Hello everybody!
I need an advice on where to get drivers (or what kernel options to use) for my phone (Motorola Quench XT3) build on Qualcomm MSM7227 chpset.
It would be cool to be able to compile new version of Android from source, like gentoo or LFS; we wouldn't depend on Motorola's software updates. The only thing that seems missing is drivers and kernel configuration. (May be I am wrong - correct me)
So how do I find out what drivers/kernel options to use for my hardware?
Any help is appreciated. I would make an understandable guide for compiling Android for Motorola Quench XT3 if I succeed.
Upd:: Motorola Quench XT3 is a "Boston Orange" phone. Look for mods on cyanogenmod forum, in the z71 variants section.
Therein lies the problem.
Linux drivers for phone chipsets (mostly Qualcomm) are often provided as binary lumps for a specific kernel version. When kernel sources are made available for a specific phone then we can generally compile a full AOSP build by making sure that the kernel we build is compatible with the binary blobs, this get more difficult as the framework gets upgraded and depends on features of newer kernels.
So the things to look for are:
What version of Andriod does it run, what do you want to run?
Have Moto released kernel sources yet?
What are the GPU/Radio/BT/Wifi/Audio chipsets
Do we have binder-friendly driver source available for any of the above.
This is all _hard_ stuff and generally if you've never compiled a Linux kernel before this is not the place to start.
Linux drivers for phone chipsets (mostly Qualcomm) are often provided as binary lumps for a specific kernel version.
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This is OK as long as binary drivers are available for new kernels, I guess.
What version of Andriod does it run, what do you want to run?
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It has Android 1.6, and my goal is 2.2.
Have Moto released kernel sources yet?
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yes, they have sources available for download. I downloaded, but couldn't figure out what ".config" they use, in the bundled script "Android.mk" that depends on external variable KERNEL_DEFCONFIG.
What are the GPU/Radio/BT/Wifi/Audio chipsets
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Click to collapse
Ok, I am trying to find that out. Couldn't find specs in the net (including Motorola website), they only give processor (Qualcomm MSM7227) Is there a command like lspci on Android?
if you've never compiled a Linux kernel before this is not the place to start
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the place to start then? Actually I've configured and compiled kernels for several desktops/laptops, they are fine. I am not any kind of expert, but may be it isn't too difficult to build a working 2.2 Android. There's almost no hope to get it from Motorola. Also I don't care about Motorola-specific software.
Overall, thank you for a good & quick response. I will try to figure out exactly what hardware it uses, and post it here.
P.S.: what else people do to upgrade their phones when it isn't supported by manufacturer?
It's MSM7227 !!!
Hello people!
After a lot of reading I start to understand concepts. Turns out, my phone has a good and popular chipset Qualcomm MSM7227. The same chipset is used in, say, HTC Aria and HTC Legend, which are well supported by cyanogen mod. And looks like chipset determines all major drivers I need! (probably except minor things like flash light)
So, I need help of somebody who knows these things better than me in the following questions:
What could be a difference in firmware between (say) HTC Legend and Motorola Quench XT3, which share the same chipset?
Is there a "generic" build for MSM7227?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately that is rarely the whole of it. Slight differences in implementation can make all the difference. E.G. the radio itself has a firmware that may fundamentally change the interface presented to the CPU. Sound/Display/3D are also up in the air.
Short version, if you can find out the chipset driving each of the above (not just the CPU/Radio SOC) and you can either find:
1. 2.2 binary blobs from another phone
2. Open source drivers that can be compiled for the 2.2 kernel
Then you may be ok.
The reason I said that this may not be the place to start is that what you are trying to do here is get binary blob drivers running for a kernel they were not intended to run with, debugging that is some heavy magic on a desktop, even more so on an embedded device.
I also have the same phone and i was looking for a froyo mod.
I would be willing to test it out (i have the same phone ).
I should warn you though i have no mobile phone hacking experience!
SilentMobius, thank you much for good explanations!!
I googled more, and I have strong suspicion that Motorola Quench XT3 is the same as "Orange Boston" phone. That piece of hardware has been manufactured by many companies under many names (GigaByte G1305 Codfish, Apanda A60, WellcoM A88, Vibo A688, Cincinnati Bell Blaze f800, Commtiva Z71, Muchtel A1, Chinavision Excalibur, Motorola Greco, Nexian A890).
Though I am not sure that orange boston hacks would apply to Quench XT3. Is there a way to check their compatability (in hardware, radio firmware, etc) ?
Cyanogenmod
Turns out we are lucky - Quench XT3 is a part of "Boston Orange", and it runs cyanogenmod. This is very nice, and there is no need to make rom from scratch. Moreover, everything I was thinking of is already done for this phone.
Look on cyanogenmod forums in z71 variants section for mods and other information.
Thanks a lot
Uh, could anyone help me?
I rooted the phone with Universal AndRoot but when i click on z41 on rom manager it gets an error.
Help?
qwerty156 said:
Uh, could anyone help me?
I rooted the phone with Universal AndRoot but when i click on z41 on rom manager it gets an error.
Help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In ROM Manager the phone is known as an Commitiva A71. You are selecting the wrong phone.
Related
I was looking for a program to overclock MTK6516 processors, from china smartphones with Android, but didn't found anyone witch works.
Somebody knows some program or would like do develope it?
I want this too. I've tried many apps like SetCPU and No-Frills and none of them work.
Most chinese Android devices like the Hero H7000 have pretty decent specs at a pretty damn good price. However, they all use the god damn slow as MTK6xxx CPUs.......
Want something like this too!
Would be nice if one of the developers can write us something
You can't overclock from an app before modding the kernel to allow oc
And to mod the kernel you'ld need the kernel source
kernel unfound since we do not know the brand and manufacturer
Is hard to find it since there is no brand for it and i had been finding it since i bought a Hero H400 android china phone.
Mine CPU is mtk6515 too ~
Anyone tested to root the china phone before?
Thanks.
lingweiyong6 said:
Is hard to find it since there is no brand for it and i had been finding it since i bought a Hero H400 android china phone.
Mine CPU is mtk6515 too ~
Anyone tested to root the china phone before?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've rooted my Gooapple 3G and tweaked it a fair bit and removed the bloatware and managed to get some speed increases that way, but still waiting on Kernel source to be able to do anything more.
The X10 Mini runs the same Qualcomm msm7227 processor as the Gooapple 3G and its widely reported that 787mhz is possible and stable with the X10, so would be nice to have that extra horsepower but until someone comes up with the source it aint gonna happen sadly.
I wonder if its possible to take the hw drivers etc from the Gooapple and merge it with the X10 Mini Source and create a hybrid rom for the Gooapple??
hi thebtman,
You are from Malaysia so this Gooapple 3G.
Need you to give commend on:
1) Camera 5MP?
2) CPU?
3) RAM & ROM?
4) Internet setting for this phone tested?
Any chance in finding an overclocking app for this type of kernel? I've rooted mine, a Star A8 aka Plum Velocity (present on gsmarena) but all the apps told me that is not for my kernel
If you don't have the kernel source, but your phone can be rooted. You can make a Overclock module and load it
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
thachtunganh said:
You can make a Overclock module and load it
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Click to collapse
Easy to say
thachtunganh said:
If you don't have the kernel source, but your phone can be rooted. You can make a Overclock module and load it
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how exactly do you do that?
Why is the kernel source required? It's not that hard to decompile the kernel and hexedit some parts, I just fail to recompile it since I don't know the cmdline for those mediatek processors
Hey, so last year I bought a China-Tablet called Zenithink C91, it seemed like a good choice back then.
However, the software on it is rubbish. The manufacturer didn't even bother to change anything from the reference software for the hardware platform, did no optimization whatsoever. For example the build.prop is a complete mess with dozens of duplicate lines and references to the reference platform from AMlogic. All the stock firmwares have phone functionality enabled, even though there is no gsm module, showing an empty signal indicator all the time. Or the shipped ICS with gingerbread gapps and so on. The Tablet is just not usable in this state because the software sucks so much, and they do not answer any questions or take advice. Therefore, no sources.
However, I think the Tablet could be much more useful, because it has a decent cortex a9 processor which runs at 1ghz, and a mali 300 gpu.
So much for the situation.
So for a long time I thought about trying to compile a new rom for it, to make it actually work like it should, but I cant find any advice which would help me, because all tutorials that I find require me to use devtrees for devices that already exist. But how would I go to create Android for a device which has none?. I could probably extract most drivers from the latest ICS build. How compatible are they with JB?
On a side note, I wanted trying to Port CWM recovery, does anyone have a pointer where to start?
Thanks and I hope I did not post in the wrong section.
I actually think that there is a source available for your tablet. Check out Slatedroid, as it's a forum dedicated to chinese tablets.
The problem atm is the new version of the amlogic's platform for which they haven't released sources yet.
Oh, and tutorial for Clockwork recovery:
http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/10/porting-clockwork-recovery-to-new.html
Thanks for your reply, especially for the link concerning cwm.
I am aware of the slatedroid forum, and a user there, too. Zenithink did not publish any sources, I am very sure sadly.
ArRaY92 said:
Thanks for your reply, especially for the link concerning cwm.
I am aware of the slatedroid forum, and a user there, too. Zenithink did not publish any sources, I am very sure sadly.
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Click to collapse
Zenithink maybe didn't, but you can find amlogic sources (the chip/platform manufacturer) here:
http://openlinux.amlogic.com/wiki/index.php/Arm/Android/2.Getting_the_Source_Code
edit: that is if they are using that as a platform ofc, if they're not well from what I see on slate you're limited to modifying stock roms, same as we on elf/aurora ii devices
Yeah, the stock sources are there, but ZT modified them and does not release the changes. No chance then, I guess? Anybody know if there is a chance for JB based on the ICS rom?
Hi guys. 2 months ago I've came into Android World deeper than before and now I'm very fascinated. I downloaded linux, all the necessary files to compile a rom but I still don't understand some things.
My device is Redmi Note 2 and I use stock MIUI 7. As we all know mtk and/or xiaomi haven't released kernel sources (6795) so developers have to think hard how to make a rom. And there are my questions. Does kernel source is really necessary? What if I compile rom successfully and then port boot.img from stock? Will it work? However developers made some roms based on LP for this device. And I read that I need device tree and vendor, which doesnt exist for redmi note 2 or I still can't use github.
Second question which I have is: does compiling for 64 bit CPU differ from compiling for 32 bit CPU (like 6592)? If yes, could you give me some tips?
Ohh I think you can understand what I wrote
Thanks in advance and please dont blame me for silly questions
If you are looking to compile roms then you picked the wrong device to do it. They are the worst with kernel source. You can't completely compile a rom but use a patch system that does most of the work.
Yes it is different. There are some Tuts around but they are few as most don't use that type of chip.
If you really want to learn to develop then I would suggest getting a different device. One that respects the copyright and gpl laws.
zelendel said:
If you are looking to compile roms then you picked the wrong device to do it. They are the worst with kernel source. You can't completely compile a rom but use a patch system that does most of the work.
Yes it is different. There are some Tuts around but they are few as most don't use that type of chip.
If you really want to learn to develop then I would suggest getting a different device. One that respects the copyright and gpl laws.
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Thank you for your advices. I have HTC desire 310 and I found the kernel sources. I know what I'll do in my free time
Monsterlevel said:
Thank you for your advices. I have HTC desire 310 and I found the kernel sources. I know what I'll do in my free time
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Click to collapse
To compile a rom u need kernel source, device tree and proprietary, bye
Hi All,
I'm looking for active MTK Custom roms.
I've been browsing all over, but have been unlucky in my search for the moment.
I recently bought an android smartphone on aliexpress and it's a budget phone with moderate specs.
But I'm unsatisfied with the current factory performance of current OS, so I'm searching to replace it with something I might optionally tweak over time as well, but any active custom rom will do.
I'm specifially using the MTK6899 cpu on this phone.
I had to aswell already factory reset to fix storage capacity issue, so not a good sign to begin with either.
I'm really looking for any answer to clarify my quest/research in understanding the possibilities to port this phone to a different rom.
AFAIK Mediatek's source code for their chipsets isn't open source, hence developing Custom ROMs suitable to a specific Mediatek chipset is impossible.
jwoegerbauer said:
AFAIK Mediatek's source code for their chipsets isn't open source, hence developing Custom ROMs suitable to a specific Mediatek chipset is impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm that's a bummer, if only I knew this before acquiring this phone, right?
So should I aim at finding one for another mediatek chipset?
Or will there be too many issues caused by incompatibility?
bossc2 said:
So should I aim at finding one for another mediatek chipset?
Or will there be too many issues caused by incompatibility?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I can see you didn't get it.
A Custom ROM basically doesn't depends on Android device's chipset, it only matters with regards to being a 32-bit or 64-bit chipset.
Developers of a Custom ROMs claim their Android ROM is oftentimes faster, more efficient, and use less memory because
they ripped out useless garbage, such as OEM/ carrier installed apps ( AKA bloatware ) or
they optimized the kernel. For example, an undervolted kernel can provide a much better battery life than the stock one.
That's all.
jwoegerbauer said:
it only matters with regards to being a 32-bit or 64-bit chipset
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(noob here) regarding a tablet
What device info do I need, other than 32/64bits, in order to find a ROM that works?
and I mean basic functions, browser, wifi, touch screen etc... (No need any GSM/celular/mobile etc..)
gsi roms works also on mtk devices
wetito said:
gsi roms works also on mtk devices
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Click to collapse
hey i am looking for a gsi for my Moto G 5G 2022 (Austin) I am a noob i dont know where to find any that will actually work... the device is a mt6833 MediaTek Dimensity 700 and is on android 12... i'd like maybe an android 13 gsi like pixel experience but have no idea where to start.
gr3uh said:
hey i am looking for a gsi for my Moto G 5G 2022 (Austin) I am a noob i dont know where to find any that will actually work... the device is a mt6833 MediaTek Dimensity 700 and is on android 12... i'd like maybe an android 13 gsi like pixel experience but have no idea where to start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, if you're able to get a GSI please share, I'm running Android 11 and I want Android 12 stock ROM
I was wondering if is it possible to use a recent kernel in tab2.
There is a Linux system (Maemo Leste, based on Devuan (Debian without systemd)) that runs in a Motorola Droid 4, that uses a recent version of the Linux Kernel (5.11) and has the same CPU and GPU. https://leste.maemo.org/Motorola_Droid_4
Would it work in tab2?
(sorry for my english).
gu_1_ said:
I was wondering if is it possible to use a recent kernel in tab2.
There is a Linux system (Maemo Leste, based on Devuan (Debian without systemd)) that runs in a Motorola Droid 4, that uses a recent version of the Linux Kernel (5.11) and has the same CPU and GPU. https://leste.maemo.org/Motorola_Droid_4
Would it work in tab2?
(sorry for my english).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This rom here uses a 3.4 kernel which is currently the latest one used on Tab 2
[ROM][AOSP][8.1 Oreo] Unlegacy Android (Unofficial)
Warranties: THIS GUIDE COMES WITH NO WARRANTY. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE OF BREAKING YOUR PRECIOUS TABLET. PLEASE BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE CONTINUING, AS THIS GUIDE WILL WIPE YOUR DATA. Also, this guide assumes you have the following requirements...
forum.xda-developers.com
Why don't you try building a rom with 5.11 one ?? As you can see in the thread above, camera doesn't work due to 3.4 kernel and also wifi was an issue earlier but it is fixed now. Something or the other might not work but maybe the rom would boot up atleast !
gu_1_ said:
I was wondering if is it possible to use a recent kernel in tab2.
There is a Linux system (Maemo Leste, based on Devuan (Debian without systemd)) that runs in a Motorola Droid 4, that uses a recent version of the Linux Kernel (5.11) and has the same CPU and GPU. https://leste.maemo.org/Motorola_Droid_4
Would it work in tab2?
(sorry for my english).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually yes, we can use the 5.12 kernel i worked on but not with android, with Alpine Linux, please check https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...linux-on-samsung-galaxy-tab-2-unified.4171483 (5.12 kernel only for 7 inch tablets, the 10 inch ones have different display panel, if you have a 10 inch one want to help with making it usable with 5.12 kernel, I'll try)
Mighty said:
Actually yes, we can use the 5.12 kernel i worked on but not with android, with Alpine Linux, please check https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...linux-on-samsung-galaxy-tab-2-unified.4171483 (5.12 kernel only for 7 inch tablets, the 10 inch ones have different display panel, if you have a 10 inch one want to help with making it usable with 5.12 kernel, I'll try)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update its 5.15 now https://gitlab.com/postmarketOS/pmaports/-/merge_requests/2526
TheDoctor46 said:
This rom here uses a 3.4 kernel which is currently the latest one used on Tab 2
[ROM][AOSP][8.1 Oreo] Unlegacy Android (Unofficial)
Warranties: THIS GUIDE COMES WITH NO WARRANTY. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE OF BREAKING YOUR PRECIOUS TABLET. PLEASE BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE CONTINUING, AS THIS GUIDE WILL WIPE YOUR DATA. Also, this guide assumes you have the following requirements...
forum.xda-developers.com
Why don't you try building a rom with 5.11 one ?? As you can see in the thread above, camera doesn't work due to 3.4 kernel and also wifi was an issue earlier but it is fixed now. Something or the other might not work but maybe the rom would boot up atleast !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well as far as Android is concerned, in the future, we might get Android 11 with the 5.4 android common kernel. That won't be a easy job to make though.
To port to mainline (5.15 kernel or newer) is kinda possible but it requires even harder work, indicated by the fact that there is only a finger-countable few of those get to this stage, and even if you get it, some features won't work.
LR7875 said:
Well as far as Android is concerned, in the future, we might get Android 11 with the 5.4 android common kernel. That won't be a easy job to make though.
To port to mainline (5.15 kernel or newer) is kinda possible but it requires even harder work, indicated by the fact that there is only a finger-countable few of those get to this stage, and even if you get it, some features won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making android work with mainline is going to be a task! For now we are running mainline 5.15 with PostMarketOS
Mighty said:
Making android work with mainline is going to be a task! For now we are running mainline 5.15 with PostMarketOS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is good news, hope you reach success!
If that come true it will be a legend!