Lemme get some things out of the way.. I am a noob. I have searched. I have read some of the results from the search. I am overwhelmed by the 20+ pages of results (lol). I am not 100% sure this is the correct forum for this (not sure where else would be ).. I believe this is one of those things where I need help based on my situation.. Ok, so here I go.
I wish to start porting ICS to my phone. That's my goal. I have general understanding of how linux works, but I do not know much about the android specifics of how they work, or what needs to be modified for this to work. I do not plan to use the kitchen tool as I wish to learn this the hard way. I believe this will help me become more understanding in what I am doing. However, at this point I don't and that's why I'm here. My phone model is irrelevant almost because its prepaid and usually the communities don't even recognize their existence.. at least that's how I feel about it. But I digress. My phone is the zte warp by boost mobile and I am here to learn hopefully the things that will get me started on porting ICS to this phone. I right now believe that the best thing for me to learn is how the android related files work because as it is, I only looked at guides on how linux works and I understand most of it. I'm not sure that's the best thing that will help me port ics, but I'm certain it is important.
Please help me figure out where I should start in learning how to port ICS to my phone basically.
Thanks XDA
anyone? I am quite serious about wanting to do and go into this but I have yet one thread that anyone's ever replied to.. (or post iirc) which puts a damper on me
Snake X said:
Lemme get some things out of the way.. I am a noob. I have searched. I have read some of the results from the search. I am overwhelmed by the 20+ pages of results (lol). I am not 100% sure this is the correct forum for this (not sure where else would be ).. I believe this is one of those things where I need help based on my situation.. Ok, so here I go.
I wish to start porting ICS to my phone. That's my goal. I have general understanding of how linux works, but I do not know much about the android specifics of how they work, or what needs to be modified for this to work. I do not plan to use the kitchen tool as I wish to learn this the hard way. I believe this will help me become more understanding in what I am doing. However, at this point I don't and that's why I'm here. My phone model is irrelevant almost because its prepaid and usually the communities don't even recognize their existence.. at least that's how I feel about it. But I digress. My phone is the zte warp by boost mobile and I am here to learn hopefully the things that will get me started on porting ICS to this phone. I right now believe that the best thing for me to learn is how the android related files work because as it is, I only looked at guides on how linux works and I understand most of it. I'm not sure that's the best thing that will help me port ics, but I'm certain it is important.
Please help me figure out where I should start in learning how to port ICS to my phone basically.
Thanks XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my limited knowledge, I think it is a huge task undertaking, you can download Android source code from Google, the hard part will be the device driver development and porting for Linux kernel (and maybe portion of Android). If you are lucky, you can use the existing phone bootloader (or you have to port one). Understanding the inner of the phone (different chip set may need different device driver) will be another challenging task.
by the device driver development, you mean all the libs that go into the phone? Couldn't I just copy/paste the pre-existing libs that are already made for the phone? Also the phone im working with is a bit strange really.. noone has been able to compile the kernel from its source and get it to boot yet.. when it was compiled the zImage was different than that of the stock one.
And yeah, I have downloaded the aosp source.. I just need to know where to start at and the processes involved really
Snake X said:
by the device driver development, you mean all the libs that go into the phone? Couldn't I just copy/paste the pre-existing libs that are already made for the phone? Also the phone im working with is a bit strange really.. noone has been able to compile the kernel from its source and get it to boot yet.. when it was compiled the zImage was different than that of the stock one.
And yeah, I have downloaded the aosp source.. I just need to know where to start at and the processes involved really
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer you question no the drivers and lib files are different for aosp based rooms then they are for the stock OEM from. The first step will be to get a working kernel. Without anything you do will be pointless
I'm somewhat interested in the same thing, and from what I've gathered, you'll need to do these things to begin ROM development:
1. Read every page on the AOSP site and grab a copy of the AOSP source. It probably wouldn't hurt to read the regular Android developer wiki as well.
2. Learn about Linux driver development:
http://lwn.net/Kernel/LDD3/ (this is apparently considered THE BOOK on Linux driver development)
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/drivers_linux
3. Learn pretty much every detail about your phone and its hardware, especially when it comes to how ROMs are installed on it. For example, my phone (the Droid X2) has a locked bootloader, so 2nd init has to be used to boot new ROMs, and this makes it so that we cannot update the kernel.
You can usually find this sort of information on your phone manufacturer's website. Sometimes they even post the source code to their phone's drivers, which is helpful.
4. Look at other ROMs (preferably for your phone) and see how they work. The source code is freely available for most popular ROMs.
For example: CyanogenMod keeps their source code in a public git repository: https://github.com/cyanogenmod
5. Get to work on porting!
I would highly recommend starting with something smaller, however, just as a start. One good jumping-off point is probably this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1272270
If any part of this was wrong, or if I left something out, somebody feel free to correct me, I'm still a noob.
Thank you so much for your direction, however,, android kitchen.. im not sure about that because isnt that only ment for htc devices? My phone is made by zte
what device do you even have?
if it's stuck officialy on 2.1 or 2.2 there's no hope that if you even port it that it'll work
its the zte warp from boost mobile (prepaid). Btw if I compile an aosp ics launcher and put that on my phone whats the chances of that working?
edit: it uses 2.3.5
Well Sebastian responded on android forums, apparently zte is very bad at version control with their kernel sources. So when they complete one project, they use the same source for the next project, and what they release could be for anything. Apparently the blade source had the same issues, it took him a while to get them to correct the source
Sent from my N860 using Tapatalk
Yeah I noticed that there were ppl saying there were things similar but I'm not sure what will work or what won't.. guess its time to start a petition on zte to release the source code lol
edit: seems like zte's bein a bad company and violated the GNU GPL license for not providing a complete source code.. I compiled an email and sent it to someone who can proof read it and send it to the right person for this kinda thing.. danggit zte
Related
Hi,
I've started to download all the listed tools from AOSP and from Chulri's XDA post but wanted to start the discussion on what steps would be needed to create a gingerbread rom for our Gen8 devices.
My initial questions:
1- Would the driver's source from Archos that are currently written for 2.2 be compatible with 2.3? Can they reasonably be updated?
2- Aren't there two approaches we could use? Update the kernel to be compatible with 2.3 or back port 2.3 to be compatible with our existing kernels?
I apologize for probably sounding ignorant but this is all learning for me and any help is greatly appreciated. If nothing else, this thread would be a great place to discus the steps it would take to develop a Gingerbread rom from a high level stand point.
Mr. Clown - I'd appreciate leaving this in the devel forum since it is specific to devel for 2.3 and gen8 and not just an "is it possible" thread.
Thanks!!
-Nate
double post
sry
do you have kernel dev experience for linux/unix?
if yes concentrate on cm a lot of development has been done.
there are phones who have almost identical components ( well the usb attached screen is a problem)
the recovery will be hell of a problem too..
if you never worked with that stuff (at least i hope you are a c crack otherwise look for other stuff to learn c .kernel development is one of the hardest stuff you can pick in softwaredev.) look for another project where somebody could guide you and teach you stuff the first project will be learning the second could be a very specific project like this where you have to work on your own
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
gbohm said:
do you have kernel dev experience for linux/unix?
if yes concentrate on cm a lot of development has been done.
there are phones who have almost identical components ( well the usb attached screen is a problem)
the recovery will be hell of a problem too..
if you never worked with that stuff (at least i hope you are a c crack otherwise look for other stuff to learn c .kernel development is one of the hardest stuff you can pick in softwaredev.) look for another project where somebody could guide you and teach you stuff the first project will be learning the second could be a very specific project like this where you have to work on your own
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the reply. I've been reading just about all of Chulri's posts in his thread and I know $aur0n would answer specific questions if I asked. Other than that, I took a few C++ classes a few years ago but never took the OS/Hardware level classes. I stopped at advanced/e intermediate algorithms and data structures. Either way, I was hoping to start a discussion with this thread about steps that would be needed to happen to build a gingerbread ROM.
But if anyone wants to read along with me about kernel devel then you can start here with me - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11261995
Archos's git - http://gitorious.org/archos/
Chulri's How to - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=891056
Chulri's tool and fantastic following discussion (still trying to comprehend all of it) - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10033305#post10033305
Really Thank you for start this thread!
And when you've developed a gingerbread rom, i think the best would be if you work together with $aur0n Do think like i do?
And:
If you need a tester or somebody to do some little things, i'll do it
(At the moment i report some bugs at solune/sauron and test the bootscreens)
I want to help you with that cool project
xnatex21 said:
Hi, thanks for the reply. I've been reading just about all of Chulri's posts in his thread and I know $aur0n would answer specific questions if I asked. Other than that, I took a few C++ classes a few years ago but never took the OS/Hardware level classes. I stopped at advanced/e intermediate algorithms and data structures. Either way, I was hoping to start a discussion with this thread about steps that would be needed to happen to build a gingerbread ROM.
But if anyone wants to read along with me about kernel devel then you can start here with me - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11261995
Archos's git - http://gitorious.org/archos/
Chulri's How to - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=891056
Chulri's tool and fantastic following discussion (still trying to comprehend all of it) - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10033305#post10033305
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am sorry but you will not be able to develop a kernel with some classes you took i am a dev so i am quite avit with it i come from a completly different backgroud (windows software) but i have a unbelievable hard time to find a starting point with cm7 for sgs although there other developers around
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
That's understandable. If development is going to be tough or near impossible, I'd hope to try before I give up. Right now I'm learning about kernel development but would love it if someone could help me focus.
Is the touch display driver the hardest part to upgrade? What changed in 2.3 that makes updating the driver so difficult? Or would it be better to "back port" 2.3 to be compatible with archos's driver?
Sent from my GSBv1.4-ERIS using XDA App
xnatex21 said:
1)Is the touch display driver the hardest part to upgrade?
2)What changed in 2.3 that makes updating the driver so difficult?
3)Would it be better to "back port" 2.3 to be compatible with archos's driver?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I would say one of the hardest parts
2) I think the archos drivers aren't compatible, so ...
3) ... this would be better because then you've better drivers support (for each hardware)
Again:
I think this project is assomeI'd love to be a helper/tester.
OK, this is beginning to give me the s**ts. Where are all the sources to the stuff that is being posted up here? I have been trying to build (rebuild) some of the ROMS on here, if for no other reason than to check there is no dodgy code in them, but also to learn from what everyone has done.
This is supposed to be a DEVELOPMENT forum, where source code is shared and discussed. Not a bazaar where the posters do a bit of hocus-pocus putting together roms from binaries of unknown source code. They fall like crumbs from the majestic sages, that do even more unknown hocus-pocus and cast them down to the unwashed masses to oooh and aahh at, as they give homage to the great compilers in the sky. What is this? Job security?
I have no idea what the legals are around this and I don't really care. The point is that the spirit of the GPL is you post sources (or patches against standard sources) along with any binaries. The binaries are only there to save us the bother of recompiling. The source is what is important in this forum. How else are others going to improve on the code if they can't see it?
I have posted on a couple of threads and/or contacted various people on here, most of whose response is "oh I didn't compile the actual source code, I just stuck it together from the binaries". One of them (thanks kevinlekiller) was kind enough to at least give me rundown on what he did (as best as he could remember - bit of a worry!), but even he didn't have access to the source code. Maybe I haven't looked in the right place, but it shouldn't be this frigging hard - it should be front and centre.
If I had my way, I would ban every ROM post that didn't have a clear link back to all the sources. That's what github etc is for!
Please, please, people, post the source first, binaries can be an afterthought. If you don't have access to the source code, then I reckon it shouldn't be here - who knows what in there? One of these days someone is going to innocently distribute some nefarious program with a ROM. It really isn't that hard to compile a ROM - takes about half an hour on my Linux laptop.
This is actually standard xda-developers policy: see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45 but seems to be widely ignored.
OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.
Edit: I realise this doesn't apply to everyone, some people are great about posting sources.
Wrong section buddy
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
djsky2011 said:
Wrong section buddy
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? You're joking right? I'm discussing the sources not being available in this section, the source is a development topic. Hmm maybe this is such a common complaint that there is a separate section created for it. Sorry I'm getting crabby.
What section should it go in?
You take 30mins , mine takes 2h - it's different for everyone......
Furthermore , if they're basing a ROM off a ROM , what sources are there to be published ?
Furthermore , the sources can already be found online if you want CM7/AOSP:
http://github.com/teamhacksung/android_device_samsung_cooper
Herpderp Defy.
ok man make a rom then talk to us. most of roms here are like this u got new app,launcher and theme voila new rom is posted(no offense).so they cant give you source code.they make roms from the prebuilt ones like using stock or cm7 as base .most of the developers which made roms from source code had there github accounts link in there username ok i agree there are one or two developer who dont share but that dose not mean everyone here is just like them.ok
1.i can make a rom.
2.but i will not make a one unless i compiled it from source code.
3.sure i will share its source code.
i agree a little bit with you
EmoBoiix3 said:
You take 30mins , mine takes 2h - it's different for everyone......
Furthermore , if they're basing a ROM off a ROM , what sources are there to be published ?
Furthermore , the sources can already be found online if you want CM7/AOSP:
http://github.com/teamhacksung/android_device_samsung_cooper
Herpderp Defy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally. Thank you! A link to the source code (actually the config files is just what I looking for).
So, since I have your attention, I see a couple of roms from people like vo-1, what is he doing just compiling the source (I have asked him, no reply)?
On the ROMS based on ROMS thing, while there is technically no source code you put through a compiler - there is still source - it is a list of all the changes made to that ROM.
I also can't believe people don't seem to use any sort of build environment - as in a build script - how else are we going to document what's been done and/or recreate it?
xdaboy122 said:
ok man make a rom then talk to us. most of roms here are like this u got new app,launcher and theme voila new rom is posted(no offense).so they cant give you source code.they make roms from the prebuilt ones like using stock or cm7 as base .most of the developers which made roms from source code had there github accounts link in there username ok i agree there are one or two developer who dont share but that dose not mean everyone here is just like them.ok
1.i can make a rom.
2.but i will not make a one unless i compiled it from source code.
3.sure i will share its source code.
i agree a little bit with you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I agree this does not apply to everyone. Some people do post source. I suppose my frustration was the source seemed to be forgotten and it shouldn't be so hard to track it down. Maybe I have spent too much time in the Linux world, where source code is king.
I will kick off a make on the source that EmoBoiix3 linked to (thanks mate) and see where we go from there!
A lot of roms here are based off other roms. So much they don't build it themselves, just some editing of the zip.
Other developers merely want to save the technobabble since most xda users are blind to programming.
divereigh said:
Huh? You're joking right? I'm discussing the sources not being available in this section, the source is a development topic. Hmm maybe this is such a common complaint that there is a separate section created for it. Sorry I'm getting crabby.
What section should it go in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still wrong section
this aint a source
this is a discusion so its supposed to be in general section
Should be in general section IMO.
But I fully agree with the OP. It is true lots of ROMs here are "cooked" from other ROMs and are not "developed" denovo. They are "theme" packs.
But for example we have two groups actively working on builds of CM 7.2, they each seem to be building from source and tweaking fixes in. It would really help if everyone used github. Pull a source, build, fix and commit to your fork. Anyone else can see what you changed, what revision of the tree you used, and can learn from your work and it could perhaps inspire them to fix something else, to contribute back to make *your* build better.
Sharing your code, even if it is just 5 line hack on teamhacksung / cyanogenmod /AOSP source, honours the GPL and helps our community grow stronger.
The GalaxyICS team is a great example, I can see where they've pulled their sources, what (hard) work they've done in what components. They are contributing all their work and knowledge back. And their fixes can be pulled into other projects easily, speeding up development and sharing that knowledge for everyone.
A phone like the Ace continually loses developers as they migrate to "better" phones, and we really need to share as much knowledge as possible to keep our software
Sometimes , changes just cannot be shown.....like framework-res tweaks!
Herpderp Defy.
EmoBoiix3 said:
Sometimes , changes just cannot be shown.....like framework-res tweaks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What sort of tweaks are you thinking of? If it's a replaced image file, then that can be a separate file copied in with a script. If it's a changed text file, that can be done with patch or sed.
Let me give you an example of what I did with kevinlekiller's The End 2.5o rom. He based it on a vo-1 rom and did a fair number of replacing files, odexing etc. I produced this bash script (attached) along with his extra (binary) sources which I think replicated what he did. Self documenting! Everyone can see what is in there, maybe even change it again.
More details towards the bottom of this page: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1440396&page=31
I see where you are coming from and I sympathize. I'm not a developer, because I don't have the time and patience to work on source code , compile , debug etc.
The Rom's we have for the Galaxy Ace are already very good, the developers that have worked on them have/had the time and patience to iron out most the issues. So for me to try to come out with something better would seem futile.
I still like customizing these Rom's to a way that work better for me, and it doesn't involve having to spend lots of time, because like I said they are already very good. So it just ends up that a few files are added or changed.
Is that a bad thing? I think those that think it is should just not use those types of Rom's, everyone has a right to their opinion.
At first when you asked me for sources, I thought you meant the source code, since I already listed everything that was used in the first post. But then I realized you wanted direct sources (links) to those files. This is something I will do in the future, post the links of every file, I agree with you , things should be more documented, it would save everyone time instead of trial and error and possibly even giving up.
Anyways, I should conclude here, it is getting a long read.
divereigh said:
What sort of tweaks are you thinking of? If it's a replaced image file, then that can be a separate file copied in with a script. If it's a changed text file, that can be done with patch or sed.
Let me give you an example of what I did with kevinlekiller's The End 2.5o rom. He based it on a vo-1 rom and did a fair number of replacing files, odexing etc. I produced this bash script (attached) along with his extra (binary) sources which I think replicated what he did. Self documenting! Everyone can see what is in there, maybe even change it again.
More details towards the bottom of this page: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1440396&page=31
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice script, thats for sure
but u shouldnt expect everyone to be as geeky and provide such build script.
theres a big different between "providing source" that is mandatory by forum rules and "providing howto step by step" like in your script.
hell most of the roms (the one that is based on previous precompiled rom) were created 100% on windows machine without even touching linux, and maybe the rom creator (modder) doesnt have any clue what in the world is linux. maybe they even dont know that their windows machine do have terminal (cmd). so arent u asking for too much?
an0nym0us_ said:
nice script, thats for sure
but u shouldnt expect everyone to be as geeky and provide such build script.
theres a big different between "providing source" that is mandatory by forum rules and "providing howto step by step" like in your script.
hell most of the roms (the one that is based on previous precompiled rom) were created 100% on windows machine without even touching linux, and maybe the rom creator (modder) doesnt have any clue what in the world is linux. maybe they even dont know that their windows machine do have terminal (cmd). so arent u asking for too much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I only have 1 windows pc, all my other PC's are ubuntu / linux mint installed on them. I use windows on the main PC because most of my games work on it.
Edit: And, I didn't take offense to your post , it is valid, most people have no clue about linux.
kevinlekiller said:
Actually I only have 1 windows pc, all my other PC's are ubuntu / linux mint installed on them. I use windows on the main PC because most of my games work on it.
Edit: And, I didn't take offense to your post , it is valid, most people have no clue about linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and no offence intended and sorry if anyone feels my post abit too offending
my point is a rom created from previous precompiled rom can be created 100% on windows machine.
in that case the rom also doesnt have sourcecode because it were created from already precompiled rom.
so if the modder just give a valid link to what he put/change it still suites the forum rules to provide source.
let say i've modded a cm rom, i've include ketuts oc kernel, i've include a launcher, and a filemanger, and a theme.
so if i just provide a valid link to the original cm rom, a link to ketuts oc kernel thread, a market link to the launcher, the filemanager and the theme, thats a valid source because the rom were modded from binary precompiled rom/kernel/launcher/filemanager/theme.
so the link to those binary precompiled rom/kernel/launcher/filemanager/theme is a valid "source".
divereigh said:
This is supposed to be a DEVELOPMENT forum, where source code is shared and discussed. Not a bazaar where the posters do a bit of hocus-pocus putting together roms from binaries of unknown source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. There are two groups of devs:
"Real" developers. They provide repo links and detailed changelogs.
Modders. They should provide repo links and detailed changelogs.
A repo has the benefit of allowing peer review. Peer review improves code quality just like user tests and their reports do. Afterall, this is what XDA is about.
What I like about XDA is how people eagerly send in "works" notes. Not much information, but better than just trying out and telling nobody.
Exactly guys......it seems cyanogenmod has become the only alternative and devs here are only editing it and bringing out new firmware versions. Some also edit stock roms..........but no one here gave a thought of creating a new genre of custom rom right from source.
biswatmak said:
Exactly guys......it seems cyanogenmod has become the only alternative and devs here are only editing it and bringing out new firmware versions. Some also edit stock roms..........but no one here gave a thought of creating a new genre of custom rom right from source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not as easy as it sounds, thats why the two main dogs are miui and cyanogenmod.
an0nym0us_ said:
nice script, thats for sure
but u shouldnt expect everyone to be as geeky and provide such build script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that. I essentially built an interpreter and a source file (the build instructions). Way too much for most. However I think it would be great as developers if we provided be packaging tools so that others can use them and provide repeatable builds and automatically documented builds ("read the source luke").
an0nym0us_ said:
theres a big different between "providing source" that is mandatory by forum rules and "providing howto step by step" like in your script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, it isn't mandatory, however for the purposes of educating and peer-review it would be great. So my challenge is to make this easy for people.
an0nym0us_ said:
hell most of the roms (the one that is based on previous precompiled rom) were created 100% on windows machine without even touching linux, and maybe the rom creator (modder) doesnt have any clue what in the world is linux. maybe they even dont know that their windows machine do have terminal (cmd). so arent u asking for too much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we need a graphical version for Windows..
I'm not understanding how kernels and ROMs connect. Can someone give me some extra insight?
[Hardware] <-- Unique to every phone
--
[Kernel] <--- Tells the OS how to talk to the hardware
--
[ROM] <--- Slightly confused. Is the OS in the Read only Memory, or has this term changed its "street" meaning?
I understand that most ROMs (e.g. CM7 and CM9) include both the kernel and the ROM, but can you flash these separately too?
I have a 1.5 year old thunderbolt that's rooted, and has CM7 which is based on gingerbread. I believe HTC has also released the kernel as open source, which is probably the reason I have CM7
Anyway, I guess what I'm looking for is an answer/guide/forum that explains why I can't install newer versions of android onto the already working/open source kernel I'm already running. Is it accurate to view the kernel as all the phone's drivers, or just the CPU driver? If that statement is true, why can't I load ICS or Jelly Bean onto my already existing set of drivers?
I'm thinking about starting a Wiki on this if 1) it doesn't already exist, and 2) I can wrap my brain around it enough to share with others!
Thanks to anyone with a response!
shadowrelic said:
I'm not understanding how kernels and ROMs connect. Can someone give me some extra insight?
[Hardware] <-- Unique to every phone
--
[Kernel] <--- Tells the OS how to talk to the hardware
--
[ROM] <--- Slightly confused. Is the OS in the Read only Memory, or has this term changed its "street" meaning?
I understand that most ROMs (e.g. CM7 and CM9) include both the kernel and the ROM, but can you flash these separately too?
I have a 1.5 year old thunderbolt that's rooted, and has CM7 which is based on gingerbread. I believe HTC has also released the kernel as open source, which is probably the reason I have CM7
Anyway, I guess what I'm looking for is an answer/guide/forum that explains why I can't install newer versions of android onto the already working/open source kernel I'm already running. Is it accurate to view the kernel as all the phone's drivers, or just the CPU driver? If that statement is true, why can't I load ICS or Jelly Bean onto my already existing set of drivers?
I'm thinking about starting a Wiki on this if 1) it doesn't already exist, and 2) I can wrap my brain around it enough to share with others!
Thanks to anyone with a response!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct about the ROM, but ROMs also include the kernel (if it didn't, or no kernel was flashed separately, the device would not boot). Yes, other kernels can be flashed on your existing ROM, but it's not necessarily going to be compatible.
Sort of, but there's a lot more than that. See here and here. Later versions of Android will require newer drivers,etc. which the existing kernel won't provide (they'll be outdated). Back porting and additional coding is theoretically possible, but insanely difficult (many times). Even after this some things may still not work.
Thanks for the insight, I was able to get a lot deeper into this with those links. For anyone else wandering down a similar path, you might as well stop now! Here are a few links:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039217&page=2#17
http://www.cs.uwc.ac.za/~mmotlhabi/avmk.pdf
http://www.iteachandroid.com/2012/01/what-is-firmware-rom-and-firmware.html
So, if anyone else is still listening, I do have two more questions:
Do any phones have truly open source drivers? (a.k.a. higher probability of allowing old hardware to work with new android OS)
Is there any way to determine which phones will be supported by the custom-ROM community early on? I know the Nexus line doesn't have vendor modified code, is that the direction which would have the highest probability to stay at top of the Custom ROM curve without upgrading devices every year?
Thanks again for any insight! I hope I'm posting this in a Newb-Friendly forum!
shadowrelic said:
Thanks for the insight, I was able to get a lot deeper into this with those links. For anyone else wandering down a similar path, you might as well stop now! Here are a few links:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039217&page=2#17
http://www.cs.uwc.ac.za/~mmotlhabi/avmk.pdf
http://www.iteachandroid.com/2012/01/what-is-firmware-rom-and-firmware.html
So, if anyone else is still listening, I do have two more questions:
Do any phones have truly open source drivers? (a.k.a. higher probability of allowing old hardware to work with new android OS)
Is there any way to determine which phones will be supported by the custom-ROM community early on? I know the Nexus line doesn't have vendor modified code, is that the direction which would have the highest probability to stay at top of the Custom ROM curve without upgrading devices every year?
Thanks again for any insight! I hope I'm posting this in a Newb-Friendly forum!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For both your questions, the Nexus-line devices would be the way to go. They usually have everything working on new Android versions the soonest, and Google always releases their code, etc.
Hi
i can use linux kernel (zimage) to update android kernel if yes ,how ?
thnx
Hi all,
i'm a noob to android, but i have nit of experience on other unix based systems.
I was wondering, why there is no custom roms for GT-S5690?
What's the problem?
Is bootloader locked some other way or is it somehow different from example Gio/GT-S5660?
There is a bunch of roms for gio..
I have one xcover, wich has no screen and covers, i thought i could use it for testing.
I think there are too less people who have a xcover, and I was actually pretty disappointed when I say there is a successor to the xcover available only in the US (Rugby Smart / Pro <-- with ICS!).
From the technical side, I don't know. Even the source code of the firmware is available at opensource.samsung.com. The Bootloader seems pretty much unlocked.
For me, the xcover is the best phone ever, it takes so much abuse. Maybe someday someone will port a newer ROM from the Ace/Gio/idk. It's a shame Samsung abandons their old phones :crying:
xkawer said:
I think there are too less people who have a xcover, and I was actually pretty disappointed when I say there is a successor to the xcover available only in the US (Rugby Smart / Pro <-- with ICS!).
From the technical side, I don't know. Even the source code of the firmware is available at opensource.samsung.com. The Bootloader seems pretty much unlocked.
For me, the xcover is the best phone ever, it takes so much abuse. Maybe someday someone will port a newer ROM from the Ace/Gio/idk. It's a shame Samsung abandons their old phones :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't were aware of successor models, now i'm very dissappointed.
I'm downloading these source codes at the moment, i'll check these out.
I'm not a developer, atleast YET..
AFAIK, hardware of s5690 is way different from any other samsung phones,
correct me if i'm wrong..
jonezy82 said:
AFAIK, hardware of s5690 is way different from any other samsung phones,
correct me if i'm wrong..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like it's the only one with a Marvell MG2.
Let me know if you do anything interesting with the sources
Just flashed my xcover to XXLJ2 yesterday. At least it seems a bit faster now, but I have a weird bug when scrolling. If I give a list (for example settings) momentum, it doesn't stop when I put my finger on it again. But it does stop if I release the finger the second time.
jonezy82 said:
I'm downloading these source codes at the moment, i'll check these out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the same. The GT-S5690_Platform.txt says:
Code:
How to build platform
1. Get android open source.
: version info - Android gingerbread 2.3.6
( Download site : http://source.android.com )
2. Remove external\webkit module in android open source which you got.
And then execute "clean build"
2. Copy files and modules to original Gingerbread source tree (overwrite)
3. build
- ./build.sh user
So wouldn't it be possible to download the JB sources, and compile them with the original kernel? Would be so cool.
Edit: It seems you need device specific binaries (drivers) since ICS. see: http://www.freeyourandroid.com/guide/compile-ics
Found a git https://github.com/manakeri/android_device_samsung_xcover, there is a
Code:
cyanogen_xcover.mk
file, this seems interesting. Apparently someone is trying to port it.
Edit2: In this git, there is also a "extract-files.sh"-file, which is neccessary to pull the proprietary files from the phone! With this I think we actually have everything we need to compile ICS/JB, like in the "freeyourandroid" tutorial.
I have never done this before, but someone must try it lol.
Oh look, there are more people who care about it!
http://www.droidevelopers.com/f338/14412-gt-s5690-opensource-kernel-available.html
Someone discovered my link and made a overclock kernel from the sources! This is so cool.
I hope we are going to see more :good:
xkawer said:
Oh look, there are more people who care about it!
http://www.droidevelopers.com/f338/14412-gt-s5690-opensource-kernel-available.html
Someone discovered my link and made a overclock kernel from the sources! This is so cool.
I hope we are going to see more :good:[/QUOTE
I own an xcover too a developer on another forum looked at some files i pulled using adb to try to port clockworkmod but no success. Told me the files i sent weren't standard android img but he would continue to look into it. Apparently the teamhacksungs goal is to port cyanogenmod for every Samsung device surely they can get it done. I've been waiting a long time to see some development for the awesome xcover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its possible on the galaxy mini its got to be possible on xcover!. Ive tried to get involved and learn to port cyanogenmod but when it comes to git, repo, source tree, source code e.t.c e.t.c its a bit behond me for now.
Step in the right direction it seems. Fingers crossed
Hi all,
With the risk of this being called a duplicate thread I just want to clarify that I'm in no way asking to port something for me, and I've read the 2 similar threads around, and felt like this should have it's own place.
So, straight to the point, I've been looking to get involved with android porting, and since LOS and AOKP for our device haven't quite filled my cup I was thinking of trying to port something else (trying to not get into much detail here )
Moving on, after searching around XDA and everywhere else, I've found a tuto or two where the process of porting was explained, and being an average user, I went to grab a "Base ROM", (thought the LOS/Stock ones would do, downloaded both)
To my surprise, files mentioned in the tutorials (framework-res.apk, framework.jar, ...) are nowhere to be found.
Finally the question, this just to save me from a reflash,
Am I supposed to install the "Base ROM" to dump /system to my PC?
Or am I perhaps misunderstanding something?
----
PSA: I'll probably find it difficult to get time to work on this (school stuffs) so even if I decide to go on with it, it might take a good while till something comes up.
Also, if there's someone with some experience in porting who'd be so kind to give me some pointers or show some availability to help with bug fixing/porting (not asking for labor, just explanations, in case I need 'em), please PM
Thanks, and sorry for the long post
b0taSs said:
Hi all,
With the risk of this being called a duplicate thread I just want to clarify that I'm in no way asking to port something for me, and I've read the 2 similar threads around, and felt like this should have it's own place.
So, straight to the point, I've been looking to get involved with android porting, and since LOS and AOKP for our device haven't quite filled my cup I was thinking of trying to port something else (trying to not get into much detail here )
Moving on, after searching around XDA and everywhere else, I've found a tuto or two where the process of porting was explained, and being an average user, I went to grab a "Base ROM", (thought the LOS/Stock ones would do, downloaded both)
To my surprise, files mentioned in the tutorials (framework-res.apk, framework.jar, ...) are nowhere to be found.
Finally the question, this just to save me from a reflash,
Am I supposed to install the "Base ROM" to dump /system to my PC?
Or am I perhaps misunderstanding something?
----
PSA: I'll probably find it difficult to get time to work on this (school stuffs) so even if I decide to go on with it, it might take a good while till something comes up.
Also, if there's someone with some experience in porting who'd be so kind to give me some pointers or show some availability to help with bug fixing/porting (not asking for labor, just explanations, in case I need 'em), please PM
Thanks, and sorry for the long post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wouldnt even try to port, its just confusing, files missing, preloader updates which makes you think which one to use, its all really just a mess, you will have better chance of getting something if you build from source, just fork our device, kernel and vendor trees and download a custom rom source of your choosing and build it, i wont say step by step, but i recommend that to download the vendor, device and kernel sources you make the local_manifest.xml so that when you do repo sync it downloads those sources aswell
Ruben Craveiro said:
i wouldnt even try to port, its just confusing, files missing, preloader updates which makes you think which one to use, its all really just a mess, you will have better chance of getting something if you build from source, just fork our device, kernel and vendor trees and download a custom rom source of your choosing and build it, i wont say step by step, but i recommend that to download the vendor, device and kernel sources you make the local_manifest.xml so that when you do repo sync it downloads those sources aswell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And here I thought porting would be easier, but yeah, now that you mention that.. :silly:
Aw well, thanks mate :good: