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I have been working on some boot/recovery ROM rebuilds for the Garmin/Asus Garminfone A50 (T-Mobile), as well as the scripts and instructions... I'm not sure where to host them.
I personally don't want to host them myself, and was wondering if there is a repository of sorts.
At the moment, I have the following:
* The tools necessary (dump_image & flash_image) to dump the firmware from the phone
* The scripts necessary to unpack/repack the boot/recovery ROM's (modified to support the Garminfone's different address layout). Linux based.
* Pre-built boot and recovery images that give permanent root and mount the system/data partitions as r/w by default.
* Instructions on how to do it yourself, complete with some tech info on the layut of the Garminfone boot/recovery images and how to verify before you flash it that it built properly.
* Instructions on how to flash the phone without risking bricking it, since there is no hardware key combo to get into recovery and a fastboot that's not fully implemented. The technique goes like:
- Verify with a hex editor that the proper addresses are in the header
- Flash the new boot image to recovery
- Reboot into recovery to make sure it boots the new boot image properly
- Flash the rooted recovery image to the recovery partition
- Reboot into recovery once more and verify that works
- Flash the tested boot image to the boot partition
- Reboot normally and have fun
That method works fairly well, and unless you target the wrong partition, and gives you a 99.9% success rate
I'm going to post what I can on the Wiki (as far as instructions go), but it would be nice if I had a place to put the tool set as well.
I'd rather not use one of the temporary sites like Mediafire or what not, since files on those sites have a tendency to disappear.
Please no PM's on having me send them the files directly. I don't have a heck of a lot of spare time and don't want to get into the habit of sending these out manually.
If you're against the typical file hosts and the files aren't too big you could try using dropbox or sugarsync and sharing the links.
Can I ask you a question? I have a Kyocera ZIO M6000 and have the openzio clockworkmod 2.5.1.1 port that only works with "fastboot boot openzio-recovery" and we have tried flashing to our recovery partition with no success. What will it take to break the tether and reboot recovery locally without fastboot?
Sent from my Zio using XDA App
merwin said:
I have been working on some boot/recovery ROM rebuilds for the Garmin/Asus Garminfone A50 (T-Mobile), as well as the scripts and instructions... I'm not sure where to host them.
I personally don't want to host them myself, and was wondering if there is a repository of sorts.
At the moment, I have the following:
* The tools necessary (dump_image & flash_image) to dump the firmware from the phone
* The scripts necessary to unpack/repack the boot/recovery ROM's (modified to support the Garminfone's different address layout). Linux based.
* Pre-built boot and recovery images that give permanent root and mount the system/data partitions as r/w by default.
* Instructions on how to do it yourself, complete with some tech info on the layut of the Garminfone boot/recovery images and how to verify before you flash it that it built properly.
* Instructions on how to flash the phone without risking bricking it, since there is no hardware key combo to get into recovery and a fastboot that's not fully implemented. The technique goes like:
- Verify with a hex editor that the proper addresses are in the header
- Flash the new boot image to recovery
- Reboot into recovery to make sure it boots the new boot image properly
- Flash the rooted recovery image to the recovery partition
- Reboot into recovery once more and verify that works
- Flash the tested boot image to the boot partition
- Reboot normally and have fun
That method works fairly well, and unless you target the wrong partition, and gives you a 99.9% success rate
I'm going to post what I can on the Wiki (as far as instructions go), but it would be nice if I had a place to put the tool set as well.
I'd rather not use one of the temporary sites like Mediafire or what not, since files on those sites have a tendency to disappear.
Please no PM's on having me send them the files directly. I don't have a heck of a lot of spare time and don't want to get into the habit of sending these out manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also suggest dropbox or even id host them off my computer via ftp
Can your method work with Garminasus A10?
Merwin you still working on this?
Yeah, I am working on it still. I am still looking for a better place than dropbox or hosting off of someone's home PC...
As for the A10, if you can get me a dump of the boot and recovery images I can make one for that too... you will want to preferably use the dump_image utility to get the image and the flash_image utility to flash it.
I can probably attach those to a post with dump instructions. They're tiny.
Basically, you root your phone, copy the files to a certain location, type a couple commands to fix permissions on the executables, then run a command to dump the image.
Flashing back requires clearing the boot or recovery partition with a command and then using the flash_image command to flash it.
My method tests the new boot image first by flashing it to recovery first and rebooting into recovery to make sure the new image works. Then flash the modified recovery image to the recovery and make sure it is rooted (so you can get things up again if something does go wrong). Then you flash the new tested boot image to boot. If, for some reason, that fails, it should reboot automatically into recovery after a few boot failures. Never had to test that, since I pre-test all images I make.
hi merwin, we are a fans group of GA a10 and we trust a lot in your work! if you need any kind of help contact me! probably you are the first in the world who can flash a GA phone
Merwin, Im not completely sure which type of place your looking for if its not either ftp or online file sharing
Rapidshare
2shared
Filefront
4shared
Hi merwin,
I found this page, is that similar to your method? Hope you guys can find out something.
http://mygarminfone.blogspot.com/
afoster1003 said:
Merwin, Im not completely sure which type of place your looking for if its not either ftp or online file sharing
Rapidshare
2shared
Filefront
4shared
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forget one widely used protocol. Good old http on a standard web server.
Those other sites annoy me greatly, between the amount of ads, having to wait to download and daily limits, and the fact that they are temporary unless I pay. I am against them on principle.
I figure if there is enough interest, someone will step up to host them, otherwise I will just provide scripts, instructions, and technical info for people to do it themselves.
slumpz said:
Hi merwin,
I found this page, is that similar to your method? Hope you guys can find out something.
http://mygarminfone.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are my hero That blog has the missing pieces I need to keep going.
A couple of days ago I found some info on how to decompile the .update files which gives us the recovery image and system partition from any other phone that uses a similar format, like the Asus A10... providing a whole host of opportunities for the Asus phones that are still being maintained.
For instance, I grabbed the files from the Chinese A50 that has newer firmware.
With the info from the blog, I may be able to at least compile and integrate the newer kernel and wifi firmware (which is stored on the phone and loaded into memory at boot). The Chinese version does have newer wifi module firmware in it... whether it is compatible or not is another story.
On another note, has anyone successfully downloaded the open sources kernels from Asus? I have tried every method on their site and all but a couple of the kernel versions in the zip are corrupt. One from march extracts fine, so I may use that as a base to start with.
merwin said:
You are my hero That blog has the missing pieces I need to keep going.
A couple of days ago I found some info on how to decompile the .update files which gives us the recovery image and system partition from any other phone that uses a similar format, like the Asus A10... providing a whole host of opportunities for the Asus phones that are still being maintained.
For instance, I grabbed the files from the Chinese A50 that has newer firmware.
With the info from the blog, I may be able to at least compile and integrate the newer kernel and wifi firmware (which is stored on the phone and loaded into memory at boot). The Chinese version does have newer wifi module firmware in it... whether it is compatible or not is another story.
On another note, has anyone successfully downloaded the open sources kernels from Asus? I have tried every method on their site and all but a couple of the kernel versions in the zip are corrupt. One from march extracts fine, so I may use that as a base to start with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have, magically I might add. I downloaded the source for v.5.0.70 and managed to get it compiled. The resulting files can be found on on my blog, the one Slumpz posted(I can't post links yet, lol.)
The only problem is, I don't have much experience with anything linux. But, If you have any questions Merwin, email me, [email protected].
Here's a little how to, just check my blog, or google: How To: Build Garmin-Asus Kernel from Source.
am willing to giv a subdomain/storage ftp access on this domain for the good of the community if it helps any
Domain darkjester.net
Disk Usage 5.4 / 1500.0 MB
Bandwidth 100000 MB (100GB)
Home Root /home/a2931495
Apache ver. 2.2.13 (Unix)
PHP version 5.2.*
MySQL ver. 5.0.81-community
Activated On 2011-05-15 14:42
Status Active
Hello guys, are you still working on this.
I found out that A10 has a new firmware posted, which is versioned 5.2.7 instead of 5.0.x like the others. I wonder if there's any method to test this firmware on foreign A10 (non Chinese firmware)?
So, got an HTC Sensation 4G... meaning not much more work on the Garminfone for me.
Still trying to find time to compile everything that I have done into some semi-coherent document with the unlocked boot and recovery images. I still have the Garmin, so if someone manages a huge breakthrough then I may pick it up again. Really didn't want to get rid of the phone but there just isn't enough community development going on to make it worthwhile.
By the way, the Garminfone GPS blows every other phone away. The Sensation 4G is crap in comparison.
Hey guys, Ive got a question.
My company has an android application that we license to companies, and we would like to purchase a few hundred android devices to load our application on to and then sell the devices at cost, but license the software that is on the device.
We have looked at several different android devices and saw the Archos 43 at a good price point, with the screen size we want. We are currently using Motorola i1's, but want something cheaper, and something that give us the ability to customize what firmware is on the device.
I was wondering if there is quick way (remember, we are going to have hundreds of these devices) to load our application on this device, and strip/remove all pre-loaded applications that came with the device.
We only need the wifi and the camera to work.
Would it be easiest to have a custom ROM that has basic Android with our program built in? Can this even be done, and are there any restrictions on this device as far as flashing a custom programmed Android OS. I see on Archos's website they talk about being able to load custom images, but not much detail about it.
On their website it states, "...ARCHOS has ‘opened up’ their Internet Tablets allowing users to install or even replace the Android system installed on the device."
This statement says that its "opened" up the tablets, but throughout the forums I see that the device doesn't already come rooted, and you need to root it before flashing a new ROM.
Thanks,
Christopher
1. Std. Archos is not rooted and is not even able to be rooted atm.
2. Archos has provided the SDE, a customised FW that allows a second kernel and Initram to be installed.
3. because you can then remove the Archos Android you can have a "custom rom".
You can't really stip down the Android to a point where it is secure without a very good knollage of android and the device itself.
To see how easy a custom ROm could be installed, look at UrukDroid installation.
http://code.google.com/p/urukdroid/wiki/Installation
Hey Chris
What you've read on the ARCHOS website is the SDE firmware. This "special" firmware from ARCHOS will not replace the operating system but it will you allow to install any custom kernel / initramfs.
So I think you better stick with the original firmware, but modify the system image as far as you want to go. Then you modify the init script in the initramfs to do not check the signature of the system image and there you go, easily customized Android, based on the original ARCHOS firmware.
BUT: Even though it's quite easy to flash a custom kernel / initramfs (just boot into recovery mode), it's not that easy to replace the system image because you have to write some scripts in the initramfs to do so and to be able to "upgrade" the image, etc..
That's just my input. Have a look at the links in my signature for further tricks and hints how to do stuff and links to my projects which are based on SDE and ARCHOS firmware.
There might be another solution, stick with UrukDroid (search the forums), an already highly customized and improved version of the official ARCHOS firmware, including installer, tools, etc..
Thank you both for the fast replies.
I'd rather not try go the two routes you have mentioned just for legality reasons, because the devices will be resold and I wouldn't want to get into that area...
Do you know of any devices that are more open to modification?
Thanks again.
Just yesterday i stumbled across http://www.taztag.com/index.php?opt...e&id=75:tazcard&catid=38:slideshow&Itemid=125
I don't know a price, but esp. for my needs the nfc part is interesting.
If you just switched from iPhone or BB or this is ur first android. Read this thoroughly and see ur questions get eliminated by this guide. if you find this helpful than show your appreciation and hit that thnx button.
I don't take any credit I Googled everything. I do take credit of modifying some stuff in word. I won't have this Phone but I am just being helpful to the community.
Little in-depth information about Android. Must Read. Thank You Pirateghost.
Pirateghost said:
Android itself is OPEN. you can go and build your very own version of 4.0 ICS right now from source code. there are very few phones you can STABLY and RELIABLY run it on though.
The NEXUS line of phones exists for a reason. they are untouched by carriers (verizon teabagged the Galaxy Nexus a little), and do not have some stupid overlay on them. they are developer devices in that it is the first phone to get android updates straight from google (no manufacturer interference required).
every other phone is tainted with a manufacturer's UI. Touchwiz on Samsung phones (galaxy nexus is a samsung but they provided the hardware not the software), Sense on HTC, 'non-blur' on Motorola, whatever Sony calls theirs...lol, LG, etc
on top of that tainted Android interface is a carrier branding or lockdown (doesnt apply to the entire world, but im only referring to US here)
so google releases new version of Android
manufacturers build phone, and customize android to fit their model (this is where android almost stops being OPEN)
carriers get a hold of the manufacturers build of android and tweak and modify it themselves (more than likely they just tell the manufacturers what they want), as you know they love to include bloat and lock it down from the user
you receive your android phone after it has gone through all those steps....long process huh? we dont get updates to newer versions as quickly because of that long process...and they would rather us buy new phones instead of improving perfectly good hardware.
Android is open in the sense that manufacturers can use it however they wish, within reason. it is not necessarily meant to be 'open' to the average end user, and manufacturers dont want you messing with the phone they built. its the reason XDA is what it is today, albeit with roots deep in WinMo hacking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ADB → Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile command line tool that lets you communicate with an emulator instance or connected Android-powered device..
Android →Unveiled on 5 November 2007, Android is a mobile operating system running on the Linux kernel developed by Google.
AOSP → Android Open Source Project
Apps2SD → Move applications from the internal NAND memory on the device to a removable SD Card.
BLN → BackLight Notification
Bloatware → Software bloat is a process whereby successive versions of apps include an increasing proportion of unnecessary features that are not used by end users, or generally use more system resources than necessary, while offering little or no benefit to its users. Like all the crap that comes from At&t
Brick → When used in reference to consumer electronics, "brick" describes a device that cannot function in any capacity (such as a device with damaged firmware). This usage derives from the fact that some electronic devices (and their detachable power supplies) are vaguely brick-shaped, and so those which do not function are useful only as actual bricks. The term can also be used as a verb. For example, "I bricked my phone when I tried to modify its firmware."[
Hard Brick → When your phone does not turn on at all. When you can’t get in to CWR/CWM Or Stock recovery. You are basically screwed.
Soft Brick → When your phone bootloops. When you can get into CWR/CWM. When You can use jigtag to get into download mode.
Busybox → BusyBox provides several stripped-down Unix tools in a single executable. It runs in a variety of POSIX environments such as Linux, Android, FreeBSD and others, such as proprietary kernels, although many of the tools it provides are designed to work with interfaces provided by the Linux kernel. It was specifically created for embedded operating systems with very limited resources. Platforms counterparts, but they are pretty close and useful nonetheless.
CWR OR CWM ClockworkMod Recovery →A custom recovery for Android phones and tablets that allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery.
DEODEX → Apk files have respective odexes that devs use to supposedly save space. Deodexing means you convert it back to a .dex file and put it back inside the apk. This allows you to easily replace file (not having to worry about odexes), but the main point was to deodex services.jar so that you can change all text to different colors (such as the clock color to white) and to deodex services.jar, you need to deodex everything.
Flashing → The process of applying a firmware image (or ROM) to a device. It generally entails a very specific order of steps. Failing to complete any one of these steps properly may result in bricking the device.
Firmware → is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices. Programs stored in the ROM, EPROM, or flash memory that usually control various internal electronic devices (Hard Drives, Keyboards, Displays, etc). Firmware is typically 'fixed' software that is not updated in consumer devices, however it is often updated (or 'flashed') by advanced users to fix bugs or add features to the device. Flashing firmware designed for one device onto a different device, or not following a specific procedure while flashing will often render the device unusable.
Kernel → is the main component of most computer operating systems; it is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. The kernel's responsibilities include managing the system's resources (the communication between hardware and software components
Radio → The cellular radio on the device which needs control software called firmware to control it.
ROM → Read Only Memory. In the context of an Android device, ROM is the internal flash memory where the core operating system resides. It can also refer to a specific version firmware that can be applied to a device through a process usually referred to as flashing. An improperly flashed ROM can often brick the device, rendering it unusable.
Superuser→ A program, which gives unlimited access privileges to perform any or all operations on the operating system.
ODIN → Odin is the Samsung software used to update Samsung phones. It does not work with any other devices other than official Samsung phones.
OTA or FOTA → (F)OTA stands for (Firmware) Over The Air and is the process by which required updates and enhancements to your phone's basic operating system can be sent to you through the cellular network. The Galaxy S II software update will be sent via FOTA and is available through Samsung Kies mini.0
ODEX → In Android file system, applications come in packages with the extension .apk. These application packages, or APKs contain certain .odex files whose supposed function is to save space. These ‘odex’ files are actually collections of parts of an application that are optimized before booting. Doing so speeds up the boot process, as it preloads part of an application. On the other hand, it also makes hacking those applications difficult because a part of the coding has already been extracted to another location before execution.
SDK → Software Development Kit.
Logcat → A debugging tool built into Android devices that displays system logs as they occur. See Logcat.
NANDroid → A set of tools that will enable anyone who has root on their Android device to make FULL system backups, in case something goes wrong or you want to try out that new experimental ROM/theme. NANDroid will backup (and restore) /system, /data, /cache, and /boot partitions.
Recovery Mode → A special environment that you can boot into for troubleshooting and upgrading purposes.
Kang → The process of creating a code based of someone else's code or reapplying code that someone else created into your own code (e.g. git cherry-pick)
Rooting → is a process that allows users of mobile phones and other devices running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's Linux subsystem with the goal of overcoming limitations that carriers and manufacturers put on some devices.
How to Root Your note????
There are two root methods for YOUR ATT GALAXY NOTE!
1 which uses kernel to root.
2 This one flash with Odin but in system level not boot kernel.
#1 root by Da_G!
Da_G said:
Hi!
This kernel enables custom boot animations (/system/media/sanim.zip), adb root, init.d support, runs a script to auto-root your /system partition, and then you're on your merry way
You may need the USB Drivers available here. (Support & Downloads for SGH-I717)
Once the USB Drivers are installed, power off the phone, then hold volume down and power it on, you'll get a screen asking you to hit vol up to continue, do so. This puts the phone in download mode.
Stick the provided pda.tar in the PDA box of Odin3 1.85, flash away!
Install Superuser from the market after booting.
Note that this will increase your flash counter, which is presumably used by Samsung as a reason to decline warranty service (not aware of any reports of this occuring yet...?)
Don't forget the donate link in my signature if you found this useful and want to motivate me to work on overclock/undervolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#2 Root by mashi!
How to backup your current ROM????
Hard Way!
Get into CWR!
Scroll down to backup and restore!
Press backup.
How to Restore Your backup????
If You used ROM manager than!
Go to manage and restore backups!
And press the one you like to restore!
If you have Nandroid than!
Go to CWR!
Scroll down to backup and restore!
Press restore!
How to Flash a ROM????
Basic Steps
! Choose the ROM that you want and download its .zip file
!! Transfer the zip file to your phone’s sd card. Do not put it into any folder.
!!! Turn off your phone and reboot into recovery, usually by holding the down button and power button at the same time.
!!!! Do a Nandroid backup
!!!!! Wipe the phone 3 times by clearing cache/factory restore 3 times and wiping dalvik cache and system format
!!!!!! Flash the zip file that you put on your sd card
!!!!!!! Reboot phone
You can find all ROMS here!
How to flash Kernel with CWM????
_Download the Kernel You want to flash and put it in sd card.
__Boot in to CWM!
___Wipe cache & Dalvik Cache
____Press install from Sd card!
_____Select the kernel that you dloaded!
______Flash it!
_______Reboot!
________Check in CPU SPY to see if you successfully flashed Kernel.
You can find Kernels in development forum.
These will set you back to Stock and Unroot Your phone.
Da_G said:
Hi,
This is an odin .tar prepared with the stock AT&T Kernel, System, and Recovery.
Flash it from odin using the same instructions as my root thread
After flashing, you may need to boot into recovery by powering off, holding vol up + vol down, and holding power until you get into recovery. Then perform a factory reset, this should get you up and running after most brickery.
Note that this is a large file (~450MB), please spare my web host if you don't particularly need it
Download .rar here
Below are stock kernel-only odin tars:
AT&T stock kernel-only odin pda tar
TELUS stock kernel-only odin pda tar
Bell stock kernel-only odin pda tar
Rogers stock kernel-only odin pda tar
Don't forget the donate link in my signature if you find this useful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool thank you! I will finally be upgrading from an iP 3G!
LOL . . . . ever since I got it no phone really wowed me until I saw the G Note in November. Anywhoo. . . I was hoping for a noob friendly guide like this
appdroid said:
reserved 1
How to Root Your Skyrocket????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why do i need to know how to root the Skyrocket for the ATT Note here? just saying
Sry just fixed it.
sweetboy02125 said:
Not sure why do i need to know how to root the Skyrocket for the ATT Note here? just saying
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look at you go! haha good work !!!
I figure this is the least i can do to help young community here!
00mred00 said:
look at you go! haha good work !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tx appdroid, us noob's really appreciate it!
(in all my years i never seen the "Reserve" post idea b4...it was a DUH moment for me lol)
Excellent guide for us that are really green on the Android platform.
thank you for helping this noob
appdroid said:
I figure this is the least i can do to help young community here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just so young and I need your help
How do you permanently change the hostname on Android?
On CyanogenMod ROMs this is easy, there was an option for it in Applications -> Development Options. But I don't know what hooks that uses and I don't know how to do it on this flavor of Android we have.
Thanks for your post, it help me a a lot. I done a little scripting on unix using mostly tcl. I hope I can get back on it and develop a few applications for this phone once I have it on march.
Thanks!
Thanks for the noob thread. Switched over from an iP4 and its taking a little getting used to. Luckily I already had the Revue and TF101 to help a little.
On a side note I found the http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1505062 root method was very easy and didnt involve the counter getting screwed up or having to flash a whole new rom. Highly recommend it for anyone just wanting to root their device.
ANother Android Newbie
Coming from IP4 and looking forward to learning hot to make Android work for me.
How do I read your "Reserveds"???
Hello!
I need help from developers or those familiar with the file structures of the android system.
Let me explain, I have a Chinese touch pad. I tried to install several custom rom (CM9, AOKP, etc ...) as well as Roma manufacturer of tablet very similar to mine (A90 Ampe, Sanei N90, etc ...).
The flash firmware or install via Recovery is done very well. The android starts very well. However, the only problem I have is that my touchscreen is not responding.
Indeed, I have to connect a mouse to use my tablet.
So here the object of my request. I love and I think it is possible created a sort of patch to apply via the recovery or via command ADB with the "drivers" of my touchscreen from my original rom.
For info, I already decompiled the image of my ROM so I have access to the entire file structure. But I do not know enough to identify which files that match the drivers of the screen.
Ya-til someone help me on the files or the place where he could find?
Thank you for your help.
For help, please find attached a complete list of the file structure of the ROM manufacturer.
list HTML
list txt
Help please!
Hello. I recently got a Hisense A9, running Android 11 / Hisense's Ink OS with Snapdragon 662. It's a Chinese phone so doesn't have Google Services, and since it's pretty new / not very popular nobody has rooted it yet, and I can't find stock recovery or boot images.
I've been trying to extract the stock recovery.img so I can build a TWRP tree, and then hopefully extract the stock boot.img from a Nandroid backup, but I can't find a way to extract recovery.img from the device (without root access). Is there a way to do this?
I also looked into using MicroG to replace Google Services, but the ROM needs to support signature spoofing, which this device's doesn't. Apart from the 2Accounts workaround for Chinese phones, is there a way to get Google Apps / Services working on this phone?