Crash course about root and roms:
I keep seeing a lot of people make comments like "I flashed xboarders rom so I could have root and then flashed CM7. Everything working great." That's not really the way it works. It doesn't hurt to do that, but you're adding an uneceasary step. Lets say you use Superoneclick, what that does is roots the stock rom you have in place. For now it works with our phones on Froyo and not on GB. So what are our options to "gain root" with GB? We have to flash an already-rooted rom. But understand that the root privileges are built in to the rom. Flashing xboarders rom or any other rom doesn't "give you root" for the other roms you might flash, it is simply one rom out of many that is pre-rooted by the dev who packaged it up. When you flash it you have a rom that is rooted. If you flash CM7 (another rom that provides root access to its system files) then you have a different rom that was pre-rooted by its dev.
Are you catching what I'm saying? Root doesn't "stick" between roms, so flashing one rom to "gain root" before flashing another doesn't really help all that much. Root privileges are built in to the rom.
If you want to unroot GB, then browse the threads in the development section. There are a couple of stock nandroid backups posted that you can restore via clockworkmod recovery and then you'll have a stock unrooted rom. You can even do that and still have clockworkmod recovery in case you want to flash a different rom to your phone again.
And just a friendly reminder to PLEASE remember when flashing from one rom to a different rom: WIPE WIPE WIPE data, cache, dalvik cache, then flash rom, then fix permissions, then reboot. This will save you SO MANY headaches.
G2X CM7
Nice buddy
I've asked a couple of n00b technical questions that nobody would answer. Like, "does the 'ROM" image contain the linux portion of the run-time?". Since "root" apparently means obtaining unix root privilege at the linux layer (again another question I've asked that nobody answered), and root follows the ROM, then I will add 1+1 and say the ROM contains the linux layer.
As a side note, a ROM is a piece of silicon (where I used to put my embedded code) that hasn't been manufactured for over a decade, so the overloading of that term is still tripping me up.
Nobody on this forum is responsible for technical training. I've looked at some android books on Safari, and all I find is UI stuff. I can't seem to find driver and IOS level stuff. Anyone know of a book about that stuff? It appears Android mostly goes thru JNI, so maybe I need to get on a JNI forum to understand how JNI connects to the linux drivers?
I could care less about app dev - I want to figure why my phone crashes.
Thanks,
-BobK
What most people mean nowadays when they refer to a ROM is a ROM image, flashable or otherwise copyable into the partitions that are set up in the phone's non-volatile RAM.
Yes, the ROM image contains Linux -- bootloader, kernel, drivers and a bunch of binaries like "busybox", dalvikvm (the dalvik virtual machine), dexopt, dhcpd, vold and so on.
EDIT: namklak: since it sounds like you know something about Linux already, you really should learn about ADB so you can login to your phone and look around. You should probably make sure you have a rooted ROM so you can run as superuser and look through / and /system/etc and /dev and /sys.
namklak said:
I've asked a couple of n00b technical questions that nobody would answer. Like, "does the 'ROM" image contain the linux portion of the run-time?". Since "root" apparently means obtaining unix root privilege at the linux layer (again another question I've asked that nobody answered), and root follows the ROM, then I will add 1+1 and say the ROM contains the linux layer.
As a side note, a ROM is a piece of silicon (where I used to put my embedded code) that hasn't been manufactured for over a decade, so the overloading of that term is still tripping me up.
Nobody on this forum is responsible for technical training. I've looked at some android books on Safari, and all I find is UI stuff. I can't seem to find driver and IOS level stuff. Anyone know of a book about that stuff? It appears Android mostly goes thru JNI, so maybe I need to get on a JNI forum to understand how JNI connects to the linux drivers?
I could care less about app dev - I want to figure why my phone crashes.
Thanks,
-BobK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're familiar with Linux then an Android ROM is basically the equivalent of a Linux distro. Its a customized version of Android that contains the Linux-based OS along with whatever modifications and default apps the developer wants to include to give it its own flavor. The name "ROM" is a bit of a misnomer since most all custom android ROMs give the user root access to the system partition. Its no longer "read-only memory" if you have read/write access. The first time I heard the term ROM used this way was in reference to copies of old Nintendo games ROM cartridges that could be run in an emulator on my computer.
Not sure about books to direct you to.
G2X CM7
Most "so-called" doesn't read. Maybe it's easier for them to post/start new thread rather than reading. They don't even care where they pot as long as they can ask, and sadly, it's the same question over and over again.
If you check Q & A (even General and sometimes Development), there are more than 2 root questions in the first and/or second pages.
The Almost Complete Compendium for MT4G Slide (Read This before Posting)
Note as of 12/22/2011 the ota update is not rootable (H boot 1.45.0013)
and s-off cannot be obtained. If you updated with s-off it is possible to revert back. [url='http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1421258"] Reference thread [/url]
Also, people who used HTC unlock and have s-on will have trouble flashing roms that are not gingerbread based.
Table Of Contents
1. XDA Lingo
2. MT4G Slide Specs.
3. S-Off, Root, Recovery, Backup, Unroot
4. ROMS, Kernels, Fixes, Mods
5. Network (Unlocking, Backtrack)
6. Apps
7. Development Section
8. Credits
Section One
READ FIRST
READ SECOND
READ THIRD
This is really helpful if a person is new to the forums. Some Lingo, Jargon!!
S-Off: This term is used when describing the security radio. With S-on only signed ROMs may be flashed, when S-off unsigned ROMs may be flashed IE custom ROMs.
Root: This means the user will have unrestricted full access to almost the entire system stack. Another way of describing it would be, having administrator rights on a windows computer
Custom Rom: This stands for “read only Memory”. With Android OS, a custom rom allows you to change things that were un-changeable.
Hybrid ROM: When referring to the MT4G Slide. This ROM contains both HTC Sense and AOSP Theme.
(Unlocked)Bootloader: Loads the core operating system. Unlocked bootloader means users can modify what files the bootloader opens.
H-Boot: Hitting power+volume down after a power down or restart brings up the H-boot (skating androids). This is used to get into recovery and can also be used to flash files using the proper file name.
Fastboot: Fastboot is the name of a tool used to manipulate the flash partitions of the Android developer phone. It can also boot the phone using a kernel image or root filesystem image which reside on the host machine rather than in the phone flash
Zipalign: Is an archive alignment tool. The benefit of zipalign is a reduction in the amount of RAM consumed when running the application.
A.O.S.P "Android Open Source Project": Pure google source untouced by carriers and phone manufacturers.
SDK ADK: “Software Development Kit”” Android Development kit” A suite of tools that helps developers create software for the Android OS.
ADB: “Android Debug Bridge” Allows a user to control and interface with the Android OS.
SBF: System binary file. “I sbfed back to stock” Meaning, I reverted my phone back to stock using a system binary file with a stock image.
Kernel: This is the center of the computer operating system. It provides basic services to the other parts of the system.
Overclock: Forcing the processor to increase its clock rate (therefore more cycles per second). Normally used to get better performance.
Underclock: Reducing the processor clock rate (less cycles per second). This is used to get battery performance and increase processor life.
Undervolt: Lowering the voltage while still maintaining clock rate. This is used to help save power and heat reduction.
Frosted/Defrost: A term used when freezing (frosted) an application or unfreezing (defrost).
Bloatware/Debloat: The many useless applications that carriers add onto the stock os (bloatware). Debloat means that the bloatware has been removed.
Master Subsidy Lock (MSL): Many phones are sold below cost, (at a loss to the carrier,) with the expectation that the money will be recouped in the cost of the monthly service plan. The up-front loss that is later recouped is called a Subsidy.For this to work financially for the carrier, the user must not buy the phone and then use it with a different carrier.The carriers slap on a MSL so the user cannot switch service providers.The term "unlock" means to get the MSL code to free the phone from the carriers lock.
Section Two
MT4G Slide Specs.
Phone specs:
Phone Scoop
[url='http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobile-myTouch-4G-Slide-Black"]T-Mobile[/url]
HTC
Snapdragon
"Best Still Image shooter" according to PC World
T.V Out
Section Three
S-Off, Root, Recovery, BackUp.
S-Off and Root
How to find out S-On or S-Off / Booting Into Hboot
Radio - Necessary to recover botched radio install Stock Radio Another Stock Radio Thread
S-OFF for Retail (S-ON) Devices, NOTE ADDED 8/17/11
Revolutionary's site also has the root zip that is needed. Does this give me root?
Boot into H-boot, then recovery, use camera button and select "install zip from sd card". When zip is done reboot phone, check superuser.
PERMANENT-ROOT (NEW!) & Temp-Root (v2) for any MT4GS (Windows) Great Guide with very good information!
Recovery
[RECOVERY] Official CWM Recovery v5.0.2.7
Thanks Undeadk9 for install guide.
Also, if using an older ROM version of Sense On Crack, Senseless, Virtrous, etc both the system and data need to be mounted.
ROM Manager is also supported for flashing CWM Recovery. Simply download ROM manager, click flash recovery at the top. Then select our phone. Follow the directions.
Directions:
1. Make Sure Your On a WiFi connection.
2. Go here: http://www.clockworkmod.com
Go to recoveries, Download v5.0.2.7 recovery for doubleshot
3. Download Term Emulator
4. Using root explorer, move the recovery image to /data/local, then mount System r/w in root explorer, then press the home button.
5. Then open Term emulator and this....
su
dd if=/data/local/recovery-clockworkmod-5.0.2.7-doubleshot.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p21
Press ENTER
6. It should say transferring bytes blah blah
7. Open ROM manager and press reboot into recovery.
8. If it says v5.0.2.7 then You are done.
ClockworkMod Recovery 4.0.0.9 for the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide (MoDaCo edition)
*Older Version*
I took out the terminal emulator post in the thread which is how I upgraded my recovery. The words and numbers must be exact.
here is the OP Thanks
1. Download Recovery 4.0.0.9 from Modaco's website
2. Using Root Explorer, find the file in your downloads folder on the sdcard.
3. Paste the recovery img file into your phone's /data/local folder.
4. In terminal emulator, first type "su" and then type "'dd if=/data/local/doubleshot.clockworkmod.4.0.0.9.modaco.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p21" and let it transfer the recovery file.
Re-Cap How To Turn S-Off, Install MoDaCo Clockworkmod Recovery, and Install a Rom For Dummie
Backup (Read and Re-Read this section)
Backups - After Rooting, before ROMing, take this step
Unroot
For The What Ifs
Section Four
Roms!Roms!Roms
Difference between full rom and patch
Basic Installation of a NEW ROM
1. MAKE NANDROID BACKUP OF STOCK ROM
2. REBOOT INTO RECOVERY
3. WIPE DATA AND CACHE
4. FORMAT DATA
5. FORMAT SYSTEM
6. WIPE BATTERY STATS "OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
7. WIPE DALVIK CACHE
8. INSTALL ROM
9. REBOOT
10*. LET PHONE SET FOR 5-7 MINUTES.(see below)
*The system is still building symlinks and installing things behind the scenes on first boot of a fresh installation. If you choose to play with it before the 5 minute mark, you risk losing data that has yet to be written. This can lead to buggy performance and issues the DEVS will have a hard time figuring out.
For patches
Backup
1. Wipe cache
2. Wipe davik
3. Flash Patch
4.Reboot
Stock Roms
12/Aug 1.28.531.9 r1 - HTC Doubleshot Stock ROM Rooted and decodexed
Pure Stock Doubleshot, Root/Deodex/Busybox/Opt/Zip
Ice Cream Sandwhich
[ROM][Jan 5 2012] Pyr-o-Ice ICS 0.3.0 alpha (Android 4.0.1) |Camera(photo)|FaceUnlock
Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Roms
CM7
Sense Roms
Virtrous
Crack Injected Sense
BulletProof
Touch 4G Slide DoubleShot Lite
*These Roms Have active Developer support. If I missed a ROM please message or post and I will fix.
Kernels
BoneStock Kernel
Unity V2
Kanged
Fixes, Mods
GPS Fix
Safe Bloatware Removal
Turn off system update for good
*Data Connectivity Fix
*Clutter Cleanup
*indicates stock ROM safe
Section Five
Networking(Unlock,Backtrack)
Unlock:Use method one
Another Way to Unlock the MSL
Backtrack (offensive network secruity)
Section Six
Apps
Good App suggestions and reviews
Section Seven
Development Section
This section is intended for DEVS and beginner DEVS. If you have a question ask before doing something.
MT4GS Stock App Developers Reference
Partions - memory address listing
ADB,SDK,JDK
Fastboot.Exe is in the attachments incase you did not get it. Put the .Exe in platform-tools folder.
Blue61x's Guide to setting up a fresh Dev Computer XP
ADB Workshop by Adrynalyne and Guide by Captainkrtek
Understanding Basic ADB Commands
Dev guide to adb
Key Mapping
Genius button to search
Hardware Key mapping and Flashable zips and requests
LockRing Editing
[How-To] Custom Sense Lockring on the MT4GS - easy step-by-step.Part 1
[How-To] Edit .9.png files for the MT4GS - step-by-step.Part 2
[How-To] Edit Mode10 Files for the MT4GS - step-by-step. Part 3
Tools and Dowloads
MR.Root by XMC Wildchild22 Great scripts!!!
SuperOneClick Root
Section Eight
Credits
I am adding more sections, more links and more information as well as some more jargon.
Pm's welcome for mistakes, more information, etc. ( I am human).
Thanks Blue6IX,Very involved with the creation of this compendium
I thank all the Devs, Mods,end users, supporters and noobs for helping me compile this information. I take no credit for this as it's an orangized Hub for all of our information.
Change Log: 11/02/2011 Added New CWM Recovery, CM7, Mods and Fixes section. Changed name of Unlocking section to networking. Added backtrack.
11/06/2011: Added new terminology.Updated and split the ROM section into aosp and sense roms. Added another way to obtain an unlock code. Added development Section.
11/11/2011: Added new terminology. Added new section to ROM: Hybrid. Added Doubleshot Lite to ROM section. Moved Key mapping section to dev. section. Added ADB section to dev. section. Edits.
11/22/2011: Added new terminology. Added Rom Manager is now supported for flashing CWM. Minor Edits.
12/21/2011: Updated Dev. Section and added fastboot.exe to attachments
1/05/12 : Added ICS Rom section, Added tools and download section, Added Blue's guide and XMC's root tool.
This should help clear up some of the oft-asked questions for people new to the device.
Droidmoder really put a lot of effort into making this happen!
Edit - How did I forget to click thanks on the OP? Dec 14th, 2011
Blue6IX said:
This should help clear up some of the oft-asked questions for people new to the device.
Droidmoder really put a lot of effort into making this happen!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blue6IX,
thanks for your help. You helped more than you think you did!
Blue6IX said:
The system is still building symlinks and installing things behind the scenes on first boot of a fresh installation. If you choose to play with it before the 5 minute mark, you risk losing data that has yet to be written.
The system will serve you, the user, before itself, and will drop from memory things it still needs to write to process your requests. This can result in buggy performance or problems down the line, and lead to frustrating issues that developers of the ROM can't figure out - because no one else will have these problems. Please be advised of this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Added to step ten.
Very nice write up =D.
ekoee said:
Very nice write up =D.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thank you very much! Now the goal is to keep it up to date which will probably turn into more work than you want, but thank you!
unclespoon said:
Yes, thank you very much! Now the goal is to keep it up to date which will probably turn into more work than you want, but thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
Sent from my Crack Injected Doubleshot using xda premium
Great Job!
Suggestion: a section on key remapping? (there was a thread somewhere but never got completed)
Etn40ff said:
Great Job!
Suggestion: a section on key remapping? (there was a thread somewhere but never got completed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to add this tonight. At work. I have that thread alreay
Sent from my Crack Injected Doubleshot using xda premium
Etn40ff said:
Great Job!
Suggestion: a section on key remapping? (there was a thread somewhere but never got completed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two threads actually.
Original
Then I made one for requests that people want in flashable zip form:
Requests
So technically, there is no need to 'finish' the first one, and I support my request thread as time allows. It's set up so any dev can come in and handle requests, and there are a few floating around here that would be more then happy to help.
by finish I refer to ekoee's post on shift+alt keys, either it never appeared or i could not find it at the time
Etn40ff said:
by finish I refer to ekoee's post on shift+alt keys, either it never appeared or i could not find it at the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, good catch - i'd forgotten about that with everything else that's been going on.
Wonder if someone will put time into figuring it out?
I bet the answer to that will also lead to the answer for getting other languages supported on the hardware keyboard.
Yeah sorry about that, I haven't had the time to start pulling apart key mappings. Ill make sure to get on it when work settles down.
ekoee said:
Yeah sorry about that, I haven't had the time to start pulling apart key mappings. Ill make sure to get on it when work settles down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thinking about moving key mapping in the dev section. Wouldn't it be more of a devlopmental thing?
Btw I'm going to refurb the dev sections with links and guides on adk adb and fastboot .
sent from my sense on crack MT4G Slide using xda premium
What does "nandroid" backup mean?
I have backed up with the recovery and I have backed up with ROM manager. What is nandroid?
sandiegoan said:
I have backed up with the recovery and I have backed up with ROM manager. What is nandroid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid is what clockwork mod calls the actual backup file.
Backup means to create a backup.
Nandroid is the file backup of your system . Hence nan (small) and droid the os. So you can also say you made a small android os .
Ill add this to terminology when I get to it. Hope this helped.
sent from my Agent Orange MT4G Slide using xda premium
Very helpful info, I unrooted, but theunlockr guide stated that this would turn the phone back to S-ON, but it hasnt, i have the stock tmobile rom back on the phone, but HBOOT states I still have S-ON, is this a problem? is there a way to get S-ON again so I can start the root process over? or am is there shortcuts I can take to root now that I have S-off?
I actually do not know. I would assume s on is attainable. Why would you want s on, you can re root without going threw rev again.
Follow the root guide its easy enough.
sent from my Agent Orange MT4G Slide using xda premium
You mean the guide from theunlockr? or another guide? if its another guide please post it? as far as following theunlockr method, in order to gain perm root it stated I have to first boot into recovery, and then flash the ZIP file, but when I try to go into recovery, I get a red exclamation mark, even though I have S -OFF
I'm pretty comfortable with *nix os, however, I've just gotten into android. Typically I run a barebones/minimalist openbox setup on my pc's. Android is driving me crazy with the open processes etc. Is there a reason why so many programs are continually queued up almost instantly after being force closed? **** I never ever use is robbing ram/battery for no reason?
android is not windows.The memory management differs.Android uses as much as possile ram to keep applications open for multitasking and for faster application launches
Rooting SGS2+Stock Kernel
Hello there!
I had earlier installed official firmware 2.3.5 on my SGS2. A few days ago, I decided to root my phone so I just used the insecure kernel by chainfire (XWKDD). I have the superuser app but not busybox (which I will be able to dl from market or so) but the problem is that I have also read another topic on rooting where it said 3 steps to root the device as 1. Flash an insecure kernel 2. Root using SuperOnceclick or S2Root 3. (Optional) flashing back the stock kernel to get rid of the yellow triangle on reboot screen.
Now, I am just wondering while I have just used chainfire's insecure kernel but I have the superuser AND I haven't even used superoneclick or S2Root!!! On the other hand I want to get rid of that yellow triangle on reboot.
The question is that whether I have missed anything out there!? And additionally Where can I find a stock kernel for my 2.3.5 firmware?
Any other useful tips are strongly welcomed ESPECIALLY by professional androidees!
Thank you in advance
Thank you for the kind responses!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Hi,
I'm moderately experienced with windows/linux system, but fairly new to the android OS. Specially when it comes to custom ROM.
I would like to give the custom ROM a try. But being a careful person, I would like a method to backup/restore the phone completely in case I mess things up. I've used imaging softwares like clonezilla on PCs. But when it comes to an android phones, I'm not completely sure how to go about getting the phone imaged so that I can restore it if anything goes wrong.
So far, this is as much as I know about Backup/Restore for an android device.
1. You need to root the device (already done)
2. You'll need some 3rd party application (something similar to clonezilla for android phones)
I have 2 questions:
1. I've seen some similar posts for different phones. But I'm not completely clear if all instructions are the same for all android phones. Or if there are some differences for each phone? If there are, what are they?
2. What 3rd party application could I use to get this done?
(I'm interested in working with free/open source application to get the job done.)
I have Samsung Infuse 4G (from Rogers) with Android 2.3.3.
Thanks
Your asking for quite a bit of info...basically you need to root, then install Clockworkmod recovery, then flash a rom of your choice. Try THIS link to get you started. THIS is also a good write up.
As far as backing up go, Clockworkmod (CWM) has a backup/restore option so you can back up your current setup and flash away.
If you want to restore things like apps to your new rom, try Titanium Backup from the market, your also gonna need Root Explorer to view/edit files and possibly Rom Manager for some installation methods. (both in the Market also)
EDIT: This write just popped up in the dev section: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442177
When I get a new computer that's filled to the brim with bloatware, I put my cleaning gloves on and uninstall every thing on that machine until it's a clean-slate - looking like Windows was just installed.
I just got an Android phone and - surprise surprise! - it has bloatware packed in by Verizon!
Before I get ahead of myself, my device is a Droid RAZR (16GB) on the Verizon network running Android 2.3.6 using the latest OTA update of 6.12.181. (Uses CDMA, too.)
Now, when I get a new computer I do one of two things:
I manually un-install all the bloatware or
I install a clean copy of Windows.
On Android, option 1 doesn't work since the bloat is built into the device's ROM. My question is about option 2.
Now from the research I've done, a custom ROM is usually the work of a team who takes a clean Android ROM and builds on top of it, adding apps and themes.
I want to skip the middle man and just have a clean Android ROM to flash onto my device. No added applications by a team (or my carrier), just a blank slate that Google created to begin with. Sorta like installing a clean copy of Windows.
So: does anyone know where I can find this mythical ROM?
Both options you mentioned will require you to root your phone. And rooting your phone usually means that you void your warranty.
I don't think i have seen a vanilla Android ROM for the Razr, then again i haven't looked that hard.
So you have a couple of options.
1. Root your phone and manually remove the apps you don't want
2. Root your phone, install custom rom and remove the apps you don't want.
3. Root your phone, download the source code from source.android.com, compile and install.
Thanks for the heads up, I did a lot of research before this post and I have a rooted phone already. In fact, I've even installed a custom ROM but I'd much rather have a clean version of Android and build on that for myself.
I'm going to look into vanilla ROMs and if I can't find anything, I'll research into making my own ROM
Out of curiosity, why do you think that vanilla ROMs aren't as popular as modified ones? I'd imagine more people would be asking for just plain Android ROMs and installing whatever they wanted.
Vanilla ROMs aren't popular cause custom roms throw in stuff Google didn't give you.
Sent from my U8150 using XDA