[GUIDE]Newbie's Guide to Kernel Compiling - Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, Mini Pro, Xperia Pro, A

Background :
So I was asked by some people on how I compile kernels so I am just posting some stuff related to same .
This is a beginners' tutorial and is mostly relevant to Xperia 2011 MDPI section . It might work on other sections but I won't be offering any guarantee .
For whom is this tutorial designed for ?
People who like to read stuff and can read stuff ,people who have desire to learn something and would like a more hands on approach .
Index :
#post 1 = Introduction & Setup Environment
#post 2 =Index of Toolchains & sources+FAQ
#post 3 =Kernel Manipulation
#post 4=Compiling , Source Distribution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Requirements :
Linux Distro installed on PC .Thats preferrable . Search,read ,install.It's not rocket science .
I am using Linux Mint 13 in this tutorial . Ubuntu,Debian and Ubuntu/debian based distros should be similar to setup.
This tutorial should work on other distros too ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not going to support questions/doubts regarding
Cygwin on Windows
Linux installed in Virtual machine
Live Linux distributions .
I would rather spend time fixing issue then figuring out how to do same thing in another environment .
Get tools for stuff you need not know
install these tools via relevant package manager
Code:
build-essential,bzip2,gcc-multilib,g++-multilib,git,gnupg,libncurses5-dev,lib32ncurses5-dev,lib32z1-dev,kernel-package,ia32-libs,zlib1g-dev,zip
e.g for Linux Mint it's
Code:
sudo apt-get install build-essential bzip2 gcc-multilib g++-multilib git gnupg libncurses5-dev lib32ncurses5-dev lib32z1-dev kernel-package ia32-libs zlib1g-dev zip
Next download Android SDK and configure adb and fastboot . Use the amazing service known as google to set up .Test run if they work properly .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some information :
Q1:What is boot.img ,kernel and ramdisk ?
Boot.img or the file you flash to boot partion .It is actually made up of two parts.
zImage is the actual kernel .You can't edit it .You have to recompile it using the kernel sources
initrd.img is the ramdisk .Using tools like Android Kitchen or kernel-tools-master you can edit it .
More about each part in relevant section .
Q2:How do you manipulate ramdisk,change bootlogo ?
A: Check @dsixda 's Android Kitchen or @championswimmer 's kernel-tools-master
Q3:Where does BOOTCLASSPATH lie in ramdisk ?
A:It's present in init.rc
Q4:Where do you change the path to wifi libs ?
A:Check init.semc.rc
Steps I use to work with Boot.img
Modify Ramdisk with Android Kitchen completely .
Use Stock kernel
Repack using Android kitchen
Check if kernel boots
if it does than you have a working ramdisk.
Now you just have to change zImage after compiling it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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Sources :
For Xperia Phones
Download the stock sources from
http://developer.sonymobile.com/dow...s/open-source-archive-for-build-4-0-2-a-0-84/
http://developer.sonymobile.com/dow...ves/open-source-archive-for-build-4-1-b-1-13/
to fix toolchain errors
I peeked into wedgess' Lupus and kast's Kappa sources
https://github.com/garwedgess/LuPuS-STOCK-ICS-Xperia2011
Toolchains :
Toolchains are the compilers (cross compilers to be exact ) with which kernel is compiled .
There are tooooooooo many compilers .
I can't test everyone
The best way is to go for compilers which are proven to be work
Path to the compiler .
Before compiling kernels the path to cross compiler must be exported using
Code:
export CROSS_COMPILE=path_ to_compiler
e.g.
My 4.4.3 compiler lies in
/home/user/android-ndk-r8d/toolchains/arm-linux-androideabi-4.4.3/prebuilt/linux-x86/bin
In the folder of the toolchain the compiler is present ,all the tools are prefixed with arm-linux-android-eabi-
so the path to compiler becomes
Code:
export CROSS_COMPILE=/home/karan/xd/android-ndk-r8d/toolchains/arm-linux-androideabi-4.4.3/prebuilt/linux-x86/bin//arm-linux-androideabi-
Some have arm-eabi- as prefix ,some have no prefixes .Adjust the path accordingly
The usual path of compiler is in bin folder .
Toolchain sources :
Source no 1 : Android NDK
http://developer.android.com/tools/sdk/ndk/index.html
Download the one which has above 360MB of download size ...I have the older version and it has 4.4.3,4.6,4.7
Source no. 2 : Github of @DooMLoRD and @wedgess
https://github.com/garwedgess/toolchains
https://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains
Doomlord has 4.4.3,Linaro 4.6.2,4.7
Wedgess has 4.4.3 ,Linaro 4.6.2 , Linaro 4.7.3
Use git clone command to download the toolchains
e.g
Code:
git clone https://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains.git
Code:
git clone https://github.com/garwedgess/toolchains.git
@Christopher83's thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36677987
He has one toolchain for every occasion . If you wish to dabble ,feel free to dive in ...
FAQ:
What Toolchain works on Stock sources ?
On pure Stock ROM ,without any modification I have been able to compile only on the 4.4.3 by DoomLord ..I would recommend using that one.It works fine on both ICS and GB stock kernels .The kernels boot fine
What should be done so that that you can compile with other toolchains ?
A:There are certain changes in the main Makefile which need to be carried out
Open the main makefile and search for
KBUILD_CFLAGS
Replace
Code:
KBUILD_CFLAGS := -Wall -Wundef -Wstrict-prototypes -Wno-trigraphs \
-Werror \
-fno-strict-aliasing -fno-common \
-Werror-implicit-function-declaration \
-Wno-format-security \
-fno-delete-null-pointer-checks
with
Code:
KBUILD_CFLAGS := -Wall -Wundef -Wstrict-prototypes -Wno-trigraphs \
-Wno-unused-but-set-variable -Wno-uninitialized \
-fno-strict-aliasing -fno-common \
-Wimplicit-function-declaration \
-Wno-format-security \
-fno-delete-null-pointer-checks
Now open
Code:
/include/linux/netfilter/x_tables.h
and delete these lines
Code:
const struct xt_match *match;
const void *matchinfo;
That should fix 4.6.2 & 4.7.3 erros
The Linaro 4.7.3 toolchain requires editing the /arch/arm/boot/compressed/Makefile.Honestly ,peek into kast's Makefile ,since I was able to compile only by applying his Makefile fix .
For others ,Please check logs and correct errors

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Making changes to source :
Governors,I/O schedulers & Overclocking :-
Check XDA university's thread
http://xda-university.com/as-a-developer/adding-features-to-your-kernel
It's very well written and i don't want to repeat the same stuff
Making changes to Partition on MDPI
this is a post I made earlier :Read it for details ..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2532418
Compiling the kernel :
First Open Terminal in the main kernel directory .
It is in kernel folder of stock sources .
Step no. 1
Export the architecture .Our phone use arm architecture . Some phones use x86 architecture like our phones .Hence the architecture must be defined before compiling .Do this by .
Code:
export ARCH=arm
Step no. 2
Export the Cross Compiler since thats what will be used to compile kernel .
Code:
export CROSS_COMPILE=/home/karan/a/android_prebuilt_toolchains/arm-linux-androideabi-4.7/bin/arm-linux-androidwabi-
Step no. 3
Clean earlier builds . Important before recompiling
Code:
make clean && make mrproper
Step no. 4
Specify the defconfig
The default config for xperia is in /arch/arm/configs ...they are like semc_mango_defconfig or whatever phone you are using
use
Code:
make semc_mango_defconfig
Step no. 5 Editing: optional
Make edits via menuconfig or xconfig :
This allows you to enable/disable governors,schedulers,filesytems ,modify other parameters which were predefined in defconfig
Code:
make menuconfig
OR
Code:
make xconfig
menuconfig is Command line tool while xconfig is the graphical interface .
You can save the config and use it later and use that as defconfig next time instead
Step 6: Compile
Initiate Compiling ....
Code:
make
If you are compiling for first time it's recommended to use
Code:
make
instead of
Code:
make -j2
or whatever . It will help you to troubleshoot errors .Else errors will be thrown ,you wouldn't be abele to view in terminal and there would be no zImage
Step no. 7: Grab zImage and pack it
after successful compiling zImage will be present in /arch/arm/boot folder
Then use Android kitchen to pack it .

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Source Distribution :
1)In a tar ball like sony
Just use an archive manager and make a tar archive ...
Advantages : Easy ,hassle free
Disadvantages : Too large in size if modifying very few aspects
2.)Using diff patch
It's like a comparing tool
e.g If I am my base kernel source is Lupus and I have added some tweak then I can create a patch file which can be used on the Lupus source and the result will be my work .It's pretty handy if you are dealing with few files .
Advantages : small size ,pretty handy ,
Disadvantages : Without a proper text editor like Geany ,check patches is a nuisance .The Mesa patch for MDPI has over 1,500,000 lines ...enough to screw with normal text editors
3)Git with github or similar site
It's a fantastic way to upload source .It allows many features to a developer which makes life lot easier .
Advantages : Excellent Version Control
Disadvantages : Steep learning curve .
Git is quite complex for a newbie and it can overwhelm a person .I would suggest reading a lot about git and experimenting thoroughly before diving in .
Credits :
@pinkflozd
For helping me out when i needed
@DooMLoRD
@wedgess
@kast
@an0nym0us_
Peeked in their sources and learnt Stuff
Recommended Text Editor :If you want to seriously dabble with sources I would suggest to use Geany .
It saves a lot of time .It's a must have if you peek a lot into patch files and/or sources .

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Reserved for future FAQ

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Reserved Just in case

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Reserved Just in case

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Stuck with this errors!
trying to find solution from a week
Xperia Mini | Stock GB Kernel Source | android-ndk-r9b-linux-x86.tar.bz2 with x32 ubuntu
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569212
Thanks for the guide
Now i dont have to search around.

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Thanx
@karandpr- a guide like this suits for the android general or appropriate forums!
Why keep it so inside? just a suggestion though
Thanx for this!

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piousheart said:
Stuck with this errors!
trying to find solution from a week
Xperia Mini | Stock GB Kernel Source | android-ndk-r9b-linux-x86.tar.bz2 with x32 ubuntu
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569212
Thanks for the guide
Now i dont have to search around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
usually the error of unknown CPU architecture is because you're using linaro toolchain but without proper definition of CPU architecture in Makefile flags. stay away from linaro for first timer. i would strongly suggest using google vanilla 4.4.3 toolchain. abit old but always work given that the're no actual error in the source itself.

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Finally karan:thumbup: Thanks a lot for the guide. Really helpful
Cheers,
Vatsal

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piousheart said:
Stuck with this errors!
trying to find solution from a week
Xperia Mini | Stock GB Kernel Source | android-ndk-r9b-linux-x86.tar.bz2 with x32 ubuntu
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569212
Thanks for the guide
Now i dont have to search around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
add
Code:
-Wno-unused-but-set-variable
in the makefile in KBUILD_CFLAGS =
Didn't check the second error .
It's because you are using Linaro 4.7.3
Like i said above
Code:
/arch/arm/boot/compressed/Makefile
You need to change it a bit ...
Compare it with changes of Kappa or Lupus .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36677987

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an0nym0us_ said:
usually the error of unknown CPU architecture is because you're using linaro toolchain but without proper definition of CPU architecture in Makefile flags. stay away from linaro for first timer. i would strongly suggest using google vanilla 4.4.3 toolchain. abit old but always work given that the're no actual error in the source itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
I'm not using linaro toolchain but ndk r9b (something 4.8)
i also modified makefile according to your solution i found when searching google in one of the xda thread.
---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 AM ----------
karandpr said:
add
Code:
-Wno-unused-but-set-variable
in the makefile in KBUILD_CFLAGS =
Didn't check the second error .
It's because you are using Linaro 4.7.3
Like i said above
Code:
/arch/arm/boot/compressed/Makefile
You need to change it a bit ...
Compare it with changes of Kappa or Lupus .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36677987
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using Linaro but ndk r9b. (correct me if ndk is also known as Linaro, im a Noob)

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piousheart said:
Thanks for the reply!
I'm not using linaro toolchain but ndk r9b (something 4.8)
i also modified makefile according to your solution i found when searching google in one of the xda thread.
---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 AM ----------
I'm not using Linaro but ndk r9b. (correct me if ndk is also known as Linaro, im a Noob)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will take a look at it but for time being ,I would recommend switching to 4.4.3 since it has least erros and the zImage boots fine .

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Congratulations karan for finally making the guide will be very helpful for many of us :good:

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[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ export ARCH=arm
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ export CROSS_COMPILE=~/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ make semc_haida_defconfig
#
# configuration written to .config
#
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ make -j4
make: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: Command not found
scripts/kconfig/conf -s arch/arm/Kconfig
make: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: Command not found
CHK include/linux/version.h
SYMLINK include/asm -> include/asm-arm
make[1]: `include/asm-arm/mach-types.h' is up to date.
CHK include/linux/utsrelease.h
CC scripts/mod/empty.o
/bin/sh: 1: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: not found
make[2]: *** [scripts/mod/empty.o] Error 127
make[1]: *** [scripts/mod] Error 2
make: *** [scripts] Error 2
make: *** Waiting for unfinished jobs....
CC kernel/bounds.s
/bin/sh: 1: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: not found
make[1]: *** [kernel/bounds.s] Error 127
make: *** [prepare0] Error 2
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $
Hey karan can you look into this error?

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koradiavatsal said:
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ export ARCH=arm
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ export CROSS_COMPILE=~/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ make semc_haida_defconfig
#
# configuration written to .config
#
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $ make -j4
make: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: Command not found
scripts/kconfig/conf -s arch/arm/Kconfig
make: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: Command not found
CHK include/linux/version.h
SYMLINK include/asm -> include/asm-arm
make[1]: `include/asm-arm/mach-types.h' is up to date.
CHK include/linux/utsrelease.h
CC scripts/mod/empty.o
/bin/sh: 1: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: not found
make[2]: *** [scripts/mod/empty.o] Error 127
make[1]: *** [scripts/mod] Error 2
make: *** [scripts] Error 2
make: *** Waiting for unfinished jobs....
CC kernel/bounds.s
/bin/sh: 1: /home/vatsal/file:///home/vatsal/android/kernel/ndk/toolchains/4.7/prebuilt/linux-x86_64/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gcc: not found
make[1]: *** [kernel/bounds.s] Error 127
make: *** [prepare0] Error 2
[email protected] ~/13/kernel $
Hey karan can you look into this error?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check Path to toolchains

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Can i use the guide for 2010 devices? X10mini..

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piousheart said:
Can i use the guide for 2010 devices? X10mini..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes... Except you will need different source...
Sent from my MT11i using Tapatalk 2

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Attitude.SSJ said:
Yes... Except you will need different source...
Sent from my MT11i using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you prefer any toolchain?