[GUIDE] [Xperia P/S] How to unpack/pack the Sony 2012 kernels - Sony Xperia P, U, Sola, Go

This guide should hopefully allow you to unpack and re-pack the 2012 Xperia kernels, which use a new .elf format.
[ Requirements: ]
Sony's mkelf.py
Python (For mkelf.py)
7-zip
[ Unpack elf: ]
1. Unpack the .elf using 7-zip, either via the GUI or command line:
Code:
7z e kernel.elf
2. This will give you 3 files:
Code:
0 - Kernel
1 - RAMDisk
2 - Resource Power Manager (RPM, Xperia S only):
2. You will need to unpack the '1' file to get the RAMDisk (It will be named 1~):
Code:
7z e 1
3. Unpack the RAMDisk:
Code:
mkdir ramdisk
7z x "1~" -o"ramdisk"
Now make your changes to the RAMDisk
[ Pack elf: ]
1. Pack the new RAMDisk (The new RAMDisk will be named '1' in the ramdisk folder):
Code:
cd ramdisk
find . | cpio -o -H newc | gzip > 1
2. Copy the kernel '0', new RAMDisk '1' (in the ramdisk folder) and RPM '2' (Xpera S only) into a new folder, along with the mkelf.py file
3. Run the Python mkelf.py (note the different instructions for Xperia P and Xperia S):
Xperia P:
Kernel should be named 0
RAMDisk should be named 1
Code:
python mkelf.py -o new_kernel.elf [email protected] [email protected],ramdisk
Xperia S:
Kernel should be named 0
RAMDisk should be named 1
Resource Power Manager (RPM) should be named 2
Code:
python mkelf.py -o new_kernel.elf [email protected] [email protected],ramdisk [email protected],rpm
This should create a new packed file called newkernel.elf
[ Boot: ]
1. Flash the new kernel
Code:
fastboot -i 0x0fce flash boot new_kernel.elf
2. Reboot the phone
Code:
fastboot -i 0x0fce reboot
Hopefully should boot into your new kernel
Open to comments and suggestions for this tutorial
Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility if this destroys your device/house/life
Source: http://developer.sonymobile.com/wp/...-archive-released-with-building-instructions/
Source: http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack%2C_Edit%2C_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images
Thanks: nickholtus, DooMLoRD

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Guide looks really good

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Just for the record: did anyone test this?

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K900 said:
Just for the record: did anyone test this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Nickholtus did (On his Xperia P)

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And on the S? Because from what I know the P doesn't have that bug.

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Will this also work for the sola?

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shreyasdilip said:
Will this also work for the sola?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will need different addresses for the mkelf.py. If you link me to a Sola kernel, I can update the post with it

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will this work for sola
What about sola

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ffaaiissaall said:
What about sola
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't mean to sound an arse but did you even read the thread? Check the question two posts up from you and the response to it just one below.

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K900 said:
Just for the record: did anyone test this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i have already done lots of testing on nick's Xperia P last week

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And what if i have 4 files after unpacking the kernel.elf??
i have 0,1,2,3
How to deal with this case?

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norberto_ said:
And what if i have 4 files after unpacking the kernel.elf??
i have 0,1,2,3
How to deal with this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what phone and what kernel ??

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Regarding testing of things, I now have a spare Xperia S if anyone wants me to try things out without the risk of messing up my main phone.

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check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27859098#post27859098

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championswimmer said:
check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27859098#post27859098
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
makes sense

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Atarii said:
This guide should hopefully allow you to unpack and re-pack the 2012 Xperia kernels, which use a new .elf format.
[ Requirements: ]
Sony's mkelf.py
Python (For mkelf.py)
7-zip
[ Unpack elf: ]
1. Unpack the .elf using 7-zip, either via the GUI or command line:
Code:
7z e kernel.elf
2. This will give you 3 files:
Code:
0 - Kernel
1 - RAMDisk
2 - Resource Power Manager (RPM, Xperia S only):
2. You will need to unpack the '1' file to get the RAMDisk (It will be named 1~):
Code:
7z e 1
3. Unpack the RAMDisk:
Code:
mkdir ramdisk
7z x "1~" -o"ramdisk"
Now make your changes to the RAMDisk
[ Pack elf: ]
1. Pack the new RAMDisk (The new RAMDisk will be named '1' in the ramdisk folder):
Code:
cd ramdisk
find . | cpio -o -H newc | gzip > 1
2. Copy the kernel '0', new RAMDisk '1' (in the ramdisk folder) and RPM '2' (Xpera S only) into a new folder, along with the mkelf.py file
3. Run the Python mkelf.py (note the different instructions for Xperia P and Xperia S):
Xperia P:
Kernel should be named 0
RAMDisk should be named 1
Code:
python mkelf.py -o new_kernel.elf [email protected] [email protected],ramdisk
Xperia S:
Kernel should be named 0
RAMDisk should be named 1
Resource Power Manager (RPM) should be named 2
Code:
python mkelf.py -o new_kernel.elf [email protected] [email protected],ramdisk [email protected],rpm
This should create a new packed file called newkernel.elf
[ Boot: ]
1. Flash the new kernel
Code:
fastboot -i 0x0fce flash boot new_kernel.elf
2. Reboot the phone
Code:
fastboot -i 0x0fce reboot
Hopefully should boot into your new kernel
Open to comments and suggestions for this tutorial
Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility if this destroys your device/house/life
Source: http://developer.sonymobile.com/wp/...-archive-released-with-building-instructions/
Source: http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack%2C_Edit%2C_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images
Thanks: nickholtus, DooMLoRD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just unpack & repack the kernel, but it isn't work
the screen just all black
nothing displays

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wzhy said:
I just unpack & repack the kernel, but it isn't work
the screen just all black
nothing displays
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using Xperia acro S. I had the same problem.
@wzhy, why don't you use the following command instead.
Code:
python mkelf.py -o new_kernel.elf [email protected] [email protected],ramdisk [email protected],rpm

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for unpacking the ramdisk use the method on this page (few posts above)
otherwise you will get a black screen

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Hi.
whats the correct setting for Xperia U for mkelf.py ?
Thx

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Nice guide but ...
I have Xperia sola
4.0.4 rom build 6.1.1.B.1.54
kernel.sin has 3 files {
kernel.elf
kernel.patinfo
kernel.header
}
kernel.elf has 4 files! {
kernel.elf.3
kernel.elf.cert
kernel.elf.Image
kernel.elf.ramdisk.gz
}
In the ram disk there is a file name kernel.elf.ramdisk
and kernel.elf.ramdisk has the ramdisk files
So how can I repack THIS?!
thanks in advance for your answer