Need help setting up flashable ROM - HTC Sensation

Hello Guys,
I need to make a flashable ROM.... I already have boot.img and system from nand backup... Now all i need is the META-INF.... Where can I get it? Thanks.

You can pull the meta-inf from any other rom. Be careful though with your flashing. Especially if your are changing the boot.img. If something goes wrong, the phone will stay at your splash screen. the only thing you will be able to do is restore from a backup. So def. nandroid.

smoochiezz24 said:
You can pull the meta-inf from any other rom. Be careful though with your flashing. Especially if your are changing the boot.img. If something goes wrong, the phone will stay at your splash screen. the only thing you will be able to do is restore from a backup. So def. nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what do i do to make the ROM then?

I really don't suggest you try to make your own ROM if you don't know to set it up at all. The only reason i'm saying this is because you have to learn the basic file system structure before you even get into modding the system. The flashable zip has the same structure. And it's critical that things are in the right place. It's just not easy for me to show you with out you doing some research. What exactly are you looking to change that the other already made roms don't have? I can surely help you out with modding a rom but I can't tell you how to create a rom.

smoochiezz24 said:
I really don't suggest you try to make your own ROM if you don't know to set it up at all. The only reason i'm saying this is because you have to learn the basic file system structure before you even get into modding the system. The flashable zip has the same structure. And it's critical that things are in the right place. It's just not easy for me to show you with out you doing some research. What exactly are you looking to change that the other already made roms don't have? I can surely help you out with modding a rom but I can't tell you how to create a rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, my ROM consist of Android Revolution Dual Core and Tweaks and removed nearly all HTC apks and edited some extra files and themed i

Okay. Sounds cool enough. Have you modded the files on your PC and are looking to flash them to your phone to test them out? Or are the modded files already on your phone and you just want to package the whole thing up?

If you're looking to make your own ROM just extract out the ROM you're basing it on, delete the apks you don't want and then ZIP it up again. Otherwise you have to deal with setting up the Android kitchen to make your own ROM

smoochiezz24 said:
Okay. Sounds cool enough. Have you modded the files on your PC and are looking to flash them to your phone to test them out? Or are the modded files already on your phone and you just want to package the whole thing up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The modded files are already on my phone

Related

Modding ROM

Hi Guys,
I just wanna ask if you can mod a rom before the update.zip install to your own preferences.
Example you download HERO Batman ROM with its own dock,bar,bootscreen.
Then you open up the files you wanna change, example dock bar colour make it green then save it and then update the rom so that it will come in as you modded it.
Is that ok to do, or will the install of the update.zip fail if we play with the files from the downloaded rom?
Thanks in advance
you need to resign the zip-file after change
modding
Thanx bro`
I just think I will leave that alone, since "signing" isnt ringing a bell.
I done some research on the net and I see its a very delicate process.
So, before I mess up my phone I will leave it alone.
Thanx for the feedback!
it's not that delicate. check out the theme forum. loads of guides on how to resign a zip.
HI
bjehsus said:
it's not that delicate. check out the theme forum. loads of guides on how to resign a zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I swear I have done everything stericson tells in his how to.
Somehow I dont get the option RESIGN if I click on my mouse.
Maybe we dont understand eachother bcuz of my bad english.
Is it also good if I click on the map (with the files meta, framework, app etc.) and then make a new zip update file? Or is that bad shi*?
dizzydix said:
I swear I have done everything stericson tells in his how to.
Somehow I dont get the option RESIGN if I click on my mouse.
Maybe we dont understand eachother bcuz of my bad english.
Is it also good if I click on the map (with the files meta, framework, app etc.) and then make a new zip update file? Or is that bad shi*?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think he means recreate the zip.. so you need to make the files/folders into 1 zip file.
OK
Ace42 said:
i think he means recreate the zip.. so you need to make the files/folders into 1 zip file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I just hope I wont F** up my phone.
Cheers
dizzydix said:
OK, I just hope I wont F** up my phone.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't brick by flashing an ROM. Worst that will happen is that the phone won't boot, in that case go to recovery, wipe and flash a ROM. That's it.

[Q] How to modify a deodexed .zip ROM file?

I wanted to get some insight, direction and perhaps guidance on how to take the existing Deodexed ED2 ROM and get inside and make some edits, remove bloatware, replace Touchwiz with a different launcher etc. I am not looking to build a full blown custom ROM, I am just looking to edit a stock (yet deodexed) ROM to meet my needs.
Any help would be greatly appreciated so I can learn more about this process.
There are two ways you can do it. First way, that is usually a little easier to work with, is to extract the zip file, make the changes you want, and re-zip the whole thing. The other method is to just open the zip file (7zip or similar will make this a little easier) and add/delete stuff as you want. It eliminates the decompress/recompress part, but is a little harder to work with unless you know exactly what you want to do.
As far as figuring out what to remove and such, some files are named in a manner that they are easy to figure out (Mms.apk for example) and other files are not (Dlna.apk is AllShare). If you want to figure out what an APK file is, a good indication is sometimes opening it with say 7zip (they are essentially zip files) and extracting res/drawable-hdpi/icon.png and you can see what the icon is. Astro File Manager can also give you some info on the specific Apks, as can Titanium Backup I believe.
As for replacing things (like the launcher) it is as simple as taking one out and putting another in for most stuff. I will let you know that I had battery drain issues when I removed the stock TWLauncher, but I believe I know how to fix it then. A lot of stuff though, if you are replacing things, you'll want to do 1 or 2 things at a time and also be familiar with logcat as it is an invaluable tool when testing out ROM changes and problems.
Thanks imnuts, I will start to play with a zip file and go from there. As you mentioned the bloatware is in the system folder and not the data folder so perhaps I will just delete the bloat, and install GB Launcher on my phone and make it default so that TW is still there just not in use.
Hi,
a little late, but...
did you actually make this work? I'm trying the exact same thing, but my 4ext recovery always aborts the installation. Do I need to sign it or what is wrong?
Thanks a lot...
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

[Q] 3 quick questions

Alright this is 3 really quick and easy questions.
I have infused 2.2.3 and i wanna know:
1) if i install a theme, or probably any mod or something like that, how would i take it off?If i wanted to change the theme im on, do i simply go into cwm and apply a different theme? Or do i have to do something to remove the other one?
2)Do i need the old zips i applied to the phone or should i just delete them?
3) and if i were to put allll my zips in there could i just install them from there or do they need to be in the main part of my internal sd card? Basically does it matter where in my internal sd card they are or not?
joeym11 said:
Alright this is 3 really quick and easy questions.
I have infused 2.2.3 and i wanna know:
1) if i install a theme, or probably any mod or something like that, how would i take it off?If i wanted to change the theme im on, do i simply go into cwm and apply a different theme? Or do i have to do something to remove the other one?
2)Do i need the old zips i applied to the phone or should i just delete them?
3) and if i were to put allll my zips in there could i just install them from there or do they need to be in the main part of my internal sd card? Basically does it matter where in my internal sd card they are or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) To revert your theme back to the original you would either need to flash the rom again or the theme developer SHOULD have a revert for you to flash.
2)I keep them around just because, I always keepat least two roms and two kernels and a whole bunch of mods and modems. I mean the infuse has 16gb internal storage so memory isnt really that big of a deal. But no you dont NEED them.
3)Nope I've flashed from all sorts of places on my SD card. Root of the SD is probably the easiest though because then you dont have to do all the navigating through files etc in CWM.
Reynaldinho111 said:
1) To revert your theme back to the original you would either need to flash the rom again or the theme developer SHOULD have a revert for you to flash.
2)I keep them around just because, I always keepat least two roms and two kernels and a whole bunch of mods and modems. I mean the infuse has 16gb internal storage so memory isnt really that big of a deal. But no you dont NEED them.
3)Nope I've flashed from all sorts of places on my SD card. Root of the SD is probably the easiest though because then you dont have to do all the navigating through files etc in CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you SOOO much... got so tired of seeing 30+ views and no replies... thank you
joeym11 said:
Thank you SOOO much... got so tired of seeing 30+ views and no replies... thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, no problem man
joeym11 said:
Thank you SOOO much... got so tired of seeing 30+ views and no replies... thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just went to look for the revert but he didn't have it
This is the thread here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=17642552#post17642552
If you see it then lemme know, otherwise, do i reflash infused??
joeym11 said:
I just went to look for the revert but he didn't have it
This is the thread here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=17642552#post17642552
If you see it then lemme know, otherwise, do i reflash infused??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I dont see it. You can reflash infused. Make sure to back up everything you're gonna need though.
joeym11 said:
I just went to look for the revert but he didn't have it
This is the thread here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=17642552#post17642552
If you see it then lemme know, otherwise, do i reflash infused??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the "tricks" I usually do is this:
- make a copy of the .zip you're going to install -- rename it with 'revert' or 'undo' or something
- open the copy with 7zip, navigate to see what files are in it... (*don't touch the META-INF folder)
(themes usually contain /system/framework/framwork-res.apk and /system/app/SystemUI.apk)
- extract the same files from your current ROM
(either from the original zip, or directly from the phone -- I like to use 'Android Commander')
- replace those same files in the 'revert' zip -- and Bingo -- you now have a backup to restore if you don't like the theme
Reynaldinho111 said:
Yeah I dont see it. You can reflash infused. Make sure to back up everything you're gonna need though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gwbard said:
One of the "tricks" I usually do is this:
- make a copy of the .zip you're going to install -- rename it with 'revert' or 'undo' or something
- open the copy with 7zip, navigate to see what files are in it... (*don't touch the META-INF folder)
(themes usually contain /system/framework/framwork-res.apk and /system/app/SystemUI.apk)
- extract the same files from your current ROM
(either from the original zip, or directly from the phone -- I like to use 'Android Commander')
- replace those same files in the 'revert' zip -- and Bingo -- you now have a backup to restore if you don't like the theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ryan very much
And gwbard... i dont exactly understand that
Edit: Alright i got to the part where i extract the same files wiht my current rom... but how do i do that?... i just opened the zip from infused and all i see was the meta and then a folder with updates... what do i do? Im on infused 2.2.3 if that helps
joeym11 said:
Thanks ryan very much
And gwbard... i dont exactly understand that
Edit: Alright i got to the part where i extract the same files wiht my current rom... but how do i do that?... i just opened the zip from infused and all i see was the meta and then a folder with updates... what do i do? Im on infused 2.2.3 if that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just browse through the "update-infused-v2.2.3-full.zip" -- get familiar with the filesystem.
At the root you should see META-INF, system, and updates.
'META-INF' contains the scripting to run the update itself.
'updates' contains the modem & kernel.
'system' is what you should be looking at. Inside 'system' (amongst other stuff) are 'app' and 'framework' folders. "SystemUI.apk" is in 'app'. "framework-res.apk" is in 'framework'. 99% of the time these are the only two files changed in themes.
Now, not all developers follow the same folder structure in their CWM zips, for example they might just have a folder 'framework' where the scripting copies framework-res.apk to /system/framework, and so on...
sorry but it appears my building is on fire gotta go
edit: all is well (sorta) -- seems lightning has fried one of the A/C units on the roof!
gwbard said:
Just browse through the "update-infused-v2.2.3-full.zip" -- get familiar with the filesystem.
At the root you should see META-INF, system, and updates.
'META-INF' contains the scripting to run the update itself.
'updates' contains the modem & kernel.
'system' is what you should be looking at. Inside 'system' (amongst other stuff) are 'app' and 'framework' folders. "SystemUI.apk" is in 'app'. "framework-res.apk" is in 'framework'. 99% of the time these are the only two files changed in themes.
Now, not all developers follow the same folder structure in their CWM zips, for example they might just have a folder 'framework' where the scripting copies framework-res.apk to /system/framework, and so on...
sorry but it appears my building is on fire gotta go
edit: all is well (sorta) -- seems lightning has fried one of the A/C units on the roof!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol Glad youre aight man
Sent from my friggin huge Samsung Infuse
So if i was to flash infused but wanna keep my kernel and modem id just remove the update folder from the zip and run it as usual?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

[Q] How to make a zip to install apk on recovery mod?

Hi there, i read some thread about this, but really i dont understand what to do for make a flasheable zip...
Can someone take a moment for this request...
Thnx in advanced for read this
blackgf said:
Hi there, i read some thread about this, but really i dont understand what to do for make a flasheable zip...
Can someone take a moment for this request...
Thnx in advanced for read this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wassup, well i think your talking about different things. The apks can be installed any time in the system. the files for a flashable system in recovery mode are system.img.
Now some apks can be intalled by comand promp pushing by code but i really dont remember the exact code lol. But i think is over here in the xoom forum.
now some apks in zip mode just need to be stored no zipped, instead of check the option "compress" look for the one named "Store" that makes a file zip but the files are inside uncompresed, that why most of people can't install apks at first.
hope this helps in something.
See ya!
I think you are looking at how to make your own flashable zips for CWM.
This link here from MODACO was like the first result in google.:
http://android.modaco.com/topic/344906-how-to-create-a-flashable-zip-for-cwm/
It's a pretty decent guide, and it will allow you to install apk's from CWM if you don't want to install them normally.
not too sure but...
I think there is a new program in the Dev. board called fruitcake maker. Says it backs open boot.img and system.img and rolls it into an update.zip . I don't know if that's what you're really looking for.
intensus said:
wassup, well i think your talking about different things. The apks can be installed any time in the system. the files for a flashable system in recovery mode are system.img.
Now some apks can be intalled by comand promp pushing by code but i really dont remember the exact code lol. But i think is over here in the xoom forum.
now some apks in zip mode just need to be stored no zipped, instead of check the option "compress" look for the one named "Store" that makes a file zip but the files are inside uncompresed, that why most of people can't install apks at first.
hope this helps in something.
See ya!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnx for your replay, yes, i see the adb commands in some threads but i really want to do my flashable zips for CWM.
Delgoth said:
I think you are looking at how to make your own flashable zips for CWM.
This link here from MODACO was like the first result in google.:
http://android.modaco.com/topic/344906-how-to-create-a-flashable-zip-for-cwm/
It's a pretty decent guide, and it will allow you to install apk's from CWM if you don't want to install them normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnx man this is what i need! i try to search in some threads and forums but i didnt know how to search.

Modyfying existing ROM

Hi,
I decided to try to make a modification of an existing ROM which would suit me better right after flashing. Nothing large, only adding some apps and stuff. But Ive got a couple of questions:
1) Ive read some apps cant run from /system partition. Looks like that (at least) one of mine is one of them - it FCs when in /system/apps or /system/priv-apps. Is there any workaround to make this work? I dont want to lose it when doing factory reset (or to flash the ROM again after every factory reset).
2) I wanted to add langunages (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2602704) but according to forums those files are odexed. How could I deodex them to make them run on an deodexed ROM?
3) I want to include the faux kernel but Im not sure if simply copying those files into the ROM would do ... in the other cases it went ok but Im not sure about the kernel - Im afraid I could break something.
4) Can I also use the ROM file to store other files? I mean - if I put files into the ROM in /data/media/0/ would it simply appear in my home directory or could this break anything - by which I mean to destroy my existing files?
Thanks for any leads!
michalurban said:
Hi,
I decided to try to make a modification of an existing ROM which would suit me better right after flashing. Nothing large, only adding some apps and stuff. But Ive got a couple of questions:
1) Ive read some apps cant run from /system partition. Looks like that (at least) one of mine is one of them - it FCs when in /system/apps or /system/priv-apps. Is there any workaround to make this work? I dont want to lose it when doing factory reset (or to flash the ROM again after every factory reset).
2) I wanted to add langunages (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2602704) but according to forums those files are odexed. How could I deodex them to make them run on an deodexed ROM?
3) I want to include the faux kernel but Im not sure if simply copying those files into the ROM would do ... in the other cases it went ok but Im not sure about the kernel - Im afraid I could break something.
4) Can I also use the ROM file to store other files? I mean - if I put files into the ROM in /data/media/0/ would it simply appear in my home directory or could this break anything - by which I mean to destroy my existing files?
Thanks for any leads!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) What is the app? on system/app they should work fine since kitkat update, i think
2) To deodex i used a kitchen i got out of foro nexus (cant get the link atm) that only worked on linux. If you want to translate things in your rom, i think it can be done without deodexing, im not sure.
3) Copy paste should work fine but if you take a look at faux's meta inf, see what's there, merge it with your rom's meta inf. But it should work with cp
4) You can use the meta inf to link files to storage like your sdcard, yes. However, if you try to put a wallpaper somewhere inside the rom it wont show up
anerik said:
1) What is the app? on system/app they should work fine since kitkat update, i think
2) To deodex i used a kitchen i got out of foro nexus (cant get the link atm) that only worked on linux. If you want to translate things in your rom, i think it can be done without deodexing, im not sure.
3) Copy paste should work fine but if you take a look at faux's meta inf, see what's there, merge it with your rom's meta inf. But it should work with cp
4) You can use the meta inf to link files to storage like your sdcard, yes. However, if you try to put a wallpaper somewhere inside the rom it wont show up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for your reply! Now:
1) The app is a game, Traffic Racer. When I flash a ROM where this app has been put in /data/app it runs fine. In /system/app or /system/priv-app it FCs. As you say it should work Ill try to do it again - but I tried it twice in /system/priv-app and once in /system/app already so I dont believe it would work. BTW I use APKs from update.zip created by TiBa if it could be relevant.
2) Linux is not a problem so Ill try to find the link here.
3) Ill try only to copy the files first before messing with meta files.
4) I only want to store some apps config backup files (for Apex launcher and Agenda widget mainly).
michalurban said:
Thanks very much for your reply! Now:
1) The app is a game, Traffic Racer. When I flash a ROM where this app has been put in /data/app it runs fine. In /system/app or /system/priv-app it FCs. As you say it should work Ill try to do it again - but I tried it twice in /system/priv-app and once in /system/app already so I dont believe it would work. BTW I use APKs from update.zip created by TiBa if it could be relevant.
2) Linux is not a problem so Ill try to find the link here.
3) Ill try only to copy the files first before messing with meta files.
4) I only want to store some apps config backup files (for Apex launcher and Agenda widget mainly).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, games could cause issues, yes. Better leave it on data app. Messing with meta inf is totally easier than it sounds anyways and could help fixing any possible bugs, you gotta try it. Backup files i dont think they'll work on the rom but you can store them into storage/emulated/legacy which is the storage, though you could do this any other easier way
anerik said:
Oh, games could cause issues, yes. Better leave it on data app. Messing with meta inf is totally easier than it sounds anyways and could help fixing any possible bugs, you gotta try it. Backup files i dont think they'll work on the rom but you can store them into storage/emulated/legacy which is the storage, though you could do this any other easier way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again! Ive got one more question about including the faux kernel. The updater-script is supposed to run this command during the installation in CWM:
Code:
package_extract_file("boot.img", "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot");
... which I dont know how to implement. If I would only copy all files it would overwrite the original boot.img (Kitkat+ 1.1 original anyway) - which im not sure is the same. So Im not sure if it wont screw something up ...
Or is this extraction the same as copying it? Does the "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot" just mean - "its a block device on first SD, partition name boot"?
michalurban said:
Thanks again! Ive got one more question about including the faux kernel. The updater-script is supposed to run this command during the installation in CWM:
Code:
package_extract_file("boot.img", "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot");
... which I dont know how to implement. If I would only copy all files it would overwrite the original boot.img (Kitkat+ 1.1 original anyway) - which im not sure is the same. So Im not sure if it wont screw something up ...
Or is this extraction the same as copying it? Does the "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot" just mean - "its a block device on first SD, partition name boot"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put faux's boot.img on the rom first, then on updater script go to the line that refers to extracting boot.img (should be like the last one) and replace that with the command on faux's updater script. That means it will extract it in that directory, nothing else. Be sure to copy modules aswell and set the perms
Q&A threads should be created in the Q&A forum... not the Development forum.
Thread moved.
One more question - is there a special way how to pack the ZIP file? Cause I unpacked a ROM, added some apks, packed it but it didnt work (no error, just ended at "opening rom" or what the CWM message is) ... but when I modified existing ZIP it went fine ...

Categories

Resources