in the system. Of course, having a background in Unix/Linux helps a lot.
In your honor, below are some inspiring lyrics from the Karate Kid soundtrack:
You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ho-how-ho-own
INSPIRING GUITAR SOLO
Dude! you're embarrassing me -- I haven't send you the zip file yet... and, you haven't sent that dmesg output I wanted.
I know I've been stuck at work and family functions every day this week so far. Hopefully I'll get to it soon
Finally got to this! Here you go! Thanks again!
titobetlogs said:
Finally got to this! Here you go!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't see any problems in that dmesg output. Time for some tests on the internal SD card.
Boot into CWM, then run on PC (on Linux run: sudo ./adb shell):
Code:
C:\SOME\PATH> [B]adb shell[/B]
~ # [B]mount /dev/block/mmcblk3p1 /sdcard[/B] [I] Mount internal SD card partition[/I]
~ # [B]mkdir -p /sdcard/a/b/c[/B] [I]Make a directory tree[/I]
~ # [B]echo test > /sdcard/a/b/c/test.txt[/B] [I]Create a file[/I]
~ # [B]cat /sdcard/a/b/c/test.txt[/B] [I]Read it back again[/I]
test [I]Correct[/I]
~ # [B]echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches[/B] Flush kernel caches
~ # [B]cat /sdcard/a/b/c/test.txt[/B] Read it back again
test Correct
~ # [B]umount /sdcard[/B] [I]Unmount[/I]
~ # [B]mount /dev/block/mmcblk3p1 /sdcard[/B] [I]Remount /sdcard[/I]
~ # [B]cat /sdcard/a/b/c/test.txt[/B] [I]Reread file[/I]
test [I]You should see "test" here[/I]
~ # [B]umount /sdcard[/B]
You should see "test" after the kernel flush and the remount.
Next, reboot the tablet--back into CWM, then run the cat command again. `cat' should output "test", again, if the SD card is OK.
Here's a screen of the commands I entered and what I got back. Did I do anything wrong? Looks like something's a bit off.

[Q] Bricked and Malfunctioning Partitions

I have a GTab that was running Calkulin + Clemsyn Combo Overclock at 1.5 ghz V8 on the 1.2 branch fine for a couple months now, then something happened today. Woke up to find there was no sound coming from it (I'd left an Anti-mosquito app running all night), so I tried to play a couple music files. Seemed to get frozen instead of playing, so I restarted. That's when it went into a boot loop from 3 birds to the first splash screen of the loaded ROM.
Attempted to do a backup via CWM, and it failed on /data. Tried a data wipe/reset, then reflashing the ROM and finally NVFlash. Still goes into a bootloop. Repartitioning and mounting doesn't do anything; ADB doesn't see the device at all in CWM or APX; /data cannot be mounted and /sdcard mounts only when a card is inserted (doesn't see the internal space) but still doesn't mount USB storage and says: "E:Unable to write to ums lunfile (No such file or directory)"; drive shows in Win7, but is inaccessible;
As mentioned, APX mode and NVFlash along with CWM works fine. And I can mount /cache and /system fine. I've gotten to Code Double Red here and now I'm draining the battery for the next step (really don't want to pull any screws). Also tried the fix here, but it seems that's just for CM7, which I'll probably try flashing some time.
I'm going to return to the 1.1 branch and try a couple ROMs there, but I have a really slow connection and it's taking a while to get nvflash 1.1.
Did a quick search of the forum and didn't find anything quite similar. Obvious question is, has anyone ever experienced this before? What are some other steps I can take to fix this? Is there a way to backup the internal SD before I probably have to wipe it?
Connect the USB cable to the tablet, then boot it into CWM, and run this command on your PC:
Code:
C:\SOME\PATH> [B]adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt[/B]
Post that dmesg.txt file here. We'll see what's wrong.
Connected the charger long enough to run the command, but all I get is "error: device not found". As I'd said, ADB doesn't detect the tablet, even though Windows knows when it's connected and disconnected. Is there anything that I can flash to get me a terminal? That's the only way I can think of to get that command run and hopefully direct the output to my SD. Thanks.
I now have a completely dead battery. Wondering what to do next since it's supposed to have been hard reset now. Not seeing anything different after booting; same boot loop even though I just flashed a ROM again.
rajeevvp said:
Connect the USB cable to the tablet, then boot it into CWM, and run this command on your PC:
Code:
C:\SOME\PATH> [B]adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt[/B]
Post that dmesg.txt file here. We'll see what's wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had seen this thread before where you were helping someone last year. Wish I'd read further to see that he eventually got the same problem I now have. I'm currently working my way through everything. First I need to get ADB running though, so I'm working on that now. Think I may be needing that partition swap trick, but we'll see...
Having issues getting the right USB drivers installed for ADB on Windows 7 64 bit. Using instructions here. But each time I uninstall the device, as soon as I plug in the tablet, it installs the default drivers. Using both Device manager and USBDeview. Updating and other options are also disabled when there is nothing installed. Considering to do a direct registry hack of the device info if I can, and hopefully not break anything important.
Try using Linux.
I finally got ADB working on my system and did some experimenting. Seems there's definitely something wrong with my internal SD according to the dmesg output. Luckily I have a SD which I used in my SG3, and it is already properly partitioned, so I'll try using that. Tried making a fstab file in /etc (mtdblock3) but I got "Magic Value Mismatch" error, so I NVFlashed to return it to how it was. I'm currently researching how to create update files, because it seems that's the only way I can get the SDs swapped. Any guidance is still welcomed. Thanks alot.
Skele Drew said:
Seems there's definitely something wrong with my internal SD according to the dmesg output.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. There are clear error messages relating to the internal SD card. You can either return the tablet and get a replacement, or, use my SD card device swapping technique to use the external SD in place of the non-working internal one.
Tried making a fstab file in /etc (mtdblock3) but I got "Magic Value Mismatch" error, so I NVFlashed to return it to how it was. I'm currently researching how to create update files, because it seems that's the only way I can get the SDs swapped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use my files, you don't need to modify anything manually. What're you trying to change, BTW?
I can definitely use some help there. Where are the files? I tried modifying the custom ROM I use by adding a custom fstab and vold.fstab to /etc, an init script to init.d and replacing the /data mounting command with:
Code:
ui_print("Copying Data Files");
run_program("/sbin/mount", "-t", "ext3", "/dev/block/mmcblk2p2", "/data");
ui_print("Mount information:");
ui_print(run_program("/sbin/mount"));
Not sure what you're attempting to do here...
If you just want to use an external SD card in place of your non-working internal one, then all you have to do is a) flash either one of the CWM zip files and then b) flash the SD card swapping zip file right after you install the ROM of your choice. And, if you tell me which ROM you plan to install, I can look inside it and tell you if my scripts will work with that ROM.
If you can read shell/awk scripts, you can look inside the zip files to see what they do and how they do it.
rajeevvp said:
Not sure what you're attempting to do here...
If you just want to use an external SD card in place of your non-working internal one, then all you have to do is a) flash either one of the CWM zip files and then b) flash the SD card swapping zip file right after you install the ROM of your choice. And, if you tell me which ROM you plan to install, I can look inside it and tell you if my scripts will work with that ROM.
If you can read shell/awk scripts, you can look inside the zip files to see what they do and how they do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was trying to make a swap script myself, but it's not working. /system dir gets corrupted. I'm using Clemsyn_Caulkinver8final2, a Froyo ROM.
Look at my scripts. If you have any questions, just ask.
Where are the scripts? That's what I've been asking...
EDIT: If this is what you use, then all should be ok. Let you know the result when I'm again online. Thanks alot for your help!
That's what I was talking about. I modified the device-swapping script today to fix-up an additional shell script, /system/etc/inandop.sh, on the various Clemsyn/Beasty ROMs (incl. yours), so use the newer zip file.
rajeevvp said:
That's what I was talking about. I modified the device-swapping script today to fix-up an additional shell script, /system/etc/inandop.sh, on the various Clemsyn/Beasty ROMs (incl. yours), so use the newer zip file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appears it still doesn't work. However, now instead of having a boot loop, it's just stuck at the splash screen after the 3 birds. I'm going to try combining your script and the ROM to see if I can get better results. I'm also going to try inserting some log/debug messages where I can.
Skele Drew said:
Appears it still doesn't work. However, now instead of having a boot loop, it's just stuck at the splash screen after the 3 birds. I'm going to try combining your script and the ROM to see if I can get better results. I'm also going to try inserting some log/debug messages where I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU RAJEEV!!!!!!!
Today I got the time to work on my tablet again, since I just restarted college and it's been a bit hectic. Decided to try CM7 since when I looked into your script I saw direct management for it, so I NV'd back to 1.1 (I didn't know what branch CM7 was on, but flashing CM7 on 1.2 gave an error and aborted). The first time I tried the CM7, it got to the CM7 logo, then was there for a while until I only had a black screen. The only way I knew the tablet was still on was because ADB was still connected. Then I flashed your script and VOILA! everything started great. So now I have my tablet again for my classes .
I am planning to still run a few tests to see if I can somehow recover/fix the internal SD, so I downloaded your set of e2fsprogs. Think I'll make a flashable file for the entire package.
Again, thanks for all your assistance. It's much appreciated. I really didn't have that much time anymore to work on it myself too. I will continue to learn more as time goes on though, and I hope one day I'll become a guru like you .
Skele Drew said:
Decided to try CM7 since when I looked into your script I saw direct management for it, so I NV'd back to 1.1 (I didn't know what branch CM7 was on, but flashing CM7 on 1.2 gave an error and aborted).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The official CM7 is, right now, only for 1.1. However, since you can replace just the kernel and instantly make a 1.2 ROM, you'll have to look at the kernel messages to tell which bootloader version you have (Note: this is only for pershoot kernels).
The first time I tried the CM7, it got to the CM7 logo, then was there for a while until I only had a black screen. The only way I knew the tablet was still on was because ADB was still connected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is to be expected. When a ROM first runs, it writes a whole bunch of stuff into /data; but, your internal SD card is messed up, so every write would've ended up with the kernel retrying for quite a bit and then failing.
You should've flashed the ROM and immediately afterwards my script to fix-up the mount points on the ROM--ie. before the first boot.
I am planning to still run a few tests to see if I can somehow recover/fix the internal SD, so I downloaded your set of e2fsprogs. Think I'll make a flashable file for the entire package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt if you can "fix" your internal SD card error using any of the e2fsprogs--it looks like a card-controller error rather than a media error. You have one of the non-standard internal SD cards which has caused problems for some other users as well.
Ok. I do have a few issues I hope I can get some help on. For one, flash player doesn't work, and that's something very important. All my browsers direct me to get flashplayer. It worked pretty well in my previous ROM, so it may be an issue with CM7, but I haven't seen any similar issues on their site.
Also, the tablet is less responsive now, though I think this has to do with the /data partition being on external SD, though it's a class 6 card.
Sent from my GTablet using Tapatalk
Did you partition the external SD card correctly into 2 partitions (the first as VFAT and the second as ext3) before you installed CM7? I'm not sure what steps from my post you followed and what steps you skipped: you mentioned you were planning to modify the scripts/ROM, right?
It is also possible that my script is not doing the right thing on CM7 since it doesn't touch the vold.fstab on it. Get me the output of a mount command in CM7, and these files:
Code:
/system/etc/vold.fstab
/system/build.prop
Also make sure that you, or the ROM provider, haven't enabled the SD card switching in Settings > Cyanogenmod settings.
The SD I'm using was in a SG3 using this ROM, so I think it's correctly partitioned. I've accessed the partitions before and the correct names are associated with the contents. I only followed steps 1 & 4. The option to use removable for apps and media is disabled.
build.prop
mount.txt
vold.fstab

[Q] Recover data from a broken OS

Hi all.
I've just installed some app that broke down my S3 stock OS.
The OS was rooted, and I gave the crappy app superuser access...
It was supposed to change the DPI setting, but now it's boot-looping over the Samsung logo.
Now I'd like to recover my data, photos and stuff...
CWM Recovery 5.5.0.4 is installed.
I can start a backup, but it won't complete since I don't have a large enough SD card at hand (it's a 32 GB SGS3 with a bunch of large videos...).
I don't care about the movies, just the photos, but there's no option for a selective backup...
I also tried updating CWM to a more recent release with Odin (downloaded .img and tar'ed it...), but it won't go further than SetupConnection.
I've not tried a factory reset of anything else yet...
Is there a way I can still recover my data, or should I just get over it and try to flash the whole thing back with Odin?
Thanks for your help.
Adb backup?
maybe reinstalling the ROM can fix it ?
The other thing you can try is adb pull /build prop, edit LCD density back to 320 and adb push it back
Thanks for your answers.
adb looks like the way to go, but I never managed to get it working on my computers.
"adb devices" won't list any, "adb shell" returns "error: device not found".
USB debugging was enabled in the OS.
Is the phone supposed to be in recovery mode or download mode? None works... (Also tried with the OS running before it started crashing)
Is there a setup guide somewhere?
Actually, working with Android on Windows (XP x64) has been a total nightmare so far.
On my main computer, Device Manager loops forever on device detection / driver installation, and successive driver installation/uninstallation/reinstallation mangled WMP10 completely (and since it's tied to Windows, I can't reinstall it).
On other computers, driver installation went fine, I hardly managed to copy movies to the phone through MTP / WMP, and never managed to copy anything back.
I only ever managed to move files over wifi, but that's at wifi speed, not USB2 speed...
And now that I gave Kies a try (stayed away from it so far), it keeps eating 100% CPU whenever I run it.
I had that adb problem then I installed android command centre, and bam, it worked! Will try and find link for you....brb
Finally managed to run adb on the computer with Kies installed.
I'll look into this.
Here go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36671130
Can't use adb pull/push anymore: in a previous attempt to reduce the nandroid backup size, I formated the system and cache partitions.
Then I managed to run a full backup with CWM Recovery, but can't find my files in there.
The backup files only contains application data, but the sdcard folder is totally missing.
Well, it appears the problem indeed was in build.prop.
My backup has 2 files: build.prop.bak and buid.prop.temp.
.bak has the old density, .temp has the new value.
Somehow the app failed to rename build.prop.temp to build.prop, and made the system unbootable.
adb backup won't work either: it's waiting for a confirmation on the phone, and doesn't seem to work in recovery mode.
Now browsing /data/media with adb shell !
I had to mount /data manually (in recovery), I guess the same is true for a recovery backup, and that's why I couldn't find my files.
Think I'll manage to get it all back now.
Thanks a lot slaphead20.
I was just about to wipe away all these family pictures!
Nico57m said:
Now browsing /data/media with adb shell !
I had to mount /data manually (in recovery), I guess the same is true for a recovery backup, and that's why I couldn't find my files.
Think I'll manage to get it all back now.
Thanks a lot slaphead20.
I was just about to wipe away all these family pictures!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI TWRP will not wipe ur sd when u do factory reset
but ur problem not with data its with system and u can fix it simply by reflashing the u r using without any wipe
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[Q&A] [TOOL][NABI2] NabiLab - Root, Play, Recovery

Q&A for [TOOL][NABI2] NabiLab - Root, Play, Recovery
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Before posting, please use the forum search and read through the discussion thread for [TOOL][NABI2] NabiLab - Root, Play, Recovery. If you can't find an answer, post it here, being sure to give as much information as possible (firmware version, steps to reproduce, logcat if available) so that you can get help.
Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy!
State of Nabi 2 Root as of 12/14?
So I have admittedly been out of the loop on the state of rooting my two Nabi 2s since after I restored them to stock and all back last year when they released the update that included the Gapps. So I've been running stock since then and am on the latest firmware (2.4.6 I believe). All is mostly fine, but I would really like to get the external SD cards to be writable again, and from what I can tell, I need root again to do that.
So...as of today...what is the state (and best procedure) of rooting the Nabi 2 on the latest OTA update? Is Nabi Lab still the best tool? From what I've pieced together from scattered threads, it's looking like possibly use Nabi Lab to install TWRP, and then use that to install the SuperSU (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1538053). However, I could likely be wrong...hence why I'm asking.
Eyebolt said:
So I have admittedly been out of the loop on the state of rooting my two Nabi 2s since after I restored them to stock and all back last year when they released the update that included the Gapps. So I've been running stock since then and am on the latest firmware (2.4.6 I believe). All is mostly fine, but I would really like to get the external SD cards to be writable again, and from what I can tell, I need root again to do that.
So...as of today...what is the state (and best procedure) of rooting the Nabi 2 on the latest OTA update? Is Nabi Lab still the best tool? From what I've pieced together from scattered threads, it's looking like possibly use Nabi Lab to install TWRP, and then use that to install the SuperSU (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1538053). However, I could likely be wrong...hence why I'm asking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nabilab will still work as long as you use a version with a Jellybean TWRP(since you are on 2.4.6).
katinatez repackaged it for jellybean here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48987089&postcount=2088
I've searched high and low and can't find anything. I have nabi2S running KitKat. Every rooting guide I've found is for JB. Is there any way to root the 2S?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jaxbierley said:
I've searched high and low and can't find anything. I have nabi2S running KitKat. Every rooting guide I've found is for JB. Is there any way to root the 2S?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the sake of anyone else looking for this information we are discussing it at the main Nabi thread starting at post #2477
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1905674&page=248
Stock Restore
Hi
I have downloaded NabiLab, as I am having wifi issues on my updated Nabi2. I unzipped, ran the .bat and chose option 3 (with my nab connected via USB). Nothing happened, no errors etc, the screen flashed up and shut down. Do I need to do something with the Nabi (recovery mode etc), do I need to install anything from NabiLab before trying this? Any help would be appreciated
Firepants said:
Hi
I have downloaded NabiLab, as I am having wifi issues on my updated Nabi2. I unzipped, ran the .bat and chose option 3 (with my nab connected via USB). Nothing happened, no errors etc, the screen flashed up and shut down. Do I need to do something with the Nabi (recovery mode etc), do I need to install anything from NabiLab before trying this? Any help would be appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of software? Use Nabilab2015 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59073456&postcount=2544
It has more diagnostic info. Just be in Android or TWRP with ADb enabled. It also can see if drivers are loaded.
Hacking Nabi2 to Allow Data2SD
I managed today to hack my kids Nabi2 to enable Data2SD. I was to frustrated by the limited space in the tab. My kids were complaining about not being able to add more games. Thus, I decided to take the risk of modifying the mount points of the tab to allow the data partition to point to a partition in a large sdcard, instead of the limited 4.5 GB space in the internal storage.
Warning: I am not responsible of any damage as a result of following the next steps. Always make backups
Note: I have the last update (KitKat) installed in the Nabi2
1- Dump the boot image from an adb shell:
Code:
su
cat /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX > /sdcard/boot.img
2- Open this url http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack,_Edit,_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images
to see the instructions of how to unpack and repack the boot image. Note that, the splitimage script mentioned in the page can be found at https://gist.github.com/jberkel/1087743
Warning: do not do anything in the tutorial, just wait
3- Format an sdcard as one partition of ext4 type
4- Insert the sdcard in the nabi2
5- Use the tutorial in step 2 to extract the ramdisk contents from the boot image and then Modify the file "fstab.mt799" in the ramdisk folder by replacing the line
Code:
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/UDA /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,journal_async_commit,data=writeback,nodelalloc,errors=panic wait,check,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MDA
with
Code:
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.0/by-num/p1 /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,journal_async_commit,data=writeback,nodelalloc,errors=panic wait,check,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MDA
which switches the data partition mount point to be on the sdcard
and the line
Code:
/devices/platform/sdhci-tegra.0/mmc_host/mmc2 auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:auto
with
Code:
/devices/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/mmc_host/mmc0 auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:12
which mount your old data partition into the directory of the external sdcard
6- Repack the boot image as mentioned in the url in step 2
7- Copy the new boot image to the nabi2 sdcard
8- Once you copied the new boot image (e.g. new_boot.img), replace the current boot image with the new one using adb shell:
Code:
su
cat /sdcard/new_boot.img > /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX
9- Now the kernel is replaced and once you rebooted your external sdcard would be in use, but note that your device is now having an empty data partition on the external sdcard, so you have to setup everything from the beginning. Note also that your previous data partition is now mounted as an sdcard, however, you have to format it from ext4 to fat32 to work as an sdcard (you can do the format from setings->storage->sdcard format)​
ashahin1 said:
I managed today to hack my kids Nabi2 to enable Data2SD. I was to frustrated by the limited space in the tab. My kids were complaining about not being able to add more games. Thus, I decided to take the risk of modifying the mount points of the tab to allow the data partition to point to a partition in a large sdcard, instead of the limited 4.5 GB space in the internal storage.
Warning: I am not responsible of any damage as a result of following the next steps. Always make backups
Note: I have the last update (KitKat) installed in the Nabi2
1- Dump the boot image from an adb shell:
Code:
su
cat /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX > /sdcard/boot.img
2- Open this url http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack,_Edit,_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images
to see the instructions of how to unpack and repack the boot image. Note that, the splitimage script mentioned in the page can be found at https://gist.github.com/jberkel/1087743
Warning: do not do anything in the tutorial, just wait
3- Format an sdcard as one partition of ext4 type
4- Insert the sdcard in the nabi2
5- Use the tutorial in step 2 to extract the ramdisk contents from the boot image and then Modify the file "fstab.mt799" in the ramdisk folder by replacing the line
Code:
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/UDA /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,journal_async_commit,data=writeback,nodelalloc,errors=panic wait,check,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MDA
with
Code:
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.0/by-num/p1 /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,journal_async_commit,data=writeback,nodelalloc,errors=panic wait,check,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MDA
which switches the data partition mount point to be on the sdcard
and the line
Code:
/devices/platform/sdhci-tegra.0/mmc_host/mmc2 auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:auto
with
Code:
/devices/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/mmc_host/mmc0 auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:12
which mount your old data partition into the directory of the external sdcard
6- Repack the boot image as mentioned in the url in step 2
7- Copy the new boot image to the nabi2 sdcard
8- Once you copied the new boot image (e.g. new_boot.img), replace the current boot image with the new one using adb shell:
Code:
su
cat /sdcard/new_boot.img > /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX
9- Now the kernel is replaced and once you rebooted your external sdcard would be in use, but note that your device is now having an empty data partition on the external sdcard, so you have to setup everything from the beginning. Note also that your previous data partition is now mounted as an sdcard, however, you have to format it from ext4 to fat32 to work as an sdcard (you can do the format from setings->storage->sdcard format)​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are not sure which line to change, I have the fstab.mt799 file attached with this post. You can simply replace your file with this one.
ashahin1 said:
I managed today to hack my kids Nabi2 to enable Data2SD. I was to frustrated by the limited space in the tab. My kids were complaining about not being able to add more games. Thus, I decided to take the risk of modifying the mount points of the tab to allow the data partition to point to a partition in a large sdcard, instead of the limited 4.5 GB space in the internal storage.
Warning: I am not responsible of any damage as a result of following the next steps. Always make backups
Note: I have the last update (KitKat) installed in the Nabi2
1- Dump the boot image from an adb shell:
Code:
su
cat /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX > /sdcard/boot.img
2- Open this url http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack,_Edit,_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images
to see the instructions of how to unpack and repack the boot image. Note that, the splitimage script mentioned in the page can be found at https://gist.github.com/jberkel/1087743
Warning: do not do anything in the tutorial, just wait
3- Format an sdcard as one partition of ext4 type
4- Insert the sdcard in the nabi2
5- Use the tutorial in step 2 to extract the ramdisk contents from the boot image and then Modify the file "fstab.mt799" in the ramdisk folder by replacing the line
Code:
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/UDA /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,journal_async_commit,data=writeback,nodelalloc,errors=panic wait,check,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MDA
with
Code:
/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.0/by-num/p1 /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,journal_async_commit,data=writeback,nodelalloc,errors=panic wait,check,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MDA
which switches the data partition mount point to be on the sdcard
and the line
Code:
/devices/platform/sdhci-tegra.0/mmc_host/mmc2 auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:auto
with
Code:
/devices/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/mmc_host/mmc0 auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:12
which mount your old data partition into the directory of the external sdcard
6- Repack the boot image as mentioned in the url in step 2
7- Copy the new boot image to the nabi2 sdcard
8- Once you copied the new boot image (e.g. new_boot.img), replace the current boot image with the new one using adb shell:
Code:
su
cat /sdcard/new_boot.img > /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/LNX
9- Now the kernel is replaced and once you rebooted your external sdcard would be in use, but note that your device is now having an empty data partition on the external sdcard, so you have to setup everything from the beginning. Note also that your previous data partition is now mounted as an sdcard, however, you have to format it from ext4 to fat32 to work as an sdcard (you can do the format from setings->storage->sdcard format)​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't have the time to do all these steps, I have the modified boot file attached here.
Yo can either follow steps 7 and 8 above to write it, or use the fastboot command as follows:
Code:
fastboot flash boot new_boot.img
Nabi2 not found
Hi, I purchased a reconditioned Nabi, which was reset back to stock. The wifi worked fine, until I updated it through the tablet. I am now on version 2.0 with no wifi. I have tried various options through NabiLab , however my Nabi is not recognised as being connected (although windows picks it up). Please help!
Swipe to restore
I am trying to return my nabi to stock, i can get to the screen that asks you to 'swipe to restore' but the screen is not responding. I dont have issues with the touchscreen normally
Aytul said:
I am trying to return my nabi to stock, i can get to the screen that asks you to 'swipe to restore' but the screen is not responding. I dont have issues with the touchscreen normally
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's weird...if you keep messing with it you may find a spot a little left, right, higher, or lower where you can grab the button to swipe....or you try to re-flash TWRP or maybe there's a new version of TWRP for your particular nabi software version.
did you ever get nabilab to see it? did you check the device manager to see if it was totally recognized? Are developer options enabled?
n3wt said:
That's weird...if you keep messing with it you may find a spot a little left, right, higher, or lower where you can grab the button to swipe....or you try to re-flash TWRP or maybe there's a new version of TWRP for your particular nabi software version.
did you ever get nabilab to see it? did you check the device manager to see if it was totally recognized? Are developer options enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nabi is showing as a device, it's responds as it should up to the point of TWRP. I had to repeatedly press buttons to get to the restore swipe and have tried many times, unsuccessfully. Where do I enable developer options?
I am on version 2 (Nabi) and using the most up-to-date version of NabiLab. I am trying to restore to stock so that the software version goes back, as the update has stopped my wifi working. Even a factory reset doesn't take the Nabi software back further than v2.0
Aytul said:
The Nabi is showing as a device, it's responds as it should up to the point of TWRP. I had to repeatedly press buttons to get to the restore swipe and have tried many times, unsuccessfully. Where do I enable developer options?
I am on version 2 (Nabi) and using the most up-to-date version of NabiLab. I am trying to restore to stock so that the software version goes back, as the update has stopped my wifi working. Even a factory reset doesn't take the Nabi software back further than v2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For developer options you go to settings, scroll all the way down, if you don't see "Developer options" there, press About tablet, then repeatedly tap build number until it pops up and says "You are now a developer!", then go back and now you should see the Developer options menu item, press it and then make sure it's on at the top and that the USB Debugging option is checked.....then try nabilab again.
n3wt said:
For developer options you go to settings, scroll all the way down, if you don't see "Developer options" there, press About tablet, then repeatedly tap build number until it pops up and says "You are now a developer!", then go back and now you should see the Developer options menu item, press it and then make sure it's on at the top and that the USB Debugging option is checked.....then try nabilab again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this is enabled, as without it I am unable to run nabilab etc. The problem is TWRP & the version of software I am running on the tablet?
Aytul said:
Yes this is enabled, as without it I am unable to run nabilab etc. The problem is TWRP & the version of software I am running on the tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the touch issues are probably due to a bad build of TWRP but not necessarily the wrong one. The problem with nabilab not being able to see the tablet I think has to be drivers. Have you checked device manager to make sure there are no unrecognized things? 'cause the tablet show up as two separate things in there and it sounds like the USB storage part is working but not the adb and/or fastboot part(s).
n3wt said:
Well, the touch issues are probably due to a bad build of TWRP but not necessarily the wrong one. The problem with nabilab not being able to see the tablet I think has to be drivers. Have you checked device manager to make sure there are no unrecognized things? 'cause the tablet show up as two separate things in there and it sounds like the USB storage part is working but not the adb and/or fastboot part(s).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've managed to sort the drivers by installing PDANet, then managed to sort TWRP by installing an older version. I've now updated to 2.1 on the Nabi but no luck with the wifi issue..i'm guessing it's really broken and it happening whilst updating may have been a coincidence?!
Aytul said:
I've managed to sort the drivers by installing PDANet, then managed to sort TWRP by installing an older version. I've now updated to 2.1 on the Nabi but no luck with the wifi issue..i'm guessing it's really broken and it happening whilst updating may have been a coincidence?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might just be broken but that's a heck of a coincidence... Do you have a backup from before the wifi issue started? If so, I'd try to thoroughly wipe everything but your external sd card and then restoring your backup and see if that helps.
n3wt said:
It might just be broken but that's a heck of a coincidence... Do you have a backup from before the wifi issue started? If so, I'd try to thoroughly wipe everything but your external sd card and then restoring your backup and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I bought it as a reconditioned did unit. Turned it on, updates it (wifi worked) and then had this problem, so no backup to go back to unfortunately

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