Related
What are Stock Roms and Custom Roms?
What is a Rom?
ROM – Read Only Memory is that memory which stores the system files of your Device. Those files which make up the basic Operating System, be is Windows Mobile Phone OS, Android, Symbian, Windows OS, etc. Every electronic device has a Read only Memory which stores the basic programming of the functions that the Electronic equipment is to perform. ROM in terms of our Android Devices the basic set of programming applications and files of functions which your device performs Out of the Box. Without a Rom no electronic device exists.
What are Stock ROMs?
Those ROMs which come pre installed are called Stock ROMs. Stock ROMs are the ones that come Box packed with your Device preinstalled. These are official Software that are provided by the Manufacturer or the OEM.
Is it possible to Edit/Customize/Alter Stock ROMs?
Yes it is. For a lot of Operating Systems be it Windows Mobile Phone OS, Android, Symbian, etc, it is possible to Customize these stock ROMs and install them to our devices.
What are Custom ROMs?
They are Custom ROMs are based on Stock ROMs but customized by the user in terms of additions in applications, improvements, removal of unnecessary application, etc. A customized ROM may be an minor improvement to Stock Rom or can even be a complete makeover of Stock Rom even changing the drivers of the Rom with that of other compatible devices providing better performance.
Why do we need Custom Rom?
Customization is making things personal. That is one main reason why we customize a Stock Rom. A stock Rom no matter what will have a lot of unnecessary applications, files, images, settings that are pre set by the Manufactures but are not at all important to us and uses a lot of space for no reason. No matter what there has to be one or the other Bug in a Stock Rom. To get rid of these issues we customize a stock ROM by either adding useful applications, settings, removed crap, fixing bugs and on getting a Top Notch easy to use and completely customized Device.
What about the warranty?
This is decision that you need to make personally. Yes, Custom ROMs will take away your precious warranty. But that to only if your device stops working while you are using Custom Rom on your device and you have to take it to the company. If you want you can revert back to Stock ROMs and then take your device to the Service Center and they won’t even know about it. But you need to consider reverting back to Original Stock Rom.
su
Also referred to as substitute user – a command for changing the account in the current terminal (usually black screen with blinking cursor). Default account is root account. So if you insert into terminal ‘su’ and hit enter, you will become root user.
root
Root alias superuser or poweruser is special user account for system administration. Similar to windows having its administrator account, unix-like systems have a root account. With this, you can do anything and if you run a command to delete the whole system, unix will just do it! No asking, no confirming. So, watch your steps!
rooting
Rooting is just enabling power of root for applications and other purposes.
Superuser app
After rooting is done, you will see a new app called superuser in app drawer. This app can delegate applications to use su (root) feature. When an app asks this from first use, a popup window will appear asking if the application should be allowed to use root permission.
sh, bash
is a command-line interpreter or shell that provides a traditional user interface for the Unix operating system and for Unix-like systems. So simply, it is some interface, which can execute command(s), which you have entered. Many shells exist, but in scope of android you can (as far as I know) use only sh (standard – Bourne-shell) or bash (compiled in BusyBox or separately on XDA). Both are basically same, but bash has much more features and it is more comfortable.
user/root shell
How do I know if I’m root or normal user? It’s simple. Root’s shell is ended with # (usually it’s shell looks like “bash-3.2# _”) and user’s ends with $ (usually bash-3.2$ _). In terminal emulator you also can have only [path]($|#) (for root for example “/etc # _”)
BusyBox
also called “The Swiss Army Knife of Embedded Linux” is a tool which brings into Android basic tools known from unix system, but is much more smaller than standard tools is. But this “packing” has limited functions in comparison to standard tools in unix-system (missing special modes of tool, color output and so on). Many application use this. For example busybox grep (filtering of text) is needed for application called Market enabler.
BusyBox commands
list of commands is really wide, so it’s not possible explain all, so I pickup only top few. (hint: if you want what some command do, just search on google for “man <command_name>” for example man mv or enter command here
cd – change directory – same like in windows. You can switch directory. example: cd /sdcard
ls – list of files in actual directory (have few switches like for example: ls -l /sdcard/*.png (detailed listing)
cat – print file into standard output (like more in windows) Example: cat /sdcard/data.txt
vi – editing of file. But on limited phone keyboard (no keyboard) it is little harder Read more about vi
cp – copy of one or more file. Example: cp /sdcard/bike.jpg /sdcard/media/bike-wallpaper.jpg
mv – moving/rename files, Example: mv /sdcard/bike.jpg /sdcard/media/renamed-moved-bike.jpg
rm – delete file (rm -R for recursive, or for delete whole folder), Example: rm -R /sdcard/wallpaper-bad/*
find – search for files, Example find / -name “best-chopper-ever.avi”
mkdir – make directory – creates directory, Example: mkdir mynewdir
chmod – changes access of files
less – similar like cat, but you can scroll in it and it doesn’t produce any output. Example: less /sdcard/funnytext.txt
For BusyBox’s tool help, just enter BusyBox <command_name> -h.
ADB (shell)
ADB – Android Debug Bridge is a versatile tool that lets you manage the state of an emulator instance or Android-powered device. It is a client-server program that includes three components:
* A client, which runs on your development machine. You can invoke a client from a shell by issuing an adb command. Other Android tools such as the ADT plugin and DDMS also create adb clients.
* A server, which runs as a background process on your development machine. The server manages communication between the client and the adb daemon running on an emulator or device.
* A daemon, which runs as a background process on each emulator or device instance.
Generally, it can be compared with standard cmd prompt in windows (you can write commands which will be executed locally, for example in Terminal Emulator) or it can be just like SSH in unix-like system (you connect to terminal through adb client (in Android SDK) and commands will be run remotely.
Android SDK
Android software development kit is a complex set of tools for developing apps on Android. It includes a fully usable emulator of Android OS on your PC, where you can do everything. You can install/delete apps, browse web page in embedded web browser, play games or make your own application in Eclipse (widely used IDE for development). Of course, with emulator you can use also GPS or camera.
Android SDK tools
* Fully emulated Android device
* Android Development Tools Plugin (Eclipse IDE)
* Android Virtual Devices (AVDs)
* Hierarchy Viewer
* layoutopt
* Draw 9-patch
* Dalvik Debug Monitor Service (ddms)
* Android Debug Bridge (adb)
* Android Asset Packaging Tool (aapt)
* Android Interface Description Language (aidl)
* sqlite3
* Traceview
* mksdcard
* dx
* UI/Application Exerciser Monkey
* monkeyrunner
* Android
* zipalign
Tools for work with Android adb shell
You have two ways to connect into ADB service – locally and remotely.
Locally – for local access you will need some application which can connect to local adb shell.
Terminal Emulator (free) – probably most commonly used app from market, which works and looks like standard unix shell.
ConnectBot (free) – same as Terminal Emulator, but it can be also used for connecting via SSH or telnet
Remotely- For remote connection you need phone configuration adjustment:
Home desktop -> [menu button] -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging [ON].
Also you need connect your phone via USB (or finds on market some widget/app, witch enable using ADB also via wi-fi)
adb tool from Android SDK
After downloading Android SDK, extract the archive anywhere (in example I extracted it in c:/AndroidSDK). Then follow instructions on developer.android.com for installation of SDK Platform-tools (contains adb). After installation click on start menu and in Run… (in Windows7 in search bar) enter ‘cmd’ and press Ok or [enter]. Then write in cmd line:
Quote:
cd c:\AndroidSDK\android-sdk-windows\tools [enter]
now you can enter following command to connect to phone’s adb shell if you don’t have more connected device (virtual or real-one)
Quote:
adb shell
If you have more then one, you need explicitly say which one should be used for connection. So list connected devices with
Quote:
adb devices
which shows you serial number of connected devices. Than use
Quote:
adb -s <serial-number> shell
3. Custom recovery
* What is custom recovery
* Tools which custom recovery provide – NAND backup/restore, formatting of SDcard, partitioning (ext1,ext2, ext3), wiping, flashing of Custom ROM, …
* Is it safe to install? – potential problems, backup/restore of original recovery
* How this whole thing works – installation description (not how-to install, just explanation of what is done during installation)
What is custom recovery
Recovery is an image (binary data) stored in internal memory. This image contains something like a “program” or “tool”, which can boot-up independently from the Android system. This tool is part of phone system, and in PC terminology recovery can by compared to BIOS with some added features. This recovery state can be reached on all phones, but if you don’t have a custom recovery, it will do a so-called HW reset and automatically restart itself into standard boot mode.
Tools which custom recovery provides
* USB-MS Toggle :mounts sdcard as mass storage
It just mounts your phone as USB-mass storage (USB disk) so you can access it through your PC
* Backup/Restore:
Absolutely GREAT feature. With NAND you can copy an image of your actual system (phone’s memory). It means that you can backup the whole system with all configuration, customization, wallpapers, system’s tweaks… just everything. This image will be written to your SD card which you are then free to copy around and back up on your computer
* Flash Zip From Sdcard
This tool is designed for installation of custom ROMs or tweaks. If you are instructed to install via custom recovery, then you should use this menu. Never unzip the file because it contains meta-information about itself with some validate-checks so if you edit it, or unpack and pack back, it won’t work. And remember to place the file in the root (main folder) of your sdcard.
* Wipe Menu:
Wipe data/factory reset: wipes data & cache
- wipes user data (contacts, apps, configuration, …) and cache (caches of applications)
Wipe cache
- wipes cache only
Wipe Dalvik cache : Wipes Dalvik cache in all possible locations if moved by apps2sd
- wipes Dalvik cache
Wipe SD:ext : Wipes Apps2sd ext partition
- if you used Partition SDcard option, you can wipe it here
Wipe Battery Stats (remember to fully charge your phone before doing this)
- If you think, that your battery life is too short, you can try delete battery stats. Than let phone fully charge. (more)
Wipe rotate settings
- wipe sensor settings (acceleration, …)
Wipe .android secure : Wipes froyo native .android_secure on sdcard
- wipe information about moved apps
* Partition Sdcard:
Partition SD: Partitions sdcard for apps2sd (this formats card so all data will be lost)
- will create ext2 partition (you will be asked for size of ext2 and cache)
Repair Sd:ext
SD:ext2 to ext3 : converts apps2sd ext2 partition to ext3 (requires kernel support for ext3)
SD:ext3 to ext4 : same as above but ext3 to ext4 (requires kernel support for ext4)
ext2 – file system for the Linux kernel (no journal, fast but not recovery of I/O error)
ext3 – file system for the Linux kernel (journal, slower than ext2 because of journal, but provides recovery on I/O error)
ext4 – file system for the Linux kernel (journal, enhanced version of ext3)
* Mounts:
Gui automatically mounts folders
png-optimized -
png files takes less memory, are loads faster
JIT -
just-in-time compilation also known as dynamic translation, is a method to improve the runtime performance of computer programs, but it takes some time to convert into it on start.
HW:acceleration -
using of HW acceleration for rendering GUI. Increases battery consumption.
VM.Heap Size -
maximum memory an application can consume
stagefright -
In Android 2.2 new media framework that supports local file playback and HTTP progressive streaming
good post 10x .
if you can also to add some programs& guides to build roms
it will be great to try building roms .
izador said:
good post 10x .
if you can also to add some programs& guides to build roms
it will be great to try building roms .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your appreciation.
Surely will post to flash Galaxy Ace.
I don't have Galaxy Ace but have Galaxy 3.
So I cannot give you a Custom ROM.
How to Flash Galaxy Ace with Gingerbread
Download the latest Firmware S5830XXKPE from Here
Password is samfirmware.com Thanks to samfirmware.
Download ops file from here
Download Odin from here
Download USB drivers from here
Open Odin.
Select OPS file (Cooper_v1.0.ops) from the folder that you saved the binary files.
Load the file of Bootloader, Amss, PDA, CSC files from the folder that you saved the binary files.
COM Port Mapping change to yellow colour when the phone with download mode is connected to PC by data cable.
You have to set the phone as a download mode by pressing Middle Key(OK Key) +Power key and Volume Down Key simultaneously before connecting to PC.
Then, the port would be searched.
Click the Start button when the Port searched.
It will start to download. When downloading is finished successfully, there is a "PASS" message.
Wait till reboot.
sekhargreen said:
Download the latest Firmware S5830XXKPE from Here
Password is samfirmware.com Thanks to samfirmware.
Download ops file from here
Download Odin from here
Download USB drivers from here
Open Odin.
Select OPS file (Cooper_v1.0.ops) from the folder that you saved the binary files.
Load the file of Bootloader, Amss, PDA, CSC files from the folder that you saved the binary files.
COM Port Mapping change to yellow colour when the phone with download mode is connected to PC by data cable.
You have to set the phone as a download mode by pressing Middle Key(OK Key) +Power key and Volume Down Key simultaneously before connecting to PC.
Then, the port would be searched.
Click the Start button when the Port searched.
It will start to download. When downloading is finished successfully, there is a "PASS" message.
Wait till reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the effort man! I think the tutorial for flashing already exists...
It would be great if u can tell us where we should start if we are to learn making custom roms.
once agains, thank you.
Thanks for basic, clean info.......... Cheers
manju991 said:
Thanks for the effort man! I think the tutorial for flashing already exists...
It would be great if u can tell us where we should start if we are to learn making custom roms.
once agains, thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have Galaxy Ace.
Check out my Galaxy 3 tutorials in www.g3kitchen.com
It may help you.
How nice. We all learned that we read. Anyone reading this can do the writing.
Jokes with us. Website you're advertising.
semender44 said:
How nice. We all learned that we read. Anyone reading this can do the writing.
Jokes with us. Website you're advertising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not advertising any website here. I'm just telling that I'm an editor on that site. FYI - The website is not mine!!
Please excuse the above comment. You have written a good guide. It is just that a few people dont understand.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
manju991 said:
Please excuse the above comment. You have written a good guide. It is just that a few people dont understand.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's alright. Thanks.
Really useful. Deserves more views
Very Useful information here, hopefully this will help allot of people with there little errors,
Thanks for your time to post this.
Another revived thread *Sigh*
-.- why can't people think.
Worst necro I've ever seen, A YEAR OLD, for gods sake please look at the date.....
Sent from my GT-S5830 using Tapatalk 2
thanks for the great guide..
I have started developing recently and would love to develop for android.....
this guide will surely help me...:good:
thanks man cheers...
mohitchechani said:
thanks for the great guide..
I have started developing recently and would love to develop for android.....
this guide will surely help me...:good:
thanks man cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let this old thread die please -.-
"Friends forever." - Ventus
My Samsung galaxy s2's screen reciently got smashed, nothing comes up but I believe the rest of the system works. Now when I connect to my computer it just charges. So I was wondering if there is any way to retrieve my contacts, internet favorites, pictures, and memos without replacing the screen.
Thanks
i cant do too much research at the moment, but I have an idea.
Assuming that you have clockwork recovery installed:
I think there is a way to mount the file system using clockwork recovery.
*You should try looking up the key combo to get into the recovery screen in boot
*Then look for specific instuctions on how to mount the file system.
*Since clockwork recovery is entirley controlled with harware keys you should be able to navigate without seeing what you are doing
*(just look at the instructions and press the appropriate keys, the appropriate amount of times to get to where you need to be)
Its a shot in the dark (bu-dum-chi) but I think it might be your best bet.
This should point you in the right direction:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/ClockworkMod_Recovery
If not, there may be a way to remove the internal storage and put it into a simmilar device and get the data that way. But I cant really help with that.
assuming it does turn on, turn it on and plug it to your pc, then use adb (android debug bridge) which comes with the android sdk to pull files out of your phone.
as for the contacts you can pull the sqlite db file:
http://www.droidxforums.com/forum/droid-x-rescue-squad/30987-acquire-contacts-via-adb.html
you can also parse them directly on phone with the sqlite3 command while in adb shell.
Is there any feedback on this.
dziridz said:
Is there any feedback on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just used Samsung Kies and was able to retrieve data, now I am looking for a way to format the internal memory.
I am attempting to build a compatibility file for my Polaroid PMID1000. Unfortunately this old device uses a special touch screen driver I have never found on other devices, and it is using kernel "3.0.8 #139 PREEMPT". I am using an older rom found here: http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/64378-rom-carbonrom-422/ and have success booting on my compatibility file. The issue is the touch screen is not interacting with the OS (there are other issues but I want to tackle this first). The kernel allows me to boot and the android GUI starts up (I can interact with a mouse just fine). Getevent shows me interacting with the screen so touches are being generated, but they are not getting to the GUI. Looking for any help you may want to provide.
Files can all be found here, including a logcat, dmesg, lsmod my compatibility zip as well as the carbon rom and gapps . https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0c1jpaziDZ-S2hoczN0U0FiN3M&usp=sharing
going forward not backward
So I built a new kernel (3.0.101+) and have the gsensor and touch working now. Install the Carbon ROM, the GAPPS and the new compatibility file: PMID1000_carbon.compatibility-v1.zip
The only issue I have is no sound from the speaker, if you plug in a head set the sound is there.... anyone have an idea on this?
Domenic
new script.bin for sound and aokp support
I have updated the file and there is now sound support. I had a typo in my script.bin! I have also included a zip file for aokp_907_unofficial_2013-08-03.
PMID1000_carbon.compatibility-v2.zip
PMID1000_aokp.compatibility-v2.zip
Domenic
the process
domenictroilo said:
I have updated the file and there is now sound support. I had a typo in my script.bin! I have also included a zip file for aokp_907_unofficial_2013-08-03.
PMID1000_carbon.compatibility-v2.zip
PMID1000_aokp.compatibility-v2.zip
Domenic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...I have the PMID1000, but what exactly is the process for this? I plan on using the CarbonROM(most likely). I have the Livesuite software on my pc, and all. I'm just curious as to what steps I need to take to make this thing work well? haha
I apologize for my ignorance,
Jonathan
jonathanhatch88 said:
So...I have the PMID1000, but what exactly is the process for this? I plan on using the CarbonROM(most likely). I have the Livesuite software on my pc, and all. I'm just curious as to what steps I need to take to make this thing work well? haha
I apologize for my ignorance,
Jonathan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly remember that all data will be wiped from the tablet, and the camera's will not work; also I would not expect a beginner to attempt this so I will not write up a detailed step-by-step, but an overview of the files and when/how they will be used. Of course you will require a computer and a USB connection to the tablet and the drivers required. I am not certain if Windows Update will find them, so you may need to find them as well.
With all the above in mind lets start (note I am doing this from memory as I do not have the tablet handy):
You need to start by installing cwm (cwm6028-a10-9part-v2.zip) on the tablet. For this you will need a copy of adb.exe, which I have provided as the file adb.zip on my Google Drive which includes the files you need. The tablet will need to have USB Debugging enabled.
Enable USB Storage
Unzip all files in cwm6028-a10-9part-v2.zip and transfer them to the tablet.
Turn off USB Storage
From a command prompt (cmd.exe in windows) change to the directory when you have unzipped adb.zip and run the command 'adb shell' you will get another prompt. Note I have 'quoted' the commands but the quotes are not required when you run the commands.
type 'cd /mnt/sdcard'
type 'ls' and verify the file recovery.img is in this directory and if it is
type 'cat recovery.img > /dev/block/nandg'
once this command has finished type 'echo -en "boot-recovery\0" > /dev/block/nandf; sync; reboot'
The tablet will restart in cwm.
To move around in cwm use the home button to move the selection down and the power button to select.
copy the following files (do NOT unzip them) to the same directory as you put adb.exe.
CARBON-JB-UNOFFICIAL-20130619-1010-907.zip
gapps-jb-20130812-signed.zip
PMID1000_carbon.compatibility-v2.zip
On the tablet choose the option "install zip from sideload"
At the windows command prompt type 'adb sideload CARBON-JB-UNOFFICIAL-20130619-1010-907.zip'
Note you may need to run the command again if your computer has not found the tablet device.
Repeat the above two steps for the other two zip files.
Once completed on the tablet choose the option "wipe data/factory reset" then the option "reboot system now" Note the first reboot of the table will take longer than you would expect, don't worry you will get back to a functional tablet in about 5 minutes. Note the "wipe data/factory reset" is extremely important as you will not get a functional tablet if you skip this step.
Domenic
WOW. Far superior to my half-root/play store work around I was using before.
Thank you! This works really well on my PMID1000. Great instructions too!
I've noticed that with the Carbon ROM I don't have on-screen volume keys. Is that normal, or should I try clearing the cache, and doing another wipe data/factory reset?
I'm going to try the AOKP ROM next.
Thanks again, Domenic! It's hard to find anyone doing any development for these. I guess that means I should upgrade sometime haha
Jonathan
P.S. Any chance you know how I could adjust the internal partition to allow more space for apps?
I have not found a way to get the volume on the bottom screen, these builds do not allow for it.... but you could try an app from the play store, look for status bar volume and you should find something. The one other real issue I have besides the camera not working is the speakers do not disable when you plug in a head phone. It is fine until you want to use it on the bus and don't want to distract anyone.
I am not certain that you can make the app size larger, but you could try to install Link2SD from the playstore. It allows you to move (link) applications to you SD card freeing up space.
PS I am not a real developer, just a bit of a hack to cobble this together...
I'm trying to backup my unrooted Moto G7 phone (android 9) to my windows 10 laptop before I unlock its bootloader and root it. I need the ability to restore either everything or at least the installed apps. For privacy reasons I do not sync with Google.
So, using the command, either
adb backup -all
or
adb backup -apk
I get a popup on the phone to allow the backup, which I do, but the produced file
'Backup.ab' either has 0 bytes or a small number. Certainly not a full backup.
Please help so I can root the phone.
Thank you.
P.S. is there another way to backup an unrooted phone?
Nobody offered to help. So in case someone else is frustrated like me here is what worked for me. Quotations and -f.
Example:
adb backup "-apk -shared -all -f"
works. Note the 2 " and the -f
This also works
adb backup "-apk -shared -all -f E:\path\backup.ab"
I hope this helps someone else.
Backup doesn't start.
Phone: Nexus 5x Android 7.1.2. Phone has not been rooted.
I bought this second hand about eighteen months ago. I know all about the bootloop problem, but this one is OK. I unlocked it and flashed 7.1.2 and it's been as right as rain ever since. However, at the time I didn't relock the boot loader.
I want to lock now, but that will cause it to do a factory reset.
I've downloaded installed the platform tools. (Version: 29.0.1 - June 2019) When I run the command:
Code:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f D:\Android\20190629.backup
on my Windoze 7 box, the dialog to start the backup pops up on the phone.
The Backup Now button is disabled until I enter a password. This enables the button, but there is no response when I tap it.
Fairly quickly, the command quits, and I am left with a zero sized file on the PC.
One thing that turned up is that it might be necessary to have a desktop backup set in developer options.
I am sure that I have never set one up before. However, I tried this, and it appears to be found by the dialog. However, still no go.
Update: adb backup runs immediately after a reboot.
I have determined that if I follow these steps the backup runs.
Connect through adb
Run
Code:
adb reboot
After the phone comes up, set the correct USB mode (File transfer)
Start adb
Run
Code:
adb devices
Run
Code:
adb backup [I]options[/I] ...
The Backup dialog will pop up on the phone. If necessary, enter your backup password. Tap
Code:
Back up my Data
The backup now runs.
The only thing that I've done differently is the reboot. I've tried this successfully three times now.
I discovered this accidently after installing TWRP. I had to eliminate the possibility that somehow TWRP had shuffled some critical bits, or that the reboot fixed the problem.
- oops wrong post
unixwolf said:
I have determined that if I follow these steps the backup runs.
The backup now runs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That part runs.
Have you tried the restore?
Adb backup has given many users trouble.
All, I have found a solution to get this P-WAL-107-ELC-02 unlocked and usable!
Original post:
I acquired a used Outcome Health (Contextmedia) Wallboard. There have been other posts previously about unlocking the 10 and 13inch tablets, but the steps and procedures used did not work with this wallboard.
The model number is P-WAL-107-ELC-02, and is similar to the item found here: https:// fccid.io/ 2AI6X-PWALELC
It is running on Android 4.4.4
I can open the "secret" configuration menu built into the app, but all the functions are password protected. I've had no success accessing the default android settings menu either. If you close the app, it launches again immediately, and the status bar seems to be locked down so that it can't be expanded.
EDIT: I've tried using a USB keyboard, and used the settings hotkey but no luck with this either. Using the home button pushes a message at the bottom of the screen "Override Launch." I also tried generic passwords in the various menus, but nothing has worked so far.
Any suggestions or experience with these items is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disclaimer:
This is a collection of the methods that worked successfully in my case. I am assuming anyone using this has an understanding of the use of ADB and shell commands. If not, please do your research to better understand the use of the command line, otherwise you may cause more damage then actual repair. Perform the actions followed at your own risk.
Rebooting into safe mode and removing contextmedia applications:
With the help of information in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/android-4-4-4-context-media-10-tablet-t3670769 I got it working.
With the wallboard connected to the pc, I restarted the device and repeatedly pressed the power button until it finished booting and it started in safe mode! I was able to open the android settings, uninstall the contextmedia app and the zygote app, access dev options and enable debugging.
Connected to the PC and in debugging mode run the following to remove the synop and the remainder of the contextmedia applications.
adb reboot root //Worked in my case, confirmed root access.
adb shell
[email protected]:/ $ su //Root permissions in shell
[email protected]:/ # rm data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]:/ # rm data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]:/ # rm -r data/data/com.contextmediainc.system.synop
After that, it should let you simply uninstall or disable everything else.
With that removed, you should be able to install any compatible launcher (I used nova launcher at the time of writing this) with the adb install commands.
Flashing TWRP recovery and installing open Gapps:
I finally got a working TWRP recovery using the TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32.img, using the method show here https://blog.matt.wf/flash-your-recovery-image-via-adb-shell-on-android/
Generic RK32 with SDcard - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_SDcard.img
Generic RK32 with Unified Storage - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_DATAMEDIA.img
Turns out the manufacture is Rockchip and the series is an rk3288.
Flash your recovery image via adb shell on android
JANUARY 16, 2017
//edit: You need a rooted device for this kind of flashing
Hi, ever wondered about how you can flash a recovery.img via adb shell?
A lot of posts suggest flashing it via fastboot. Well my ****ty Samsung phone is not detected by fastboot. Then there is the option to install a dubious binary file which is called flash_image.. thank u internet!
Well damn I have the recover.img whats so hard to use dd and flash it with a single shell command? For those who don't know much about linux commands here we go;
Enable your USB debugging bridge in switch via adb to the terminal:
./adb shell
Then you should be able to find your recovery partion with:
DEV=$(ls /dev/block/platform/*/by-name/recovery); echo $DEV
that should output something like this:
/dev/block/platform/7824900.sdhci/by-name/recovery
If this is the case you only have to put the recovery.img on your sd-card or the internal storage and you are one command from flashing:
dd of=$DEV if=/external_sd/recovery.img
Thats it! No binaries you have to install. No ****ty fastboot udev rules :S
You can enter into your new recovery system with:
./adb reboot recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With that, I could flash the gapps from the recovery and now the play store and services are working seamlessly. With the exception of the home and recent buttons not doing anything, this one is completely usable now.
Install SuperSu if you want to maintain permanent root on the device!
Download links:
Generic RK32 with SDcard - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_SDcard.img
Generic RK32 with Unified Storage - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_DATAMEDIA.img
Nova Launcher - https://nova-launcher.en.uptodown.com/android
SuperSu - https://supersu.en.uptodown.com/android
Recovery Reboot - https://apkpure.com/recovery-reboot/gt.recovery.reboot
Droid Hardware Info - https://droid-info.en.uptodown.com/android
Open Gapps - Platform: ARM Android: 4.4 Variant:Nano - https://opengapps.org/
No suggestions, but what a cool find. I'm surprised that hospitals use Android smart TVs! Or is it a giant tablet?
Sent from my LM-V350ULM using Tapatalk
jwrezz said:
No suggestions, but what a cool find. I'm surprised that hospitals use Android smart TVs! Or is it a giant tablet?
Sent from my LM-V350ULM using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems more like a giant tablet. I saved it from the dumpster hoping it could be turned into a nice web surfing machine for the garage.
slaysher62 said:
It seems more like a giant tablet. I saved it from the dumpster hoping it could be turned into a nice web surfing machine for the garage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be awesome.
Sent from my LM-V350ULM using Tapatalk
bump
How often do I click the power button when it is booting, to get into safe mode? It just keeps going back to the home screen for me. Also, which USB did you have connected to the PC while doing this?
I am having the same issue
Any further update or progress on this from anyone? This would be perfect for a garage (or wherever) media center.
Any idea where I can find the recovery file? I tried to obtain one via TWRP and no luck.
I was able to install nova laucher and delete the files in data using adb shell. I'm just stuck at the recovery image part.
---------- Post added at 01:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 AM ----------
Freak-tab .de website is down. Can someone please send me the image recovery file? Thanks in advance.
slaysher62 said:
bump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm able to get mine to the Recovery System but I cant run adb shell as I get exec '/system/bin/sh' which is no root. But I can't get into Safe Mode. I have the 32" Wallboard too but mine is ELC-01. What power button combo did you use to get into Safe Mode?
Plug in power and then just mash the power button? When do you stop mashing it?
Mash it as you plug in power and keep mashing?
Plug in power as you hold the power button down?
Stop mashing when it flickers or the screen is white?
Can’t get in to the settings.
ttiimmmmyy said:
How often do I click the power button when it is booting, to get into safe mode? It just keeps going back to the home screen for me. Also, which USB did you have connected to the PC while doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can’t get into settings. Tried the power button variations, with and without mini usb plugged in to the pc.
Wallboard
There are some typos in the original post commands. I wasn't having any luck with the "rm" commands to remove "zygote" and "sysop" apps, so I used the "ls" and "cd" commands to see what the file names were.
Removing the second file should be "[email protected]:/ # rm data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]@[email protected]" , the third should be "[email protected]:/ # rm -r data/data/com.contextmediainc.system.sysop"
When you type the command "DEV=$(ls /dev/block/platform/*/by-name/recovery); echo $DEV" you'll get an output, type that output into the next command. ex: dd of="output of previous command".
If you just drop the TWRP onto the USB mass storage drive that appears when you connect the tablet, it will be in "/sdcard" folder. The final command will be something like: dd of="output of previous command" if=/sdcard/RK32.img. If you don't have root access it will tell you "permission denied", so make sure you use the command "su" after "adb shell".
Lastly, I accidentally found that when I performed a factory reset via TWRP recovery menu that the Home button started working. It may also work via the settings menu, but I didn't try it that way.
Anyway, hats off to OP for posting this as it gives use to these massive android tablets.
The secret password is cat10dog
Kinda stuck...
Hey Slaysher62. I'm kinda stuck. Was wondering if you could help me out. I have a few of these due to our hospital just not needing them anymore and telling me I could either keep them or throw them away. I've tried for weeks to replicate your success but I feel like I'm missing a few steps. If you could Message me or something that'd be great.
Thanks,
Pinball Wizard
slaysher62 said:
All, I have found a solution to get this P-WAL-107-ELC-02 unlocked and usable!
Original post:
Disclaimer:
This is a collection of the methods that worked successfully in my case. I am assuming anyone using this has an understanding of the use of ADB and shell commands. If not, please do your research to better understand the use of the command line, otherwise you may cause more damage then actual repair. Perform the actions followed at your own risk.
Rebooting into safe mode and removing contextmedia applications:
With the help of information in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/android-4-4-4-context-media-10-tablet-t3670769 I got it working.
With the wallboard connected to the pc, I restarted the device and repeatedly pressed the power button until it finished booting and it started in safe mode! I was able to open the android settings, uninstall the contextmedia app and the zygote app, access dev options and enable debugging.
Connected to the PC and in debugging mode run the following to remove the synop and the remainder of the contextmedia applications.
adb reboot root //Worked in my case, confirmed root access.
adb shell
[email protected]:/ $ su //Root permissions in shell
[email protected]:/ # rm data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]:/ # rm data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]:/ # rm -r data/data/com.contextmediainc.system.synop
After that, it should let you simply uninstall or disable everything else.
With that removed, you should be able to install any compatible launcher (I used nova launcher at the time of writing this) with the adb install commands.
Flashing TWRP recovery and installing open Gapps:
I finally got a working TWRP recovery using the TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32.img, using the method show here https://blog.matt.wf/flash-your-recovery-image-via-adb-shell-on-android/
Generic RK32 with SDcard - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_SDcard.img
Generic RK32 with Unified Storage - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_DATAMEDIA.img
Turns out the manufacture is Rockchip and the series is an rk3288.
With that, I could flash the gapps from the recovery and now the play store and services are working seamlessly. With the exception of the home and recent buttons not doing anything, this one is completely usable now.
Install SuperSu if you want to maintain permanent root on the device!
Download links:
Generic RK32 with SDcard - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_SDcard.img
Generic RK32 with Unified Storage - http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/TWRP/Generic/TWRP_2.8.7.0_RK32_DATAMEDIA.img
Nova Launcher - https://nova-launcher.en.uptodown.com/android
SuperSu - https://supersu.en.uptodown.com/android
Recovery Reboot - https://apkpure.com/recovery-reboot/gt.recovery.reboot
Droid Hardware Info - https://droid-info.en.uptodown.com/android
Open Gapps - Platform: ARM Android: 4.4 Variant:Nano - https://opengapps.org/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Help with recovery
Recently acquired 3 of these 32-inch screens at first I wasn't able to get into safe mode but I deleted everything off the sd card and restarted the screen after that spamming the power button worked and I was able to get the app uninstalled and Nova launcher installed but what I'm having an issue with is getting TWRP to install also I noticed mine isn't a RK3288 its a RK3188
I've tried to flash all the TWRP RK3188 recoveries I could find but none of them work just puts the screen into a boot loop until removing power and restarting
any update from android 4.4
was anyone able to get any operating system installed on this besides andriod4.4? trying to decide if I am going to just use the screen and install a new mini board to install android 10 or chrome os
---------- Post added at 07:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 PM ----------
to get to the secret menu . power on "tablet", wait till the program is running . you will see a logo close to the bottom right hand corner. keep pressing it until the menu pops up. to get into the actual settings I can't remember what it was called but I should be something like device admin or such on the right hand sign. click it. it will ask for password ( cat10dog ) from there you should be able to follow the instructions above
Uit232b-u03
Thought I'd chime in; I have one of these wallboards, model # UIT232B-U03, nominally equipped with an RK3188. Here's what I've found:
Misc. Device Info
RIL Ver: KitKat ril-rk29-dataonly v3.3.00
Build No.: Z05-outform-32-B4.21-20160324
Build Fingerprint: rockchip/rk3188/rk3188:4.4.4/KTU8Q/eng.root.20151208.162319.eng/test-keys
Board / Chipset: rk30sdk / RK30board
As you might notice from the Build Fingerprint, this model appears to be running an engineering build of Outcome/ContextMedia's KitKat ROM; this screen was pulled from a working clinic, but USB debugging was already enabled and connecting via adb shell automatically dumps you into a root shell. There's nothing more you need to do to gain that access.
The device info (courtesy of Droid Info) references three different RK chips in a few places: RIL Ver. (rk29); board & chipset (rk30); and everywhere else (rk3188, specifically). I don't know what to make of that. Maybe something to do with it being an engineer build? Could be an engineering sample board, too -- I need to check for that info.
Personalization
As mentioned, it looks like this unit (and maybe other UIT2xx-xxx revisions) appears to come pre-rooted with USB debugging already enabled. There's no need to authorize any given machine on the tablet when connecting over ADB for the first time, either. If you still want/need to access the system settings, three-finger-tap on the application logo in the bottom-right of the screen (tapping multiple times will just cause a credits list to pop up). The password to leave the application for the Android system settings is cat10dog, as has been noted elsewhere.
Before I loaded anything new, I went ahead and factory reset it to see what it looked like. Upon doing so, the only system application was Zygote -- it looks like it's a modified version which is serving as the "launcher" for this tablet, and which forcibly reloads the application whenever it is closed for whatever reason. From factory reset, it will launch into a first-time setup screen, where it looks like you can configure the application and get connected to wifi/ethernet and download the remaining system apps (this is my impression; I didn't go through with it, but I imagine the application will want to verify a license or something). Uninstalling the modified Zygote seems to not kill the first-time setup screen (makes sense -- it's meant to stay resident and likely has everything it needs loaded into RAM at the time), but you can install Nova Launcher 5.3 (last version to support KitKat 4.4.4) and then Zygote fully disappears and you won't get bothered about setup anymore. (I have no idea what happens if you remove Zygote and then don't install a launcher. You can probably still connect over ADB, but I've never seen a launcher-less Android.) Other apps can be installed at this time, too.
As noted elsewhere, the Home and Recents soft buttons still do not work. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's something stuffed in the ROM itself and may not be configurable (maybe through the commandline?). But, you can just use the Back button to go back to the home page at any point.
I have not had any success installing TWRP: It turns out, despite the chip being labeled in all ways as an RK3188, it is in fact a lower-specced RK3188T (1.4Ghz top speed). Every version of TWRP for the RK3188 I've tried has resulted either in a bootloop (unplug from power and plug back in to return to system), or a black screen, or the TWRP splash screen but which never progresses beyond that step. (This reminds me, I need to check on the black screen instances to see if the recovery executable is running at all, and what happens when I try to manually start it.)
On the off-chance anyone has a TWRP build for the RK3188T for me to try, I'd definitely appreciate it! Or indeed any ARMv7-based build, if I'm just going to be blindly loading recoveries to see what happens. (If anyone has any advice for debugging the recovery loading process, I'm rather a noob at this and could use any information about where to look for logging info, or to make it output a log at all if it doesn't by default.)
OH, and uh... if anyone has a stock version of the recovery partition, could you send it to me? I didn't back it up before writing over it...
Other than not getting to install TWRP and get all experimental with ROMs, it is usable in its current state as an old-but-servicable, pre-rooted-for-your-convenience-no-supersu-required, massive Android tablet. Too bad Pocket Camp requires Android 5 since a few builds ago...
Edits for grammar, spelling, extra info.
theugly_bear said:
was anyone able to get any operating system installed on this besides andriod4.4? trying to decide if I am going to just use the screen and install a new mini board to install android 10 or chrome os
---------- Post added at 07:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 PM ----------
to get to the secret menu . power on "tablet", wait till the program is running . you will see a logo close to the bottom right hand corner. keep pressing it until the menu pops up. to get into the actual settings I can't remember what it was called but I should be something like device admin or such on the right hand sign. click it. it will ask for password ( cat10dog ) from there you should be able to follow the instructions above
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
device configuration and also just to clarify what he meant was tap on that flower looking logo repeatedly until you get the secret device configuration then on top right corner theres 3 lines select network settings and it should ask for a password which is cat10dog
And now I'm stuck
If anyone could give me direction/etc to get past where I'm at, I'd appreciate it.
I bought one of these bad boys from an auction and thankfully found this post and started the task of customizing it. I got to the point to where I deleted the apps listed, all through adb reboot recovery (used Generic RK32 with SDcard).
However, on reboot, it didn't go into recovery and had the Context Health splash to a nature backdrop and an Error: Wallboard not installed message. USB debug wasn't persistent, and trying everything that worked previously, I can't seem to get into Safe Mode, and I haven't found any other ways to get into Settings.
I did find the "reset" hole on back, which otherwise functions as a hardware 'Volume Up', but have yet to find any [Boot to Recover] methods involving only Volume Up and Power that work.
Any ideas of things to try?
Thank you
Update 1: Still no luck overall, but somewhat of progress, I hope: Plugging in the DC automatically boots up everything. If I hold down the hardware volume up/reset while adding power AND have USB plugged in, I get a listing in Device Manager; however, the screen stays black. Otherwise, as far as getting my PC to notice it, this is the only means to do it. There is no connection when powered on normally, rather I plug in USB before or after providing power. Also, spamming the power button while booting in order to get into Safe Mode had worked initially. Now doing it causing a freeze on the second or third splash screen refresh.
So I have recently acquired a bunch (50+) of these 32" screens. They were pre-rooted as @dwkindig had mentioned. I was able to remove all of the Context media apps and unlock the functionality as a basic android tablet pretty quickly. Threw Nova launcher on it and they work great. Has anyone had success in getting anything above Android 4.4 on these? I have a ton and can pull any files that would be of help to do some digging here, so please let me know. I would love to at least get Lollipop on these so that Android Webview could be upgraded and I could use the Wallpanel app for dashboard use on these. Any suggestions or help I can offer?