For the Moderator who moved this thread, please contact me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently working on this: It is a work in progress. Many things will be updated as this goes on. I will publish it before it is ready mainly for you to know that I am doing this and to delete it before it is too late if you think it just isn't as good as I imagine it .
It could be useful to note that the dictionary may not be exactly correct, I can make mistakes and you can correct me too, if you are sure of what you say. Also, keep in mind that I define the concepts by what I understand from them and simplifying the language as much as I can for EVERYONE to understand every word.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Credits:
ShortFuse.org - SuperOneClick
ClockWorkMod Installer - rect2409, xda user
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Dictionary -In permanent update as needed-
3. Getting started
/3.1 - Rooting
/3.2 - Getting your Recovery - CWM Recovery
/3.3 - Avoiding Baseband issues --Uncomplete--
1. Introduction:
Hey there, x10 Mini Pro community. First of all, the cheesy part, I would like to say thanks to the developers that have been in the main scenario since I came here, D4, slade, paul, nAa, TheMiltos, and lots of them whose usernames I should start looking for, but it is not like I do not recognize them. First, you may ask why would I make this thread if there is already another one, made by not less than one of the users I mentioned before. Well, I started on this community like on January 2011, when slade's Gingerbread was brand new and the Froyo ROMs were just getting a bit stable and ready for everyday use. I found it pretty difficult to start, since I've noticed that the support for newbies isn't kinda.. "the way" of xda. At least, when I was one of them, I felt pretty alone on this unknown roads, and also felt guilty to send a PM asking for help, not being able to post - and that was just when I finally decided to create an account... I spent hours and hours searching on Google, watching videos on Youtube, trying to understand what did they meant with all this technical language -disregarding the fact that my native language doesn't help at all (Luckily, my English is pretty good)-, reading blogs, and so on. I had to keep this intensive study for several weeks to, finally, get my very first custom recovery installed. And that was just the first step. Besides my own experiences -which are, by the way, the main reason for me to start thinking about a thread like this-, I noticed that all the particular problem solution threads just get lost within a month.
So, what am I looking for with this thread? What are the objectives?
-Full and friendly support for newbies to ask and be answered.
-Freedom to PM.
-Detailed step-by-step instructions, maybe even with screenshots later on.
-Some kind of a "dictionary" with words all over the Android development spectrum.
-Updated information.
-Make all of those lost tutorials and guides spread all over the x10 Mini Pro forums be compressed in one simple and extensive help center.
-End with the experienced ones complaining about newbies questions infinite cycle by creating this "encyclopedia".
-Maybe, just as an early idea, we could create a support team, whose purpose is pretty self-explanatory.
-Hope to add more objectives on the future.
2. Dictionary:
-Android Versions: Check Wikipedia for closer details on each version.
--> Cupcake 1.5: First public version of Android.
--> Donut 1.6: Initially the Stock version for our phones.
--> Eclair 2.1: Updated Stock version for our phones.
--> Froyo 2.2: Follow up to Eclair with some modifications
--> Gingerbread 2.3.x: Most widely used version by the moment.
--> Honeycomb 3.x: Version mostly for tablets
--> Ice Cream Sandwich: 4.0.x: Hybrid version, designed to unify Cellphones and Tablets OS.
--> Jelly Bean 4.1.x: It is still a rumor and it has not be released nor even confirmed yet, but it is still very likely to be true.
-APK: File extension used for Android-based applications. You can use them to install a specific application if you want to install it manually and not from the Market.
-Back-Up: It is a file made via Recovery that saves the ROM along with all the user data (Settings, applications, contacts, text messages...) on your SD to recover it later, just in case that something went wrong. It is sometimes referred as NAND Backup. NOTE: Every Back-Up is pretty heavy, and if you make another does not delete the previous one, so I recommend to delete the old/unneeded ones to save space on your SD.
-Boot: To turn on your phone.
-Bootloader: It is a part of the operating system that boots up your device and sets everything up to load Android, so your phone can boot and start as usual. Unlocking it allows us to flash custom kernel, which usually come with improvements compared to stock one.
-Brick: A Bricked device is a device that won't boot. It can be a full brick, when the phone just does not turns on, or a partial brick, where it turns on but it can not get to fully boot. A partially bricked phone can behave in many different ways while booting, for example, sometimes they get frozen at the Bootloader or sometimes they make a Bootloop. To Unbrick your phone means to get it back to normal from this state.
-CyanogenMod: Most commonly called by it's abreviation, CM. It is the most famous Android-based custom ROM, with both official ports to many devices and unofficial ports to almost every Android phone.
-Flash: To flash. It means to install something on your phone, this something can be a ROM, a Module for that ROM, can be almost anything. Any file we want to flash will be on a ZIP format, and it is made through your phones Recovery.
-Google Apps: Or GApps. Some of the apps developed by Google. They come in packages to flash them via Recovery. These apps include Android Market/Play Store, Google Maps, Youtube, Gmail, etc.
-Launcher: It is the application that is used by Android to show up your apps, homescreens, wallpapers, widgets, etc. Home Replacement Apps are alternative Launchers for you to install on your phone, and they can offer a major UI change (often used for more personalization).
-Overclocking: Commonly abbreviated OC. To overclock something means to make it run faster than the default speed set by the manufacturer. On computers, it can be applied to almost any component, on phones, it almost always is talking about the processor.
-OS: Short for Operative System. It is the "everything" of a computer. Mac and Windows are two really famous OS's you probably have used more than once. Well, Android is an OS too, and there are other OSs alternatives for phones too like Windows Phone, iOS and Symbian. The difference is much more than in the appearance thou, but it doesn't really matters to go further on this. Android haves different versions, and just like Windows haves Windoes 97, Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7; Android has 1.6 Donut, 2.1 Eclair, 2.3 Gingerbread and 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (These are just examples, there are more).
-PC Companion, Flashtool, SEUS:
These are three common tools for your computer to update, flash or un-brick (alias revive) your phone.
--> PC Companion: Program by Sony Ericsson to update and save your Rom or parts (settings etc.) or to send media on your device
--> Flashtool: User-made program (credits to Androxyde and Bin4ry) to root, flash and set up many more things on your device.
--> SEUS (or Sony Ericsson Update Service): Program by Sony Ericsson to update or repair your official ROM. This is often the last chance to revive your bricked device, making me think if the "S.E.U.S." acronym is unintended or if it is actually made it to sound like the mythical god Zeus.
-Port: A ported ROM is a ROM, both custom or stock, that is available to some specific phone and someone manages to make it work for another device. Usually it includes changes like matching the desired device's screen and supporting it's own hardware.
-Reboot: Just turning off your device and then turning it back on, waiting patiently for it to completely load everything.
-Recovery: I usually call it a BIOS for my phone. It is not an application like Facebook or SMS, it is a program that can be optionally started while booting by pressing a certain key, in our case, we have to button-mash the "Back" button (Gamers will get that, it means to repeteadly tap the button). Your phone will enter a menu with black background and orange letters. Touch screen is not available here and the Menu button, the left one, serves no purpose at all. To control everything, you use the volume buttons at the side of your phone as Up/Down respectively, the Home button (the middle one) works as Enter and the Back button, the right one, is used to go back, as you might imagine. Recoveries are used to flash any flashable file to your phone. To exit and return your phone to normal, just back until the main menu and select Reboot Phone. It will reboot normally, and CWM will not show up unless you call for it with the back button.
-ROM: Its basically the OS that we install in our phones. It can be Custom or Stock: Stock ROM is the version that came with our phone, created by Google and then modified by your phone's brand company and then by your carrier, to go to your phone on it's original closed package. Also we have Custom ones, that are user-modified versions of Android. Every ROM in xda is a Custom ROM because they are developed by the user who uploaded it. We call it ROM because it resides in the ROM (Read-Only Memory) of our devices.
-Root: The first thing you must do over any Android device to get the full potential of itself, is rooting. Android, in basic terms, is based on Linux. Yes, that OS for computers you've probably heard of (If not, don't worry. You don't need to know about it.). And it is running just in your hand. On Linux, you need to get SuperUser permissions over a set password to make changes on the computer like installing programs and such things. On Android, you do not get his password and by default it is blocked, and rooting your phone means that you get this SuperUser access. Yes, if you are the one who goes exploring the phone 'till the last folder and modifying everything you possibly can, you will surely mess your phone up. But don't worry, if you just Root your phone and let TRUSTED apps to do their stuff, you are safe. What do I mean by trusted? With Root permissions you can do whatever you want on your phone, and so do Applications. You should just install applications whose developer you know you can trust, such as xda or market developed applications. Remember to always check the comments or posts people do reviewing their experience with that application, and beware if anyone tells so. Anyways, people is not that dumb and they have made the phone ASK for your permission before giving any new app the so called Root access.
-Run: To open a certain program or app. Can be used as "Running" for a certain program or app that is actually open, and so on.
-Stock: It refers to something that comes pre-installed on our devices, available when we just get them from the manufacturers.
-UI: The User Interface is the system shown on the screen of a device for you to interact with it.
-Undervolt: Usually abbreviated UV. It is the opposite of Overclocking, and, on phones, it consists of lowering the default voltage of the processor to make it run slower and thus decrease battery consumption.
3. Getting Started:
3.1 - Rooting
Steps:
-You can't imagine how easy and quick rooting can be. The first step, is to enable "USB Debugging" on your phone. I am going to be honest, I don't know what the **** is this, but keep it enabled. Always. Hehe. To do this, go to Settings and then under the Applications tab. Then, scroll down and go to Development. And there it is, you should tap "USB Debugging" once to get it checked and activated.
-Then, you need this software (Don't worry: it is free and very light, and you can just delete it after root). It is called SuperOneClick and this is the lastest version (2.3.3) until now. This is a screenshot of the interface that I grabbed from the original site. Install and open SuperOneClick, and continue to the next step.
-Now, with the USB Debugging enabled on the phone and SuperOneClick running on your computer, grab your USB cable that should have come along with your phone as your charger and connect with it your PC and your phone. On the phone it should show a message asking what to do, you should tap the option to charge the phone (This option is kinda "do nothing", it is the same as charging it from the wall). Now, go to SuperOneClick and click the big "ROOT" button. It should do all the work, so your task is to wait. Wait until it says it is ready and rooted, and then reboot your phone.
-Voile! Your phone is now rooted.
3.2 - Getting your Recovery - CWM Recovery
Steps:
-First, download this little program. It is a small Batch file (Commands for Windows) made by a user on this community called rect2409. On the original thread -Link under credits- you have a Linux version of this program, but I'm afraid have never used it and you will have to figure it out by yourself (Linux experienced-users encouraged to review over here). Extract the ZIP file and go into the folder you just extracted.
-Open install.bat. Batch files can be dangerous on the wrong hands but very useful on the right ones, so if any anti-virus or some kind of a security system tries to block this from working, tell them it is safe. You have my word (It wasn't even uploaded by me, so you can be sure I'm doing no trick here ). It will open a small black window with white text, follow it's instructions and answer it's questions. When it asks you for yes or no (Y/N), you have to write Y for yes or N for no and then press enter.
-When it says "If no errors are listed above then CWM has been installed. Finished.", you can close the window and delete everything you downloaded if you want. Everything you need on your phone is now there, so there's no problem if you want to delete this stuff.
-If you want to access CWM (That's how your new Recovery is called), you have to reboot your phone and at the "Sony Ericsson" text screen, press the "Back" button several times.
3.3 - Avoiding Baseband issues --Uncomplete--
Intro:
Your Baseband is a pretty large code that can be checked on your phone by going to settings and scrolling sown to "About phone". There, just like it says your Android version on a grey section, it should say your Baseband version on another. It should be a large code using both letters and numbers in a format like this ?????-????????-????? (? representing anything and - being itself, whatever it is called -I don't know it's english name-). What really matter are the last three digits, that have to be -015. If you have that, skip this step, because you are already done: The problem is when you have -006 (Like I had) or anything else, if it is possible. The point is that you NEED -015 Baseband version.
Steps:
-Of course, first make sure you have a wrong version of the Baseband, if you have the correct one, skip section.
-When you are sure you need to change your baseband, you have to change your "build.prop". Build.prop is a file hidden by the system, accessible via Root, that holds and manages some information and configuration about the phone. So, the first thing you need to do, is to get...
---To be continued---
Users who have helped:
karthiks.840 - ImInMunichBitch -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Dictionary,
-ROM: Its basically the OS, we call it ROM because it resides in the ROM of our devices.
-Flashing: To install a new ROM. Basically any ROM will be in a zipped format. It can be flashed via any "Recovery".
-Recovery: A piece of program that can be optionally started on booting (In our devices by pressing "Back" button multiple times, when the device is turned on)
Just a quick suggestion: Everything you so far wrote is also applicable to the Robyn (X10Mini, E10i). If you keep it this general, you might consider posting this in the General Section, and maybe a mod could make it a sticky. Since this is not really about actual development, it looks kind of out of place in the development thread.
But keep up the good work
@nico444164: Thanks nico444164! This is probably the BEST thing I have ever seen on XDA - and I've been here since Mikevhl 's FroYo rom early 2011 (he was one of the main devs for x10 mini Pro) , followed by owain94 , slade87 , and paul-xxx who all slowly took over (over their predecessor's) one after another, slowly. I've never seen such a noob-friendly guide here at xda and I agree with your sentiment about it just not "being the way" it is here at xda. Frankly, it should be though and this thread by you is a hopefully a good indicator of/catalyst for xda slowly changing for the better. Cheers nico444164!
Suggestions for dictionary:
CyanogenMod:
Most famous Android-based custom rom of all times with many official and unofficial ports for many Android devices.
Brick:
Device doesn't boot anymore (fullbrick) or partially (halfbrick --> often bootloop to SE logo). Caused by wrong or incompatible changes in system related parts of Android (or many others as we know by now).
Stock:
--> Stock Rom: the operating system of our devices, how we get it from the manufacturer
--> Stock Kernel: same as Rom
Bootloader:
That part of the operating system, which boots up your device and sets everything on boot, so your Android can work as usual.
Unlock it allows us to flash custom kernel with improvements compared to stock one.
PC Companion, Flashtool, SEUS:
All three are tools for your computer to update, flash or revive your phone.
--> PC Companion: Programm by Sony Ericsson to update and save your Rom or parts (settings etc.) or to send media on your device
--> Flashtool: custom programm (credits to Androxyde and Bin4ry) to root, flash and set up many more things on your device
--> SEUS (or Sony Ericsson Update Service): Programm by SE to update your official rom (often the last chance to revive your bricked device)
Back Up:
Same as on a computer; saves the rom and its settings on your SD to recover it, when something went wrong (all usually via Recovery).
Android Versions:
--> Eclair 2.1: Stock version for our phones
--> Froyo 2.2: Follow up to Eclair with some modifications
--> Gingerbread 2.3: Mostly used version for our custom roms
--> Honeycomb 3.x: Version mostly for tablets
--> Ice Cream Sandwich: 4.x: Hybrid version for phones and tablets
APK:
File extension used for android based applications, if you want to install them manually and not from the market.
Launcher, Home Screen Replacement:
The application that is used by android to show up your apps, homescreens etc. Replacement apps take over those things (often used for more personalization).
A2SD, APP2SD, Link2SD:
Apps that allow you to free up your system memory by moving (non system) apps to your SD. Many custom roms implemented this in native settings.
GAPPS:
Commonly used google apps. Often in packages to flash them via recovery after installing a custom rom.
(Market/Playstore, Maps, Youtube etc.)
OC, UV:
-->Overclock (OC): used to get higher cpu values (decrease battery life but may increase performance).
-->Undervolt (UV): used to get better battery life by decreasing the voltage used by the cpu.
Just a few suggestions for this thread here.
I like the idea, would be a good sticky to new users, because this forum is
so high under development that many users forget that new ones may never heard of basic android knowledge.
Corrections are always welcome, hope my english is not that bad
Keep it up.
Marius
karthiks.840 said:
For Dictionary,
-ROM: Its basically the OS, we call it ROM because it resides in the ROM of our devices.
-Flashing: To install a new ROM. Basically any ROM will be in a zipped format. It can be flashed via any "Recovery".
-Recovery: A piece of program that can be optionally started on booting (In our devices by pressing "Back" button multiple times, when the device is turned on)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Added! Just changed some words I just thought should make a section for the users that help. Will do that in a few minutes.
SmG67 said:
Just a quick suggestion: Everything you so far wrote is also applicable to the Robyn (X10Mini, E10i). If you keep it this general, you might consider posting this in the General Section, and maybe a mod could make it a sticky. Since this is not really about actual development, it looks kind of out of place in the development thread.
But keep up the good work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, that rooting process is kinda global. I thought about making this post a bit more general, but I wanted to start by little and taking my time, so maybe in the future I will ask someone to change it to General and I will add some info about each phone in details, if this gets to grow enough.
Also, I thought maybe this wasn't the place since it is not development, but:
-As a noob, I just checked this thread since I thought the others were exclusive for the Robyn.
-This is still particular to Mimmi.
-I have seen several tutorials and guides related to this on the Mini Pro development section, so I thought that if I am not the only one and it doesn't really hurts to have it here, it should be no problem. Besides, if this didn't work and get to be a real fail, it will just be forgotten with every other old posts out there
nightwing369 said:
@nico444164: Thanks nico444164! This is probably the BEST thing I have ever seen on XDA - and I've been here since Mikevhl 's FroYo rom early 2011 (he was one of the main devs for x10 mini Pro) , followed by owain94 , slade87 , and paul-xxx who all slowly took over (over their predecessor's) one after another, slowly. I've never seen such a noob-friendly guide here at xda and I agree with your sentiment about it just not "being the way" it is here at xda. Frankly, it should be though and this thread by you is a hopefully a good indicator of/catalyst for xda slowly changing for the better. Cheers nico444164!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your message and support! And yeah, I hope noobs can find their basic ways here on xda, at a single and simple thread, as you might have wanted. I did, at least It would be only better if we could include all this novice people into this real complex world of development, even just as users.
ImInMunichBitch said:
Suggestions for dictionary:
CyanogenMod:
Most famous Android-based custom rom of all times with many official and unofficial ports for many Android devices.
Brick:
Device doesn't boot anymore (fullbrick) or partially (halfbrick --> often bootloop to SE logo). Caused by wrong or incompatible changes in system related parts of Android (or many others as we know by now).
Stock:
--> Stock Rom: the operating system of our devices, how we get it from the manufacturer
--> Stock Kernel: same as Rom
Bootloader:
That part of the operating system, which boots up your device and sets everything on boot, so your Android can work as usual.
Unlock it allows us to flash custom kernel with improvements compared to stock one.
PC Companion, Flashtool, SEUS:
All three are tools for your computer to update, flash or revive your phone.
--> PC Companion: Programm by Sony Ericsson to update and save your Rom or parts (settings etc.) or to send media on your device
--> Flashtool: custom programm (credits to Androxyde and Bin4ry) to root, flash and set up many more things on your device
--> SEUS (or Sony Ericsson Update Service): Programm by SE to update your official rom (often the last chance to revive your bricked device)
Back Up:
Same as on a computer; saves the rom and its settings on your SD to recover it, when something went wrong (all usually via Recovery).
Android Versions:
--> Eclair 2.1: Stock version for our phones
--> Froyo 2.2: Follow up to Eclair with some modifications
--> Gingerbread 2.3: Mostly used version for our custom roms
--> Honeycomb 3.x: Version mostly for tablets
--> Ice Cream Sandwich: 4.x: Hybrid version for phones and tablets
APK:
File extension used for android based applications, if you want to install them manually and not from the market.
Launcher, Home Screen Replacement:
The application that is used by android to show up your apps, homescreens etc. Replacement apps take over those things (often used for more personalization).
A2SD, APP2SD, Link2SD:
Apps that allow you to free up your system memory by moving (non system) apps to your SD. Many custom roms implemented this in native settings.
GAPPS:
Commonly used google apps. Often in packages to flash them via recovery after installing a custom rom.
(Market/Playstore, Maps, Youtube etc.)
OC, UV:
-->Overclock (OC): used to get higher cpu values (decrease battery life but may increase performance).
-->Undervolt (UV): used to get better battery life by decreasing the voltage used by the cpu.
Just a few suggestions for this thread here.
I like the idea, would be a good sticky to new users, because this forum is
so high under development that many users forget that new ones may never heard of basic android knowledge.
Corrections are always welcome, hope my english is not that bad
Keep it up.
Marius
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adding them right now And about the last thing you said, yes, it is so hard to join this community as you may all know, at least for users with no knowledge at all over any complex computer language. I consider myself an advanced-user, and even as that I had troubles at getting started. I can't imagine how hard it would be for a non-geek to flash something on their phones! EDIT: Added!
A very good guide for newbies! Will help a lot of people here! Ah, the old days, I remember, the first time I tried installing xREC I messed up and it wouldn't boot, scared the **** outta me xD had to do some reasearch before I could get back to normal. So this would be of great help!! Keep up the effort!
P.S: debugging mode is actually development mode. It allows transfer of data between the PC and the mobile. That's how you are able to run adb commands ( things like rooting, pushing APKs etc.) through the PC onto the phone!
Sent from my U20i using XDA
Wow... The guide is so complete... Even I don't know what I can add there xD
Hmm... How about adding some simple default tricks ?
I found that several user are asking how to backup their data... How about telling them how to upload their phonebook data to gmail and backup their apps through titanium backup ?
I think we can have some "unlocking bootloader" infos in here, as latter ROMs need to have custom kernel installed...
You can refer about the steps to unlocking bootloader in here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1462278
Hope that helped everyone
speedsys said:
A very good guide for newbies! Will help a lot of people here! Ah, the old days, I remember, the first time I tried installing xREC I messed up and it wouldn't boot, scared the **** outta me xD had to do some reasearch before I could get back to normal. So this would be of great help!! Keep up the effort!
P.S: debugging mode is actually development mode. It allows transfer of data between the PC and the mobile. That's how you are able to run adb commands ( things like rooting, pushing APKs etc.) through the PC onto the phone!
Sent from my U20i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yees! That old days haha! I did exactly the same, me and my friend got our pretty new phones bricked
, so we were kinda.. O.O! Oh, divine SEUS. And about the Debugging stuff, I will add it tomorrow - Its kinda 2am here and tomorrow is another fun Wednesday to keep the awesome routine, hurray.
StardustGeass said:
Wow... The guide is so complete... Even I don't know what I can add there xD
Hmm... How about adding some simple default tricks ?
I found that several user are asking how to backup their data... How about telling them how to upload their phonebook data to gmail and backup their apps through titanium backup ?
I think we can have some "unlocking bootloader" infos in here, as latter ROMs need to have custom kernel installed...
You can refer about the steps to unlocking bootloader in here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1462278
Hope that helped everyone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not a bad idea to add the tricks, but this is quite a big job and I would like to finish keep my objectives clear and then start thinking of adding something else haha And bout the bootloader, yes, it will be added, my plan is to cover every single change available to your phone from complete Stock, Rooting and Installing Recoveries already written. Next I will introduce Custom ROMs, flashing aditional features like Hotfixes or Modules for specific ROMs, unlocking Bootloader, Custom Kernels, and so on. And maybe reviews about the best ROMs for the user to choose from what he best likes. Something like that is what I have in mind by now.
Sent from my U20i using XDA
Install CWM : error: protocol fault (no status)
rooted xperia X10 mini.
USB debug on
phone connected to pc in charge mode.
When I run install.bat for CWM (3.2 in manual), I get an error during first exploit. Here's the complete trace from install.bat:
Code:
ClockWorkMod Recovery Installer for X10 Mini Pro by rect2409.
Requirements and credits are listed in the README.txt file.
Please make sure requirements are met before continuing.
Please make sure that your phone is connected to your PC and USB debugging is en
abled.
Press any key to continue...
Is your device ROOTed? (Y/N):y
Starting ADB Server.
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
Pushing exploit to gain ROOT access.
426 KB/s (585731 bytes in 1.341s)
error: protocol fault (no status)
Mount system as R/W.
Do you already have a recovery installed? (Y/N):n
Pushing recovery tar file.
1898 KB/s (5027840 bytes in 2.586s)
Pushing chargemon.
130 KB/s (1341 bytes in 0.010s)
Pushing busybox.
2175 KB/s (735308 bytes in 0.330s)
Setting permissions for recovery tar file.
Setting permissions for chargemon.
Setting permissions for busybox.
Mount system as read only.
Reboot phone.
Stopping ADB Server.
If no errors are listed above then CWM has been installed.
Finished.
After the error is displayed, I got sounds on my pc and phone just like when I disconnect usb then reconnect it. Then the program continue (ask whether a recovery is already installed).
I don't think CWM has been installed: actually, when i press back many times on my phone while starting, nothing happens : normal boot from SE.
Can anybody help ?
Looks like you haven't got the adb drivers so its not actually pushing anything. Can't remember how to install the, now but I think its a package included in flash tool that you use.
X10man
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
x10man said:
Looks like you haven't got the adb drivers so its not actually pushing anything. Can't remember how to install the, now but I think its a package included in flash tool that you use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have installed drivers found in flashtool drivers 1.0.2, but still get that same error :
Code:
Pushing exploit to gain ROOT access.
1111 KB/s (585731 bytes in 0.514s)
error: protocol fault (no status)
Please help.
Related
I have read a few posts in this section, but it is totally impossible for someone like me (new to smartphones, flashing and the rest) to understand anything. Would you please explain some of the terminologies used here? Some of them are: kernel, 3g, port, system.ext2, BT... and thousands more.
Thank you very much!
you don't really "need" to understand any of that.
all you need to do is to learn how to download files, learn how to extract the downloaded file, learn how to copy them to an sd card, and learn how to run a program inside windows mobile.
if you can do all that, you should be set!!!
just follow steps 1-6 (ignore step 1b - the part about system.ext2) - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=951962
Well noted AkumaX. Thank you very much!
XDAndroid is a project to port Android onto older HTC phones.
There are two main parts of XDAndroid, which combine to form a complete port:
Kernel/drivers: You can find packages to run Android on old HTC phones from a variety of sources, but whatever package you use, all rely upon the kernels/drivers created by the XDAndroid team to enable the basic hardware.
Android system: The Android system forms all of the parts of the phone's interface that you can directly interact with. Once the kernel/drivers have setup the hardware, you can add on an Android system port of your choice to form a complete build. Many system ports are available, both in terms of different versions (2.1 Eclair, 2.2 Froyo, 2.3 Gingerbread, etc.) and different starting points in the case of ports written by those outside of XDAndroid.
XDAndroid releases an "official" system port you can use, which is directly ported over by the XDAndroid team from the Android Open Source Project, and is very close to stock. Many of the alternative builds you come across are modifications of the XDAndroid system, containing customizations that deviate farther from stock Android, while others have different starting points altogether, and are ports of the ROMs found on official shipping devices that have already been customized (but still use the same basic kernel/drivers found here).
Android is a framework that runs on top of Linux. In order to get Android running on our devices, first we must get Linux running on the hardware with all drivers implemented, and then, we hook Android into these drivers. Thus, broadly viewed, the XDAndroid project is divided into two parts: the kernel/drivers and the Android port.
When you look at the files in your Android directory, you'll probably see something like the following:
zImage: The Linux kernel and drivers.
modules-###: Additional drivers for the kernel. Your system will load without this, but things like wifi may not work, or you may encounter instability.
initrd.gz: Used in the Linux boot process.
system.ext2: Most of the Android framework.
rootfs.img: Additional parts of the Android framework that are customized for our devices.
data.img: This file contains what would be your internal memory on a real Android device. Whenever you install a program it goes in to here. A new empty one will be automatically created if you don't have one.
haret.exe: Reboots you from Windows into XDAndroid.
startup.txt: Commands passed to XDAndroid on bootup that are customized by the user.
ts-calibration: Contains calibration information for the touch screen. If you don't have this file, you will be prompted to calibrate your screen on startup.
AndroidApps: A folder where if you copy any apks into it, they will be automatically installed on bootup.
manekineko said:
XDAndroid is a project to port Android onto older HTC phones.
-------.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good explanation manekineko!...I believe this is what op was looking for.
there is light at the end of the tunnel, it wont take much longer if the devs keep up this good work, until there can be made stable and good builds with good battery life etc. when the time is there i will create an complete noob friendly installation guide (with pics and maybe even an vid).
I'm currently trying to figure out which one to install!
manekineko said:
XDAndroid is a project to port Android onto older HTC phones.
There are two main parts of XDAndroid, which combine to form a complete port:
Kernel/drivers: You can find packages to run Android on old HTC phones from a variety of sources, but whatever package you use, all rely upon the kernels/drivers created by the XDAndroid team to enable the basic hardware.
Android system: The Android system forms all of the parts of the phone's interface that you can directly interact with. Once the kernel/drivers have setup the hardware, you can add on an Android system port of your choice to form a complete build. Many system ports are available, both in terms of different versions (2.1 Eclair, 2.2 Froyo, 2.3 Gingerbread, etc.) and different starting points in the case of ports written by those outside of XDAndroid.
XDAndroid releases an "official" system port you can use, which is directly ported over by the XDAndroid team from the Android Open Source Project, and is very close to stock. Many of the alternative builds you come across are modifications of the XDAndroid system, containing customizations that deviate farther from stock Android, while others have different starting points altogether, and are ports of the ROMs found on official shipping devices that have already been customized (but still use the same basic kernel/drivers found here).
Android is a framework that runs on top of Linux. In order to get Android running on our devices, first we must get Linux running on the hardware with all drivers implemented, and then, we hook Android into these drivers. Thus, broadly viewed, the XDAndroid project is divided into two parts: the kernel/drivers and the Android port.
When you look at the files in your Android directory, you'll probably see something like the following:
zImage: The Linux kernel and drivers.
modules-###: Additional drivers for the kernel. Your system will load without this, but things like wifi may not work, or you may encounter instability.
initrd.gz: Used in the Linux boot process.
system.ext2: Most of the Android framework.
rootfs.img: Additional parts of the Android framework that are customized for our devices.
data.img: This file contains what would be your internal memory on a real Android device. Whenever you install a program it goes in to here. A new empty one will be automatically created if you don't have one.
haret.exe: Reboots you from Windows into XDAndroid.
startup.txt: Commands passed to XDAndroid on bootup that are customized by the user.
ts-calibration: Contains calibration information for the touch screen. If you don't have this file, you will be prompted to calibrate your screen on startup.
AndroidApps: A folder where if you copy any apks into it, they will be automatically installed on bootup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your explanations, manekineko. I believe that I am now ready to cruise through all the threads of this section without fear.
shatred said:
there is light at the end of the tunnel, it wont take much longer if the devs keep up this good work, until there can be made stable and good builds with good battery life etc. when the time is there i will create an complete noob friendly installation guide (with pics and maybe even an vid).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shatred, I am eagerly waiting for two things: (i) for the developers to release the perfect Android builds (my sincere encouragements to them by the way!!!) and (ii) for your installation guide.
gueyenono said:
I'm currently trying to figure out which one to install!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tell me your phone type, so an rhod-100? 200? 300? etc.
and tell me what you prefer more, an good battery life and an stable running system without camera support OR less stable system, bad battery life but with camera support.
Tell me and i will help you
shatred said:
tell me your phone type, so an rhod-100? 200? 300? etc.
and tell me what you prefer more, an good battery life and an stable running system without camera support OR less stable system, bad battery life but with camera support.
Tell me and i will help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm... You no longer have to choose. WisTilt2 pulled the latest commits from GIT into his test kernel.
arrrghhh said:
Uhm... You no longer have to choose. WisTilt2 pulled the latest commits from GIT into his test kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah but if you activate the camera libs the phone wont go into deep sleep mode right? or is that fixed already?
shatred said:
yeah but if you activate the camera libs the phone wont go into deep sleep mode right? or is that fixed already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems I was wrong about that. It was the other way around, if the libs are disabled the phone won't sleep.
However, with FRX05 there's no need for the libs. FRX05 + GIT kernel or WisTilt2's newest kernel is all you need for cam.
arrrghhh said:
Seems I was wrong about that. It was the other way around, if the libs are disabled the phone won't sleep.
However, with FRX05 there's no need for the libs. FRX05 + GIT kernel or WisTilt2's newest kernel is all you need for cam.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm yeah about that, i tried frx05 with wistilt2 latest kernels but it doesnt work for me, i think its an problem with my user conf... can you perhaps send me your user conf from frx05?
shatred said:
hmm yeah about that, i tried frx05 with wistilt2 latest kernels but it doesnt work for me, i think its an problem with my user conf... can you perhaps send me your user conf from frx05?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for FRX04... It's in my bundle.
If you remove all of the ln -s and bind mounts, should work just fine...
If you just switched from iPhone or BB or this is ur first android. Read this thoroughly and see ur questions get eliminated by this guide. if you find this helpful than show your appreciation and hit that thnx button.
I don't take any credit I Googled everything. I do take credit of modifying some stuff in word. I won't have this Phone but I am just being helpful to the community.
Little in-depth information about Android. Must Read. Thank You Pirateghost.
Pirateghost said:
Android itself is OPEN. you can go and build your very own version of 4.0 ICS right now from source code. there are very few phones you can STABLY and RELIABLY run it on though.
The NEXUS line of phones exists for a reason. they are untouched by carriers (verizon teabagged the Galaxy Nexus a little), and do not have some stupid overlay on them. they are developer devices in that it is the first phone to get android updates straight from google (no manufacturer interference required).
every other phone is tainted with a manufacturer's UI. Touchwiz on Samsung phones (galaxy nexus is a samsung but they provided the hardware not the software), Sense on HTC, 'non-blur' on Motorola, whatever Sony calls theirs...lol, LG, etc
on top of that tainted Android interface is a carrier branding or lockdown (doesnt apply to the entire world, but im only referring to US here)
so google releases new version of Android
manufacturers build phone, and customize android to fit their model (this is where android almost stops being OPEN)
carriers get a hold of the manufacturers build of android and tweak and modify it themselves (more than likely they just tell the manufacturers what they want), as you know they love to include bloat and lock it down from the user
you receive your android phone after it has gone through all those steps....long process huh? we dont get updates to newer versions as quickly because of that long process...and they would rather us buy new phones instead of improving perfectly good hardware.
Android is open in the sense that manufacturers can use it however they wish, within reason. it is not necessarily meant to be 'open' to the average end user, and manufacturers dont want you messing with the phone they built. its the reason XDA is what it is today, albeit with roots deep in WinMo hacking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ADB → Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile command line tool that lets you communicate with an emulator instance or connected Android-powered device..
Android →Unveiled on 5 November 2007, Android is a mobile operating system running on the Linux kernel developed by Google.
AOSP → Android Open Source Project
Apps2SD → Move applications from the internal NAND memory on the device to a removable SD Card.
BLN → BackLight Notification
Bloatware → Software bloat is a process whereby successive versions of apps include an increasing proportion of unnecessary features that are not used by end users, or generally use more system resources than necessary, while offering little or no benefit to its users. Like all the crap that comes from At&t
Brick → When used in reference to consumer electronics, "brick" describes a device that cannot function in any capacity (such as a device with damaged firmware). This usage derives from the fact that some electronic devices (and their detachable power supplies) are vaguely brick-shaped, and so those which do not function are useful only as actual bricks. The term can also be used as a verb. For example, "I bricked my phone when I tried to modify its firmware."[
Hard Brick → When your phone does not turn on at all. When you can’t get in to CWR/CWM Or Stock recovery. You are basically screwed.
Soft Brick → When your phone bootloops. When you can get into CWR/CWM. When You can use jigtag to get into download mode.
Busybox → BusyBox provides several stripped-down Unix tools in a single executable. It runs in a variety of POSIX environments such as Linux, Android, FreeBSD and others, such as proprietary kernels, although many of the tools it provides are designed to work with interfaces provided by the Linux kernel. It was specifically created for embedded operating systems with very limited resources. Platforms counterparts, but they are pretty close and useful nonetheless.
CWR OR CWM ClockworkMod Recovery →A custom recovery for Android phones and tablets that allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery.
DEODEX → Apk files have respective odexes that devs use to supposedly save space. Deodexing means you convert it back to a .dex file and put it back inside the apk. This allows you to easily replace file (not having to worry about odexes), but the main point was to deodex services.jar so that you can change all text to different colors (such as the clock color to white) and to deodex services.jar, you need to deodex everything.
Flashing → The process of applying a firmware image (or ROM) to a device. It generally entails a very specific order of steps. Failing to complete any one of these steps properly may result in bricking the device.
Firmware → is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices. Programs stored in the ROM, EPROM, or flash memory that usually control various internal electronic devices (Hard Drives, Keyboards, Displays, etc). Firmware is typically 'fixed' software that is not updated in consumer devices, however it is often updated (or 'flashed') by advanced users to fix bugs or add features to the device. Flashing firmware designed for one device onto a different device, or not following a specific procedure while flashing will often render the device unusable.
Kernel → is the main component of most computer operating systems; it is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. The kernel's responsibilities include managing the system's resources (the communication between hardware and software components
Radio → The cellular radio on the device which needs control software called firmware to control it.
ROM → Read Only Memory. In the context of an Android device, ROM is the internal flash memory where the core operating system resides. It can also refer to a specific version firmware that can be applied to a device through a process usually referred to as flashing. An improperly flashed ROM can often brick the device, rendering it unusable.
Superuser→ A program, which gives unlimited access privileges to perform any or all operations on the operating system.
ODIN → Odin is the Samsung software used to update Samsung phones. It does not work with any other devices other than official Samsung phones.
OTA or FOTA → (F)OTA stands for (Firmware) Over The Air and is the process by which required updates and enhancements to your phone's basic operating system can be sent to you through the cellular network. The Galaxy S II software update will be sent via FOTA and is available through Samsung Kies mini.0
ODEX → In Android file system, applications come in packages with the extension .apk. These application packages, or APKs contain certain .odex files whose supposed function is to save space. These ‘odex’ files are actually collections of parts of an application that are optimized before booting. Doing so speeds up the boot process, as it preloads part of an application. On the other hand, it also makes hacking those applications difficult because a part of the coding has already been extracted to another location before execution.
SDK → Software Development Kit.
Logcat → A debugging tool built into Android devices that displays system logs as they occur. See Logcat.
NANDroid → A set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme. NANDroid will backup (and restore) /system, /data, /cache, and /boot partitions.
Recovery Mode → A special environment that you can boot into for troubleshooting and upgrading purposes.
Kang → The process of creating a code based of someone else's code or reapplying code that someone else created into your own code (e.g. git cherry-pick)
Rooting → is a process that allows users of mobile phones and other devices running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's Linux subsystem with the goal of overcoming limitations that carriers and manufacturers put on some devices.
How to Root Your note????
There are two root methods for YOUR ATT GALAXY NOTE!
1 which uses kernel to root.
2 This one flash with Odin but in system level not boot kernel.
#1 root by Da_G!
Da_G said:
Hi!
This kernel enables custom boot animations (/system/media/sanim.zip), adb root, init.d support, runs a script to auto-root your /system partition, and then you're on your merry way
You may need the USB Drivers available here. (Support & Downloads for SGH-I717)
Once the USB Drivers are installed, power off the phone, then hold volume down and power it on, you'll get a screen asking you to hit vol up to continue, do so. This puts the phone in download mode.
Stick the provided pda.tar in the PDA box of Odin3 1.85, flash away!
Install Superuser from the market after booting.
Note that this will increase your flash counter, which is presumably used by Samsung as a reason to decline warranty service (not aware of any reports of this occuring yet...?)
Don't forget the donate link in my signature if you found this useful and want to motivate me to work on overclock/undervolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#2 Root by mashi!
How to backup your current ROM????
Hard Way!
Get into CWR!
Scroll down to backup and restore!
Press backup.
How to Restore Your backup????
If You used ROM manager than!
Go to manage and restore backups!
And press the one you like to restore!
If you have Nandroid than!
Go to CWR!
Scroll down to backup and restore!
Press restore!
How to Flash a ROM????
Basic Steps
! Choose the ROM that you want and download its .zip file
!! Transfer the zip file to your phone’s sd card. Do not put it into any folder.
!!! Turn off your phone and reboot into recovery, usually by holding the down button and power button at the same time.
!!!! Do a Nandroid backup
!!!!! Wipe the phone 3 times by clearing cache/factory restore 3 times and wiping dalvik cache and system format
!!!!!! Flash the zip file that you put on your sd card
!!!!!!! Reboot phone
You can find all ROMS here!
How to flash Kernel with CWM????
_Download the Kernel You want to flash and put it in sd card.
__Boot in to CWM!
___Wipe cache & Dalvik Cache
____Press install from Sd card!
_____Select the kernel that you dloaded!
______Flash it!
_______Reboot!
________Check in CPU SPY to see if you successfully flashed Kernel.
You can find Kernels in development forum.
These will set you back to Stock and Unroot Your phone.
Da_G said:
Hi,
This is an odin .tar prepared with the stock AT&T Kernel, System, and Recovery.
Flash it from odin using the same instructions as my root thread
After flashing, you may need to boot into recovery by powering off, holding vol up + vol down, and holding power until you get into recovery. Then perform a factory reset, this should get you up and running after most brickery.
Note that this is a large file (~450MB), please spare my web host if you don't particularly need it
Download .rar here
Below are stock kernel-only odin tars:
AT&T stock kernel-only odin pda tar
TELUS stock kernel-only odin pda tar
Bell stock kernel-only odin pda tar
Rogers stock kernel-only odin pda tar
Don't forget the donate link in my signature if you find this useful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool thank you! I will finally be upgrading from an iP 3G!
LOL . . . . ever since I got it no phone really wowed me until I saw the G Note in November. Anywhoo. . . I was hoping for a noob friendly guide like this
appdroid said:
reserved 1
How to Root Your Skyrocket????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why do i need to know how to root the Skyrocket for the ATT Note here? just saying
Sry just fixed it.
sweetboy02125 said:
Not sure why do i need to know how to root the Skyrocket for the ATT Note here? just saying
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look at you go! haha good work !!!
I figure this is the least i can do to help young community here!
00mred00 said:
look at you go! haha good work !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tx appdroid, us noob's really appreciate it!
(in all my years i never seen the "Reserve" post idea b4...it was a DUH moment for me lol)
Excellent guide for us that are really green on the Android platform.
thank you for helping this noob
appdroid said:
I figure this is the least i can do to help young community here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just so young and I need your help
How do you permanently change the hostname on Android?
On CyanogenMod ROMs this is easy, there was an option for it in Applications -> Development Options. But I don't know what hooks that uses and I don't know how to do it on this flavor of Android we have.
Thanks for your post, it help me a a lot. I done a little scripting on unix using mostly tcl. I hope I can get back on it and develop a few applications for this phone once I have it on march.
Thanks!
Thanks for the noob thread. Switched over from an iP4 and its taking a little getting used to. Luckily I already had the Revue and TF101 to help a little.
On a side note I found the http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1505062 root method was very easy and didnt involve the counter getting screwed up or having to flash a whole new rom. Highly recommend it for anyone just wanting to root their device.
ANother Android Newbie
Coming from IP4 and looking forward to learning hot to make Android work for me.
How do I read your "Reserveds"???
Android ABC
I've gathered some info for newcomers to the Android world.
Copied over from my thread at androidforums...
I've tried to keep it relatively simple. So if you want more info, follow the links!
And please if you want anything added, do post!
I hope this helps someone....
Inventory:
Bootloader
Kernel
CWM
Firmware
Flashing
Rooting
Custom ROMs
ADB
Baseband
Dalvik
init.d
What's A Bootloader?
Taken from: Android 101: What is a bootloader? | Android-Does.com
In literal terms, the bootloader is code that is executed before any Operating System starts to run. Bootloaders basically package the instructions to boot operating system kernel and most of them also have their own debugging or modification environment. Think of the bootloader as a security checkpoint for all those partitions. Because if you’re able to swap out what’s on those partitions, you’re able to break things if you don’t know what you’re doing.
As the bootloader kicks off before any piece of software on your device, it makes it extremely processor specific and every motherboard has it’s own bootloader. This is one reason that all Android phones have different custom ROMS developed due to high variance of processing hardware present on the device.
Android Bootloader
Every Android phone has a bootloader that instructs the operating system kernel to boot normally. But you need to understand one thing here that as Android OS is an open source OS and is available on a variety of different hardware, every manufacturer has their own version of bootloader specific for the hardware present in it’s environment. At its most basic level, your Android smartphone is like a hard drive, made of up several partitions. One of those partitions holds the Android system files, another holds all the app data you accumulate (which is how you’re usually able to update without losing all your stuff), and others to do more behind-the scenes stuff.
A lot has been said about bootloaders being “locked” and even the developer-friendly Nexus devices shipped with a locked bootloader (Nexus devices and a couple tablets are easily unlocked with a single command).In fact, a lot bootloaders are locked and encrypted, meaning simple commands like “fastboot oem unlock”, won’t do a thing.
Why are Bootloaders Locked?
A bootloader is usually locked on an Android device because although it’s an open source OS, still the manufacturers want you to stick to their Android OS version specifically designed for the device. In order to apply this concept, manufacturers lock the bootloader. With a locked bootloader on Android devices, it is virtually impossible to flash a Custom ROM and forced attempts void warranty as well as usually end up in bricks. Therefore, the first step is to always unlock the bootloader.
Why keep a bootloader out of reach? One of the biggest reasons is that the carriers and manufacturers don’t want to have to support hacked phones. The other is that a lot of time and money is spent developing these things. HTC Sense ain’t cheap. Neither is TouchWiz. But Samsung and HTC both have managed to find a middle ground with the modding community, and pressure is on other companies to do so as well.
Also a very good read about bootloaders: http://www.tested.com/news/feature/1879-know-your-android-bootloaderwhat-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's a kernel?
Taken from: Android A to Z: What is a kernel? | Android Central
A kernel isn't something unique to Android -- iOS and MacOS have one, Windows has one, BlackBerry's QNX has one, in fact all high level operating systems have one. The one we're interested in is Linux, as it's the one Android uses. Let's try to break down what it is and what it does.
Android devices use the Linux kernel, but it's not the exact same kernel other Linux-based operating systems use. There's a lot of Android specific code built in, and Google's Android kernel maintainers have their work cut out for them. OEMs have to contribute as well, because they need to develop hardware drivers for the parts they're using for the kernel version they're using. This is why it takes a while for independent Android developers and hackers to port new versions to older devices and get everything working. Drivers written to work with the Gingerbread kernel on a phone won't necessarily work with the Ice Cream Sandwich kernel. And that's important, because one of the kernel's main functions is to control the hardware. It's a whole lot of source code, with more options while building it than you can imagine, but in the end it's just the intermediary between the hardware and the software.
When software needs the hardware to do anything, it sends a request to the kernel. And when we say anything, we mean anything. From the brightness of the screen, to the volume level, to initiating a call through the radio, even what's drawn on the display is ultimately controlled by the kernel. For example -- when you tap the search button on your phone, you tell the software to open the search application. What happens is that you touched a certain point on the digitizer, which tells the software that you've touched the screen at those coordinates. The software knows that when that particular spot is touched, the search dialog is supposed to open. The kernel is what tells the digitizer to look (or listen, events are "listened" for) for touches, helps figure out where you touched, and tells the system you touched it. In turn, when the system receives a touch event at a specific point from the kernel (through the driver) it knows what to draw on your screen. Both the hardware and the software communicate both ways with the kernel, and that's how your phone knows when to do something. Input from one side is sent as output to the other, whether it's you playing Angry Birds, or connecting to your car's Bluetooth.
It sounds complicated, and it is. But it's also pretty standard computer logic -- there's an action of some sort generated for every event. Without the kernel to accept and send information, developers would have to write code for every single event for every single piece of hardware in your device. With the kernel, all they have to do is communicate with it through the Android system API's, and hardware developers only have to make the device hardware communicate with the kernel. The good thing is that you don't need to know exactly how or why the kernel does what it does, just understanding that it's the go-between from software to hardware gives you a pretty good grasp of what's happening under the glass. Sort of gives a whole new outlook towards those fellows who stay up all night to work on kernels for your phone, doesn't it?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's CWM?
Taken from: AddictiveTips » Blog ArchiveWhat Is ClockworkMod Recovery And How To Use It On Android [Complete Guide]
ClockworkMod, abbreviated as CWM, is a popular custom recovery for Android phones and tablets developed by Koushik Dutta (Koush), a well-known name in the Android dev community. ClockworkMod recovery allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery, and is one of the most common ways used to gain root access, back up device data, install a custom ROMs, kernels, themes, mods and more. However, for anyone new to Android customization and hacking, some of its options might prove to be a tad confusing. In what follows, we will cover all that this recovery is capable of doing, and how to do it.
About Android Recovery
All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.
A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on.
Introduction To ClockworkMod
ClockworkMod recovery is one of the most widely used custom Android recoveries that is available for most mainstream Android devices. It is our custom recovery of choice here at AddictiveTips and almost every custom ROM that we install on our devices is done using this recovery.
ClockworkMod recovery has been developed by Koushik Dutta (also known as Koush) – the same guy who brought us the Android ROM Manager. He can be found at his blog hacking away at Android devices and at Twitter.
CWM options explained:
[REF] CWM - Clockworkmode menu options & Partitions– GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - xda-developers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Firmware?
Taken from: What is Firmware, Rom and Firmware Flashing ? - I Teach Android
What the heck is this firmware? Definition of firmware is permanent software programmed into a read-only memory
In Simple words, you can understand it like windows for pc , in case of android we are going to do same thing – installing firmware (Froyo,Gingerbread, ICS, Jelly Bean etc.) on your phone. All phones have their different firmwares and installing tools regard less to the Andriod version (Froyo,Gingerbred). So never think that we can install any firmware on any android phone like we do in PCs.
Wiki link for even more info: Firmware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Flashing?
Flashing refers to the overwriting of existing data on ROM modules present in an electronic device with new data. This can be done to upgrade a device or to change the provider of a service associated with the function of the device, such as changing from one mobile phone service provider to another or installing a new operating system.
In simple words flashing is called installing firmware on your phone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Rooting?
Taken from: Rooting for Android: What, why and how? | Ubergizmo
WiKi link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android_OS)
When carriers and manufacturers sell you your device, it is almost certain that the device would come with certain software restrictions in place. There are a variety of different reasons why they might do that – some claim that this is done to protect the user, preserve the device’s warranty (this policy will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer), prevent users from getting rid of carrier bloatware apps or simply because the manufacturer would prefer if your device was distinguishable from the competition based purely on its user interface (i.e. Samsung’s TouchWiz, HTC Sense UI, etc).
Whatever their reasoning may be, chances are if you are looking to customize your device on a deeper level, you’d be out of luck and this is where rooting comes into play.
Rooting is essentially a process that allows users of smartphones, tablets or other devices running on Android to gain “superuser” access to the software. This will allow the user to perform administrative tasks such as writing to locations normally restricted by the system which in turn will allow for deeper customization. For iOS users, rooting on Android devices could be thought of as a close equivalent to jailbreaking your device.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are custom ROMs?
Taken from: Custom ROMs For Android Explained - Here Is Why You Want Them
A stock ROM is the version of the phone's operating system that comes with your phone when you buy it.
A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the OS, including the kernel (which makes everything run), apps, services, etc - everything you need to operate the device, except it's customized by someone in some way.
So what does the "customized" part mean? Since Android is open source, developers are free to take stock ROMs, modify them, strip them of garbage, optimize them, add things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is ADB?
Taken from: Android 201: What is adb? | Android Central
According to Google "Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile tool lets you manage the state of an emulator instance or Android-powered device." That certainly sounds like Google, doesn't it? To put it simply, adb is two different applications -- one running on your computer (Windows, Linux or Mac) and one running on your phone. When your phone is connected, and USB debugging is enabled, you can issue commands and communicate with the phone using your computer screen and keyboard.
Your Android phone uses a modified Linux kernel and tools as a base. This means that quite a few Linux commands can be sent via the adb server (the one running on your computer) to the adb client (the one running on your phone) and they will be executed. In our example picture, I've sent the "top" command over the wire to my phone, and my phone sent me back the information and printed it to my terminal.
This can be awfully handy for debugging things that aren't going right, as well sending those weird commands you need when you're hacking away in the middle of the night. Chances are, if you aren't actively debugging something or trying to break hack at your phone, you won't have much use for adb. And that's OK -- there's more than one way to have fun with an Android device.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's baseband?
Baseband is the Radio or Modem version depending upon the Phone Model, Carrier and Android Software Stack version. The Radio/Modem file is flashed via Recovery tool (other options are ADB/ODIN). The mismatched Radio/Modem and ROM will lead to things not working. You need to find the matching Radio/Modem for the particular ROM you are running.
The radio firmware controls basic low-level functions like network connectivity, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Upgrading Radio firmware will fix connectivity issues, increase range or performance, decrease battery usage, etc. Incorrec tRadio frimeware can disable some functions in your phone such as MMS, 3G Data, VM Notifications, etc. Network operators/carriers select the correct version of the Radio firmware that is suitable for the phone, network and bandwidth.
There is also Modem and Baseband Radio Processor chipsets in Mobile phones. Usually, Google, Phone Manufacturers and carriers develop various types of modem firmware/software that controls the functions of these chipsets.
Firmware is the overall version of the Android system on your phone. Baseband version is the version of the radio embedded in the device. Since Android is based on the Linux operating system, they show you the current version of the Kernel used in the heart of the system. The Build number is just an indicator of which numerical version of the current overall system was built by developers for your device.
You cannot update any of these from the official web site. Updates to the Android system are pushed to the phone over-the-air by the manufacturer or the cell phone carrier. The only other way to update or change an Android phone it to install custom modified ROMs in place of the existing system firmware. That usually requires rooting the phone and a fairly considerable knowledge of how to hack hardware.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Dalvik?
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/4262/dalvik
http://butterflydroid.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/what-is-dalvik-vm-heapsize-benefits-and-downfalls/
Dalvik is named after a fishing village in Iceland where ancestors of Dan Bornstein, the person who wrote the VM’s original code, lived. Dalvik is designed for fast execution speeds and operatation in resource-constrained environments like those in mobile devices (with limited memory, CPU and battery power). A Dalvik VM is designed to run multiple instances of itself with each instance hosted on its own separate process and running one application each. When one instance crashes, other concurrently running applications don’t suffer.
Although Android apps are written in Java, they are first compiled into the Dalvik Executable (DEX) format to make them run on the Dalvik VM. DEX files are generally smaller than compressed .JAR (Java Archive) files, making them suitable for mobile devices.
The main difference between Dalvik and a typical Java VM is that the former is register-based while the latter is stack-based. Register-based VMs require fewer instructions than their stack-based counterparts. Although the register-based VMs also require more code, they are generally considered to exhibit faster startups and have better performance than stack-based VMs.
The Dalvik source code license is based on the Apache license. That means, it is free to modify and hence attractive to mobile phone carriers.
What's init.d?
init.d is a folder located at /system/etc
To keep it simple, it allows the user to run scripts at system startup/ boot.
You can adjust many different things/settings with scripts. You can tweak system settings, prolong battery life etc.
To enable init.d and to get some scripts, go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1881401
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
great job brother, do much to newcomers become familiar with android and they need to know :highfive:
woooow , thats nice and great thread ...... thx ..... but between that , can u continue explain many things like what each android device need to boot up and what the most commen partitions in android devics , and getting deeper in android world ad then give some tut about adb using
thx so much
Good stuff, thanks!
Great guide for android noobie who want to learn how to root
add CID and MID ... ?
Hey -- a really great resource. great work.
could be nice to include CID, MID, etc.
also, would like to understand why ROM has to be built for specific carrier variant of phone.
Example: HTC ONE M8 has multiple different ROM threads -- ATT, Tmobile, Verizon, etc. While I understand there are some small frequencies support differences between an M8_tmobile and M8_Verison, why doesn't a Rooted with S-off M8 care whether it's a ATT or Verizon model?
thx
Thanks iONEx, this post helped me some. I already have 20 years of experience with Linux on PCs and Macs, so I already understood concepts like Bootloader, Kernel, Rooting, Flashing, Firmware, and init.d. I've had to flash a new BIOS on several PC motherboards, so I understand the difference between nonvolatile storage in firmware mounted on an integrated circuit of the motherboard versus nonvolatile storage in a physical spinning magnetic hard drive connected to the motherboard via a SCSI or SATA bus and controller. I rooted my first Android (a Motorola Atrix) a year ago, so I also understand CWM, Custom ROMs, and ADB. But your explanation of Baseband and Dalvik was new and helpful to me.
Right now I'm running Paranoid Android on my Oneplus One and using the Settings app in it, I see that I have Android version 4.4.4, ParanoidAndroid version 4.6-BETA6, Baseband version MPSS.DI.2.0.1..., Kernel version 3.4.0-ParanoidAndroid (Mon Nov 3 21:55:14 UTC 2014), Build number pa_bacon-userdebug...).
I found your post while trying to understand more about my OPO that I rooted a few days ago. I installed TWRP, F-Droid, Busybox, MultiROM, and a few other major customizations on it, but I feel like there's still a whole lot that I don't understand at all. For example, in this thread [forums.oneplus.net/threads/unofficial-beanstalk-rom-for-bacon-lollipop-5-02-r1.247146/#post-9394373] I commented that I was unable to get Beanstalk 5.0.2 to function reliably on my OPO.
From chineel's reply "The Steps To Have Better Experience With OnePlus One With Lollipop ROMs" though, I realized that I must still be missing some important concepts, so I started searching for a comprehensive picture of my OPO and of Android phones in general, and although your post helped some, I'm still looking for a much more comprehensive understanding of this device.
I do understand that the nonvolatile storage in my phone must be partitioned into several mutually exclusive sections and that's how it's possible for me to wipe (using TWRP) all of the partitions (Dalvik Cache, System, Data, and Cache) except Internal Storage and flash a new ROM like Beanstalk and yet I still have the contents of /sdcard/ as they were before I wiped and flashed. Obviously, /sdcard/ as mounted in ParanoidAndroid and Beanstalk must be on the Internal Storage partition that did not get wiped.
But when chineel wrote that I should download latest “Cm Nightly” and “(CM Nightly Is for Modem and firmware Update only ) you can Just Flash Firm ware Update [s.basketbuild.com/filedl/devs?dev=chineel&dl=chineel/BeanStalk/bacon/Full-CM-12.01.18-modem-flashable.zip] Instead of...”, that's when I realized that when I flashed a new ROM, I was apparently still leaving something aside from the Internal Storage partition untouched: the modem/baseband/radio?
And so if I flash the latest CM nightly from [download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=bacon&type=] then I'll end up doing what I have not been doing before which is to also change the modem/baseband/radio. Is that right?
So then if I flash a new ROM (like Beanstalk) AFTER flashing the CM Nightly, then I'll be replacing the ROM (from the CM Nightly to Beanstalk), but I won't be changing again the modem/baseband/radio that was changed when I flashed the CM Nightly. Is that right?
If so, then where in this partition system is the modem/baseband/radio firmware (which is apparently separate from the whole ROM) stored in nonvolatile storage? Is it also on Internal Storage? Or is it stored on a separate integrated circuit (like the BIOS is on a PC) or on some other hidden partition?
And what about flashing the kernel? When I flashed my PA ROM, I got a new kernel with it, without explicitly installing from TWRP a new kernel. So sometimes flashing a ROM gives you a new kernel and sometimes flashing a ROM does not change the existing kernel? Is that right? And so is it also possible to flash a ROM and then subsequently flash a kernel and that second flash replaces the kernel that was part of the ROM of the first flash?
I just need to understand where all of this information is getting stored (in which partitions). I know I flash a ROM, then I flash GAPPS, then I flash a kernel, then I flash a modem/radio/baseband. But I can't tell; is all that software going to the System partition? If so, then why don't all the later flashes completely write over all the earlier flashes?
TL;DR
My real question here is what to read for a comprehensive explanation of all these pieces and how they fit together and why flashing sometimes replaces something that was there before, but it doesn't replace everything (like the modem/radio/baseband)? I think I need a book or something. Can you recommend one?
Thanks, and sorry for the long post.
iONEx said:
Android ABC
I've gathered some info for newcomers to the Android world.
Copied over from my thread at androidforums...
I've tried to keep it relatively simple. So if you want more info, follow the links!
And please if you want anything added, do post!
I hope this helps someone....
Inventory:
Bootloader
Kernel
CWM
Firmware
Flashing
Rooting
Custom ROMs
ADB
Baseband
Dalvik
init.d
What's A Bootloader?
Taken from: Android 101: What is a bootloader? | Android-Does.com
In literal terms, the bootloader is code that is executed before any Operating System starts to run. Bootloaders basically package the instructions to boot operating system kernel and most of them also have their own debugging or modification environment. Think of the bootloader as a security checkpoint for all those partitions. Because if you’re able to swap out what’s on those partitions, you’re able to break things if you don’t know what you’re doing.
As the bootloader kicks off before any piece of software on your device, it makes it extremely processor specific and every motherboard has it’s own bootloader. This is one reason that all Android phones have different custom ROMS developed due to high variance of processing hardware present on the device.
Android Bootloader
Every Android phone has a bootloader that instructs the operating system kernel to boot normally. But you need to understand one thing here that as Android OS is an open source OS and is available on a variety of different hardware, every manufacturer has their own version of bootloader specific for the hardware present in it’s environment. At its most basic level, your Android smartphone is like a hard drive, made of up several partitions. One of those partitions holds the Android system files, another holds all the app data you accumulate (which is how you’re usually able to update without losing all your stuff), and others to do more behind-the scenes stuff.
A lot has been said about bootloaders being “locked” and even the developer-friendly Nexus devices shipped with a locked bootloader (Nexus devices and a couple tablets are easily unlocked with a single command).In fact, a lot bootloaders are locked and encrypted, meaning simple commands like “fastboot oem unlock”, won’t do a thing.
Why are Bootloaders Locked?
A bootloader is usually locked on an Android device because although it’s an open source OS, still the manufacturers want you to stick to their Android OS version specifically designed for the device. In order to apply this concept, manufacturers lock the bootloader. With a locked bootloader on Android devices, it is virtually impossible to flash a Custom ROM and forced attempts void warranty as well as usually end up in bricks. Therefore, the first step is to always unlock the bootloader.
Why keep a bootloader out of reach? One of the biggest reasons is that the carriers and manufacturers don’t want to have to support hacked phones. The other is that a lot of time and money is spent developing these things. HTC Sense ain’t cheap. Neither is TouchWiz. But Samsung and HTC both have managed to find a middle ground with the modding community, and pressure is on other companies to do so as well.
Also a very good read about bootloaders: http://www.tested.com/news/feature/1879-know-your-android-bootloaderwhat-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's a kernel?
Taken from: Android A to Z: What is a kernel? | Android Central
A kernel isn't something unique to Android -- iOS and MacOS have one, Windows has one, BlackBerry's QNX has one, in fact all high level operating systems have one. The one we're interested in is Linux, as it's the one Android uses. Let's try to break down what it is and what it does.
Android devices use the Linux kernel, but it's not the exact same kernel other Linux-based operating systems use. There's a lot of Android specific code built in, and Google's Android kernel maintainers have their work cut out for them. OEMs have to contribute as well, because they need to develop hardware drivers for the parts they're using for the kernel version they're using. This is why it takes a while for independent Android developers and hackers to port new versions to older devices and get everything working. Drivers written to work with the Gingerbread kernel on a phone won't necessarily work with the Ice Cream Sandwich kernel. And that's important, because one of the kernel's main functions is to control the hardware. It's a whole lot of source code, with more options while building it than you can imagine, but in the end it's just the intermediary between the hardware and the software.
When software needs the hardware to do anything, it sends a request to the kernel. And when we say anything, we mean anything. From the brightness of the screen, to the volume level, to initiating a call through the radio, even what's drawn on the display is ultimately controlled by the kernel. For example -- when you tap the search button on your phone, you tell the software to open the search application. What happens is that you touched a certain point on the digitizer, which tells the software that you've touched the screen at those coordinates. The software knows that when that particular spot is touched, the search dialog is supposed to open. The kernel is what tells the digitizer to look (or listen, events are "listened" for) for touches, helps figure out where you touched, and tells the system you touched it. In turn, when the system receives a touch event at a specific point from the kernel (through the driver) it knows what to draw on your screen. Both the hardware and the software communicate both ways with the kernel, and that's how your phone knows when to do something. Input from one side is sent as output to the other, whether it's you playing Angry Birds, or connecting to your car's Bluetooth.
It sounds complicated, and it is. But it's also pretty standard computer logic -- there's an action of some sort generated for every event. Without the kernel to accept and send information, developers would have to write code for every single event for every single piece of hardware in your device. With the kernel, all they have to do is communicate with it through the Android system API's, and hardware developers only have to make the device hardware communicate with the kernel. The good thing is that you don't need to know exactly how or why the kernel does what it does, just understanding that it's the go-between from software to hardware gives you a pretty good grasp of what's happening under the glass. Sort of gives a whole new outlook towards those fellows who stay up all night to work on kernels for your phone, doesn't it?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's CWM?
Taken from: AddictiveTips » Blog ArchiveWhat Is ClockworkMod Recovery And How To Use It On Android [Complete Guide]
ClockworkMod, abbreviated as CWM, is a popular custom recovery for Android phones and tablets developed by Koushik Dutta (Koush), a well-known name in the Android dev community. ClockworkMod recovery allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery, and is one of the most common ways used to gain root access, back up device data, install a custom ROMs, kernels, themes, mods and more. However, for anyone new to Android customization and hacking, some of its options might prove to be a tad confusing. In what follows, we will cover all that this recovery is capable of doing, and how to do it.
About Android Recovery
All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.
A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on.
Introduction To ClockworkMod
ClockworkMod recovery is one of the most widely used custom Android recoveries that is available for most mainstream Android devices. It is our custom recovery of choice here at AddictiveTips and almost every custom ROM that we install on our devices is done using this recovery.
ClockworkMod recovery has been developed by Koushik Dutta (also known as Koush) – the same guy who brought us the Android ROM Manager. He can be found at his blog hacking away at Android devices and at Twitter.
CWM options explained:
[REF] CWM - Clockworkmode menu options & Partitions– GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - xda-developers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Firmware?
Taken from: What is Firmware, Rom and Firmware Flashing ? - I Teach Android
What the heck is this firmware? Definition of firmware is permanent software programmed into a read-only memory
In Simple words, you can understand it like windows for pc , in case of android we are going to do same thing – installing firmware (Froyo,Gingerbread, ICS, Jelly Bean etc.) on your phone. All phones have their different firmwares and installing tools regard less to the Andriod version (Froyo,Gingerbred). So never think that we can install any firmware on any android phone like we do in PCs.
Wiki link for even more info: Firmware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Flashing?
Flashing refers to the overwriting of existing data on ROM modules present in an electronic device with new data. This can be done to upgrade a device or to change the provider of a service associated with the function of the device, such as changing from one mobile phone service provider to another or installing a new operating system.
In simple words flashing is called installing firmware on your phone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Rooting?
Taken from: Rooting for Android: What, why and how? | Ubergizmo
WiKi link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android_OS)
When carriers and manufacturers sell you your device, it is almost certain that the device would come with certain software restrictions in place. There are a variety of different reasons why they might do that – some claim that this is done to protect the user, preserve the device’s warranty (this policy will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer), prevent users from getting rid of carrier bloatware apps or simply because the manufacturer would prefer if your device was distinguishable from the competition based purely on its user interface (i.e. Samsung’s TouchWiz, HTC Sense UI, etc).
Whatever their reasoning may be, chances are if you are looking to customize your device on a deeper level, you’d be out of luck and this is where rooting comes into play.
Rooting is essentially a process that allows users of smartphones, tablets or other devices running on Android to gain “superuser” access to the software. This will allow the user to perform administrative tasks such as writing to locations normally restricted by the system which in turn will allow for deeper customization. For iOS users, rooting on Android devices could be thought of as a close equivalent to jailbreaking your device.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are custom ROMs?
Taken from: Custom ROMs For Android Explained - Here Is Why You Want Them
A stock ROM is the version of the phone's operating system that comes with your phone when you buy it.
A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the OS, including the kernel (which makes everything run), apps, services, etc - everything you need to operate the device, except it's customized by someone in some way.
So what does the "customized" part mean? Since Android is open source, developers are free to take stock ROMs, modify them, strip them of garbage, optimize them, add things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is ADB?
Taken from: Android 201: What is adb? | Android Central
According to Google "Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile tool lets you manage the state of an emulator instance or Android-powered device." That certainly sounds like Google, doesn't it? To put it simply, adb is two different applications -- one running on your computer (Windows, Linux or Mac) and one running on your phone. When your phone is connected, and USB debugging is enabled, you can issue commands and communicate with the phone using your computer screen and keyboard.
Your Android phone uses a modified Linux kernel and tools as a base. This means that quite a few Linux commands can be sent via the adb server (the one running on your computer) to the adb client (the one running on your phone) and they will be executed. In our example picture, I've sent the "top" command over the wire to my phone, and my phone sent me back the information and printed it to my terminal.
This can be awfully handy for debugging things that aren't going right, as well sending those weird commands you need when you're hacking away in the middle of the night. Chances are, if you aren't actively debugging something or trying to break hack at your phone, you won't have much use for adb. And that's OK -- there's more than one way to have fun with an Android device.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's baseband?
Baseband is the Radio or Modem version depending upon the Phone Model, Carrier and Android Software Stack version. The Radio/Modem file is flashed via Recovery tool (other options are ADB/ODIN). The mismatched Radio/Modem and ROM will lead to things not working. You need to find the matching Radio/Modem for the particular ROM you are running.
The radio firmware controls basic low-level functions like network connectivity, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Upgrading Radio firmware will fix connectivity issues, increase range or performance, decrease battery usage, etc. Incorrec tRadio frimeware can disable some functions in your phone such as MMS, 3G Data, VM Notifications, etc. Network operators/carriers select the correct version of the Radio firmware that is suitable for the phone, network and bandwidth.
There is also Modem and Baseband Radio Processor chipsets in Mobile phones. Usually, Google, Phone Manufacturers and carriers develop various types of modem firmware/software that controls the functions of these chipsets.
Firmware is the overall version of the Android system on your phone. Baseband version is the version of the radio embedded in the device. Since Android is based on the Linux operating system, they show you the current version of the Kernel used in the heart of the system. The Build number is just an indicator of which numerical version of the current overall system was built by developers for your device.
You cannot update any of these from the official web site. Updates to the Android system are pushed to the phone over-the-air by the manufacturer or the cell phone carrier. The only other way to update or change an Android phone it to install custom modified ROMs in place of the existing system firmware. That usually requires rooting the phone and a fairly considerable knowledge of how to hack hardware.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Dalvik?
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/4262/dalvik
http://butterflydroid.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/what-is-dalvik-vm-heapsize-benefits-and-downfalls/
Dalvik is named after a fishing village in Iceland where ancestors of Dan Bornstein, the person who wrote the VM’s original code, lived. Dalvik is designed for fast execution speeds and operatation in resource-constrained environments like those in mobile devices (with limited memory, CPU and battery power). A Dalvik VM is designed to run multiple instances of itself with each instance hosted on its own separate process and running one application each. When one instance crashes, other concurrently running applications don’t suffer.
Although Android apps are written in Java, they are first compiled into the Dalvik Executable (DEX) format to make them run on the Dalvik VM. DEX files are generally smaller than compressed .JAR (Java Archive) files, making them suitable for mobile devices.
The main difference between Dalvik and a typical Java VM is that the former is register-based while the latter is stack-based. Register-based VMs require fewer instructions than their stack-based counterparts. Although the register-based VMs also require more code, they are generally considered to exhibit faster startups and have better performance than stack-based VMs.
The Dalvik source code license is based on the Apache license. That means, it is free to modify and hence attractive to mobile phone carriers.
What's init.d?
init.d is a folder located at /system/etc
To keep it simple, it allows the user to run scripts at system startup/ boot.
You can adjust many different things/settings with scripts. You can tweak system settings, prolong battery life etc.
To enable init.d and to get some scripts, go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1881401
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, good info
teejbee said:
Thanks, good info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strewth! Not only did you quote the ENTIRE OP post in order to reply with a 3 word thank you but 2 people actually thanked you for it. I might print that out and hang it on my wall. :laugh:
Hi, what does the "Allow bootloader unlock" (or similar) mean in advanced settings on s7 and some other devices? My phablet also has this option and I turned it on without any changes after typing oem unlock. With selfmade cwm I can root my phone, if its allowed to unlock or not.. is this setting only a placeholder or did someone get the real function? M a ybe this is important for nexus devices only, or not. I do not know.
Gesendet von meinem SM-G900F mit Tapatalk
Edit: sorry for asking in xperia forums.. used tapatalk and saw the title is matching my purposes.. did not see the xperia section, but my question you can answer, too. Sry
louiscar said:
Strewth! Not only did you quote the ENTIRE OP post in order to reply with a 3 word thank you but 2 people actually thanked you for it. I might print that out and hang it on my wall. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahahahahaha :laugh:
Dear, Can I make a custom ROM for my Android TV that can use the TV remote and IR key?
I mean, after installing a custom ROM like Lineage OS, do the remote and inputs work properly?
My Xperia Neo had Android 4.0.4 (kernel 4.1.B.0.587), has a locked bootloader and is rumored to be rooted. With the Xperia Flashtool I had the Kernel MT11i_4.1.A.0.562_Kernel.ftf (4.651 kB) flashed (then also MT15I_4.1.A.0.562_Kernel.ftf), Logs s. Appendix !! (There must be something wrong here, although no error is shown!), Then to routed with DooMLoRD and start the script runme.bat.
Several things do not run as described:
1.) After the flashing and start-up are now missing lots of app icons on the desktop. (I did not give any Wipe !!)
2.) The phone app and contacts now plunge consistently. Mobile phone currently not usable.
3.) Although the Flash seemed to succeed, changed under Telefoninfos nothing: same Android and Kernel version, as well as build number. Why not? (The attackable Kernel 4.0.3 is nevertheless still on it?)
4.) I start runme.bat, has changed purely GARNICHTS. Just as before, no write access is allowed and, among other things, Reported: "can not open for write: read-only file system". What a crap !!
5.) Under Settings is missing now menu point 'Xperia' !! For example, No longer change between MTP and MSC !! ...
After 6 hours of trial I give it up now frustrated and turn to you. On the net I find NOTHING about my case.
Who can tell me what I am doing wrong here?
Who would be able to look at the attached Flashtool-Log?
Many many thanks.
PS: After flashing again the previous kernel is at least everything again okay, just how do I roote now only? ...
Hello again,
Hmmh, many is now obviously too late and the mobile phone too 'outdated', to report here yet !? No more interested !?
I would however be very grateful, especially since the Neo and the Ray, in addition to the unfortunately unfortunately (not cheaply) available, for Japan-made SX model of Sony the only, really small mobile phones with good display resolution AND a lot of good camera.
I hold little of the in my opinion now much too big mobile phones! Does not anyone have good eyes here or do not surf on the road all the time? ...
And with CM11 (up to CM13 if necessary) you have a much up-to-date and fast Custom Rome, which also takes the small memory into account. So it's worth it! ...
Although I've got a little bit of help now, thanks to the Chinese root program Eroot, but I've reached a partial rooting after all the methods you've described (Xperia-Flashtool, Tweak-Installer, Eroot, ...) With this tool with me not possible, among other things In the system directory.
Please, why is there such a big discrepancy between what you write here in XDA and what works with me?
It has changed in the 4 years here but not at all!? ...
Now, e.g. Link2SD and I now have a CWM recovery on it, but I can still flash a custom rom, because for example. When playing the LX kernel ( 'fastboot flash boot boot.img') I still get the write permission denied.
Please, please help me!
This can not be that everyone thinks, that is very simplistic and here is simply nothing of it!? ...
I am currently not really aware of any error.
Thank you very much.
Hi folks.
I'm an Android firmware developer (you can see my posts here in xda) that got a yoga book yesterday. For me it works at it should (by now) but my hacker soul speak to me and said: "at least take a look to see what you can get from this device". I don't have many time, so I can't spend time doing roms or fixing things by myself, but I can share with you some info I get and help you with my knowledge if someone is interested in "play" with this device.
First of all, I'm not responsable of anything that you can break following these steps. Almost all of them are tested and with some common sense you will not break anything, and if you break anything I will try to help you to fix it (if you are polite), but this is a work in progress and hacking and the possibility of brick the device is always there.
I only have the Android version without LTE, so I only tested in my Book.
So, here we go:
1) Secret codes:
I get this codes decompiling EngineeringCode.apk with apktool. Be carefull with them:
####0000# - Display version info
####7599# - Display hardware info
####8375# - Display baseband info
####1111# - Factory test
####2222# - Display SN
####7777# - Factory Reset???
####5993# - Display internal frameWork version
####7642# - Cut the power off to reload the PMIC - This command shutdowns the device. Just press the power button to reboot.
####5236# - Display LCD name
####2834# - ES close test
####8899# - open the ums mode default for debug
####3333# - offline log
####3334# - offline modem log
####9527# - Mediaplayer setting
####78646# - RunIn test
####6020# - switch country code
####59930# - Display current country code
####8746# - Enter engineering mode
####4227# - Enter engineer test
####357# - DLP_TEST
To use these codes, open the contacts app, press the search button and enter the code in the search bar.
2) OTA Images
You can get OTA images directly from lenovo servers. Just open your browser and paste this url:
http://fus.lenovomm.com/firmware/3....WW06_BP_ROW&action=querynewfirmware&locale=en
Change device model if needed (LenovoYB1-X90F or LenovoYB1-X90L)
Change curfirmwarever to a valid OLD firmware, this way you will get the next one in age.
Change locale if needed.
With this url you will get a download url at the end of the result page. In this case: http://tabdl.ota.lenovomm.com/dls/v...S000426_1705080316_WW06_BP_ROW_WC80C2A0F2.zip
These images are not full ota images, they are diff versions. This means that we can't use them to mod the image, or recover a bricked device, but this is a first step
3) Custom images
We don't have real sources to build a custom image (the lenovo's open source files are useless), but this doesn't mean that we couldn't modify stock images to take out useless apks or get better performance.
We can get this using an Android Kitchen and a full update image for the device.
As Android kitchen you can use SuperR kitchen (https://forum.xda-developers.com/ap...chen-superr-s-kitchen-v1-1-50-v2-1-6-t3597434)
As full image, I only tested the one here (https://easy-firmware.com/index.php?a=browse&b=category&id=19521) because I can't download any newer one.
I tested uncompressing it, deodexing the apks and doing a new image. But I don't test it in the device because I need to install twrp to flash the new image and I don't have time to test. But this should work, I did it many times so if someone is interested I can give steps to do it and support for testing.
If someone can get the latest full images, send then to me and maybe I can get some time to do some tests.
PD: Probably we could use this as a base to get LineageOS 14.1 working: https://github.com/latte-dev/android_device_xiaomi_latte/tree/cm-14.1
So, if you are interested in some hacking with the Yoga Book, contact me and we could team to get the most of this device.
First of all thank you for your post, it´s really useful
if you could somehow manage to boot windows on this machine it´s by far the greatest war we have right now.
Il promise you a lunch or dinner on Lisbon whenevere you want!
joao1979 said:
First of all thank you for your post, it´s really useful
if you could somehow manage to boot windows on this machine it´s by far the greatest war we have right now.
Il promise you a lunch or dinner on Lisbon whenevere you want!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, my knowledge of Windows is only user level . Install it in personal computer to play games .
But I really don't know why people wants to run Windows there, it will go slowly than Android and its less touch oriented... but I suppose that this is a chat for another thread
corvus said:
Sorry, my knowledge of Windows is only user level . Install it in personal computer to play games .
But I really don't know why people wants to run Windows there, it will go slowly than Android and its less touch oriented... but I suppose that this is a chat for another thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in my particular case, i´l admit that is for football manager the touch version
joao1979 said:
in my particular case, i´l admit that is for football manager the touch version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried running it through Crossover? It may be in its infancy but i have got a few apps running OK with it.
I have the full "YB1-X90F_USR_S000196_1611040312_WW06_BP_ROW" I can upload somewhere if anyone can suggest a good site to do so without signing up? The file is about 2.5gb
It will be great if we could get the latest version, because maybe these older versions have older files that we have updated in our tablets.
Mixing files could give unknown problems
The current TWRP is based on the new Yoga Tab 3
I am starting to think they do not do full roms for this in the same way they do for a lot of their other devices.
We know the otas are available from tabdl.ota.lenovomm.com/dls/v6/ and are named according to the 2 builds that it bridges. As easy-firmware had the december full rom under the file name B1-X90F_USR_S000196_1611040312_WW06_BP_ROW-flashfiles.zip I had hoped that I could work out the file path to pull it down.
There were some interesting ideas here, https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/how-download-stock-roms-lenovos-ota-t3109507 but it seems there is a difference between phonedl.ota and tabdl.ota
Queries to full roms that work for phones, don't seem to work for the yoga book.
Anyone with more web knowledge able to pick this up? I am not sure the files are there but I feel they should be.
Good luck
Update: the downloads seem to be hosted via CloudFront. An Amazon service, but I can not find out a way of listing the available files. The latest full rom would be
http://tabdl.ota.lenovomm.com/dls/v6/YB1-X90F_USR_S000426_1705080316_WW06_BP_ROW_WC80C2A0F2.zip
But the Last 8 chars are random and we do not know what they are.
So we have two hopes. First work out the right query to the link from fus.lenovomm.com or two find a way of listing files available in tabdl.ota.lenovomm.com/dls/v6
Not sure I have got much further but ill keep trying when I can.
Hey, I should mention that I have some files that you may find helpful; I got them from the easy firmware website. They're all the .img files for each partition in Android (ie. boot.img, cache.img, config.img, factory.img, recovery.img, system.img) as well as: biosupdate.fv, bootloader, firmware.bin and gpt.bin. However, these of course aren't in the normal "flashable .zip ROM" format. So unless you know how to take apart these .img files they aren't very useful. If you need any more help or have any other questions about how far we've come on our own, feel free to ask. danjac also has great knowledge of our efforts.
Yes, I know how to use them, unpack, modify, etc. But what I want is the latest version, no a old version (I hav these files too). If you have them I can do some changes, debloat, etc.
Anyway, I see little interest in custom roms in this forum ( probably because it's not a device with a lot of users or the users are not the techy kind), so I prefer to help others with info than do a custom rom that only 2 or 3 people will use. Doing custom roms is a time hungry task and probably it doesnt worth the effort. Anyway this device is not full of bloatware like samsung ones, so it useable as it is.
As I said in my first post if anyone is interested I can give some hints and support to modify the full image (but only the latest one).
It's so sad that there are only a few interested owners of this tab - it's such a nice device but i fear the day lenovo decides to end their support for it. There will be no custom roms to switch to and keep the device alive - it will be a soon to be bit of old tech garbage BTW. I still use my Asus Transformer Prime because of the nice community
@NiffStipples I fully agree. This device is so powerful and its a suprise that it is invisible to the "market". In my humple opinion the normal ROMs aren't that bad besides missing updates but I would love to see all the power served through a custom rom. unfortunately programming is not my business
Stefan
Broomfundel said:
Have you tried running it through Crossover? It may be in its infancy but i have got a few apps running OK with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting - is Crossover good (and does it require factory reset)?
Hi, It works well with some things and not others. Often the why and where are not obvious. It is basically "wine" the layer that allows some windows apps to run on a linux install. Tweeked to work with android. Just an install to put crossover on. Then another install (Within crossover), to put you app on crossover. If it doesn't work out of the box, there windows libraries you can switch out and dependencies you can install. (Eg: directx , .net) Even if your not technical. I would say get on the beta program and give it a try.
Hi! what do you mean by "lenovo's open source files are useless"? do you refer to this packet on lenovo's suppport site? download.lenovo.com/consumer/open_source_code/lenovo_yb1_x90f_l_osc_201608.zip
I've entered the Android YogaBook's BIOS and noticed that VT-X is enabled by default! With Limbo x86 we could get a fully working virtualized Windows or Linux, if it wasn't for... KVM. It seems like it's not enabled in Lenovo's default kernel. Could we get to recompile the kernel with this option on? i'm not a big android/ROM expert but i surfed the open_source_code folder from Lenovo and it seemed, to me, that we could rebuild the Kernel at least.
This could really change things!
morrolinux said:
Hi! what do you mean by "lenovo's open source files are useless"? do you refer to this packet on lenovo's suppport site? download.lenovo.com/consumer/open_source_code/lenovo_yb1_x90f_l_osc_201608.zip
I've entered the Android YogaBook's BIOS and noticed that VT-X is enabled by default! With Limbo x86 we could get a fully working virtualized Windows or Linux, if it wasn't for... KVM. It seems like it's not enabled in Lenovo's default kernel. Could we get to recompile the kernel with this option on? i'm not a big android/ROM expert but i surfed the open_source_code folder from Lenovo and it seemed, to me, that we could rebuild the Kernel at least.
This could really change things!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you enter the bios? Can you boot from usb?
anyone managed to use swiftkey keyboard?