I couldn't leave well enough alone. I am in Europe, using a Verizon Motorola Droid, which was working (although at each boot would say 'unknown SIM - press ok, then it worked). I rooted the phone, installed Titanium, backed everything up and then started playing. I froze a load of bloatware - everything fine. I then downloaded Greenify and hibernated apps I didn't use. It was great. I should have stopped. I didn't. I downloaded Xposed framework, and then the Gravitybox module. Whoops. My phone took on a life of its own. First, my 'phone' (dialler) and 'people' (contacts) icons said 'app isn't installed' when they were clicked. I restored my Titanium backup. No change. I unfroze all the Titantium apps. No changed. I then rebooted, and the phone and contacts icons completely disappeared, as well as my wallpapers and ringtone, to something that my phone couldn't identify. I uninstalled Gravitybox and rebooted. Now the phone no longer connects to the cell phone signal either. I'm sunk, and really need some idea of what to do. Please.......Is there any way of just getting this phone back to some kind of workable order?
Try re-flashing the gapps for your android version. I think Android 4.2.2. And always remember: Make backups. Systembackups with Safestrap for example.
Einheit-101 said:
Try re-flashing the gapps for your android version. I think Android 4.2.2. And always remember: Make backups. Systembackups with Safestrap for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm on 4.1.2. I have been trying to find instructions and/or a link regarding just reflashing the whole phone to the stock version, but can't find any. Would you know of one? I am a total noob (as evidenced by my thread) - so I am wondering - if I downloaded one of the other systems, like Liquid Smooth or whatever, does that also flash the phone where all the system files are new, or does it build upon the kernel which I appear to have screwed up??
Google should find a flashable Gapps.zip file. If nothing works, look into the firmwares super thread for stock roms or install cyanogenmod.
My mystery is somewhat solved - the upshot being don't leave a rooted phone around a young fella who is just starting to play with computers, as my son has been 'uninstalling' various files on my phone - the effect of which, of course, didn't come into effect until I rebooted, having downloaded Gravity Box. I have been able to find and restore 'People' and 'Phone' through my Titanium back-up. However, my phone is still not seeing my sim - another file that has been uninstalled, I imagine. I would hope that perhaps someone knows the name of the file that allows the phone to see the sim, rather than me having to uninstall all the files. My son says he only uninstalled about 5 files, but does not remember the names. Not a developer in the making!
I also have the problem with the recovery menu, where I cannot boot into it. Would an uninstalled file cause this? I downloaded Clockworkmod recovery, only to be then told that it does not support the Motorola Razr 'Spyder'. Are there any other options? And is the XT912 considered the 'Razr Spyder or is it one of the Droid options?? Thanks for any help you can give.
Hi all,
So my Sony Xperia Z tablet is currently caught in a bootloop which stops only if I switch off using the volume up button and break the cycle or as I did the first time let the battery die - great.
How I've got there is as follows: I gained root access through Towelroot (great little bit of tech) and through the No Bloat app took out unnecessary system files such as 'Drive', 'Album' and widgets that I never used. This worked fine and most of my other apps were unaffected. I did however take out some of the files that were oddly named and didn't appear to be linked to anything I used and this did affect some things like FB messenger and the functionality of the tablet as a whole. So...I decided after some time to restore all the system files I'd uninstalled (but backuped incase). It was after restoring everything hoping to start a fresh that the reboot loop started and since I've not had enough time to access No Bloat to question what has caused it.
So I'm wondering what I can do - PC Companion only picks up the tablet for 5 - 10 seconds before it disconnects and I can get through to the tablet during the boot for all of about 10 seconds - not enough time to do anything unless it's within a few clicks!? I have some very valuable files to me (such as 15,000 words of my new novel, photos etc which aren't backed up) and so I'm reluctant to try to restore to factory settings via PC Companion just yet.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what system files might be the cause of the issue or any routes around backing up the tablet if it's powered down? I had the not most recent system update up but one installed...
If you've got ideas then please do let me know? I really don't want to lose my files
Thanks in advance,
harness-123
harness-123 said:
Hi all,
So my Sony Xperia Z tablet is currently caught in a bootloop which stops only if I switch off using the volume up button and break the cycle or as I did the first time let the battery die - great.
How I've got there is as follows: I gained root access through Towelroot (great little bit of tech) and through the No Bloat app took out unnecessary system files such as 'Drive', 'Album' and widgets that I never used. This worked fine and most of my other apps were unaffected. I did however take out some of the files that were oddly named and didn't appear to be linked to anything I used and this did affect some things like FB messenger and the functionality of the tablet as a whole. So...I decided after some time to restore all the system files I'd uninstalled (but backuped incase). It was after restoring everything hoping to start a fresh that the reboot loop started and since I've not had enough time to access No Bloat to question what has caused it.
So I'm wondering what I can do - PC Companion only picks up the tablet for 5 - 10 seconds before it disconnects and I can get through to the tablet during the boot for all of about 10 seconds - not enough time to do anything unless it's within a few clicks!? I have some very valuable files to me (such as 15,000 words of my new novel, photos etc which aren't backed up) and so I'm reluctant to try to restore to factory settings via PC Companion just yet.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what system files might be the cause of the issue or any routes around backing up the tablet if it's powered down? I had the not most recent system update up but one installed...
If you've got ideas then please do let me know? I really don't want to lose my files
Thanks in advance,
harness-123
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
99% you deleted files needed for Android to boot/work. Use flashtool to flash the firmware you have (you didn't specify tablet and firmware versions) installed. To save your valuable information you need to perform flashing without wipes.
I did post this in the forum specific to my device, but I though I'd look for help elsewhere too, since the question is more basic to Android, and not really just my phone.
I recently rooted my LG G Pro 2 smartphone, did some stuff and everything was great. I was using CCleaner to remove some unneeded apps, but apparently, I removed the basic "phone" system app that allows the phone's cellular modem to work and make phone calls and texts (I'm thinking of it like a Windows driver, rather than a Windows software app). The unit works fine (WiFi, internet, and such), but I cannot make phone calls or texts, and I have NO bars (reception) at all.
So, here's the question: Can just adding in that system app back into the OS be done, or am I screwed?
I read two ideas...
One was to try and find a "phone.apk" and add it back to the data folder. But then I was unsure if "phone"apk" files are the same on all android phones or if each manufacturer has unique phone apk for each device.
The other idea I heard was to do a full restore, which would be OK, but then someone else suggested that if I deleted the phone apk, that I might have also screwed up the possibility of restoring the phone.
Finally, I used an undelete software after this incident, and the undeleter found a lot of apks and zip files, and I recovered those to a storage file on the SD card for now. But the problem there is that the files all just have number for names (for example, like "recovered_file_342579.apk or .zip). I have no idea if any of these are the phone file I deleted. I feel like I should be able to identify these files somehow, and just re-insert the phone file back to where it was.
What do you guys think?
Reflash your rom. Or flash a new one. Restore will not work. Trying to drop in a dialer apk will probably be a big headache you don't want to deal with.
Wakamatsu said:
Reflash your rom. Or flash a new one. Restore will not work. Trying to drop in a dialer apk will probably be a big headache you don't want to deal with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part of the problem I'm running into now is that I can't find ROM for this phone. I googled, and a couple websites listed stock ROM, but then the links don't work. Device-specific forum here on XDA doesn't list any actual ROMs, either. This phone was in the upper eschelon of LG's line couple years ago, and is still pretty good by today's standards. I find it hard to believe I cannot find some kind of working ROM for this thing.
Is using a D838 ROM (or whatever the equivalent American model is called) OK to use on a South Korean model that I have (F350S)?
I'd still like to know if I can just re-install whatever phone file I erased and get phone function back again.
So I have quite an amount of questions for my own phone. No one here seems to know how to solve my problems, not even the community in another forum I'm part of.
First of all, I'm using Lenovo S650, Android 4.2.2, with firmware S650_ROW_S305_140820, rooted and removed some system apps.
1. What does S650_ROW_S308_150121 contain? Does it fix graphic issues? I have some apps that show black on parts that shouldn't have. The worst part is everything looks fine at the time of display rotation, pressing Home Button or even a Screenshot. But only for that second. I believe that this update might fix these apps' issues.
Some of the apps that have graphic issues/ won't successfully start: Thomas Was Alone, Mystery Room Layton Brothers, The Sandbox, Monument Valley.
2. I've read that removing System Apps might be the issue. But how do I recover them? Factory Reset? If so, where is this option located?
3. I already tried updating several times but update keeps failing and I already have a backup of the .zip file. But in addition to above, What can Titanium Backup do backup of? Installed apps and saves? Or is there another way to update my firmware without the use of Factory Reset? A Custom Rom?
I hope that someone could help me and fix everything.
Hey Guys,
I have a couple questions about this android box I purchased that's had me somewhat puzzled.
I have been an avid android user over the past many years. I am familiar with flashing tons of roms to all the phones I have had. Except my s6, it just sucks for roms. Anyways I have purchased the android box in this link (can't post links this new) I can't seem to fine a manufacturer website, I've Google a million things about the box and searched but I can't find anything. even in the instruction book there's no website or anything.
basically I'm looking to figure out how to at least update this box. there's no option in about device. also I don't like how the flash drive on the device is split into nand flash and regular storage. I would like to merge them all into one. I am also looking for custom roms that might enable me to achieve that, however nowhere I look has this box in their forums or anywhere. maybe it's a cloned box? there are other boxes that have the exact same components (or so they say) with custom firmware, however I don't want to chance it and rich bricking this device.
anyone that can offer any help or lead me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. thank you in advance!
CPU-Rockchip*3368*Octa-Core(1.5GHZ)
GPU-Quad-Core*Mail-T6X*series
Memory-DDRIII*2GB
Flash-EMMC*16GB*(Support*32GB)
WiFi*- 2.4GB+5GBIRInfra*
Remote*control
Bluetooth4.0*
PowerDC*input**
5V/2AAccessoriesgift*box
Power*charger*adapterHDM*cableIR*remote*controlAV*cableUser*ManualI/O1*HDM*2.0Up*to*2160P(2K*4K)2*USB*HOSTHost**USB port1*SPDIFCoaxial*1*TF*CARDSUPPORT*1~32GB1*RJ451000*BaseT1*Power*input5V/2ASoftwareOSAndroid*5.1 LollipopVideoMKV,WMV/VC-1*SP/MP/AP,MPG,MPEG,dat,avi,mov,iso,mp4,rm,H.264,H.265,realVideo*8/9/10,etc.*up*to*2160PAudioMP3,AAC,WMA,RM,FLAC,OGGPicturejpg,JPEG,MJPEG,PNGAdobe*FlashAdobe*Flash*10.1*support*or*aboveSupport*languageChinese*,*English*,Germany*,Japanese,*Korea**etc.**24*languagesDLNASupports Video and Music Playback over networkGoogleTV*RemoteThrough*wi-fi*network*to*realize*control*the*productLANThrough*the*LAN,*can*check*other*devices*to*share*information3D*moiveSupport*3D*movieMotivator*air-mouseSupport*the*body*feeling*game,*such*as*playing*tennis,*paper*planes,*shooting,*etcApplicationsOnlineBrowse*all**video*websitesAppsDownload games and applications from the Google play storeMediumLocal*Media*playback,support for HDD, SD*cardTalk*onlineSupport**SKYPE*video**call*,MSN*,*facebook*,twitter etcOthersSupports Wifi, has router network extender functionsSupports KODI,*Email*and more
Many roms / firmwares being updated for this device:
http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player...y-x6-acemax-ak838-z4-rk3368-ekb368-custom-rom
http://chinagadgetsreviews.blogspot.ro/2016/01/download-latest-android-lollipop-511.html?m=1
This 1 used by me and referred in other posts. Fast and stable. 16gb unified storage. Kodi and the works.
Make sure you use restore in FactoryTool_v1.39 from archive:
http://download1691.mediafire.com/p...dating+instruction&Drivers&Flashing+Tools.zip
http://4pda.ru/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t702783-100.html
roland deschan said:
Many roms / firmwares being updated for this device:
http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player...y-x6-acemax-ak838-z4-rk3368-ekb368-custom-rom
http://chinagadgetsreviews.blogspot.ro/2016/01/download-latest-android-lollipop-511.html?m=1
This 1 used by me and referred in other posts. Fast and stable. 16gb unified storage. Kodi and the works.
Make sure you use restore in FactoryTool_v1.39 from archive:
http://download1691.mediafire.com/p...dating+instruction&Drivers&Flashing+Tools.zip
http://4pda.ru/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t702783-100.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just picked up one of these about a week ago and found instructions to install TWRP and update SuperSU. The box had 'root' out of the box but it was some specialized root based on an old version of SuperSU (1.93 I believe).
I have successfully installed TWRP 2.8.7.0 and updated to SuperSU 2.46.
Since this is just an android tablet essentially, does anyone know if you can flash these ROMs through TWRP?
Not to my knowledge, just use above tool. It will go alive once you are in bootloader with usb otg cable connected to win (of course with driver pack etc. installed). Titanium or else can do that, instead of trying to press reset button while powering on. Of course recovery will go back to default.
roland deschan said:
Not to my knowledge, just use above tool. It will go alive once you are in bootloader with usb otg cable connected to win (of course with driver pack etc. installed). Titanium or else can do that, instead of trying to press reset button while powering on. Of course recovery will go back to default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you running liamstears custom ROM or the 12/22 factory firmware?
The split internal storage is something I would like to do without, but I was wondering if it was changed on the 12/22 factory firmware?
12/22 firmware. Fast and stable.
Havent tried liamstears yet. Feedback if you do please.
awesome thanks! thats what I suspected when I was going through the firmwares for these devices. I just wasn't sure if the z4 rk3368 device would work on this one. I've seen a few brands with z4 and as I know with phones.. wrong brand and you're bricked lol. anyways.. I ended up buying a tronsmart vega s95 telos.. but it didn't come rooted. so I rooted it and now I'm getting play services force close and all sorts of bugs and errors.. maybe I'll just keep the z4. it seems to work better.
what link did you follow to get twrp installed?? same thing I'm guessing, punch z4 twrp in google and eventually come upon the right place.
12/22 factory firmware? mines stuck at Nov 10 I think.. it won't let me update using the rk settings app.. which is why I was fed up with it in the first place lol.
12/22 firmware. Unified 16gb App storage. More available with microsd card. Fully functional Kodi with channels, etc. 4k HEVC x265 movies. Youtube 1080p.
Easiest method to update rom is to put extracted update.img from zip file
http://chinagadgetsreviews.blogspot.ro/2016/01/download-latest-android-lollipop-511.html?m=1
on a sdcard / usb and boot. After about a minute into the Android desktop, system will ask for update prompt. Only applicable to system still with default recovery.
If you have some stability issues or with different recovery, you can backup your apps / data with Titanium etc. and then use above Factory tool restore new rom.
These roms usually come with their own recovery, but some modded ones with TWRP/full root, supersu and all. But you dont really need them.
thanks a lot man! I'm downloading right now and will test it on my box tomorrow after work!
I've tried 100 times and it just keeps saying failed to mount /mnt/external_sd (no such device)
I'm using my USB flash drive.
this is becomming a huge pain in the just to update I'm starting to think why this company can make these products and not have any support or anything for it . and that flash tool is in mandarin and I can't even figure out how to work that. I put in the update.img and press go.. but whenever I try to boot to download mode like you mentioned in one of the posts it just turns off the box.. this thing is literally a piece of junk. and so is this tronsmart vega s95.. same thing. it's extremely frustrating. whoever developed this z4 box did a really chappy job on the firmware.. and I do not recommend it to anyone..
If you had gone through the instructions pdf, it clearly shows how to change into English by pressing the World icon. Remember in bootloader mode the tv screen would be black, if you are using the tool. The big red button will turn into green to show readiness.
For automatic update you dont even have to go into recovery as seen in attached image. Easiest.
Hi Roland,
love to see that there are already XDA-members looking at the Z4 TV box. I have just ordered one and hope to get it within a few weeks. Just some dumb questions, hoping you can provide me with some information:
- I see that there are several 'versions' of the Z4: for instance Acemax, but I have ordered the Andoer. Are those just different manufacturers?
- Are there any differences in model/content (installed app's) per manufacturer?
- If my Andoer turned out to have an older firmware than the 22/12, could I still use the Acemax 22/12 firmware you refered to in your link?
- Kodi will be preinstalled, I saw. I do not know what version of Kodi that will be, but can it just be updated to the most recent version in the Google Play Store?
- I do not know what other apps are installed, but is it possible to de-install apps you do not need, or are they part of the firmware and impossible to delete
I know, part of the answers I surely will discover once I got the Z4, but I just can't wait to start experimenting, even it is only in my mind
Thanks in advance!
Jos
hi Roland
I tried that batch tool first which is the one I couldn't change languages in lol. but the other tool with the red button I changed into English. however I did not know that it would remain blank when in download mode. I will have to give it one more go tonight with it. I figured that I loaded it into bootloader and the z4 box light turned red so I thought it was off and didn't load to bootloader.
I also did the USB update and it would just fail on me every time I used it. the update prompt did come up and I pressed install. perhaps I need to check if USB debugging is on. I think it is but it wouldn't hurt to check. but I think I will have to go through the factory tool to update way for sure.
thanks for your help roland, I will write back after I give it another go tonight!
i can't find the 22/12 update ! can anybody share the link direct to firmware ?
@DriftJos
l have got an Andoer too. Most of these brands come from the same hardware factory and thus have the same specs/apps.
Yes you will use the same firmware https://mega.nz/#!JBBXgDgC!VSra8Hc6KR77Pvdw67eDpjeT_ku-TXdYgYaInSAfyvU (direct link @prisim) or several user dev roms. Unified 16gb app storage etc and the works.
You can uninstall bundled Kodi (by Titanium free etc.) by official Kodi Jarvis 16.0 beta 5 & such with pass-through support test builds @ http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252852
Again you will be able to uninstall useless apps directly or through Titanium.
---------- Post added at 11:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 PM ----------
@mikekuel25
Always mention the firmware version you are having and which recovery? The automatic update should work if you still have the factory recovery.
Check the FactoryTool process in attached images.
I'm trying to flash the firmware that I downloaded from that China gadgets site that was mentioned on this thread. I think it's the stock 12/22 for the device. and I have stock recovery.
I extracted the update.exe file and saved it to my USB drive plugged it in and restarted. relieved the update prompt. chose install update and it rebooted into recovery and tried to apply the update but it fails. I'm not ready to give up yet with this device lol. it's just another platform I have to learn. it took me a bit with smartphones to figure it out back in the day.. perhaps it's the same thing now..
and I'm updated to 12/22.. awesome. those pictures really helped me man thanks.
now as for installing twrp and all that. you mentioned that it's not really needed? I'm assuming I can flash any rom given they are in .img format using factory tool. however the benefit of twrp would be an easier interface for creating nandroid backups and clearing cache/factory reset. perhaps I will install it. i might give leamstears rom a try. I will let you know how it is if I do.
thanks again!
so I updated to the new 12/22.. everything works fine except with Google play store.. I keep getting a can't retrieve source error with everything I try to download. I've refreshed and factory reset the firmware 5 times now and kept trying.
so I got fed up with the stock so I tried leamstears rom and it works great.. except sometimes it just becomes completely unresponsive. I'm starting to think there is something wrong with this box. even on stock firmware from the box I've been having issues with unresponsive freezing.
what do you think of the nvidia shield?
mikekuel25 said:
so I updated to the new 12/22.. everything works fine except with Google play store.. I keep getting a can't retrieve source error with everything I try to download. I've refreshed and factory reset the firmware 5 times now and kept trying.
so I got fed up with the stock so I tried leamstears rom and it works great.. except sometimes it just becomes completely unresponsive. I'm starting to think there is something wrong with this box. even on stock firmware from the box I've been having issues with unresponsive freezing.
what do you think of the nvidia shield?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The PlayStore error you were seeing is because the 12/22 firmware comes with a *very* old version (5.2.x). The PlayStore will eventually update everything to the latest version by itself but if you don't want to wait, go over to apkmirror.com and download PlayStore 6.0.5 and install it manually. Once you do, it should also update the Play Services to 8.4.x and your should be good to go. I had this issue as well but I had seen it before and knew I needed to update.
So far the 12/22 version has been great, and having the unified internal storage is a huge plus.
If you feel so inclined, knowing that some of the custom builds of Kodi take up a large amount of space... there is this trick that was introduced in Helix:
http://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Change data location for Android
This will allow you to have only the Kodi app on internal storage (~125 MB) and any data from addons/programs etc. in another location (such as an external SD).
I often
1. Install Kodi on internal storage
2. Zip up the contents of org.xbmc.com directory
3. Copy it to external storage
4. Unzip it in /external_sd/kodi_data
5. Create the xbmc_env.properties file that references my Kodi data location.
6. Delete the contents of /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.com/
Voila! You have freed up internal storage.... You can also persist a Kodi setup this way or run multiple custom installs. If you re-image your media box, you can re-install Kodi and as long as the xbmc_env.properties points to your external_sd with your Kodi data, it will start right up back into your setup... :good: