While there are many how to threads on pretty much everything, theres not much going into deeper details. While ofc any of us wishing to learn has google and can find many answers, its just from here the the answers mean a little more. My fear is, my self included, is that there are many of us with misconceptions on some of the inner workings or just bad knowledge. Just to be clear this is to clear up exactly what some of the terms we hear and use actually mean as well as some of the practices.
For example
Regarding Odin
How many partitions exist on the internal memory, and what are there functions.
What exactly does the PIT file do.
What all does the TAR file contain (full package) and how does it write to the partitions.
What is the csc option?
What else should we know about odin?
Why has nobody removed the phone option for our purposes here?
Voodoo, exactly what partition is it changing and how is it actually converting.
Which cache is used for what and where is it stored?
Just some things off the top of my head that i don't have a complete understanding of and wish to learn more. Again for this thread at least i am looking for some details from people that actually do understand. There are many of us that can spew out answers to these and more that are just close to right without a full comprehension.
This is for learning and not just getting enough to get you through a problem as im sure many of us are guilty of
I found the same problem when I first got into Android but this is more a forum for developers who know what they are doing.
MattRussNC said:
How many partitions exist on the internal memory, and what are there functions.
What exactly does the PIT file do.
What all does the TAR file contain (full package) and how does it write to the partitions.
What is the csc option?
What else should we know about odin?
Why has nobody removed the phone option for our purposes here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are I think about 10-11 partitions on the internal storage. You have /system, /data, /cache, /dbdata, modem, bootloader, secondary bootloader, kernel, recovery, there is a partition dedicated for OTA updates, and another one as well, though I'm not sure what it is for. There may be more as well.
The PIT file is the partition information table, which tells Odin where each partition starts/ends.
The TAR file can contain any of a number of items for flashing, and they'll get flashed to the appropriate partitions based on their name.
factoryfs.rfs=/system
dbdata.rfs=/dbdata
cache.rfs=/cache
movinand.bin=/data
param.lfs=the .lfs partition, not sure exactly what it does
boot.bin=bootloader
sbl.bin=secondary bootloader
modem.bin=modem/radio/baseband
zImage=kernel
recovery.bin=recovery kernel
Adding a md5 sum to the tar file and renaming it to .tar.md5 allows for built in error correction.
Not sure what csc mode is, but I've never seen it used, so I'd avoid it.
Odin is a tool created by Samsung as far as I'm aware for flashing their phones. No one has the source, or knows exactly where the tool came from, so that is also likely why no one has removed the phone button, because you'd have to HEX edit the executable to remove it, and there is no telling what effects it may have, so it's better to just leave it alone.
MattRussNC said:
Voodoo, exactly what partition is it changing and how is it actually converting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Voodoo converts the primary partitions of the phone, /system, /data, /cache, /dbdata. It converts by backing up the data to a file, reformatting the partition, then restoring the data from the file. If it didn't backup the data, it'd just be formatting the system.
MattRussNC said:
Which cache is used for what and where is it stored?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cache is similar to a temporary storage area for files that are created and used frequently/semi-frequently. The files there aren't fully needed, but help speed up the system.
phonefiend said:
I found the same problem when I first got into Android but this is more a forum for developers who know what they are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I do believe I would have to argue that most people that visit this forum knows what they are doing. While a great many here including myself that knows enough to get by, we would all be better off knowing more. Also since this is q&a forum I thought it would be a good place to ask and learn more then "how do root"
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Had no idea there was that many partitions. What was the reason that radios couldn't be flashed to the proper partition along with everything else? (as in why we always have to flash the modems on thee own)
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
MattRussNC said:
Had no idea there was that many partitions. What was the reason that radios couldn't be flashed to the proper partition along with everything else? (as in why we always have to flash the modems on thee own)
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one is completely sure how to flash a full modem file via recovery, and it may not be possible without using stock recovery. The only tried and true method that is know for flashing full modem.bin files is Odin (and Heimdall), so that's why it's always a separate step.
MattRussNC said:
Well I do believe I would have to argue that most people that visit this forum knows what they are doing. While a great many here including myself that knows enough to get by, we would all be better off knowing more. Also since this is q&a forum I thought it would be a good place to ask and learn more then "how do root"
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you misinterpreted my post. I'm just saying I also was looking for the same information you want but it didn't seem that the people in the know wanted to explain all the details you're looking for. It seems in your case someone at least tried to answer some of you questions, which is great.
phonefiend said:
I think you misinterpreted my post. I'm just saying I also was looking for the same information you want but it didn't seem that the people in the know wanted to explain all the details you're looking for. It seems in your case someone at least tried to answer some of you questions, which is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People are much more likely to answer questions when they're posted in the correct section. You also tend to get questions answered if you join IRC and ask things, but don't expect to get everything handed to you, there is likely to be some work/searching on your own part as well.
imnuts said:
People are much more likely to answer questions when they're posted in the correct section. You also tend to get questions answered if you join IRC and ask things, but don't expect to get everything handed to you, there is likely to be some work/searching on your own part as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the answers to those first off. My apologies if i placed this in the wrong section, i thought this part was open for these types of questions.
Im sure irc is a great place to learn a great deal, however i fear asking in irc things that have been discussed many times. While searching will absolutely give you a very basic knowledge it is often repeated from those that don't fully understand it and may have it a little off. This isnt a cut at anybody as it should fall to the lower tiers to answer to the common issues that arise. However that kind of information is normally only good for solving a problem. For when there is no trouble and one wishes to know more about what they just did instead of how they did it, things fall short. Just about every member here can root, cwm flash, and odin but how many of us truly understand the process in detail. i know i dont, but i would like to. Thats what im looking for in this thread. Not how to do what we do, but whats taking place underneath.
Thanks again for the answers so far.
if this is in the wrong area and doesn't getting removed please let it fade.
imnuts said:
People are much more likely to answer questions when they're posted in the correct section. You also tend to get questions answered if you join IRC and ask things, but don't expect to get everything handed to you, there is likely to be some work/searching on your own part as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right about IRC being the place where questions may be answered. As far as searching, I can tell you a lot of the technical details aren't answered here.
MattRussNC said:
Thank you for the answers to those first off. My apologies if i placed this in the wrong section, i thought this part was open for these types of questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the proper place for questions. The problem is that many people will post their questions similar to this in the development forum, and that just gets the thread no where. And searching for technical info is difficult because usually you get flooded with useless stuff in your search.
imnuts said:
There are I think about 10-11 partitions on the internal storage. You have /system, /data, /cache, /dbdata, modem, bootloader, secondary bootloader, kernel, recovery, there is a partition dedicated for OTA updates, and another one as well, though I'm not sure what it is for. There may be more as well.
The PIT file is the partition information table, which tells Odin where each partition starts/ends.
The TAR file can contain any of a number of items for flashing, and they'll get flashed to the appropriate partitions based on their name.
factoryfs.rfs=/system
dbdata.rfs=/dbdata
cache.rfs=/cache
movinand.bin=/data
param.lfs=the .lfs partition, not sure exactly what it does
boot.bin=bootloader
sbl.bin=secondary bootloader
modem.bin=modem/radio/baseband
zImage=kernel
recovery.bin=recovery kernel
Adding a md5 sum to the tar file and renaming it to .tar.md5 allows for built in error correction.
Not sure what csc mode is, but I've never seen it used, so I'd avoid it.
Odin is a tool created by Samsung as far as I'm aware for flashing their phones. No one has the source, or knows exactly where the tool came from, so that is also likely why no one has removed the phone button, because you'd have to HEX edit the executable to remove it, and there is no telling what effects it may have, so it's better to just leave it alone.
Voodoo converts the primary partitions of the phone, /system, /data, /cache, /dbdata. It converts by backing up the data to a file, reformatting the partition, then restoring the data from the file. If it didn't backup the data, it'd just be formatting the system.
Cache is similar to a temporary storage area for files that are created and used frequently/semi-frequently. The files there aren't fully needed, but help speed up the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering some of those terms my self.
thanks for all the Great info,
One thing been bugging me lately. Most likely every one has experienced the need to either wipe the caches more then once or flash multiple times for success. How is it that wiping cache is not 100%. Why does flashing a rom more then once sometimes yield different results when done the exact same way?
i believe the phone button in odin is to flash radio/modem alone
which we unfortunately do not have (yet)
the phone button and other buttons are still there because the gsm ones, like the captivate and vibrant, are using it
jk0l said:
i believe the phone button in odin is to flash radio/modem alone
which we unfortunately do not have (yet)
the phone button and other buttons are still there because the gsm ones, like the captivate and vibrant, are using it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only flashed the modem/radio by itself in the PDA button like everything else. As far as I know, we only flash things for the Fascinate through the PDA button (except of course for the atlas v2.2 PIT file.) That includes ROMs bundled in an ODIN package, modems/radios, and recoveries.
jk0l said:
i believe the phone button in odin is to flash radio/modem alone
which we unfortunately do not have (yet)
the phone button and other buttons are still there because the gsm ones, like the captivate and vibrant, are using it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone button is for completely different devices, likely their regular, non-smartphone, devices. It is not meant for flashing anything for the Fascinate.
Could have found a better place i guess but this will do. Noticed we are still without a FAQ aside from the outdated one as well as the guide. I thought perhaps some discussion on what should be included in a FAQ was in order to fill the gap.
Simple basic guides are important and have there place, however as one can use links to more details there is no reason not to have a comprehensive guide.
Just a thought. Most of us know the basics of what root is and how to gain that access. Most of us also has no idea exactly how get root manually without following instructions either. So what i was hoping for in the next guide
Q= What is root ?
A= Super user access needed for apps that need more control over your device like titanium backup
For more information click here
Then give the full out dev definition including the details that require reading up to understand. For those that want to learn.
Q= How do i root ?
A= Flash this package in odin (and give the dl link as well as a odin guide link)
For more information click here
Have the full process laid out by what needs to be done in shell without giving the copy and paste instructions. For those that want to understand what they are doing more than just doing it.
Just thought it would be nice if our next guide could be useful to more then just beginners.
So, i have a huge problem. My tab's internal storage is being used by something unknown to me.
After looking around on the forums and the allmighty internet, I found the app called "DiskUsage" to help me narrow down the search for the mystical black hole in my storage.
What i find is nearly 15gb of space being eaten by "System Data". I attempted to look for files that could be using the space but failed to do so.
I then went on to format the entire tablet in CWM (system/sd-card etc) and again opened the DiskUsage app to see if anything changed. Links to the pictures are in the attatchment.
Does anyone have any idea on how I find and get rid of whats clugging my system?
Thanks in advance,
- Nicklas
I'm sorry for this shameless bump. But anyone have a single clue on how I can fix this?
And here's another one. I really can't find the answer anywhere. Anyone have a single clue?
Flash a stock rom with odin and perform a wipe from the stock recovery. You may have to use a pit file also.
Sent from my amazing 10.1 galaxy tab
I have eaten space too like you, i looked that when i installed CM 10 unofficial version it seems that doesnt erase at all when i did a wipe factory reset probablly you have the apps that you had In the last room, i dont know how to fix it..
Panos_dm said:
Flash a stock rom with odin and perform a wipe from the stock recovery. You may have to use a pit file also.
Sent from my amazing 10.1 galaxy tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Going to attempt this and see what happens. Hopefully it works out!
That did the trick! Thanks alot!!
In the future, check if you have a folder on sdcard labeled: LOST.DIR. I am not sure exactly what it is for, but I had one taking up almost 6gb on my phone a few months back, and after doing some research discovered that it basically contains "lost" files and is completely safe to delete. I backed it up to my computer just in case. On my Tab, I have the same folder, but it was only a few kb in size, so I haven't messed with it.
Hi, I've got a problem with my Galaxy S2, I installed a 4.0.4 ROM and when I flashed another ROM it wasn't the same anymore. It bricked part of my internal memory.
According to this topic (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1667886) I installed the ressurection pit and the smartphone get back to life, but it crashes everytime that I try to install a new app at Play Store or when I try to transfer files from computer.
I really need some help here. I used the emmc partition scanner and it showed me that between the 1073 and 2148 block are unusable.
Is it possible to create some pit file that isolates the first 3GB of the internal memory? I think that way I'll resolve all my problems. I'm desperate!!!
P.S.: Sorry about my mistakes, my english is bad
After flashing modified .pit you must manually format system, cache, data and internal sdcard from recovery and flash (still in cwm) firmware you like. But it should be custom or at least modified stock with custom kernel.
If this will not help than use another modified pit file with correct (your emmc fault depending) partition shift.
It is generally method for models with 16GB not 32.
i9.0.1.3k galaxy imperator
I did everything that you said, but it still crashes. I read the txt files that came with the PITs and no one let unused the exactly bricked area of my internal memory, I think I need a PIT file made exclusively for my phone. Am I right?
Yes, you are right. Ask author of those pits, maybe he will prepare needed one for you.
i9.0.1.3k galaxy imperator
try flashin the orignal pit with gb firmware 2.3.4
and chk
SirKunon said:
Yes, you are right. Ask author of those pits, maybe he will prepare needed one for you.
i9.0.1.3k galaxy imperator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I talked with him and he is trying to help me. Thanks!
himanshu_1502 said:
try flashin the orignal pit with gb firmware 2.3.4
and chk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it too, I tried to install the 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 and 4.0.3 ROMs, stock and custom, with the original and patched pit, nothing works.
I think I need to isolate the bad block and it will get back to life.
I am a noob and I am not a developer or even really great at programming or PC's in general.
I've managed to mess up my phone and have been looking all over the web for how to fix it and I am at a loss.
I decided to register and ask for help. Please be patient and understanding if I ask a lot of questions or don't understand things you accept as basic, understood or common. I looked through existing threads for help and couldn't find the answer I needed. Many thanks in advance for the help. Readers digest of the issue below.
Samsung Galaxy S 4G. T-Mobile. T959V5B5-Custom.
I tried the non-mandatory firmware update from T-mobile and it wrecked the functionality of my phone. I tried to go back with a couple new Rom versions and think I more or less ended up with three roms installed on my internal storage which has given me basically no space which was never an issue for me before. I have used a disk viewer to verify there is unmounted data that is taking up space but I can't figure out how to get to it through the phone or my pc to delete it. I assume if I do this that the empty space will be absorbed and fix the internal storage issue.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read and respond. I love my phone and just want it working right again.
JBMFT said:
I am a noob and I am not a developer or even really great at programming or PC's in general.
I've managed to mess up my phone and have been looking all over the web for how to fix it and I am at a loss.
I decided to register and ask for help. Please be patient and understanding if I ask a lot of questions or don't understand things you accept as basic, understood or common. I looked through existing threads for help and couldn't find the answer I needed. Many thanks in advance for the help. Readers digest of the issue below.
Samsung Galaxy S 4G. T-Mobile. T959V5B5-Custom.
I tried the non-mandatory firmware update from T-mobile and it wrecked the functionality of my phone. I tried to go back with a couple new Rom versions and think I more or less ended up with three roms installed on my internal storage which has given me basically no space which was never an issue for me before. I have used a disk viewer to verify there is unmounted data that is taking up space but I can't figure out how to get to it through the phone or my pc to delete it. I assume if I do this that the empty space will be absorbed and fix the internal storage issue.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read and respond. I love my phone and just want it working right again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The course of action I would recommend at this point is using a tool called Odin to re-flash the stock ROM to your phone. I would recommend taking a look at this guide for the step-by-step procedure on how to do this. Let me know if you still have questions .
shimp208 said:
The course of action I would recommend at this point is using a tool called Odin to re-flash the stock ROM to your phone. I would recommend taking a look at this guide for the step-by-step procedure on how to do this. Let me know if you still have questions .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! Big thanks for the reply. Here come the questions...
I used Odin to put the other OS versions on the phone so I am familiar with the software though its been several months. I also still have the ROM that I flashed to phone. I am curious though that if it didn't wipe the previous partitions last time, what would keep it from doing the same thing this time and really messing me up? Or did I click or not click something in Odin or use the wrong option and doing it differently this time would fix the problem?
I located the files on the phone and have verified they are not mounted and looked at their size using DiskInfo. They are located at "/dev/block". Do you know what this is or why they are there? I can delete them using ES File Explorer with SuperUser. Is it ok to delete these and would I get the benefit of increased storage by doing so? I played around with moving them to the SD card and didn't see an increase in my internal storage but was afraid that a reboot after doing to might be bad.
Can you tell I am a little gun shy?
Here are the names of the files, the set starting with t starts at 0 and goes to 12 and the other 1 to 12.
tsfr0-tfsr12
bml1-bml12
Thanks again!
JBMFT said:
Hey! Big thanks for the reply. Here come the questions...
I used Odin to put the other OS versions on the phone so I am familiar with the software though its been several months. I also still have the ROM that I flashed to phone. I am curious though that if it didn't wipe the previous partitions last time, what would keep it from doing the same thing this time and really messing me up? Or did I click or not click something in Odin or use the wrong option and doing it differently this time would fix the problem?
I located the files on the phone and have verified they are not mounted and looked at their size using DiskInfo. They are located at "/dev/block". Do you know what this is or why they are there? I can delete them using ES File Explorer with SuperUser. Is it ok to delete these and would I get the benefit of increased storage by doing so? I played around with moving them to the SD card and didn't see an increase in my internal storage but was afraid that a reboot after doing to might be bad.
Can you tell I am a little gun shy?
Here are the names of the files, the set starting with t starts at 0 and goes to 12 and the other 1 to 12.
tsfr0-tfsr12
bml1-bml12
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Odin to re-flash the stock ROM will automatically setup the right configuration for. Do Not delete the files in /dev/block these are critical to the phones operation and part of the phones normal partitioning and operation as previously stated deleting these will cause a lot of problems if you delete them. If you really want to free up some internal storage space I would recommend deleting the carrier pre-installed bloatware, before you delete any bloatware makesure to backup the apps you deleted with Titanium Backup or a similar backup or flash Clockworkmod Recovery or Team Win Recovery Project and make a Nandroid Backup which is a complete backup of your phone. And don't worry about being gun shy we are all beginners at some point the only real way to become an expert if practice, practice, practice .
So I am working on the Heimdall One-Click.
Handshaking with loke, got no response. FML.
Help.
Edited: Apparently a low battery is not your friend...
after a little reading around on the net I tried a different one and BAM.
Back to stock. We'll see how this goes.
Being rooted with superuser had me spoiled...so much bloatware.
Hi,
about a month ago I have hard bricked my SGH-I777 trying to transfer the second version of a modified PIT file edited by me using PitMagic to increase the data application partition. After a month, I finally got back my phone saved using a Riff Jtag. I have mounted the original SGH-I777_ATT_I777UCMD8_I777ATTMD8 released by AT&T, but I really need to increase the data application partition so I would try again and then install the SuperNexus 4.0 Rom. Anyone could give me a tested PIT file for my I777? I'm from Italy and find help for this model is really hard.
Thanks.
Considering that so many i777 users have gotten by succesfully using the stock partition setup, I'm very curious to know why you "really need to increase the data application partition". Are you really beyong 2gb worth of apk's? Is there some other reason?
maddogselect said:
Hi,
about a month ago I have hard bricked my SGH-I777 trying to transfer the second version of a modified PIT file edited by me using PitMagic to increase the data application partition. After a month, I finally got back my phone saved using a Riff Jtag. I have mounted the original SGH-I777_ATT_I777UCMD8_I777ATTMD8 released by AT&T, but I really need to increase the data application partition so I would try again and then install the SuperNexus 4.0 Rom. Anyone could give me a tested PIT file for my I777? I'm from Italy and find help for this model is really hard.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I have got no other reason, considering that I don't use the phone to play with games or stuff like that but just for work. The problem is that although I'm not the kind of person that installs tons of useless apps, a few time ago my phone was unable to download any kind of update or minor app because there wasn't enough storage space available. I can't buy a new phone every month, I have got a 16gb S2 with an external 32gb sd card and i want to use it at the best, and don't be constraind to make a backup every month because Samsung had wrongly thought that 2gb would been sufficient. That's the first reason for wich professionists prefer to buy an I-phone, I prefer to correct a silly evaluation error. I hope you will agree with me and you could help me, I'm not a cheater, I have got only an american phone living in Italy so if I make a mistake I can't take the phone to the customer service. Thank you.
cyril279 said:
Considering that so many i777 users have gotten by succesfully using the stock partition setup, I'm very curious to know why you "really need to increase the data application partition". Are you really beyong 2gb worth of apk's? Is there some other reason?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never seen any pit file for this phone other than the original UCKH7 pit file that is in the download repository. As far as I am aware, no one has ever needed to repartition the phone to install any firmware version.
I think that there is a misunderstanding. I need to do that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...es/mod-partition-internal-memory-app-t2538947 for my SGH-I777. Nothing more, nothing less, but I haven't found a tested version of the modified pit file for my phone, so about one month ago I have made one by myself, with 4-8Gb it worked, but when i tried with 6-6Gb the phone crashed and had an hard brick.
I've found a guy in Italy that have got a Jtag, and finally he gave me back the repaired phone. Now I'm asking if someone can help me to find a tested pit file for my SGH-I777 with 6-6Gb configuration.
Thanks again
creepyncrawly said:
I've never seen any pit file for this phone other than the original UCKH7 pit file that is in the download repository. As far as I am aware, no one has ever needed to repartition the phone to install any firmware version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maddogselect said:
...Now I'm asking if someone can help me to find a tested pit file for my SGH-I777 with 6-6Gb configuration...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't exist for this device, or if it does no one has shared it. My suggestion for you is to stick with the custom .pit you made and leave it be.