Sprite Backup, Smartphone Emulator and the ROM Cooking Tools... - HTC Tornado

Ok this is a newb question but is there any integration between these three?
I would like to do some relatively basic customization to ROMs I install and be able to reapply them. It would also be nice to work in a PC environment and test there. Any guidance?

I guess you can backup either smartphone or emulated device via activesync with more expensive version of sprite backup, and then restore the backup to any device or emulator again... should be enough.

As far as I know, it's not possible to emulate the ROMS on a PC using an emulator. I remember someone else asking about this. Yep... you're reviving part of this topic.

ok, forget about the emulator...
If I run sprite backup on a ROM and do a backup, does it just save the changes that I made to the ROM or does it save everything in the ROM?
If it is the former, it would seem that I could reapply my changes to a new ROM after an upgrade...
owner information
carrier MMS and phone information
updated styles
softbutton location assignments
adding new icons
registry install information for programs
added and deleted icons
etc.
...and I could keep reapplying these same changes to new ROM builds as long as the changes didn't break a new build.
Or am I missing something?
If Sprite Backup is only good for a given build and I switch ROM builds every quarter it doesn't seem worth doing a backup.

ROM Cooking
bipinsen said:
As far as I know, it's not possible to emulate the ROMS on a PC using an emulator... this topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have even more respect for ROM builders now. I can't imagine having to apply changes without being able to test them in an emulator, although if you can apply your changes to your phone and save that image to make a ROM later, it seems like you wouldn't need Sprite Backup. You would just use the ROM tools to backup your whole ROM.

kkrull said:
If I run sprite backup on a ROM and do a backup, does it just save the changes that I made to the ROM or does it save everything in the ROM?
If it is the former, it would seem that I could reapply my changes to a new ROM after an upgrade...
owner information
carrier MMS and phone information
updated styles
softbutton location assignments
adding new icons
registry install information for programs
added and deleted icons
etc.
...and I could keep reapplying these same changes to new ROM builds as long as the changes didn't break a new build.
Or am I missing something?
If Sprite Backup is only good for a given build and I switch ROM builds every quarter it doesn't seem worth doing a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a hit or miss depending on the ROM version. I have noticed that the registry entries among the different versions for WM6 (different builds) are sometimes different enough that registry restores don't always work. Here's been my strategy (you have to do a search yourself for these softwares):
- Connect with Mobile Registry Editor from my PC to phone => backup as separate .reg files all pertinent locations of the registry that I want
- Have a permanent location in my SD card where I can keep these .reg files
- When I have downloaded a new ROM, I use Resco Registry Editor to import the reg files back in registry. Since I'm not importing the entire hive, I have been reasonably successful with this. Note: there are many different ways of importing registry files on the phone; I just like Resco.

Related

Question after BigStorage...

I've done the big storage patch on my Magician. And I understand that if you restore files from a backup made when one didn't have big storage, one is likely to have just wasted time on the patching as the file structure would revert back over-writing some (hex?) values, with the possibility of losing access to the Storage folder completly.
So here's my question. would it work both ways? Say I re-flash my Magician with the ROM it came with, and that I have a backup from a ROM that has the BigStorage patch, and then restore from that backup, what would happen? Will the backup from BigStorage ROM override the shipped ROM's file structure? Or will it just mess things up?
I realize that this may seem pointless to most users. But I am missing a registry key for a Bluetooth function (syncing via Bluetooth, and I think it's just one key...). Let's just say I don't have the guts to re-flash my Magician two more times (back to shipped ROM, get what I need, then to BS ROM) given the risk posted above.
Could anyone shed some light on my question?
Thanks
Don't know what kind of backup you're referring too. Is it a rom-backup then yes you're reverting to normal storage. With a RAM data backup you're not going to write to ROM & cannot change the addresses you mention.
Did you load the BT patch ext-rom cab after the boot or do you have plain WM2003Se now?
My advice: load the cabs with patches from your ext-rom.
M
Oh sorry, I forgot to mention that but i think you answered my question. Suppose I made a backup (with the BS ROM) using Sprite software, and I re-flash my Magician with the shipped ROM that I backed up, and restore from the Sprite backup, what would happen? And given your answer, I'm supposed to expect that the Sprite backup is not capable of changing the addresses, right? So then I'd have the BS registry settings, shortcuts, and blahblahs, but only 7.6MB useable memory in the Storage folder?
To answer your question, yes I did load the CAB files I needed from the ExtRom including BTHUSB_PATCH_AKU26.CAB (which I think is for Bluetooth?) but to no avail, as I've lost the capability to sync using Bluetooth ever since I did the BS patch. I even loaded that CAB file a second time just in case, but still to no avail. (Note that the hardware works though. I can make a device pairing and all that...)
I'm trying to avoid re-flashing my Magician twice just to get that registry key as that would be my last resort. Hahahaha
In any case, here's a list of the CAB files I loaded, if it matters.
Band_Select_Enable.sa.CAB
BTHUSB_PATCH_AKU26.CAB
CAB-ArcsoftMMS-2.0.022-Magician-O2Asia-ENU-21Mar05.CAB
CAB-Customization-Magician-O2AsiaWWE-31Jan05.sa.CAB
Caller_ID_Magician_Generic_WWE_RC13.CAB
CameraWizard_O2Asia_Customize.CAB
CV2.41.386_wwe.CAB
default_103133.sa.CAB
DelAddStarMenu_092404.sa.CAB
DialerSkin_Landscap_091104.sa.CAB
DialerSkin_Portrait_091104.sa.CAB
Fix_dual_SIM.sa.CAB
JMM101257_wwe_1004.CAB
O2_Base_v103116.sa.CAB
O2_Default_103133.sa.CAB
O2Auto.sa.CAB
PhonePad_Magician_Generic_WWE_RC12.CAB
SmartDialing_Magician_Generic_WWE_RC13.CAB
Version_WWE_111922.sa.CAB
Including 2 CAB files for my service provider. Is there anything else that I could have missed? I used the config.txt in the ExtRom folder as basis for the CAB files to install.
PS: I'm not quite sure what you meant by 'patches' from my ExtRom...
With the 'patches' I meant some of the cabs you installed from the ext-rom, eg for BlueTooth, battery & camera.
I'm only using usb for syncing, so I'm unable to confirm BT sync works for me, no BT hardware on my PC. Still you got a strange prob. Did you try a hard-reset & are you using the latest Sprite version?
M
I've done one hard-reset a week after I flashed my Magician with the BS ROM so that I could test a previous Sprite backup (Sprite ver 3.2 if that helps), since I was just curious as to if the backup would fully restore everything [and it did btw].
Curious, what would the latest/lower version of Sprite backup have to do with my problem?
With previous versions I sometimes got notifications that the registry backup/restore wasn't fully successful.
Sprite will restore all RAM data & the \Storage data not the size, so you could end up with a partial restore when you try to restore > 7MB to the standard \Storage folder.
Did you check all Act.Sync settings on your Magician, guess you probably did a 1000 times?
Regards, M
Yes I did check all the Async options on my Magician. I did run into a problem regarding Bluetooth with the Magician's Async and speculated that I was missing a registry key. Check out the post I made here regarding that http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=50937.
After getting boh113's registry file, the `Bluetooth option came back but still wouldn't work. So I'm assuming that the addresses don't match with my Magician.
I gave it some thought and the only way I came up with to get back the Bluetooth functionality was this:
1) re-flash my unit with the ROM it was shipped with
2) deal with the \Storage folder problem if any
3) extract the whole bare registry
4) re-flash my unit with the BS ROM
5) merge the extracted registry (I'm not sure if this'll cause unforeseen problems)
6) pray
hahahahaha! Hopefully I'd get back Bluetooth syncing. Of course I'd try to avoid doing this as this would be my last resort. I will most likely need a whole day for this, and I doubt I can do that this week. Might try next week if I put up enough guts.
I MIGHT be missing some DLL files in \Windows although I doubt that. But it's still a possibility..
I do have one more question.
I assume I did the following successfully since my Magician works:
a. shipped ROM backup + dumping
b. hex-editing on the shipped ROM to make it a BS ROM
c. flashing with BS ROM
So here's my question, though I see it to be silly. Would it be safe to re-flash my unit with the BS ROM (that I patched) instead of doing it again from scratch (i.e. the 6-step procedure I listed)? My unit will still have the 20+MB \Storage folder right?

restoring your PPC guide

Thanks everyone for providing a great resource here.
I've searched and searched but I can't find inthe forum or the wiki a difinitive guide to restoring your device after upgrading. if possible can someone make a wiki or if I have somehow missed it point me in the right direction?
what I know is limited, but here maybe the start of a wiki
After using the guides to upgrade your PPC, you want to get it back to how it was before
1.Activesyc device (but it looses previous settings can this be fixed?)
2. restore just mail using Spb backup (is this safe? does anyone know of a better way to get your MMSs and SMSs back?
3.make a CAB with all the files and settings using winCE CAB manager (if anyone can help a little here that would be great)
how do we install progs to storage card?
in regards to adding registry keys, I assume we backup the registry then change the settings and/or install the programs that we want then compare the current registry with the previous one and then whatever new has been added then this is what we should add?
4.do we have to reinstall programs that sync seperately? eg phatnotes or ewallet?
Thanks
I can answer a little for you,
1 = only wm2003 can restore more than pocket outlook info
2 = spb is not safe for upgrades, though I have read of people doing it. Try PIM Backup v1.9 (Release date 15/05/2007) by dotfred
3 = make your own extended rom (or even your own rom). or keep cab files for everything on a storage card in one file, and install one after the other after a flash.
4 = i don't understand the question
try sprite backup. it is able to restore accross rom upgrades

Rom Flashers - Quick Tips for reinstalling all apps/settings

Question to all rom flashers. What do you do to restore all your apps and settings to a new rom (once flashed). From searching, it seems that you can't backup and then restore as some unique keys in the registry are different, so the restore is pointless.
Does anyone have any helpful tips ?
Many Thanks
dp
You will not get any answer of this question because you wont be able to back up applications. But you can back up all your calender item, sms, files, contacts etc but not application.
best way - I used to do before for registry is...
1 - Make a fresh hardreset
2 - take a registry backup
3 - do all your settings
4 - take a backup
5 - find the difference (means this is YOUR PERSONAL registry)
6 - keep th difference as your registry and apply on any FLASH
Hope this helps
And you probably want to download UC compatible roms
More info here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=366337
kumar00455 said:
best way - I used to do before for registry is...
1 - Make a fresh hardreset
2 - take a registry backup
3 - do all your settings
4 - take a backup
5 - find the difference (means this is YOUR PERSONAL registry)
6 - keep th difference as your registry and apply on any FLASH
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you find the difference kumar ?
Thanks for all the replies
dp
You may also want to look at Settings Saviour which has configurable XML files that allow you specify what registry trees you want to import/export, which UC still does not do.
I use Sprite Backup. If you are upgrading teh same version ie 6.1 to 6.1 it will transfer your programs. If its 6.0 to 6.0 the same. It doesnt work from 6.0 to 6.1. I am able to flash between roms. you can get it from here. http://pocketcentral.blogspot.com/
dpdpkpcom said:
How do you find the difference kumar ?
Thanks for all the replies
dp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use some development tools like ''WINDIFF'' etc... Not sure if thats available seperately though...

what do u use to backup when flashing a rom?

Normally I use sprite, or i just copy everything off my device to a folder on my desktop, but it seems like theres no easy way to flash a rom and keep everything from your device previously.
when using sprite, it may save things in the windows folder or registry, causing this new flashed rom to not work properly, or not have all the effects it's supposed to.
yes you can disable this in sprite, but if you do that you may lose the registry settings or some files that some 3rd party apps used.
so what do you guys do when flashing a new rom?
I guess restoring over different roms is not such a great idea.
UC compatible roms do make it a lot easier.
Use settings saviour, create custom cabs to install registry settings, Install Apps on SdCard, then make a folder with the shortcuts and copy the shortcuts back to programs folder. Re-install from active sync,
The best though that I have used lately, is the UC compatible roms that allow Cabs and registry settings to be install automatically after Hard reset or rom install.
Some people copy pim.vol to sdcard and then copy back later, but since i use exchange activesync, I find that to be useless.
But Never, ever restore from a backup if upgrading to a new rom...Sometime people say it works and other times it causes issues...
rohanmaini said:
I guess restoring over different roms is not such a great idea.
UC compatible roms do make it a lot easier. Though, I am waiting for the day when we shall be able to install programs to the storage card....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the app WinCe cab manager and modify the install directory, very usefull when using UC compatible roms.
This has been a common question when flashing ROMs....and unfrotunately there is no 100% answer.
Different ROMs/chefs put in different tweaks, progs in different locations, etc, so a traditional backup/restore will not work well (as you put it already).
There is some really good promise using UC Compliant ROMs. See here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=366337
Using these UC compliant ROMS, you can do two things:
1. Automatically install your favorite progs. It does this after flashing and initially setting up your device. NOTE: you can only install progs to main mem, not Storage Card.
2. Automatically "tweak" your device beyond just installing cabs using XML based settings files. This is something I have not played with yet, but this could put back specific settings just the way you like them.
I am sure that there will still be some things that conflict on occasion, but at least it is a good timesaver.
There are also some commercial programs that can package up all your cabs into a "super" cab and install them all at once as well. I can't recall the name right now though.

[Q]Auto Cab installer for Raphael??

If you are like me and are constantly re flashing your phone then I am sure you will get sick of installing all your CABs and alltering settings.
Does anyone know how to get CABs to install automatically?
I have used WinCE CAB Manager to look after alot of my registry tweaks, I have used sprite backup to backup and restore my phone as it was on a previous ROM but I am aware that sprite backup seems to restore elements from my previous ROM which makes testing a nightmare.
I also read about External ROMs on other phones (not Raphael) that enabled users to copy CABs to this External ROM, this enabled CABs to automatically load after a hard reset. This however, required a registry hack containg passwords to un hide and unlock this section of the Rom.
Does the Raphael have an external ROM or is this determined by the cooks?
I have also noticed that TomTom7 has an auto installer which installs after every hardreset regardless of which ROM has been cooked. This gives me hope in that it is possible.
I will have a play with the TOMTOM auto installer and see what I can do.
I am sure that this will eventually enable us all to reflash more often with less time reloading CABs.
Let me know what you do to install your CABs or if I have been searching in the wrong place.
SDAutoRun gives customziation to everybody!
Check out UC HEREand HERE
shashimi for me.
Sashimi is the most powerful tool for auto installation and can do much more than just installing cabs.
It'll take a while to configure the first time but it's worth the hassle.
SASHIMI AutoInstaller RAW Edition v.8.0
Sprite BackUp
Sprite Restore Merge Level 1 moves me between ROMs fine.

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