Related
I'm so confused with all the lingo, root, kernel, s-off, ruu.
It just seems so overwelming. I don't think I want custom roms, all I want is att stuff removed, and faster data speeds.
And I'd like a way to return to stock in case I need to return the phone.
What phone are you coming from?
Read, as much as you can Google is your friend. Also if your having problems with goldcard checkout the unlockr. Setting up sdk isn't all that bad. This is coming from a renewed rookie with HTC phones because I've been away from adb for two years since I got rid of my dream and magic.
Coming from an iPhone. Don't understand anything about adb, sdk, terminal, etc.
Haven't tried making the gold card yet, ordered an sdcard but it hasn't come in yet.
harlenm said:
Coming from an iPhone. Don't understand anything about adb, sdk, terminal, etc.
Haven't tried making the gold card yet, ordered an sdcard but it hasn't come in yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use the card that came with the phone for goldcard. Use the goldcard helper tool from the market, get the mcc 2 number from the tool, go to the link provided, insert the mcc 2 number into the box on the page where it asks for it, get the file that was emailed to you, download the hack kit in the stickied thread of development, after installing Android sdk, unzip the hack kit using 7zip and only 7zip into the tools folder located in the Android folder. From that point you are ready to create a goldcard. That's where the sticky thread is your friend.
I know it sounds like a lot and in the end once you read up and understand how to use adb you'll understand its not that bad. Remember i am a rookie as well with most of this and would be glad to help as you progress
I think creating the gold card seems like the easy step, found a program that will do it and upload it to phone without needing the sdk.
My concern is all the other stuff, different kernels, different radios, etc. Downgrading the radio loses sound, so then you have to upgrade it again, but then the sound isn't as good, etc.
Then someone posted the stock kernel, compared to a telus kernel, what's the difference, and why put one over the other?
harlenm said:
I think creating the gold card seems like the easy step, found a program that will do it and upload it to phone without needing the sdk.
My concern is all the other stuff, different kernels, different radios, etc. Downgrading the radio loses sound, so then you have to upgrade it again, but then the sound isn't as good, etc.
Then someone posted the stock kernel, compared to a telus kernel, what's the difference, and why put one over the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The program doesn't work you need mcc2 number. The sound problem is a correlation of combining the dhd time with our kernel.
harlenm said:
Coming from an iPhone. Don't understand anything about adb, sdk, terminal, etc.
Haven't tried making the gold card yet, ordered an sdcard but it hasn't come in yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will help with adb.Once you start tinkering you will figure it out quickly. As far as reading all the sound issues its really personal preference. You have to do these thing on your device and see if you have the same issue. Alot of the times you will find it that it comes down to different strokes for different folks. I myself have none of the issues that others have other than a weak external speaker. Reading is a great tool but dont get overwhelmed with the information your taking in because a good chunk will not pertain to you and your device. Just stick with the core information and what the op stated
The sound issue is the only thing that is not 100%, which will be fixed soon enough. We will get our own source soon enough, but for the time being dhd roms will do fine with either the stock or TELUS kernel. Personally the TELUS is better for fast data speeds.
harlenm said:
Coming from an iPhone. Don't understand anything about adb, sdk, terminal, etc.
Haven't tried making the gold card yet, ordered an sdcard but it hasn't come in yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just my two cents and I hope you don't take offense to this, but you picked the wrong phone to jump into rooting and customizing since it's a new phone and the forums aren't yet up to speed on info. I would first read up in the Rodgers Magic 32A forum on how gold cards work, recovery, fastboot, adb, and custom roms work - these phones are broadly used and have been around for a while too.
I've read the instructions in the hack kit, and I still dont' get it.
I need to download the sdk, found that at http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
It says Terminal on the phone, so I need to download a terminal app from the market?
The commands look simple enough if I can figure out how to do them.
Edit, also need to download HTC sync?
read the guide Ive listed on how to install adb on the sdk and you will be fine.
harlenm said:
I've read the instructions in the hack kit, and I still dont' get it.
I need to download the sdk, found that at http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
It says Terminal on the phone, so I need to download a terminal app from the market?
The commands look simple enough if I can figure out how to do them.
Edit, also need to download HTC sync?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After the downgrade, terminal gets installed with the Rom. Always remember to enable debugging and charge only. The terminal part is the hardest. Also after receiving temproot exit out so you can go back into your sdk folder. All the hackerize commands are done from the kit location.
Well, I can't do this at work, was planning on trying, but the sdcard reader in my printer here doesn't work, so I'll have to try it with my laptop at home. Just wasted time downloading all the packages.
Still seems very cumbersome and confusing.
harlenm said:
Well, I can't do this at work, was planning on trying, but the sdcard reader in my printer here doesn't work, so I'll have to try it with my laptop at home. Just wasted time downloading all the packages.
Still seems very cumbersome and confusing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't even need the SD reader. Just leave it the phone.
davwman said:
You don't even need the SD reader. Just leave it the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh.
Now, once I get this done, how do you flash the new ROM?
harlenm said:
Oh.
Now, once I get this done, how do you flash the new ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you have root, you can install ROM manager from the market. Run ROM manager, scroll to the bottom and tap on "All ClockworkMod Recoveries" and select 2.5.1.3 or 2.5.1.4. DO NOT INSTALL 3.0.0.5, it is NOT compatible with Froyo ROMs.
Once you tap one of those versions, it will automatically download and install ClockworkMod Recovery. Load the ROM you want to install onto your SD card, and in ROM manager, hit "reboot into recovery".
When you get to recovery, go to Backup/Restore and make a backup of your current ROM. Then do a data/cache wipe (factory restore) and then go to Install ZIP from SD Card and select your new ROM. Flash and you're on your merry way
harlenm said:
Oh.
Now, once I get this done, how do you flash the new ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the included readme file in the kit its part of step two. The kit is designed so all you need to do is follow the instructions and input a few commands and it pretty much does everything for you minus pushing the power button to get into hboot. The second hackerize command is the actual downgraded Rom.
r34p3rex said:
Once you have root, you can install ROM manager from the market. Run ROM manager, scroll to the bottom and tap on "All ClockworkMod Recoveries" and select 2.5.1.3 or 2.5.1.4. DO NOT INSTALL 3.0.0.5, it is NOT compatible with Froyo ROMs.
Once you tap one of those versions, it will automatically download and install ClockworkMod Recovery. Load the ROM you want to install onto your SD card, and in ROM manager, hit "reboot into recovery".
When you get to recovery, go to Backup/Restore and make a backup of your current ROM. Then do a data/cache wipe (factory restore) and then go to Install ZIP from SD Card and select your new ROM. Flash and you're on your merry way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, gonna read up more and then go for it.
I am fairly new to android. I have been seeing different words that sort of confused me. Like for example, ROM, could anyone explain what this is? Also, what is rooting?
Thank you?
Imaano said:
I am fairly new to android. I have been seeing different words that sort of confused me. Like for example, ROM, could anyone explain what this is? Also, what is rooting?
Thank you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROM: Read Only Memory, a program used to make changes to anything from the look of the home screen, to icons to custom boot animation
Getting root or rooting your phone is the process of modifying the operating system on your device to grant you complete control over it.
This means you can overcome limitations that the carriers and manufacturers put on your phone, extend system functionality, and even upgrade it to a custom flavor (ROM) of Android
a rom is basically the operating system, instead of being installed like windows it is flashed, it can have built in stuff installed depending on who puts it together, the kernal is what makes it al work with your phone like drivers and all that, rooting is giving you super user access, aka admin rights. without super user rights u cant get access to core system files, after rooted u get a higher level of access to the system. Certain programs from market require root access like rom manager which allows you to make a nandroid back which is exact back up of everything on phone, and u can also enable sideloading allowing you to install apps straight from your sdcard, instead of just from the market.
So would rooting enable my device to download applications from outside the market?
it depends if bubby included it in the one click check his thread out and it will tell u.
just read up in dev section make sure u know what everything is, and there is also a file to get back to stock as you got phone, but depends on what you wanted just root and side loading still same rom that came with phone? if thats it just do gold card and bubbys 1click root. there are other roms that you could try out aswell but like i said check out dev section first and get familiar a little with whats going on.
Okay this is REALLY freakin' irritating!!
I have been itching to cook up my own ROM in the kitchen...BUT I CAN'T EVEN USE IT!
I have tried installing it, multiple times (deleting everything each time to start fresh), and follow all instructions to the "T", and every single time I open Cygwin (after putting in the kitchen and renaming it) and "cd kitchen" enter "./menu", it always comes up saying "Error: The application 'gcc' is not installed - the kitchen will not function properly without it. Ensure you did not miss a step during installation! Refer to the Android Kitchen FAQ...", etc. (I could swear it installed devel > gcc when I installed Cygwin. Even used the Install all option and stuff...)
Checked out the FAQ and everything, but I still can't find it! Everything I try just doesn't work! Can someone please help?? (thank you)
R: [Q] Android Kitchen "gcc not installed" error
Thats weird.....u on ubuntu? As far a s i remember i never had to install gcc it was already there....but i could be wrong.
Uninstall gcc. Go get it from official repo, retry. If it doesn't work this is more of a question for ubuntu forums theyll get anything working on a pc.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Haha, actually I'm using Windows XP Professional. (Though I do have it dual-booted with Zorin OS...)
Yeah and uh...I'm not sure how you would directly uninstall gcc either...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
R: [Q] Android Kitchen "gcc not installed" error
Wait.....what? Isnt zorin based off ubuntu? Why dont u install android kitchen stuff there?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
killbubble said:
Wait.....what? Isnt zorin based off ubuntu? Why dont u install android kitchen stuff there?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yes. It is.... I just figured it would be a lot more convenient to do everything on Windows instead.
There are times when it seems like things that were designed for Ubuntu don't really seem to work on the zorin distro. In this case, it probably will. I'm not really sure why I can't effectively connect to my phone though when in Zorin...maybe because there is a Kies for linux? I dunno...
I suppose I could try to install it though.
But anyways, more to the point! If cygwin/android kitchen was designed to also work in Windows XP/Vista/7, then why am I getting this error, and how do I fix it?
R: [Q] Android Kitchen "gcc not installed" error
Thats why i use kubuntu. Though i can't answer your question, i do know ubuntu and windows hate each other, getting that stuff to work is gonna probab be a pain.
If zorin has got problems try emulating a small os (so u dont waste too much time) based off linux (lucid puppy linux) and see if that works.
I wouldve thought people would also be modding android stuff directly on windows rather than emulating ubuntu stuff...after all android is open source.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
killbubble said:
Thats why i use kubuntu. Though i can't answer your question, i do know ubuntu and windows hate each other, getting that stuff to work is gonna probab be a pain.
If zorin has got problems try emulating a small os (so u dont waste too much time) based off linux (lucid puppy linux) and see if that works.
I wouldve thought people would also be modding android stuff directly on windows rather than emulating ubuntu stuff...after all android is open source.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay. Thanks for your suggestions. I may try and either do it on zorin, or repartition with kubuntu or something.
Too bad I can't do it in Windows...
Yeah, it's dumb that we still can't directly modify Android from Windows and have to use Linux. Well, actually, not as much "dumb" as inconvenient. Linux is free, yet it's different. I think we should be able to do it anywhere due to Android being open source.
Oh well... I don't understand why no-one else is having this problem. They have the guides for it on here (beginner's guides to making ROMs and stuff like that), and it seems as though nobody else has had this problem...or nobody even uses Windows. orz
Hopefully someone else will attempt to answer my question. thanks though. <
R: [Q] Android Kitchen "gcc not installed" error
well many developers are also pc fanatics and experiment new oses and grow to like open soyrce/free ones more than windows. many java devs use linux oses. Thats how devs roll. I use c and i like windows so i do it all in windows, but i know the editor/debugging programs are better on ubuntu than those available for windows....still....windows is...too much to shut down at times...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
killbubble said:
well many developers are also pc fanatics and experiment new oses and grow to like open soyrce/free ones more than windows. many java devs use linux oses. Thats how devs roll. I use c and i like windows so i do it all in windows, but i know the editor/debugging programs are better on ubuntu than those available for windows....still....windows is...too much to shut down at times...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably right. I'm sure I'll be able to get used to it eventually, when I become a full developer. For now though, it's the learning curve. XD
Haha, yeah. That's good though. Windows is definitely enjoyable. (though I can't say much for W8. Ugh.)
So uh, I guess the Android Kitchen definitely works here in Zorin. Went to the menu without any problems. Funny still how it doesn't work in Windows....
You know, I'd probably have just skipped the whole kitchen thing and gone straight to development from source...but I'm not running on a x64 system, and therefore can't work on ICS and JB. :c
Soon though...very soon I will have all the parts to build my new computer, and not have to use this low-power laptop. >m>
Ascyndaeon said:
Okay this is REALLY freakin' irritating!!
I have been itching to cook up my own ROM in the kitchen...BUT I CAN'T EVEN USE IT!
I have tried installing it, multiple times (deleting everything each time to start fresh), and follow all instructions to the "T", and every single time I open Cygwin (after putting in the kitchen and renaming it) and "cd kitchen" enter "./menu", it always comes up saying "Error: The application 'gcc' is not installed - the kitchen will not function properly without it. Ensure you did not miss a step during installation! Refer to the Android Kitchen FAQ...", etc. (I could swear it installed devel > gcc when I installed Cygwin. Even used the Install all option and stuff...)
Checked out the FAQ and everything, but I still can't find it! Everything I try just doesn't work! Can someone please help?? (thank you)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My ERROR like ur ERROR.!
What should I do????
moj.enjoy said:
My ERROR like ur ERROR.!
What should I do????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if I could go back in time 3 years I would be able to try and help you...I just tried it on Windows 10 here and everything works.
So, follow the instructions as far as even the cygwin_install.txt they provided. You should make sure you install /just/ the gcc-core and gcc-g++ when it tells you to tick the gcc (do not get the "cygwin gcc", idk if that did it, but just get the normal gcc). Follow all the others as well; far as I could tell the linux-util wasn't actually in utils (core instead I think?) but was already ticked, so don't worry about it unless it isn't.
After everything is done, make sure java is good to go and all, and cd to the kitchen location (just put the files in a new file, C:/kitchen/) and change directory to that. Then do the ./menu and it should work....
Also don't bump super old posts, not good. c: Either way I hope this helps. Real simple.
I really have no use for the kitchen anymore, since my GS3 gets CM nightlies (up to marshmallow? Wat!) and I have a Nexus 5X anyway so it's all gucci. But either way...yeah. It works to my knowledge.
Cheers~
(admin close thread nao? or can I do that...)
Ascyndaeon said:
Well, if I could go back in time 3 years I would be able to try and help you...I just tried it on Windows 10 here and everything works.
So, follow the instructions as far as even the cygwin_install.txt they provided. You should make sure you install /just/ the gcc-core and gcc-g++ when it tells you to tick the gcc (do not get the "cygwin gcc", idk if that did it, but just get the normal gcc). Follow all the others as well; far as I could tell the linux-util wasn't actually in utils (core instead I think?) but was already ticked, so don't worry about it unless it isn't.
After everything is done, make sure java is good to go and all, and cd to the kitchen location (just put the files in a new file, C:/kitchen/) and change directory to that. Then do the ./menu and it should work....
Also don't bump super old posts, not good. c: Either way I hope this helps. Real simple.
I really have no use for the kitchen anymore, since my GS3 gets CM nightlies (up to marshmallow? Wat!) and I have a Nexus 5X anyway so it's all gucci. But either way...yeah. It works to my knowledge.
Cheers~
(admin close thread nao? or can I do that...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
before ur comment
I found my answer with try and try..!!:laugh:
just setup cygwin again and saearch(gcc) and enable to install.
next ,another error and ...
THX for ur comment.
by the way how to create custom recovery for galaxy?
I'm glad to hear it's working for you! Hope you have great fun with it like I did. ^-^
And for the custom recovery...I say it's not really worth it unless you're really serious and can code. Not sure myself how one would make such a thing that has that access, you probably should ask somebody who's actually made them. Otherwise I strongly recommend either Team Win Recovery Project or ClockworkMod. (I use ClockworkMod, but most say twrp is better)
^-^
:fingers-crossed: ok so I've FINALLY been able to root my net10 zte merit z990g using a simple .zip install suggestr
d to me by a friend. (I know I took the easy way)
Since rooting it, I've went from the factory 2.3.5 stock and installed an ICS based verioson, which seems to be running great minor exception internet browser crashed & installation of opera web browser seemed to work smoothly on.
Since rooting it, I've bought another phone (Lg Optimus Dynamic) and activated it so that I may study the rooted device futher.
My questions are as follows:
1. Could someone possibly tell me the complete list of su commands are for my zte merit z990g and how to enter them? (Id like to use my su rights to explore the device componets, network (since its deactivated and has no working sim) and bootloader files/settings, etc for my own educational purposes to POSSIBLY futher my knowledge of the android based device. (quite new still yet to the whole technology mods, hacks & tricks) as well as explaining the whole shell thing?
2. Bootloader: how do I know if its unlocked, and if it isnt then what do I do to unlock it?
3. Is it possibe for one flash or install another custom rom or kernel to unlock a device? As stated I've went from gingerbread 2.3.5 to ICS . I first installed a .zip of TouchNav then a DexMeritRoot. zip, shortly after that I installed the ICS.zip. Though it seems to be stable, the battery drains extremly quick and there still is hardly any memory. Any ideas on a tweak setting to optimize
these issues?
4. Does anyone have another suggestion for a rom that I could try?
I ask advice as I know there are possibly other users out in the xda forum who are waaay more experienced with this device and could possibly share their wisdom with an inexperienced noob thats looking to expand her knowledge. So far, whats been done since the root, Ive enjoyed it (I use it to connect via wifi only to connect with friends and play online games when not tinkering with trying to enhance it to full potential) Ive just grown sightly accustomed to the udated zip of ICS and would like to try something new.
So, there it is guys, is there anyone who would like to offer their advice on the subjects? Id love to get some feedback.
Thanks in advance!!
ok, so I now know that I can install a .zip custom rom contaning no kernel since the merit is known to have issues rebooting and its linked to an "unstable kernel....but this confuses me. Doesnt the android based Zte Merit z990g have to have a kernel to function??
And I've come across the Stayboggy blue steel custom rom but Im apperhensive due to conflicting replies in the forum area I located it in. Dont get me wrong, he has some wonderful ROMS and software that Ive researched online. I just get a little nervous upon installing anything (Fear of drastic noob brick)
I've yet to find any real answers in my researches just yet, however I will continue to explore the device.
I guess upon reading Ive realized the bootloader thing has pretty much been addressed all on its own. Im guessing I wouldnt of been able to install the icecream Scamwhich custom rom, version of the ICS, would I??
Im still trying to find out the whole su commands, how to create shell etc so thats what Im tryin to grasp now.
Still would appreciate any opinions, and advice from others. on anything in the thread...
Okay so just to clear a few things up.
The bootloader for the merit is already unlocked due to Touch Nav being able to be flashed and replace the Stock Recovery with the update.zip. The bootloader would be the first menu that you "tampered" with in order to flash a permanent recovery that would allow you to use Touch Nav or ClockWorkMod recovery and then install ROMS. In my experience, I haven't ever come across a ROM being "pre-unlocked". This is because the way to unlock most phones is using the IMEI and being that is different in every phone it just can't be done until after the ROM is flashed. Some phones have apps for them like the Galaxy line and others are harder to unlock.
As far as running shell commands, you'll need to do that through ADB or a Terminal App. That's really the manual way of performing tasks on your device like pushing or pulling files with read/write privileges aka SuperUser. So it depends on what all is you want to try to learn to do manually. Like pulling system apps from your phone, replacing boot animations zip files, or what have you. In ADB, if your device is connected and have ADB debugging checked off you can try the command: "Adb devices". Minus the parentheses to check if can run other commands. "Adb help" will show you a quick command paragraph. You should still Google ADB commands or Android Terminal commands to explore further. Since your phone doesn't have a service, I recommend you trying a voip app to make calls through wifi just as neat thing to mess around with. Well that's just a bit of what I've gathered in my short time here in Xda Developers. If you like the challenge of research in the android/Linux world, this is really exciting way to start.
Oh and as far as the Ice scam Sandwich ROM, it is still Gingerbread. It's only themed system ui to look like ICS. There isn't an ICS based rom out for the ZTE Merit. Even SpeedFreak2.0 is Gingerbread. The low system storage issue was greatly addressed in SpeedFreak2.0 by creating an sd-ext3 partition on the micro sd. I had to create that in either TouchNav or ClockWorkMod and format. So backup all your data prior to doing this and installing the New Rom. I now have 4gb free of system storage and the Merit clocking at 864mhz. Pay close attention as I believe you install that ROM by restoring a backup file NOT flashing the. zip.
Now for the unstable kernel, I would recommend you download the 1.0 kernel I mentioned in another thread. The kernel comes in the ROM and it wouldn't run "without a kernel". Again, this would be after installing SpeedFreak2.0 by backup restore using ClockWorkMod that I believe is installed by flashing an update.zip that reboots TouchNav and let's you use a Temporary ClockWorkMod from which to backup(install) SpeedFreak2.0. You extract the SpeedFreak2.0. zip and get the backup file from there. I hope I made sense. I'm up late and I'll come back and check on you. Feel free to PM me if you find yourself lost.
Sent from my PantechP9090 using xda premium
Hi
I am new to hacking android. I have built linux distros in the past, and have worked with Linux for 15 years,
I have just rooted a ZTE V965. It doesn't come pre-installed with Play store, and has all sorts of ZTE-specific Chinese apps. It has a good baseband circuit, a good screen, reasonable camera and I think is a great value phone, apart from the awful UI.
It is an android phone, although heavily customised. It has an MTK6589 processor coupled with 4Gb ROM and 512Mb RAM.
I have other phones which operate a much more "Vanilla" android. For example, the Guophone 9105 which also uses an MTK6589. This has a troubling tendency to reboot every random interval. Approx 6 times a week.
I have had success in the past running Linux systems built for much earlier kernels on later kernels. This suggests the ABI (application binary interface) for the Linux kernel changes rather slowly.
I am wondering how well the userland apps are separated from the kernel and drivers on Android.
Specifically, is it feasible to dump all the UI stuff from one phone onto another then change the init to launch the other UI?
Would this risk bricking the phone, or would the shell commands and ADB infrastructure still likely operate?
I guess I should change the bootloader to one that supports fastboot first, right? Is ther a how-to on achieveing this from the root shell?
Thanks for any thoughts
Nick.
Nick Hill said:
Hi
I am new to hacking android. I have built linux distros in the past, and have worked with Linux for 15 years,
I have just rooted a ZTE V965. It doesn't come pre-installed with Play store, and has all sorts of ZTE-specific Chinese apps. It has a good baseband circuit, a good screen, reasonable camera and I think is a great value phone, apart from the awful UI.
It is an android phone, although heavily customised. It has an MTK6589 processor coupled with 4Gb ROM and 512Mb RAM.
I have other phones which operate a much more "Vanilla" android. For example, the Guophone 9105 which also uses an MTK6589. This has a troubling tendency to reboot every random interval. Approx 6 times a week.
I have had success in the past running Linux systems built for much earlier kernels on later kernels. This suggests the ABI (application binary interface) for the Linux kernel changes rather slowly.
I am wondering how well the userland apps are separated from the kernel and drivers on Android.
Specifically, is it feasible to dump all the UI stuff from one phone onto another then change the init to launch the other UI?
Would this risk bricking the phone, or would the shell commands and ADB infrastructure still likely operate?
I guess I should change the bootloader to one that supports fastboot first, right? Is ther a how-to on achieveing this from the root shell?
Thanks for any thoughts
Nick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Nick, I have the same phone. I'm also very new to android, last phone was iOS and before that windows. I managed to root the V965 using Vroot. I also managed to install SuperSU and CWM. However, the CWM is not fully functional, I can only do a factory reset, not install any packages or roms. Probably the phone has a locked bootloader. I can't check, because the USB driver with the phone doesnt support fastboot.
I really need to get google play working in this phone, read a lot of stuff, tried many things, but I havent succeeded yet. Please let me know if you make any progress.
In China they are flashing this phone, found some ROMs even, but I am not sure how they manage and google translate isn't much help there.
http://www.romjd.com/Device/zte-v965/hot/all/1
Hmmm my V965 is having some issues now
After a factory reset, the setup wizard keeps crashing. Even after another resest. So I can't get in the phone anymore.
Any chance you can send me the USB drivers that are on the phone? My phone isnt deteceted anymore, so I can't access the drivers, which I want to reinstall. And of course they are not on the ZTE website.
Byte_Me said:
Hmmm my V965 is having some issues now
After a factory reset, the setup wizard keeps crashing. Even after another resest. So I can't get in the phone anymore.
Any chance you can send me the USB drivers that are on the phone? My phone isnt deteceted anymore, so I can't access the drivers, which I want to reinstall. And of course they are not on the ZTE website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
You can temporarily download the ZTE v965 USB drivers from
www dot nickhill dot co dot uk forward slash ztev965usb dot zip
Byte_Me said:
Hi Nick, I have the same phone. I'm also very new to android, last phone was iOS and before that windows. I managed to root the V965 using Vroot. I also managed to install SuperSU and CWM. However, the CWM is not fully functional, I can only do a factory reset, not install any packages or roms. Probably the phone has a locked bootloader. I can't check, because the USB driver with the phone doesnt support fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fastboot and ADB appear to be standard protocols, at least on my Ubuntu, which don't need special drivers. However, it does appear that the stock boot loaader on the v965 does fail to incorporate the fastboot option.
If you remove the battery, replace it then turn on holding the volume down, you will get a menu, but fastboot is not there.
I don't know for a fact, but I do suspect that if you have access to the running android system as root, then you could in principle change any of the internal flash data. Therefore, in principle, I guess you could replace the boot loader or anything else in the running android system. Anyone please correct me if I am wrong, or confirm if I am right.
The feature set of this phone seems to be the same as the feature set of my Guophone. MTK6589, dual SIM, etc. So this image may be a good place to start if considering a transplant.
If you have ROMs, then perhaps it is possible to flash the ROM from a root terminal. I'm thinking add the uncompressed ROM to the Micro SD card, then using the dd command, block copy it to the appropriate image area on the internal ROM, reboot, reset to factory defaults.
If anyone more experienced than me with the nuts and bolts of Android can confirm or deny this will work, or where it should be put, please let me know.
An important factor is that the NAND is not locked on the ZTE V965. So if you have a root shell on the phone, you can issue the following command:
mount -o remount,rw /[email protected] /system/
Once you have done this, you will have read/write access to the system partition.
The only thing I then need to know is what should I avoid changing that may break the ADB bridge/root console?
And is all the UI stuff kept together, if so, where?
Shuffle it around a bit, make a new ROM
Thanks for the driver!
Unfortuntely it doesn't help
I found out the culprit, I tried to install gapps (google apps package) to the system app folder. I thought these changes would be reversed with a factory reset, but they are not. Setupwizard.apk keeps crashing and is preventing me from accessing my phone, so I must find a way to remove it from the system app folder. However, since this error occurred, I am not able to contact the phone in any way from the PC. Adb toolkit does not detect it, even when I reinstalled your driver. It's quite puzzling, I dont understand why in recovery mode I cannot connect adb-toolkit anymore.
Got my V965 working again, but it was a lot of hassle with shell access. Still not fully functional, no drives detected when i connect to USB, which is quite annoying, but not more than that. If you ever make any progress with google apps or flashing, please keep me informed, that would make this phone much more useable. I'll also keep hacking away at it, but without a bootloader unlock (I still think this is the problem), I don't think it will be possible.
I'm convinced it's possible to flash the phone, it seems they do it a lot in China.
I found a website with a couple of custom ROMs specific for the V965:
http://www.romjd.com/Rom/Detail/17086
And what I suspect is a rooting & flashing tool. Rooting works, I haven't figured out flashing yet.
http://dl.vmall.com/c0xa12brvo
I've also tried flashing from the settings - update menu in the phone, but it never finds the ROM (update.zip)
I did find another problem, I can't be reached on my phone, it always goes to voicemail. Same SIM in another phone works fine. No idea what's causing this.
Byte_Me said:
Got my V965 working again, but it was a lot of hassle with shell access. Still not fully functional, no drives detected when i connect to USB, which is quite annoying, but not more than that. If you ever make any progress with google apps or flashing, please keep me informed, that would make this phone much more useable. I'll also keep hacking away at it, but without a bootloader unlock (I still think this is the problem), I don't think it will be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I might be able to help you with the problem.
I have a mint, unused ZTE v965. I have used MTK Droid root and tools to extract a backup of the entire new phone. It is currently uploading to www dot nickhill dot co dot uk forward slash ZTE-V965_new_backup.zip
You should be able to write this back to your phone using flashtool.exe.
I don't know for sure if this will work, so entirely at your own risk! Just trying to help. If unsure, ask around.
I am new to this forum, so please remember to click the thanks button if you find anything I have done helpful!
Meanwhile, the MTK droid root and tools has a function to remove much of the chinese stuff (once the system has been installed) and there is always the cyanogenmod gapps package. This may be worth investigating.
Nick Hill said:
Hi
I might be able to help you with the problem.
I have a mint, unused ZTE v965. I have used MTK Droid root and tools to extract a backup of the entire new phone. It is currently uploading to www dot nickhill dot co dot uk forward slash ZTE-V965_new_backup.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file size should be 635,972,093 bytes and should finish uploading at 04:00 GMT
md5sum 17ecfdd1040d5dbfab70a3adbc24e07a
Thanks for the ROM, i'll give it a go. I will try to install it using the update option in the settings, that seems the safest.
Be careful with gapps. setupwizard.apk + factory reset = a lot of problems (if you install in system app folder)
OMG that tool is awesome. created CWM boot, installed your ROM, then installed a clean ROM, then installed gapps, all working!!!
Byte_Me said:
OMG that tool is awesome. created CWM boot, installed your ROM, then installed a clean ROM, then installed gapps, all working!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, I'm glad it's working for you.
Secondly, which tools did you use? Did you unpack the zip, open flashtools, select the scatter file then program the phone, or did you use some other method?
Which clean ROM did you then install, and how did you install it?
Did you then use MobileUncle to install CWM then use the cyanogenmod 10.1 gapps, or did you do something different?
It is useful to remember that MTKdroidtools has a useful function to remove chinese stuff. I think if more people contributed to the list of Chinese files that are safe to remove, that would be blade.
A detailed step-by-step guide might be helpful for anyone else with the same problem. One of the general problems I find is that there are plenty of guides around referring to this program, or that program, but few are detailed enough for someone who doesn't already know about those programs to use.
I pretty much bricked a Lenovo A766 yesterday, and it took several hours to learn about the tools to eventually unbrick it.
I would have rather spent my time understanding what is really going on, rather than spending my time learning vaguely what tool achieves what end result. If I understood more about the Android system, and built that knowledge on my understanding of Linux, I reckon I could achieve much more.
One thing I notice is that tablets and smartphones are actually replacing desktops and laptops. February this year, windows machines were down 7% YOY. I use Ubuntu for my main computer. Using these tools on Windows led me to significant frustration! This has led me to understand why there is a move. Maybe the tools provided for windows need to eventually move to android. We could then potentially use USB OTG to service other android devices. MTKdroidtools and flashtools runnng as a host on a separate Android system would be cool.
Nick Hill said:
Firstly, I'm glad it's working for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, me too
Secondly, which tools did you use? Did you unpack the zip, open flashtools, select the scatter file then program the phone, or did you use some other method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used MTK tools as described in that topic, rooted, made backup, installed CWM
Which clean ROM did you then install, and how did you install it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the update tool from CWM to flash this ROM:
http://www.romjd.com/Rom/Detail/17086
That ROM is not very clean though, You might as well clean your own ROM
Did you then use MobileUncle to install CWM then use the cyanogenmod 10.1 gapps, or did you do something different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM is installed using MTK Droid Root and Tools:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=44660171&postcount=417
This gapps version I installed: gapps-jb-20121011-signed
It's installed using CWM bootloader: install .zip package
It is useful to remember that MTKdroidtools has a useful function to remove chinese stuff. I think if more people contributed to the list of Chinese files that are safe to remove, that would be blade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the delete China function, but it didnt catch very much. But with all the functions available now, it's quite easy to clean manually.
A detailed step-by-step guide might be helpful for anyone else with the same problem. One of the general problems I find is that there are plenty of guides around referring to this program, or that program, but few are detailed enough for someone who doesn't already know about those programs to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I plan to make a topic for this phone, but at the moment I am still testing many things.
I pretty much bricked a Lenovo A766 yesterday, and it took several hours to learn about the tools to eventually unbrick it. I would have rather spent my time understanding what is really going on, rather than spending my time learning vaguely what tool achieves what end result. If I understood more about the Android system, and built that knowledge on my understanding of Linux, I reckon I could achieve much more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how you feel, I was ready to toss this phone in the trash
One thing I notice is that tablets and smartphones are actually replacing desktops and laptops. February this year, windows machines were down 7% YOY. I use Ubuntu for my main computer. Using these tools on Windows led me to significant frustration! This has led me to understand why there is a move. Maybe the tools provided for windows need to eventually move to android. We could then potentially use USB OTG to service other android devices. MTKdroidtools and flashtools runnng as a host on a separate Android system would be cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea about the possibilities there. I'm not a programmer, just someone who is good with computers and knows a little bit of everything.
PS. I could also use some thanks as well, maybe get some respect around here
Nick Hill said:
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you give it a try yet? Another user did and google apps are working for him, so thats 2 for 2.
Are you still on your original ROM? If so, I have a question for you. Do you get notification badges on your icons, for instance, when you have a missed call, is there a red box with a 1 on the phone icon? Also, do your contacts get ID-ed when they call you? I have some problems with that, caused by the country code prefix. I am still running that ROM I downlaoded from the Chinese forum, but if your ROM doent have these issues, I will switch back ASAP.
Nick Hill said:
Firstly, I'm glad it's working for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as you are a Lenovo a766 owner, may you help me with this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49076877#post49076877
Where are configuration settings stored accross factory resets?
I have come to the (perhaps erroneous) conclusion that the user interface and what the user will experience is governed primarily from:
the APKs in
/system/app/
/system/vendor/operator/app/
and the configuration files pertaining to the installed apps, which is located at:
/data/user/0/
I guess that when the android device is factory reset, the /data partition is completely cleared, right?
Is there a set of standard configurations which are unpacked from somewhere into /data/user/0/ after a factory reset, or is it normal for all configurations to be stored in their respective APKs?