Making CWM flashable files - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I would like learning to make flashable files for executing various tasks.
For example:
- to move some files from for example sdcard to system directory and rewrite existing one
- to execute already made .zip file
And all that in one file...
Can you point me some good resources for this, and everything needed to know...
Thanks

TwinHeadedEagle said:
I would like learning to make flashable files for executing various tasks.
For example:
- to move some files from for example sdcard to system directory and rewrite existing one
- to execute already made .zip file
And all that in one file...
Can you point me some good resources for this, and everything needed to know...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go:
- [GUIDE] how to make a flashable package (update.zip)
- [GUIDE] How to make a cwm recovery flashable zip
And there should be even more resources. Use a Google search.

Related

Precook Kernel into Rom Zip

Is there a unified manner in which this is done?
I've been looking for a way to precook this kernel here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=756774 into my ROM's zip before flashing, to save myself the extra step.
Is there anything special to it? I assumed it might just be as straightforward as copying the entire folder structure into the ROM's zip, but the kernel inquestion actually has a third folder called "kernel".
Any help would be much appreciated, this combined with my LauncherPro cooking question earlier will make this ROM perfect for me
LiquidSolstice said:
Is there a unified manner in which this is done?
I've been looking for a way to precook this kernel here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=756774 into my ROM's zip before flashing, to save myself the extra step.
Is there anything special to it? I assumed it might just be as straightforward as copying the entire folder structure into the ROM's zip, but the kernel inquestion actually has a third folder called "kernel".
Any help would be much appreciated, this combined with my LauncherPro cooking question earlier will make this ROM perfect for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unpack the existing rom zip's boot image, copy in the kernel you wants zImage, repack it and plop the boot image back into the sip. then remove all the modules in /system/lib/modules in the rom zip and copy all the modules from the kernel zip into the modules folder in your rom zip.
then you ware ready to go.
Yes man, but where to put the zImage? i have 2 GZ files and 1 folder. i tried to put it in the folder and repack that, and the rom stuck at the splash screen. where to put it and how?
thanks

[Q] Can you make a recovery zip that alters .xml or other system files?

So I know that I can make a recovery zip to install packages, but I was wondering if I can make a zip that will extract and replace database files on my phone that are not packaged. The reason I want to do this is so that when I flash a new ROM, I can easily restore certain phone settings like altered APN databases. Thanks
Theoretically u can, by writing a bash script to handle the job and instructing the updater-script to run the bash script.

[Q] Create a Flashable Zip Out Of a Nandroid Backup of /System

Hi, I've gathered some resources for creating my Touchwiz 4.0 rom but I need to know how to make a flashable zip from a nandroid backup of /system.
How would I do this?
Another question while I'm here.. I get this error when using kitchen: Imgur Link , any suggestions?
DamnTarget said:
Hi, I've gathered some resources for creating my Touchwiz 4.0 rom but I need to know how to make a flashable zip from a nandroid backup of /system.
How would I do this?
Another question while I'm here.. I get this error when using kitchen: Imgur Link , any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need nandroid backup
Just need /system partition
Connect your device to PC
Go to platform-tools folders where you have installed adb.
Make a folder system in this folder.
Open Command Prompt in that folder and type
Code:
adb pull /system system
It will take some time.
When it's completed. What you have to do is replace the system folder in any ROMs flashable zip and modify it's updater-script to suit your needs
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

Custom ROM for new device

Hi, I have new Prestigio tablet PMT5777_3G and I want to modify it's default ROM. I followed this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801690. I successfully extracted system folder, but I have no idea how to create updater-script for this specific ROM. If I understand correctly I need to get updater-script from original ROM.
I've got something that resembles original ROM, but it's folder structure is completely different from what I would expect.
I would expect:
META-INF
system
boot.img
I've got:
APDB_MT6582_S01_MAIN2.1_W10.24
boot-sign.img
BPLGUInfoCustomAppSrcP_MT6582_S00_MOLY_WR8_W1315_MD_WG_MP_V12_P4_1_wg_n
cache-sign.img
Checksum.ini
EBR1-sign
lk-sign.bin
logo-sign.bin
MBR-sign
MT6582_Android_scatter.txt
preloader_htt82_tb_jb5.bin
recovery-sign.img
secro-sign.img
system-sign.img
sro-lock-sign.img
sro-unlock-sign.img
userdata-sign.img
I'm an android developer, but have no experience with custom ROM's and now am in a situation, where I want to get that custom ROM up and running, but am unable, because I can't figure out how to create updater-script or extract it from files that I currently have. It would be great if someone could point me to the right direction of what to do next.
Thanks
P. S. It seems it's against the rules to ask questions here, but I can't seem to find where else to ask this on xda
Dantenas said:
Hi, I have new Prestigio tablet PMT5777_3G and I want to modify it's default ROM. I followed this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801690. I successfully extracted system folder, but I have no idea how to create updater-script for this specific ROM. If I understand correctly I need to get updater-script from original ROM.
I've got something that resembles original ROM, but it's folder structure is completely different from what I would expect.
I would expect:
META-INF
system
boot.img
I've got:
APDB_MT6582_S01_MAIN2.1_W10.24
boot-sign.img
BPLGUInfoCustomAppSrcP_MT6582_S00_MOLY_WR8_W1315_MD_WG_MP_V12_P4_1_wg_n
cache-sign.img
Checksum.ini
EBR1-sign
lk-sign.bin
logo-sign.bin
MBR-sign
MT6582_Android_scatter.txt
preloader_htt82_tb_jb5.bin
recovery-sign.img
secro-sign.img
system-sign.img
sro-lock-sign.img
sro-unlock-sign.img
userdata-sign.img
I'm an android developer, but have no experience with custom ROM's and now am in a situation, where I want to get that custom ROM up and running, but am unable, because I can't figure out how to create updater-script or extract it from files that I currently have. It would be great if someone could point me to the right direction of what to do next.
Thanks
P. S. It seems it's against the rules to ask questions here, but I can't seem to find where else to ask this on xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are a beginner to ROM development, I would recommend the use of dsixda's Android kitchen, which you probably have downloaded already. If not use this link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
Follow these steps to obtain the file structure and Meta-Inf folder for your custom rom.
1. Open the folder where you have placed the kitchen.
2. You will find a folder called original_update.
3. Open that folder and copy your boot.img and system.img files into it. ( In your case it is boot-sign.img and system-sign.img. Rename those files into boot.img and system.img and place them in the folder )
4. Now open the kitchen. ( Refer the above link to know how to do it )
5. You will find " 1. Set up working folder from ROM " option under Main Menu.
6. Type 1 and you will be directed to another menu. Click Enter.
7. Select your boot.img and system.img from the menu.
8. Now follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
9. When you successfully complete the steps, you will have the required Working folder, with boot.img, system folder and Meta-Inf folder, which will contain the updater-script (It will be automatically generated)
All the best. :good:
Hit Thanks if this helped you... PM me if you need further help or search the forum for detailed instructions.
Thanks, this helped me, but I still can't create ROM.
I encountered a problem with kitchen:
Code:
Available ROMs:
(1) system.img and boot.img
Enter selection number (default=1, cancel=0, r=refresh):
Found original_update/system.img
Found original_update/boot.img
The new working folder will be named WORKING_061614_070841
Change the name (y/n)? (default: n):
Creating working folder WORKING_061614_070841 ...
Copying boot.img ...
Copying system.img ...
Adding an update-script ...
NON-YAFFS/NON-TAR FILE FORMAT DETECTED IN ROM
Mounting system.img to loopback device and then extracting files ...
Error: Unable to mount system.img
Error: No /system/framework folder found!
Press Enter to continue
This creates my missing update-script and boot.img, but system folder is empty.
Would it be a good idea to extract all system files from device and attempt to create ROM with them, and this update-script, or is there something I could do with system.img to make it extract?
Try this
Don't worry. There's always an alternative. Try this simple method.
1. Boot into CWM (Clockwork Mod) Recovery. (I'm pretty sure you know how to do it, if not, you can feel free to search the forum)
2. Choose Backup and Restore.
3. Make a backup in your external sdcard.
4. Now boot normally, open your external sdcard. You will find a folder called clockworkmod. Copy that folder to your PC.
5. Inside that folder, you will find the backup.
6. Now, copy boot.img and system.ext4.tar.a to your original_update folder of the kitchen.
7. Warning! Do not copy system.ext4.tar, only copy system.ext4.tar.a
8. Once you have copied these two files, rename system.ext4.tar.a into system.ext4.tar
9. Now, open android kitchen and follow the exact same steps as you did before.
10. When you choose the available rom, you will find the screen as below.
Code:
Available Roms:
(1) system.ext4.tar and boot.img
11. Choose it and follow the instructions. You will have your required working folder.
Try this and let me know if you still face any issues. :good:
I was unable to load CWM recovery, because it is not supported by my device. I tried TWRP too, which also doesn't support my device. Is it possible to do without CWM?
Dantenas said:
I was unable to load CWM recovery, because it is not supported by my device. I tried TWRP too, which also doesn't support my device. Is it possible to do without CWM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry my friend, even if you create your own ROM, you require either one of them to flash the ROM to your device. Seeing you so keen on developing the rom, try to use any yaffs tool to create your system.img from extracted system folder. You may refer this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1645412

Replacing/updating files in ROM update zip

Quick scenario: I am working on a Nook Simple Touch UK ROM zip (now obsolete), trying to get from it the essentials that make it "UK" and move them into/replace similar files (mostly images and documents, but maybe one or two system apps) to the current US version of the ROM so that everything will function properly, but the ROM will have the look and feel (and localization options) of the obsolete UK ROM. There's not a lot to change.
The zips don't open for inspection properly in anything I've tried except 7zip. I can move/overwrite files from one ROM to the other, but there does seem to be a slight compression going on and I have no idea how to stop this. In WinRAR I could, but I don't see any similar option in 7zip. Then the zip contents go into a CWM flashable zip.
Preparing the CWM zip with no changes to the current US ROM gives an error-free flash and a functioning result. But if I change even one file (like the boot splash screen--same name, same file size--until moved), the flash fails almost immediately.
I asked someone about internal checksums before ROMs would install but they did not think there were any on these ROMs. Now I wonder. I don't see anything that looks like a checksum or even a "to do" list.
Have I missed some fundamental step or am I using my tools incorrectly (or the wrong tools)? One last thought, these are "update" zips, if that makes any difference, so on their own they would not wipe user data,for example.
Edit: I think I've got it!
1. Unzip (not just "open") both zips with WinRAR (7zip would not extract the update zips for me)
2. Drag alternate versions of files from one folder to the other
3. Zip up with 7zip
4. Open CWM update zip (just has META-INF folder) and ROM update zip with 7zip
5. Drag contents of ROM update zip to CWM zip.
6. Copy new CWM zip to CWM card and flash.
7. SMILE!
nmyshkin said:
Quick scenario: I am working on a Nook Simple Touch UK ROM zip (now obsolete), trying to get from it the essentials that make it "UK" and move them into/replace similar files (mostly images and documents, but maybe one or two system apps) to the current US version of the ROM so that everything will function properly, but the ROM will have the look and feel (and localization options) of the obsolete UK ROM. There's not a lot to change.
The zips don't open for inspection properly in anything I've tried except 7zip. I can move/overwrite files from one ROM to the other, but there does seem to be a slight compression going on and I have no idea how to stop this. In WinRAR I could, but I don't see any similar option in 7zip. Then the zip contents go into a CWM flashable zip.
Preparing the CWM zip with no changes to the current US ROM gives an error-free flash and a functioning result. But if I change even one file (like the boot splash screen--same name, same file size--until moved), the flash fails almost immediately.
I asked someone about internal checksums before ROMs would install but they did not think there were any on these ROMs. Now I wonder. I don't see anything that looks like a checksum or even a "to do" list.
Have I missed some fundamental step or am I using my tools incorrectly (or the wrong tools)? One last thought, these are "update" zips, if that makes any difference, so on their own they would not wipe user data,for example.
Edit: I think I've got it!
1. Unzip (not just "open") both zips with WinRAR (7zip would not extract the update zips for me)
2. Drag alternate versions of files from one folder to the other
3. Zip up with 7zip
4. Open CWM update zip (just has META-INF folder) and ROM update zip with 7zip
5. Drag contents of ROM update zip to CWM zip.
6. Copy new CWM zip to CWM card and flash.
7. SMILE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice job!

Categories

Resources