Related
I apologize if this has been covered in another thread but I have been doing multiple searches on XDA and in google trying to find a solution but so far no luck. Long time reader of XDA but first time poster.
Details -
I successfully used NVFLASH, loaded Clockworkmod 0.8 and loaded Vega-Ntab gingerbread edition (stable RC1 I believe its called). I have been running this for a month or so with no major issues but I want to test out Vega-Ntab 5.1 and Brilliant Corners. Thinking of going with 5.1 for the hardware acceleration for gaming etc. Oh I also received my new Gtab with bootloader 1.2 and I downgraded that to 1.1 successfully before loading Vega-Ntab gingerbread. I think I can handle loading the new roms etc (may have to switch to 1.2 for Brilliant Corners I believe) but I want to do a full backup before doing so with clockworkmod so I can go back to gingerbread if I decide I liked it the best. But clockworkmod will not do a backup for me. I have tried multiple times and it always freezes/hangs at the same point. On the screen I see
ClockworkMod Recovery v2.5.1.1-bekit-0.8
SD card space free: 9697MB
Backing up boot...
Backing up recovery...
Backing up system... and here it will go no further
I have let it set at that point for hours but nothing changes. I checked the clockworkmod backup folder and it has a folder dated the current date of the backup but the contents is only boot.img and recovery.img and nothing else so I think that confirms it really isnt completing the backup.
I am unsure what the cause or solution to this is. I thought about reloading clockworkmod 0.8 but I don't think I can do this since it's already loaded. I thought about loading a newer version but from what I have read gingerbread and the other 1.1 roms will not work with anything but 0.8. I could just do a melt and repour and just go back to stock level and load 5.1 or Brilliant Corners but then I lose any apps I have loaded. I am not concerned about the majority of them but I have loaded a couple good ones as of late from Amazon that were the free app of the day and I am unsure whether I can "reload" these at a later date without being forced to pay. I have also paid for a couple games but I am assuming I can reload those without issue. I did back up all of the apps I paid for and amazon games that I loaded that I got for free (normally have to pay) with titanium backup. So assuming I can restore these with titanium backup after loading brilliant corners or vegan 5.1 then I guess the only thing that I lose by not being able to do a full backup/restore with clockwork is that if I want to go back to gingerbread then I have to start from scratch for reloading the rom.
So is the problem I am having running the back up successfully a known issue that I just can't seem to find a discussion thread about?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
Boot into ClockworkMod Recovery and get me a dmesg output (kernel messages) using adb. See this post for how.
Attach the dmesg.txt to your next post.
thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am not having any luck getting the dmesg.txt file for you. I downloaded the iso image for Knoppix 6 but when I boot off the disc it starts processing everything but then it gives an error "the file /mnt-system/knoppix/knoppix is broken. then after about 30 secs it gives the following
/sbin/init: line 76: syntax error near unexpected token '/usr/share/fonts/type1/gsfonts/a010013l.pfb'
/sbin/init: line 76: '/URWGothicL-Book (usr/share/fonts/type1/gsfonts/a010013l.pfb);
I will try and download the iso from a different site and burn another disc.
I also tried a different route and loaded SDK manager to get to ADB by that route. I am running windows 7 if that makes a difference. I am not 100% sure when I am supposed to run the adb command line you listed. Do I have my gtab running clockworkmod and then mount USB so it will show up on my pc? Do I have to try and perform a backup and then run the adb command when it freezes? I don't think I can do that because if I navigate away from the mount USB it automatically unmounts it. Anyway adb doesn't appear to be seeing the gtab anyway. When I run the SDK manager it does not find any android devices. If I run the "adb devices" command it comes back with no devices. So I am not sure what basic thing I am missing to get adb or SDK to recognize the gtab.
I apologize for my lack of knowledge on adb. Your first link says if I have adb already set up to run adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt while in clockworkmod so I am assuming I do this after mounting USB to get the pc to recognize the gtab.
I will try download and burn another iso image from a different location and see if I can boot off a disc. Assuming this time it is successful do I run the ADB command you listed in the second link while the GTab is mounted to USB and recognized by the pc? Hopefully ADB will see it if I can get this to work.
*update* I downloaded the ISO image from a different location. When I went to the folder it was downloaded to I noticed that the first ISO image I downloaded was only approx 100MB in size instead of 700+ mb. So I am re-burning another disc. Hopefully this will allow me to boot properly.
*update #2* I was able to successfully boot off of the new disc. Now I just need to figure out how and where to enter the adb command line in your link ($ sudo ./adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt) i tried this using the Shell option but it says command not found. If I choose the File Manager option and navigate to where the adb file is that was in your linked zip file it just prompts me to edit/copy/move/rename or delete the file. I am out of time tonight so I will work on it more tomorrow. The good news though is that when I use File Manager the Gtab is listed so it is at least recognized. Now I just need to figure out how to get the dmesg.txt file you request but making some progress... I think
ashton555 said:
*update #2* I was able to successfully boot off of the new disc. Now I just need to figure out how and where to enter the adb command line in your link ($ sudo ./adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Step by step instructions in this post.
thanks a bunch. Those instructions were easy to follow and made sense. I have never used linux before but alot of it reminded me back of my old unix days (terminal commands that is).
Anyway I think I did everything correct and I am now attaching the txt file.
Thanks again for your help and patience with this Linux newbie let me know if I need to provide any additional information.
ashton555 said:
Anyway I think I did everything correct and I am now attaching the txt file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did indeed. And I can't see any obvious problems with the NAND-flash device, judging from the kernel messages.
Since you've already tried to take backups using CWM before, that action should've created a log file. This file might be useful. Retrieve it. Inside an xterm window on Linux, run:
Code:
hostpc$ [B]sudo ./adb pull /cache/recovery/log recovery.log[/B]
Attach this "recovery.log" file.
Next, try to read, one by one, the NAND flash partitions that CWM usually backs up. Here's an example run on my gTablet:
Code:
hostpc$ [B]sudo ./adb shell[/B] [I]Get into the shell in CWM[/I]
~ # [B]dump_image boot /dev/null[/B]
~ # [B]dump_image recovery /dev/null[/B]
~ # [B]dump_image system /dev/null[/B]
mtd: read error at 0x029a0000 (I/O error)
mtd: read error at 0x02da0000 (I/O error)
~ # [B]dump_image cache /dev/null[/B]
~ #
Type in only the commands in bold.
As you can see, my "system" partition on the NAND flash has errors (and the kernel also report this when it boots), but, the command will not hang. According to the kernel message that you just supplied, you don't have any errors on your onboard NAND flash, so, theoretically, you shouldn't get any errors at all. But, we'll see if the dump_image command hangs when reading system just like CWM does.
And if the dump_image command does hang somewhere, we can see if formatting just that system partition will get it working again. There is a utility on this board which we could use for doing that, though I've never tried it.
I successfully completed the next two tasks. I am attaching the recovery.log file. Note I had an issue copying the .log file to where I could access it in win7 (for some reason I cant attach a file while in linux). I opened it with a word processor and then saved it to my c drive which messed up the formatting. So I opened it in Word to get the formatting correct and saved it as a txt file so thats why the attached file is recovery.txt. Let me know if it messed it up to where its not useable.
On the second task
~ # dump_image boot /dev/null
this worked fine and quick
~ # dump_image recovery /dev/null
this worked fine and quick
~ # dump_image system /dev/null
this worked but took maybe 10-15 seconds
~ # dump_image cache /dev/null
this one gave an I/O error but completed the dump
mtd: read error at 0x00080000 (I/O error)
ashton555 said:
Let me know if it messed it up to where its not useable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is just fine... and I can't see any error messages in it.
~ # dump_image system /dev/null
this worked but took maybe 10-15 seconds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is normal -- "system" partition is ~200MB.
~ # dump_image cache /dev/null
this one gave an I/O error but completed the dump
mtd: read error at 0x00080000 (I/O error)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This also looks like normal behaviour, but, I'm puzzled that the kernel did not report any bad blocks on this partition. Check if this is a transient error:
1. Repeat the "dump_image cache ..." command a few times and see if the I/O error location is the same.
2. Try to "fix" the error on the cache partition by using the "wipe cache partition" menu item in CWM. Do this a couple of times.
3. Run the "dump_image cache ..." command again.
4. Attempt another full system backup using CWM.
If step 4 fails, we'll see if the writing of the backup to the sdcard is the problem, because the reading seems to be completing without any hangs as of now.
BTW, the most important partitions are all being read fine. The "cache" partition is not that important -- it can be empty (but not corrupt) each time the system boots and only the initial bootup might go a little slower.
And, if, in the end of all this, you can't use CWM at all, you can still make a full system backup using nvflash and a few Unix commands.
1. Repeat the "dump_image cache ..." command a few times and see if the I/O error location is the same
....i did the dump 4 times and it always gave the same I/O location
2. Try to "fix" the error on the cache partition by using the "wipe cache partition" menu item in CWM. Do this a couple of times
.... I wiped the cache 4 times successsfully
3. Run the "dump_image cache ..." command again.
.... same I/O error location
4. Attempt another full system backup using CWM
.... still freezing at backing up system
So I guess I need to try and do the backup with NVFlash and unix/linux commands? If you have a link on how to do that I will give it a try or I can search for it and see if there is a discussion thread on it.
Thanks again for your help and trying to resolve this
Question - if I started over from scratch and went back to stock and then loaded vegan gingerbread would this issue possibly correct itself? Also more importantly if I back up some apps using titanium backup before I go back to stock can I then restore them with Titanium once I have vegan ginger back loaded? Also if I loaded vegan 5.1.1 could I restore the same apps I backed up in vegan ginger? Hopefully that made sense. I don't mind starting from scratch if I need to I just wasnt sure if I would permanently lose certain apps I have loaded. It's only about 10 apps I care about
*update* - well I think I am going to be forced to start over anyway. After wiping the cache a couple times and attempting another backup (froze again at backing up system) I now can't get the gtab to boot completely. It is stuck at the flashing vegan ginger edition screen. It flashes for awhile then the screen goes black then it goes back to the flashing screen again. I know you said it would take longer to boot up the first time after wiping the cache but was doing the flash cycling for over an hour which I assume is too long? I tried wiping the cache again and I also wiped the davlik cache as someone suggested in another thread but it is back to being stuck in the flashing screen loop. Assuming I do have to start over can I at least boot to CWM, mount ext USB and copy off the titanium backup files I made so I can restore some of the paid for apps?
ashton555 said:
3. Run the "dump_image cache ..." command again.
.... same I/O error location
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like a permanent I/O error in the cache partition, then. But, I don't understand why it is "system" which is hanging on backup.
4. Attempt another full system backup using CWM
.... still freezing at backing up system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get me the recovery.log.
So I guess I need to try and do the backup with NVFlash and unix/linux commands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll think this over during the weekend. In the mean-time, read through this thread. You can safely take a complete backup of your tablet while I do a bit of experimentation on a clockworkmod-like solution. But, I suspect that you may not be able to backup "cache" using nvflash going by the I/O errors. I have errors on my "system" partition and a nvflash backup fails on it, but CWM doesn't have any problems backing up and restoring.
Question - if I started over from scratch and went back to stock and then loaded vegan gingerbread would this issue possibly correct itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. But, see this thread. It shows you how to wipe all the partitions on the NAND flash device. We don't need to format the entire NAND flash. We can see if doing a few repeated formats of the "system" and "cache" partitions gets CWM working again, if you're willing to wipe "system"--you will have to load Vegan-Ginger right after this.
Also more importantly if I back up some apps using titanium backup before I go back to stock can I then restore them with Titanium once I have vegan ginger back loaded? Also if I loaded vegan 5.1.1 could I restore the same apps I backed up in vegan ginger? Hopefully that made sense. I don't mind starting from scratch if I need to I just wasnt sure if I would permanently lose certain apps I have loaded. It's only about 10 apps I care about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used Titanium backup so I can't say how well it works, but, judging from the reports that other users have made, what you're suggesting should work without any problems. User downloaded applications are stored either on /data or on /mnt/sdcard (for apps moved to SD card). Since your SD cards don't seem to be affected, you can go ahead with Titanium backup.
ashton555 said:
Assuming I do have to start over can I at least boot to CWM, mount ext USB and copy off the titanium backup files I made so I can restore some of the paid for apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, copy the files in CWM, then just do a "wipe data/factory reset" and see if it boot loop goes away.
But, before you do that, gimme a half-hour and I'll send you commands which you can use to save the files in /data and /sdcard. I just have to compile and test a new version of busybox. The tar command already present in CWM doesn't seem to work properly for me.
Attaching the recovery file
I am running the nvflash back up right now.
It successfully did part-1.img through part-11.img with no errors. The last thing it said though is
"rem CACHE PARTITION BACKUP NOT NEEDED
"nvflash.exe" -r --read 12 part-12.img
press enter to continue
Is this maybe because I wiped the cache and it's empty?
I looked on my ext SD card and the titanium backup files are there (except for a couple I had forgotten do ....) so I think I am okay for going back to square one if need be.
I will go ahead (tomorrow probably) try doing what is described thread about wiping partitions on the NAND device and just formating the system and cache partitions. I am assuming that at this point I guess its okay to go ahead and try to load vegan tab 5.1.1 instead of ginger again since I wanted to try out 5.1.1 anyway or if you have any experience with it would you recommend Brilliant Corners instead since its a newer rom. I think I will have to reload the 1.2 bootloader which is okay.
ashton555 said:
Attaching the recovery file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No errors in there.
The last thing it said though is
"rem CACHE PARTITION BACKUP NOT NEEDED
"nvflash.exe" -r --read 12 part-12.img
press enter to continue
Is this maybe because I wiped the cache and it's empty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so. The cache partition isn't that important anyway, so it can be skipped.
I will go ahead (tomorrow probably) try doing what is described thread about wiping partitions on the NAND device and just formating the system and cache partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest that you copy the Titanium backed-up apps safely away immediately, then format just the system and cache partitions as per that thread. You will need to be in APX mode to use nvflash.
Immediately after the nvflash, (since the system partition is now gone), boot into CWM, then do a factory reset, repartition the internal sdcard, copy the Vegan-5.1.1 update file onto the now clean sdcard through the PC and then flash it. This should give you a clean slate.
Then check if you can do a backup using CWM. If you still can't, then I'll see if a solution can be devised to do partial backups.
And, I have tried neither Vegan* nor Brilliant Corners, so the choice is up to you.
Sorry, my test commands aren't working so I can't send you those commands I promised to back up your /data and /system--I suspect a bad USB cable.
Hi,
I have a Nook Tablet in version 1.4.1 reset it back to 1.4.0, root it, tried to put cm9 in it...messed up royally, format a whole bunch of things that I shouldn't.
Now it's stuck in CWM v5.5.0.4
Tried just about everything, but can't get out. can't access adb, not very familiar with it anyway...but downloaded sdk, jkd, etc...but can't see device...tried recovery image also...doesn't work.
Is there any method aside from adb method? Is there an SD method...think I messed up the partitions or whatever...
tried this method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1555832
but doesn't work...
again can't see devices in adb...tried this & other methods...nothing..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1363652
please help...
I actually have 2 Nook Tablets...one for my kids & another I'll give to a nun friend...1 is correctly rooted & has cm9...can I image one & flash it on another? If so, how?
Thank you & God bless
Have you tried making a bootable CM7 or CWM microSD card?
Solar.Plexus said:
Have you tried making a bootable CM7 or CWM microSD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a recovery.img...tried that didn't work
have boot.img tried that...CWM microSD
tried to flash SD_ROOT_NT16gbV4_6 onto microSD, but after that can't add anything else to it...the directions to partition microSD is somewhat confusing to me...don't quite know what to do or where to put boot file, etc...after I partitioned it...any advice is greatly appreciated...
"format a whole bunch of things that I shouldn't." BAD IDEA. Can you tell us what exactly you formatted?
Is always good to have adb working so you should troubleshoot it. In my FAQ there is a link for a how-to i made to install and use adb tool, run the runmefirst.bat from the package i provide is a must.
As an alternative (to non use of adb, etc tools) you can use Adam's total wipe (sdcard), which has been fixed by Adam to not affect serial ID's and MAC address from ROM partition.
~ Veronica
lavero.burgos said:
"format a whole bunch of things that I shouldn't." BAD IDEA. Can you tell us what exactly you formatted?
Is always good to have adb working so you should troubleshoot it. In my FAQ there is a link for a how-to i made to install and use adb tool, run the runmefirst.bat from the package i provide is a must.
As an alternative (to non use of adb, etc tools) you can use Adam's total wipe (sdcard), which has been fixed by Adam to not affect serial ID's and MAC address from ROM partition.
~ Veronica
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I formatted....
bootdata, cache, data, emmc, rom, system, sd-ext....everything with the format in front of it...I did it...I know...not smart...
did the acclaim_update...doesn't work...CWM seems to be working...but just can't install acclaim_update or SD_ROOT_NT16gbV4_6...again can't access adb at all
What does it say when in CWM when you try to flash something?
thungrac221 said:
I formatted....
bootdata, cache, data, emmc, rom, system, sd-ext....everything with the format in front of it...I did it...I know...not smart...
did the acclaim_update...doesn't work...CWM seems to be working...but just can't install acclaim_update or SD_ROOT_NT16gbV4_6...again can't access adb at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they won't work because you formatted most of your partitions, use Adam's total wipe as i said before or soshite unbrick method but for that one you need adb working.
~ Veronica
lavero.burgos said:
they won't work because you formatted most of your partitions, use Adam's total wipe as i said before or soshite unbrick method but for that one you need adb working.
~ Veronica
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have ubuntu, think I saw a link from you to create a virtual ubuntu? Please post that again...Thank you
nevermind...found the link...will try...thanks again
thungrac221 said:
I don't have ubuntu, think I saw a link from you to create a virtual ubuntu? Please post that again...Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use virtual box: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
If he has cwm he has adb.
Just guide him to install correct drivers for it.
Solar.Plexus said:
What does it say when in CWM when you try to flash something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried to install recover.img, but Error mounting /sdcard..tried mounting, but can't
thungrac221 said:
I don't have ubuntu, think I saw a link from you to create a virtual ubuntu? Please post that again...Thank you
nevermind...found the link...will try...thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I download the adam's image for windows, but in CWM cannot mount sd card...oddly, when I plug it into my computer, it sees the nook but cannot start adb...tried methods to recognize usb, but can't...
please advise....thank you
Go here, https://github.com/succulent/acclaim_recovery_sdcard
Make a new recovery card from the instruction. Forget your old recovery card.
Install these two,
flash-restore-stock.zip (use it to restore partition 1-6)
flash_stock_1.4.2.zip (use it to restore to stock 1.4.2)
Then install whatever rom you want after.
succulent said:
Go here, https://github.com/succulent/acclaim_recovery_sdcard
Make a new recovery card from the instruction. Forget your old recovery card.
Install these two,
flash-restore-stock.zip (use it to restore partition 1-6)
flash_stock_1.4.2.zip (use it to restore to stock 1.4.2)
Then install whatever rom you want after.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, thank you...used only this flash-restore-stock.zip & was able to find my way back... thanks a lot...my friend who is a nun will enjoy this when she goes to Ghana on her mission...she wanted this instead of carrying loads of spiritual books...thanks again... & God bless
I second that succulent with your post I was able to find my way back after flash-restore-stock.zip. My issue was Nook kept on booting CWM. Now I have to figure out how to boot CWM via USB again to flash stock rom. For now it takes me up to B&N member setup page, but only shows error when I enter info
Okay I wiped my internal emmc, so there is no OS. When I turn it on I get B&N stock setup menu. Than after account sign in it gives me error message with device info.
I can boot on SD CWM, but when I try to flash any zip it aborts and also I can't seem to find the right CWM SD that leaves me enough room to copy the OS.zip on the SD.
Hi
I've done a bit of searching but can't find anything too specific to what I'm trying to do. Basically we have 10 Android tablets, and I want to make them all standardised e.g. have the same Apps on, configured in the same way (e.g. enterprise wireless network added).
Now the thing is if anyone messes around with them I want a really easy way to restore them to the original config which I've done.
One way I thought was to configure one fully, install Titanium Backup on it, do a full backup of apps/system data etc, and put the backup onto an SD card. Then I already have the base ROM on an SD card so if theres any problems, I can just flash the ROM over it again, install TB, and restore all the data. Would this be suitable to do to duplicate the data onto 10 tablets, and also restore the data if required?
The other thing I looked into was customising a ROM myself, don't want to do anything too tricky it'll just be a case of removing all the preinstalled crap I don't want, preloading the Apps we do want, and if possible preloading the wireless key and getting rid of the first boot initial set up wizard.
PS I've looked at installing CWM and doing whole image backups, but supposedly the tablet isnt supported (its an Ainol Novo 7 Elf 2)
Any advice would be great, hopefully theres some fairly straight forward way of managing this
Thanks
One of the reasons I integrated a full blown GNU/Linux on my devices, was the need to run full and automated backups. If you are looking into the possibility making a custom ROM, this might be a solution for you as well. I'm using BackuPC to run backups nightly, backing them up as any other GNU/Linux machine (using tar over ssh).
See the link in my signature for more information about this.
kuisma said:
One of the reasons I integrated a full blown GNU/Linux on my devices, was the need to run full and automated backups. If you are looking into the possibility making a custom ROM, this might be a solution for you as well. I'm using BackuPC to run backups nightly, backing them up as any other GNU/Linux machine (using tar over ssh).
See the link in my signature for more information about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Thanks for the reply, not too sure this would be the right option for us. I don't really need to take nightly backups, I just need to make a backup of a preconfigured image, and then put that image onto 10 other devices. Then I want to keep the original backup and have an easy way to restore it onto any devices which have been messed up. Sort of like image cloning for PCs, I want to prepare a base image, and then flash it over all the devices.
fro5tie said:
Hi
Thanks for the reply, not too sure this would be the right option for us. I don't really need to take nightly backups, I just need to make a backup of a preconfigured image, and then put that image onto 10 other devices. Then I want to keep the original backup and have an easy way to restore it onto any devices which have been messed up. Sort of like image cloning for PCs, I want to prepare a base image, and then flash it over all the devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I see. Compile the image to you likings (boot image and system partition), and then flash it using fastboot onto you devices.
Hi
Does anyone have any more thoughts on this?
I have experimented with Titanium Backup and this seems to work quite well. I have installed a ROM, and customised it e.g. installed the apps I need and configured the apps, wireless settings and home screens etc. Then I do a full apps + system backup in TB to my SD card.
Then the plan is, I can reflash the ROM onto the other device, install TB and then restore this backup. This saves my user state and wireless settings etc.
Only problems is when I flash the ROM, I have to go through all the initial set up again and also remove some preinstalled apps which I dont want. Any ways around this?
There must be something I'm missing. Why don't you install the device, walk through the setup, remove the bloatware you don't want and then dumps the disk partitions into images you flash the other devices with using fastboot? This way you'll get'em cloned, isn't it this you want..?
Of course there's still some tinkering needed once restored/cloned, such as giving them individual Google accounts etc, but you can easily fix this without re-running the setup wizard.
kuisma said:
There must be something I'm missing. Why don't you install the device, walk through the setup, remove the bloatware you don't want and then dumps the disk partitions into images you flash the other devices with using fastboot? This way you'll get'em cloned, isn't it this you want..?
Of course there's still some tinkering needed once restored/cloned, such as giving them individual Google accounts etc, but you can easily fix this without re-running the setup wizard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Yes that's what I want to do! How would I go about dumping the disk into an image and then flashing?
fro5tie said:
Hi
Yes that's what I want to do! How would I go about dumping the disk into an image and then flashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several methods. Some boot loaders (such as nvflash for tegra based devices) can actually read back the disk partitions to a computer via the USB port. You can also on the tablet read the raw mtd device with busybox/dd. I assume you've unlocked the bootloader and gain root access to the device, since this is a requirement for flashing them as well. A third alternative is using busybox/tar, and then recreate the filesystem image using mkyaffs (or if ext3/ext4 even easier, just loopback mount an image on you linux maching to unpack the tar archive to). Once you got the images (system and userdata partitions), you flash the devices with "fastboot flash system system.img" and "fastboot flash userdata data.img". I don't believe you'll need to tamper with the other partitions.
kuisma said:
There are several methods. Some boot loaders (such as nvflash for tegra based devices) can actually read back the disk partitions to a computer via the USB port. You can also on the tablet read the raw mtd device with busybox/dd. I assume you've unlocked the bootloader and gain root access to the device, since this is a requirement for flashing them as well. A third alternative is using busybox/tar, and then recreate the filesystem image using mkyaffs (or if ext3/ext4 even easier, just loopback mount an image on you linux maching to unpack the tar archive to). Once you got the images (system and userdata partitions), you flash the devices with "fastboot flash system system.img" and "fastboot flash userdata data.img". I don't believe you'll need to tamper with the other partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Thanks for the quick reply, much appreciated.
Unfortunately you've lost me a bit here!
Yes the device is rooted, I dont have a linux machine though.
Any chance you'd be able to provide some more specific instructions? The device is a chinese tablet from manufacturer Ainol, the model is a Novo 7 Elf 2. Unfortunately there isn't much discussion on these online so specific help is hard to find!
fro5tie said:
Any chance you'd be able to provide some more specific instructions? The device is a chinese tablet from manufacturer Ainol, the model is a Novo 7 Elf 2. Unfortunately there isn't much discussion on these online so specific help is hard to find!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can provide you specific answers to specific questions, but I have no experience of the tablet in question, so you'll have to do some digging yourself first. Make sure it supports fastboot, investigate what the proprietary bootloader is capable of, see how/if you can obtain an original image etc.
One maybe easier solution, especially if you plan to restore the tablets on a regular basis, is to only make a new boot image to reflash the devices with. The only modification done is that you change the /init.rc script to mount /data and /system from the SDcard instead of from the internal nand disk device.
Once this is done, you'll power up and run the installation wizard and everything on your master tablet. Then power it down, and clone the SDcard. This SDcard now contains everything, so you'll simply restore a device by replacing its SDcard with a copy of this master card. I guess it's easier to clone a SDcard than reflashing several internal partitions. Easier to make the master as well - you don't need to dd or tar them, they are already in "image" format. If you can get hold of the original firmware, this should be quite easy without the need to preserving data from the device itself.
fro5tie said:
Any chance you'd be able to provide some more specific instructions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Issue the commands "cat /proc/mtd" and "mount" on your device at command prompt (e.g. via "adb shell" or the "ConnectBot" terminal app). This shows you if the device allows you to copy the boot image from it. Paste in the output into this thread. If you believe the "clone the tablet via the SDcard" is a good solution for you, the process is in short terms something as below;
Copy the boot image to the sdcard:
# dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd2ro of=/mnt/sdcard/boot.img bs=2048 (device dependent of contents of /proc/mtd)
Remove the sdcard, insert into a computer, split the boot image info kernel + initramfs. Read http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack%2C_Edit%2C_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images for instructions about how to work with the boot.img file. I really recommend a GNU/Linux environment for this.
Then edit /init.rc replacing the "mount yaffs2 [email protected] /system" with "mount ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /system" for system and data (use p3 for data partition, the device name may be different on your tablet, see mount output).
Create an SDcard with three partitions: #1 vfat (standard), #2 and #3 ext3. Insert into you device and boot it up again.
# mount -t ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /root
# cd /system
# tar cf - . | (cd /root ; tar xf - )
# umount /root
# mount -t ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk0p3 /root
# cd /data
# tar cf - . | (cd /root ; tar xf - )
# umount /root
This copies your partitions to the SDcard. Shutdown the tablet again.
Make a new boot.img using the instructions in the link above, using the edited init.rc script.
Now you can non-destrutive give this a try.
Place you tablet in fastboot mode (often vol-up (or vol-down) during power on).
$ fastboot devices
This vill verify the tablet is in fastboot mode. It should be listed. Then:
$ fastboot boot boot.img
Note here, only BOOT the tablet, do NOT use the "flash" keyword. This in case of the image isn't working, you'll just have to restart you tablet, and no harm's done.
Look around. Do a "mount" command. Everything works? Mount shows /data and /system from sdcard? Perfect. Now you can reflash it. Shutdown and flash:
$ fastboot flash boot boot.img
Now the device will use /data and /system from the SDcard every time. Customize your device, and then clone your SDcard and try it in tablet #2 you'll booting with your new boot.img and the cloned SDcard. Verify that #tablet #2 is a perfect clone of tablet #1. It is? Now you can flash the boot,img into all your tablets.
--------------------
But don't forget, there may be other solutions as well, maybe more suitable. This you'll have to investigate yourself.
And the usual disclaimer - you can probably not follow above by the letter. There sure is some obstacle you'll have to overcome, something non-standard, etc.
Also keep the original boot.img file for safekeeping in the case you want to restore the device's boot image some day.
Wow! Thanks for the info! This is really helpful, I need to set aside a bit of time to work through this and have a look. Thanks again its really appreciated, I'll be back with info once I've had chance to give it a go!
I certainly can't offer more detailed info than the fellow from Sweden who seems to really know his stuff...but what about making a nandroid backup of your fully configured reference tablet (I'm assuming all tablets are rooted). Ensure all your tabs have CWM recovery and copy your nandroid file to each one.
If any of your fleet get 'corrupted' you can simply restore the original, fully configured ROM.
In fact that sounds too obvious..likely I missed something about your scenario which precludes this option from consideration!
Good luck mate.
tweeny80 said:
I certainly can't offer more detailed info than the fellow from Sweden who seems to really know his stuff...but what about making a nandroid backup of your fully configured reference tablet (I'm assuming all tablets are rooted). Ensure all your tabs have CWM recovery and copy your nandroid file to each one.
If any of your fleet get 'corrupted' you can simply restore the original, fully configured ROM.
In fact that sounds too obvious..likely I missed something about your scenario which precludes this option from consideration!
Good luck mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Yes that was my first thought as well, tablets are rooted yes but there is no CWM for the tablet. Its an obscure Chinese branded tablet.
Unless there is another way to do nandroid backups?
hmm tricky situation. Catch 22 ! From what I know, your best bet is to backup all possible things through Titanium Backup given that you don't have the use of Nandroid backups. You can include wifi settings, messages etc but it's modular & not systemic.
I did a quick google search with no luck - time to upgrade your fleet dude :-0
Best of luck.
So I am stuck in a bootloop and no obvious way out.
US Galaxy Player 4.0
Rooted and been on custom roms for a year now. Problem started after upgraded to latest CM. Tried going back to stock but no luck in resolution. I am able to get into recovery and download mode and flash with odin. I can run adb shell. Just won't boot. The error message I get is as follows:
"E:format_volume: rfs format failed on /dev/block/mmcblk0p2"
In my adb shell I can see that there is no "mmcblk0..." files at all.
I have tried to go through the full stock recovery and used the PIT files and the stock rom through odin. I get the same boot loop and cant get the data to wipe due to the same error. I can flash anything through Odin easily without fail but everything is stuck in boot loop. I just don't seem to have /data to wipe.
There are some other posts around which indicate the Partition may be screwed but I am not sure what it is supposed to look like or the command line syntax to use to correct.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1468213&highlight=wipe+data+shell
I have several nandroid backups on an external location but now I can't get the external card to recognize in CWM so haven't been able to try to revert backwards that way. I have backup of efs and all other stuff just can't seem to get to it.
Anybody with Ideas or direct help are greatly appreciated
map1122 said:
So I am stuck in a bootloop and no obvious way out.
US Galaxy Player 4.0
Rooted and been on custom roms for a year now. Problem started after upgraded to latest CM. Tried going back to stock but no luck in resolution. I am able to get into recovery and download mode and flash with odin. I can run adb shell. Just won't boot. The error message I get is as follows:
"E:format_volume: rfs format failed on /dev/block/mmcblk0p2"
In my adb shell I can see that there is no "mmcblk0..." files at all.
I have tried to go through the full stock recovery and used the PIT files and the stock rom through odin. I get the same boot loop and cant get the data to wipe due to the same error. I can flash anything through Odin easily without fail but everything is stuck in boot loop. I just don't seem to have /data to wipe.
There are some other posts around which indicate the Partition may be screwed but I am not sure what it is supposed to look like or the command line syntax to use to correct.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1468213&highlight=wipe+data+shell
I have several nandroid backups on an external location but now I can't get the external card to recognize in CWM so haven't been able to try to revert backwards that way. I have backup of efs and all other stuff just can't seem to get to it.
Anybody with Ideas or direct help are greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how we fix that with the Player 5 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2398120&page=4 (read the whole thread from page 4 on)
You'll need to do pretty much the same thing but you need an image from the Player 4.:good:
recrtora above
Thank you Meticulus. I see that you were involved in the thread I referenced too and this is where I figured I needed to go. However this is where I get tripped up. The main issue being that I don't have an image from a 4.0 US player. The thread I linked to had the Intl Player shown... There were even a few requests for the US version later on in the thread.
So- Anyone want to share their US player working partition table?
Is this information contained in the .PIT files somehow?
anyway to retrieve this?
map1122 said:
Thank you Meticulus. I see that you were involved in the thread I referenced too and this is where I figured I needed to go. However this is where I get tripped up. The main issue being that I don't have an image from a 4.0 US player. The thread I linked to had the Intl Player shown... There were even a few requests for the US version later on in the thread.
So- Anyone want to share their US player working partition table?
Is this information contained in the .PIT files somehow?
anyway to retrieve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know that's the only way to do it is with the picture.... Be patient, I'm sure someone will post an image...
@zaclimon ???
Needed: out put of fdisk on mmcblk0
Code:
adb root
adb shell
fdisk -l /dev/block/mmcblk0
Then post a screenshot, or just the output.:highfive:
Meticulus said:
As far as I know that's the only way to do it is with the picture.... Be patient, I'm sure someone will post an image...
@zaclimon ???
Needed: out put of fdisk on mmcblk0
Code:
adb root
adb shell
fdisk -l /dev/block/mmcblk0
Then post a screenshot, or just the output.:highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here it is, do note that it's a intl device though too.
zaclimon said:
Here it is, do note that it's a intl device though too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's definately not what I expected... to see from the 4.0's partition table...
Meticulus said:
That's definately not what I expected... to see from the 4.0's partition table...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We only have mmc blocks for the actual storage of the device. The system partition and others are pure raw nand (which is why we use mtd and yaffs2)
Envoyé depuis mon Nexus 7 avec Tapatalk 4
zaclimon said:
We only have mmc blocks for the actual storage of the device. The system partition and others are pure raw nand (which is why we use mtd and yaffs2)
Envoyé depuis mon Nexus 7 avec Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then, will recreating these partitions solve the OP problem?
Meticulus said:
So then, will recreating these partitions solve the OP problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most probably because it will only touch /data and internal storage. Actually this is the first time I see a problem like this for the 4.0.
Envoyé depuis mon Nexus 7 avec Tapatalk 4
So any confidence in the international vs the US version being the same?
Now the next thing is I used the command fdisk to start trying to recreate the partitions using the post instructions you recommended. I did not get an option for "new". I attached the output from the shell command. Tried looking up shell command references on fdisk but is not helping me here. Is it because there is not mmcblk0 at all? I don't seem to be getting into the command mode of the fdisk command.
If I use fdisk -l /dev/block/mmcblk0 I get "no such file or directory"
map1122 said:
So any confidence in the international vs the US version being the same?
Now the next thing is I used the command fdisk to start trying to recreate the partitions using the post instructions you recommended. I did not get an option for "new". I attached the output from the shell command. Tried looking up shell command references on fdisk but is not helping me here. Is it because there is not mmcblk0 at all? I don't seem to be getting into the command mode of the fdisk command.
If I use fdisk -l /dev/block/mmcblk0 I get "no such file or directory"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... Can post a list of /dev/block ?
Code:
adb shell
ls /dev/block
Here you go.
map1122 said:
Here you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmmm .... see if you can get here: /sys/bus/platform/devices/s3c-sdhci.0 and post the output
Like so?
map1122 said:
Like so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.... I'm not sure what's wrong but id recommend installing a full odin flashable rom...
Not sure what that would be for the 4.0..
Here is another place you can check /sys/bus/platform/devices/s3c-sdhci.0/mmc_host/mmc0/mmc0:0001/block/mmcblk0
Here is the output of that. No further.
I am already on fresh Odin flash. Several attempts actually. I have been able to flash back to Stock (and use PIT) files, access stock recovery. I did this first to think I could restore to OEM. Then flash the Terra-Silent kernel to obtain CWM and the IcyFusion Rom (did this again this morning so I could get adb to link). These are the only Odin flashable that I am aware of for the 4.0. Obviously nothing boots because the issues discussed here.
Thank you.
what does "partition SD Card" in the Advanced and Debugging menu in CWM do?
map1122 said:
Here is the output of that. No further.
I am already on fresh Odin flash. Several attempts actually. I have been able to flash back to Stock (and use PIT) files, access stock recovery. I did this first to think I could restore to OEM. Then flash the Terra-Silent kernel to obtain CWM and the IcyFusion Rom (did this again this morning so I could get adb to link). These are the only Odin flashable that I am aware of for the 4.0. Obviously nothing boots because the issues discussed here.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if those are "full" odin flashable roms.
Try here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1531850
Yes, that is the one I am using to revert to stock and additional PIT. I checked MD5 sums too.
Would this kind of thing be backed up in a nandroid?
map1122 said:
Yes, that is the one I am using to revert to stock and additional PIT. I checked MD5 sums too.
Would this kind of thing be backed up in a nandroid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, It wouldn't be backed up in android...
I'm betting that the U.S. Odin ROM on that page is not a "full" recovery rom either... I'm downloading right now to check. If it isn't, we need to find out how safe it is to flash an INT version first then flash a USA over it.
On the 5.0, we can do that... and everything is OK but don't know about 4.0...
EDIT: Seem like the only difference is that INT has bootloaders and USA does not. That doesn't help us...
[Q] stock unrooted at&t sgh-i777 stuck in boot loop. can I pull contacts, sms, memos
Hello folks,
I have a stock, unrooted AT&T SGH-i777 which is stuck in a 'boot loop' - on power on, I see 'Samsung Galaxy SII' blink infinitely.
The good news is that I can go into download mode as well as recovery mode. I can also connect via adb from my win7 machine.
I was able to pull camera files (pics/vids) from /sdcard/DCIM and whatsapp data (/sdcard/WhatsApp/) using adb pull.
I want to backup (or pull) my contact and sms data (it wasn't synced on phone) as well. However I'm not able to. Do I need to root the phone to use adb for this? If so, how do I root the phone?
Alternatively is there is another way to restore the phone to working condition without losing my contacts and sms data?
I tried rooting it using the 'Easy Rooting Toolkit' v2.0 by DooMLoRD modified by Max Lee @ GalaxyS2Root.com but the runme.bat starts adb and then hangs there indefinitely.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Hammad.
...Whether this works on an Unrooted device, I am not sure, but the goal is to install custom firmware onto a stock device without formatting the data partition (where your sms/contacts/other data are kept)...
Use desktop ODIN to flash a custom kernel/recovery
perform a nandroid backup (via custom kernel/recovery)**
install Samsung-based firmware (cooked or shostock) via custom recovery***
**creates a snapshot of the nand memory module, where everything is stored. Once a working setup is established, Titanium backup (among other tools) can extract contacts, wifi settings, sms & mms messages, etc from this nandroid backup even if you have to conduct a factory reset, in the process of restoring the device.
***this "dirty flash" approach which will hopefully allow you to boot into the device, and backup what you need.
This process has been used recently in a similar scenario, and is fully detailed in another thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2-att/help/phone-wont-boot-to-restore-deleted-file-t2827622
-Cyril
hsophie said:
Hello folks,
I have a stock, unrooted AT&T SGH-i777 which is stuck in a 'boot loop' - on power on, I see 'Samsung Galaxy SII' blink infinitely.
The good news is that I can go into download mode as well as recovery mode. I can also connect via adb from my win7 machine.
I was able to pull camera files (pics/vids) from /sdcard/DCIM and whatsapp data (/sdcard/WhatsApp/) using adb pull.
I want to backup (or pull) my contact and sms data (it wasn't synced on phone) as well. However I'm not able to. Do I need to root the phone to use adb for this? If so, how do I root the phone?
Alternatively is there is another way to restore the phone to working condition without losing my contacts and sms data?
I tried rooting it using the 'Easy Rooting Toolkit' v2.0 by DooMLoRD modified by Max Lee @ GalaxyS2Root.com but the runme.bat starts adb and then hangs there indefinitely.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Hammad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Cyril279 for your response. I had a few questions/clarifications since I'm a complete newbie when it comes to flashing/ROMs/rooting/android:
My Android version is Gingerbread 2.3.x. I never upgraded it since I bought it in mid Feb 2012.
cyril279 said:
...Whether this works on an Unrooted device, I am not sure, but the goal is to install custom firmware onto a stock device without formatting the data partition (where your sms/contacts/other data are kept)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm new to this stuff so I want to make sure that I state things correctly. By unrooted, I mean my device has never ever been rooted. It is stock in all ways from AT&T. Does that change anything?
cyril279 said:
Use desktop ODIN to flash a custom kernel/recovery
perform a nandroid backup (via custom kernel/recovery)**
install Samsung-based firmware (cooked or shostock) via custom recovery***
**creates a snapshot of the nand memory module, where everything is stored. Once a working setup is established, Titanium backup (among other tools) can extract contacts, wifi settings, sms & mms messages, etc from this nandroid backup even if you have to conduct a factory reset, in the process of restoring the device.
***this "dirty flash" approach which will hopefully allow you to boot into the device, and backup what you need.
This process has been used recently in a similar scenario, and is fully detailed in another thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2-att/help/phone-wont-boot-to-restore-deleted-file-t2827622
-Cyril
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read through the thread that you linked to. I want to make sure I understand what I need to do is in:
A. message #5: get ODIN and siyah kernels.
Questions: The Siyah website says that the kernel is for i9100 on JB. Should I still use that one even though my phone is the SGH-I777 and on Gingerbread? Will this upgrade the kernel to JellyBean?
B. message #7: do steps 1,2,3,6,7; (skip 4,5).
Question: Step 6 states '...rooted android'. My phone is not rooted. Will it get rooted as part of A?
Thank you for your patience with me.
Hammad.
Hey guys I'm looking for help with the same issue.. If I had twrp or cwm I'd be good but this phone is my daughters and has not been brought over to the dark side..
This is the problem. Yesterday she came to me and her phone was bootlooping the samsung logo. So I've tried to pull the battery, master reset and call att with no luck. :thumbdown:
I'm wondering since I'm in bootloop and no custom recovery can I maybe flash a custom rom or stock rom to this with the same method..
Thanks Any advice is well appreciated...
I need to get this fixed ASAP. My daughter is two young to be home alone with no phone.....
Sent from my SM-G900A using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
In this case, we are only using the recovery portion of the kernel, so it doesn't matter that it's for an i9100. There are other .tar versions that are designed specifically for the i777, I just didn't search for them.
I haven't tried this procedure on a never-rooted device, but I expect that it works. Perhaps one of our peers will chime in if they know better, otherwise if you're willing to wait a couple days, I will try the complete procedure out on my own i777, starting from gingerbread.
As long as you can get into download mode, and you DO NOT perform a factory reset, then the prognosis for data recovery is good.
In the meantime, in may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the use of desktop odin.
-Cyril
hsophie said:
Thank you Cyril279 for your response. I had a few questions/clarifications since I'm a complete newbie when it comes to flashing/ROMs/rooting/android:
My Android version is Gingerbread 2.3.x. I never upgraded it since I bought it in mid Feb 2012.
I'm new to this stuff so I want to make sure that I state things correctly. By unrooted, I mean my device has never ever been rooted. It is stock in all ways from AT&T. Does that change anything?
I read through the thread that you linked to. I want to make sure I understand what I need to do is in:
A. message #5: get ODIN and siyah kernels.
Questions: The Siyah website says that the kernel is for i9100 on JB. Should I still use that one even though my phone is the SGH-I777 and on Gingerbread? Will this upgrade the kernel to JellyBean?
B. message #7: do steps 1,2,3,6,7; (skip 4,5).
Question: Step 6 states '...rooted android'. My phone is not rooted. Will it get rooted as part of A?
Thank you for your patience with me.
Hammad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 PM ----------
"master reset"? = factory reset?
If so, then you're not worried about the recovery of any data, and the easiest path is to use desktop Odin to flash the stock i777UCMD8 firmware onto your I777. That firmware can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20229527&postcount=46
JEZZEJAMEZ said:
Hey guys I'm looking for help with the same issue.. If I had twrp or cwm I'd be good but this phone is my daughters and has not been brought over to the dark side..
This is the problem. Yesterday she came to me and her phone was bootlooping the samsung logo. So I've tried to pull the battery, master reset and call att with no luck. :thumbdown:
I'm wondering since I'm in bootloop and no custom recovery can I maybe flash a custom rom or stock rom to this with the same method..
Thanks Any advice is well appreciated...
I need to get this fixed ASAP. My daughter is two young to be home alone with no phone.....
Sent from my SM-G900A using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cyril279 said:
In this case, we are only using the recovery portion of the kernel, so it doesn't matter that it's for an i9100. There are other .tar versions that are designed specifically for the i777, I just didn't search for them.
I haven't tried this procedure on a never-rooted device, but I expect that it works. Perhaps one of our peers will chime in if they know better, otherwise if you're willing to wait a couple days, I will try the complete procedure out on my own i777, starting from gingerbread.
As long as you can get into download mode, and you DO NOT perform a factory reset, then the prognosis for data recovery is good.
In the meantime, in may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the use of desktop odin.
-Cyril
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you once again Cyril279. I'll familiarize myself with ODIN. I'm not in a hurry since I have a replacement phone. I just want to make sure I can get my data and restore my device. Where can I find kernel for i777?
Hammad.
Thanks, my wife is all over my azz. School is about to start, with our busy schedules she's(daughter) home alone alot. As many others we don't have a land phone.. ...
Sent from my SM-G900A using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
hsophie said:
Where can I find kernel for i777?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Siyah for 2.3.x. There is a tar version.
hsophie said:
Thank you Cyril279 for your response. I had a few questions/clarifications since I'm a complete newbie when it comes to flashing/ROMs/rooting/android:
My Android version is Gingerbread 2.3.x. I never upgraded it since I bought it in mid Feb 2012.
I'm new to this stuff so I want to make sure that I state things correctly. By unrooted, I mean my device has never ever been rooted. It is stock in all ways from AT&T. Does that change anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that does not change anything for this excersize.
hsophie said:
I read through the thread that you linked to. I want to make sure I understand what I need to do is in:
A. message #5: get ODIN and siyah kernels.
Questions: The Siyah website says that the kernel is for i9100 on JB. Should I still use that one even though my phone is the SGH-I777 and on Gingerbread? Will this upgrade the kernel to JellyBean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The initial kernel flash (step 1) is only for the custom recovery. It will be overwritten by a more appropriate kernel later, when we flash the firmware.
Regarding kernel choice, there are usually two major considerations: what device, and what firmware version is it designed for. An i9100 kernel will boot an i777 into recovery without issue. Since this process won't be using the initial kernel to boot into android, we are not limited to specific versions of i9100 or i777 kernels. We only need to find a .tar version for use with desktop Odin.
--that said--
If you do use an i777 version that is designed for android 2.3.x (thanks @creepyncrawly), then you have the option of booting into Android once the kernel is flashed.
hsophie said:
B. message #7: do steps 1,2,3,6,7; (skip 4,5).
Question: Step 6 states '...rooted android'. My phone is not rooted. Will it get rooted as part of A?
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Desktop Odin uses root-level access to install firmware (whether stock or custom), so establishing root-access prior, or as a separate step is not necessary when using this method to install custom firmware.
Our process will be different than that shown in message #7, since we are not trying to manually repair the system. We will be attempting the dirty-flash method which involves the first few steps of message #7, and more from message #11.
Process:
0.5) Save custom Samsung-based firmware (cooked v2.2 or shostock3) onto internal memory or sdcard
1) Use desktop Odin to flash Siyah kernel
^^ Installs a kernel/recovery that will allow you to perform a nandroid backup, and flash firmware.
^^This WILL change the initial boot screen (can be corrected later, but does not affect the function of the firmware), and will notch the flash counter (simply doesn't matter).
2) Boot to recovery
3) Create nandroid backup
^^ If things go sideways, you have a snapshot of where you are. If you have to start from scratch, there are apps that can restore Apps, settings, and more, from a backup.
4) Install custom Samsung-based Firmware
^^ Restores the original file-system, without overwriting the /data partition.
5) Attempt boot into android
-Success?
Thank you for your detailed response Cyril279.
For confirmation, I will:
0. use the shostock3 v2.3a firmware from here. I'm assuming that getting it onto the device will require connecting via adb, use adb shell to mkdir and then push the unzipped contents to a directory such as /sdcard/shostock3v23a/
1a. install Desktop ODIN 1.85 or 3.07.
b. use Odin to flash the Siyah-v2.6.14-att.tar mentioned by creepyncrawly [have to read how to do this]
2. boot to recovery
3. create nandroid backup.
Q: Is there a way to exclude the DCIM folder during backup or delete all my pics from the camera before backup since I already have backed all content from /sdcard/DCIM (camera). It was 5.5gb? I'm also assuming that the backup will be created on the phone itself so it has to have enough space on it to hold the backup.
4. Install shostock3 v2.3a [have to read how to do this]
5. hopefully boot successfully into my phone.
cyril279 said:
Process:
0.5) Save custom Samsung-based firmware (cooked v2.2 or shostock3) onto internal memory or sdcard
1) Use desktop Odin to flash Siyah kernel
^^ Installs a kernel/recovery that will allow you to perform a nandroid backup, and flash firmware.
^^This WILL change the initial boot screen (can be corrected later, but does not affect the function of the firmware), and will notch the flash counter (simply doesn't matter).
2) Boot to recovery
3) Create nandroid backup
^^ If things go sideways, you have a snapshot of where you are. If you have to start from scratch, there are apps that can restore Apps, settings, and more, from a backup.
4) Install custom Samsung-based Firmware
^^ Restores the original file-system, without overwriting the /data partition.
5) Attempt boot into android
-Success?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close, you're close.
Regarding getting the firmware onto the device, the easiest method is to save the files on a micro sd card via PC (formatted as fat32), then insert the card into the device. Otherwise yes, adb push will get it there as well.
0 Use the shostock from the first post of that thread (420mb). The "version 2.3a" that you mention is just a kernel.
1a. install Desktop ODIN 1.85 or 3.07
1b Use Odin to flash the siyah.tar mentioned by creepyncrawly.
desktop Odin use: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53669365&postcount=360
2. boot to recovery
3. create nandroid backup.
Don't worry about DCIM, the nandroid does not backup the internal memory partition (aka internal sd card) where your photos are stored.
A factory reset also does not touch this partition. <-- BUT DO NOT FACTORY RESET
You are correct that the backup is stored on the device, so it IS important that there is enough space for the backup.
4. Install shostock3 v4.0 [have to read how to do this]
^^It's fairly straight forward while in recovery. If not, we're here to help.
5. hopefully boot successfully into my phone.
hsophie said:
Thank you for your detailed response Cyril279.
For confirmation, I will:
0. use the shostock3 v2.3a firmware from here. I'm assuming that getting it onto the device will require connecting via adb, use adb shell to mkdir and then push the unzipped contents to a directory such as /sdcard/shostock3v23a/
1a. install Desktop ODIN 1.85 or 3.07.
b. use Odin to flash the Siyah-v2.6.14-att.tar mentioned by creepyncrawly [have to read how to do this]
2. boot to recovery
3. create nandroid backup.
Q: Is there a way to exclude the DCIM folder during backup or delete all my pics from the camera before backup since I already have backed all content from /sdcard/DCIM (camera). It was 5.5gb? I'm also assuming that the backup will be created on the phone itself so it has to have enough space on it to hold the backup.
4. Install shostock3 v2.3a [have to read how to do this]
5. hopefully boot successfully into my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Cyril279 once again.
I started the process last night... have some more questions. Please see below:
cyril279 said:
Close, you're close.
Regarding getting the firmware onto the device, the easiest method is to save the files on a micro sd card via PC (formatted as fat32), then insert the card into the device. Otherwise yes, adb push will get it there as well.
0 Use the shostock from the first post of that thread (420mb). The "version 2.3a" that you mention is just a kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For step 0:
I downloaded the full shostock rom as specified. Since I don't have a microSD card available I'm going to copy shostock to the internal sdcard (/sdcard) using adb push.
Do I need to copy the unzipped contents of shostock or just put the single zip file there?
cyril279 said:
1a. install Desktop ODIN 1.85 or 3.07
1b Use Odin to flash the siyah.tar mentioned by creepyncrawly.
desktop Odin use: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=53669365&postcount=360
2. boot to recovery
3. create nandroid backup.
Don't worry about DCIM, the nandroid does not backup the internal memory partition (aka internal sd card) where your photos are stored.
A factory reset also does not touch this partition. <-- BUT DO NOT FACTORY RESET
You are correct that the backup is stored on the device, so it IS important that there is enough space for the backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted to make sure I have enough space for step 3 so I connected via adb and checked disk space using df. I get this:
Code:
D:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb shell df
Filesystem Size Used Free Blksize
/dev 418M 76K 418M 4096
/tmp 418M 56K 418M 4096
/system 503M 472M 31M 4096
/mnt/.lfs: Function not implemented
/cache 246M 4M 241M 4096
/sdcard 11G 8G 3G 32768
Questions:
1. Which filesystem will get backed up from above using nandroid?
2. Do I have enough space given the information above?
3. I wasn't able to figure out whether you can specify where to save your nandroid backup from my research. Does it allow you specify a backup location? [I would want to put it under the /sdcard partition since its got the most space].
cyril279 said:
4. Install shostock3 v4.0 [have to read how to do this]
^^It's fairly straight forward while in recovery. If not, we're here to help.
5. hopefully boot successfully into my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the encouragement, I'll probably try the process tonight. Will post update once done unless I have other questions.
Hammad.
hsophie said:
[...]
For step 0:
I downloaded the full shostock rom as specified. Since I don't have a microSD card available I'm going to copy shostock to the internal sdcard (/sdcard) using adb push.
Do I need to copy the unzipped contents of shostock or just put the single zip file there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Copy the entire zip file onto the device.
hsophie said:
I wanted to make sure I have enough space for step 3 so I connected via adb and checked disk space using df. I get this:
Code:
D:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb shell df
Filesystem Size Used Free Blksize
/dev 418M 76K 418M 4096
/tmp 418M 56K 418M 4096
/system 503M 472M 31M 4096
/mnt/.lfs: Function not implemented
/cache 246M 4M 241M 4096
/sdcard 11G 8G 3G 32768
Questions:
1. Which filesystem will get backed up from above using nandroid?
2. Do I have enough space given the information above?
3. I wasn't able to figure out whether you can specify where to save your nandroid backup from my research. Does it allow you specify a backup location? [I would want to put it under the /sdcard partition since its got the most space].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. A nandroid backup will typically backup /system, /data, and /boot(/kernel) partitions (Your partition report is missing a few items). -stock i777 partition table-
2. 3GB is enough for a nandroid
3.Typically, from the first screen of ClockworkMod recovery you would select {backup & restore}, and the submenu will provide options to {backup to internal sdcard} or {backup to external sdcard} (among others)
hsophie said:
Thanks for the encouragement, I'll probably try the process tonight. Will post update once done unless I have other questions.
Hammad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:fingers-crossed:
---------- Post added at 04:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 PM ----------
I have never used that shell df command, and I'm not yet sure about all of what it returns, but I certainly got different results when booted into android, than when I was booted into recovery. Were you booted into the stock 3e recovery when you performed the shell df command?
Code:
List of devices attached
001952750d598e recovery
C:\Android\sdk\platform-tools>adb shell df
Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
tmpfs 404636 136 404500 0% /dev
tmpfs 404636 12 404624 0% /tmp
/dev/block/mmcblk0p7 251968 4276 247692 2% /cache
/dev/block/mmcblk0p11
11901568 6185360 5716208 52% /emmc
/dev/block/mmcblk0p11
11901568 6185360 5716208 52% /and-sec
Code:
List of devices attached
001952750d598e device
C:\Android\sdk\platform-tools>adb shell df
Filesystem Size Used Free Blksize
/dev 395.2M 136.0K 395.0M 4096
/sys/fs/cgroup 395.2M 12.0K 395.1M 4096
/mnt/asec 395.2M 0.0K 395.2M 4096
/mnt/obb 395.2M 0.0K 395.2M 4096
/mnt/fuse 395.2M 0.0K 395.2M 4096
/system 503.9M 320.2M 183.8M 4096
/cache 246.1M 4.2M 241.9M 4096
/efs 19.7M 9.2M 10.5M 4096
/data 2.0G 1.0G 941.5M 4096
/preload 503.9M 293.6M 210.3M 4096
/mnt/media_rw/sdcard0: Permission denied
/mnt/secure/asec: Permission denied
/storage/sdcard0 11.4G 5.9G 5.5G 8192
cyril279 said:
1. A nandroid backup will typically backup /system, /data, and /boot(/kernel) partitions (Your partition report is missing a few items).
I have never used that shell df command, and I'm not yet sure about all of what it returns, but I certainly got different results when booted into android, than when I was booted into recovery. Were you booted into the stock 3e recovery when you performed the shell df command?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was in the stock 3e recovery when I connected via adb and ran the command. Since I'm not root perhaps its not showing me the /data partition. I can cd into /data but ls doesn't show anything.
I'll send you an update tonight. Thanks for all of your help so far! I really appreciate it.
OK, here is what I did:
1. I wasn't able to copy/push shostock to my phone via adb. I kept getting "failed to copy ? to ?: Read-only file system."
I tried remounting, but it also failed, probably because I don't have root access.
So I've deferred this step to later.
2. I ran ODIN 1.85 desktop, put the phone in ODIN mode and flashed the siyah kernel. ODIN ran successfully and my phone rebooted successfully!
The boot screen shows a yellow triangle and I9100 on it though.
At this point I have access to my phone again. I was able to copy whatsapp history using the guide on their website.
I decided that I'll just sync contacts to google, but lo and behold, I just discovered that wifi isn't working. When I turn it on, it turns off after a few seconds. It doesn't bring up any wifi networks on scan.
Is there a way to make the wifi work again?
Thanks
Hammad.
Update:
1. I copied the shostock ROM through USB/windows
2. I created a nandroid backup from CWMR Touch Recovery onto internal sdcard. I got the following messages on backup:
Code:
SD Card space free: 8645MB
Backing up boot image...
Backing up system...
Backing up data...
[I]No /sdcard/.android_secure found. Skipping backup of applications on external storage.[/I]
Backing up cache...
[I]No sd-ext found. Skipping backup of sd-ext.[/I]
Generating md5 sum...
Backup complete!
Are the two messages in italics a problem?
Update #2:
I decided to install shostock. Installation went smoothly. My wi-fi issue was also resolved with the upgrade and I have Android 4.1.2 on my phone.
Thank you Cyril279 for all of your help on this. I couldn't have done it without your guidance!
hsophie said:
[...]
1. I wasn't able to copy/push shostock to my phone via adb. I kept getting "failed to copy ? to ?: Read-only file system."
I tried remounting, but it also failed, probably because I don't have root access.
So I've deferred this step to later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I tried the process, as soon as I rebooted to the siyah kernel, I was able to ADB push to the device, but I don't know what command you issued, or what path you chose.
Code:
adb push c:\path\to\file.zip /storage/sdcard0/
Code:
adb push c:\path\to\file.zip /sdcard/
Ultimately this didn't matter since you were able to boot into android, and the file could be copied via USB.
hsophie said:
2. I ran ODIN 1.85 desktop, put the phone in ODIN mode and flashed the siyah kernel. ODIN ran successfully and my phone rebooted successfully!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn right it did!
Thanks again @creepyncrawly, using this specific kernel made this portion of the process possible.
hsophie said:
The boot screen shows a yellow triangle and I9100 on it though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method of recovery that we used tripped the device's custom-flash monitor (voids service under warranty). It doesn't affect the functionality of the firmware at all, but if you prefer to have the correct initial boot animation, then you'll need to follow an additional procedure.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...to-restore-deleted-file-t2827622/post54521059
hsophie said:
At this point I have access to my phone again. I was able to copy whatsapp history using the guide on their website.
I decided that I'll just sync contacts to google, but lo and behold, I just discovered that wifi isn't working. When I turn it on, it turns off after a few seconds. It doesn't bring up any wifi networks on scan.
Is there a way to make the wifi work again?
Thanks
Hammad.
Update:
1. I copied the shostock ROM through USB/windows
2. I created a nandroid backup from CWMR Touch Recovery onto internal sdcard. I got the following messages on backup:
Code:
SD Card space free: 8645MB
Backing up boot image...
Backing up system...
Backing up data...
[I]No /sdcard/.android_secure found. Skipping backup of applications on external storage.[/I]
Backing up cache...
[I]No sd-ext found. Skipping backup of sd-ext.[/I]
Generating md5 sum...
Backup complete!
Are the two messages in italics a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they are not a problem at all. Both of those messages are the result of the fact that you simply didn't have an external sd card installed, so it's informing you that it skipped the backup of the cache files there-on. /boot, /system and /data are what really matter.
hsophie said:
Update #2:
I decided to install shostock. Installation went smoothly. My wi-fi issue was also resolved with the upgrade and I have Android 4.1.2 on my phone.
Thank you Cyril279 for all of your help on this. I couldn't have done it without your guidance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Our pleasure, although the process wasn't quite as expected, I'm certainly glad to hear that it worked out.
As mentioned earlier, if the i9100 bootscreen bothers you, then there's another (easier) adventure with your name all over it!
Happy flashing
-Cyril
cyril279 said:
When I tried the process, as soon as I rebooted to the siyah kernel, I was able to ADB push to the device, but I don't know what command you issued, or what path you chose.
Code:
adb push c:\path\to\file.zip /storage/sdcard0/
Code:
adb push c:\path\to\file.zip /sdcard/
Ultimately this didn't matter since you were able to boot into android, and the file could be copied via USB.
-Cyril
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify, I tried adb pushing it before flashing the siyah kernel. The phone wasn't rooted so thats why it didn't work.
My next challenge is to figure out how to copy my calendar to google calendar and then sync it so that it copies to my replacement phone (HTC One M8). I was using the samsung calendar, without it being linked to my google account.
Whatsapp data transfer was a cinch. Just copy the folder to the same location on new phone and install whatsapp and you're done.
I transferred memos from the S2 to M8 but I think the memo files are samsung proprietary format. I'll need to figure out how to transfer that info.
The other issue would be transferring my sms as well.
Any recommendations on tools for this would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Hammad.
hsophie said:
Just to clarify, I tried adb pushing it before flashing the siyah kernel. The phone wasn't rooted so thats why it didn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, makes sense.
hsophie said:
My next challenge is to figure out how to copy my calendar to google calendar and then sync it so that it copies to my replacement phone (HTC One M8). I was using the samsung calendar, without it being linked to my google account.
Whatsapp data transfer was a cinch. Just copy the folder to the same location on new phone and install whatsapp and you're done.
I transferred memos from the S2 to M8 but I think the memo files are samsung proprietary format. I'll need to figure out how to transfer that info.
The other issue would be transferring my sms as well.
Any recommendations on tools for this would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Hammad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't recommend titanium backup highly enough for backup and restoration of apps and their data -including contacts, calendar content, wifi connections, sms/mms, etc. It might not be able to get the memo data to a different program, but remember, all of this info is captured in your nandroid backup as well, and titanium backup can extract it directly from the nandroid into the new firmware.
-Cyril
cyril279 said:
I can't recommend titanium backup highly enough for backup and restoration of apps and their data -including contacts, calendar content, wifi connections, sms/mms, etc. It might not be able to get the memo data to a different program, but remember, all of this info is captured in your nandroid backup as well, and titanium backup can extract it directly from the nandroid into the new firmware.
-Cyril
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could have sworn that I've read on here multiple times that restoring data to apps, even with TIB, results in problematic operations. If I jumped ROMs but had backed up my apps and data with TIB, if I restore the data ONLY in the new ROM, that should be no problem?