Database Info

Themes and mods

So here's a question from a n00b
Which mods are permanent and which ones are not? I have Eng bootloader and JF r30 1.3 which of course gave me opportunity to do all these things that you guys took time to figure out so n00bs like me can punch in some commands without knowing what it does or how it works. All I see is the end result and I love it!!!
So far I have
Custom splash1 and splash2
Auto-rotate browser and system
All cashes moved to SD
All apps moved to SD
Ringtones moved to SD
Removed Amazon.MP3 and Alarm
Installed tether-1.6.tar (whoever came up with that - THANK YOU!)
Windows7 theme.
Prior to updating to this theme I had removed amazon and alarm and they reappeared after I installed this theme. Now I'm scared to try out another theme because I don't want to re-do all the mods?
Can someone explain to me (and all of the n00bs out there) which mods are permanent and which ones need to be re-done after every theme change. Fell free to elaborate on the mods that I did not mention
Thanks to all for your past and future contributions, it's all greatly appreciated

Nothing is permanent.
The reason those apps returned after installing a theme is because those apps are present in the app folder in update.zip.
You can remove them again or simply remove them from the theme update.zip and then apply it.

deprecate said:
Nothing is permanent.
The reason those apps returned after installing a theme is because those apps are present in the app folder in update.zip.
You can remove them again or simply remove them from the theme update.zip and then apply it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The actual theme only consists of modifying framework-res.apk. In /system/apps is where you would delete stock programs, but it generally leads to stability issues when done so.
As far as permanence, if you do a wipe, then install a new version of an os, you will be stuck with whatever is in the update.zip package. You would need to pull the framework-res.apk from that new version, and then resign it, then install it in recovery mode.
The splash1 image is permanent, the splash2 isn't permanent if you decide to change themes, or wipe your phone (from my experience.)

andonnguyen said:
The actual theme only consists of modifying framework-res.apk. In /system/apps is where you would delete stock programs, but it generally leads to stability issues when done so.
As far as permanence, if you do a wipe, then install a new version of an os, you will be stuck with whatever is in the update.zip package. You would need to pull the framework-res.apk from that new version, and then resign it, then install it in recovery mode.
The splash1 image is permanent, the splash2 isn't permanent if you decide to change themes, or wipe your phone (from my experience.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actualy, theming has to deal with modifying every apk. Yes majority of the work is done with framework but a good deal of work is done to launcher.apk, contacts.apk, and various other apks for custom icons and things related specifically to the apps theselves.
Stericson

andonnguyen said:
The actual theme only consists of modifying framework-res.apk. In /system/apps is where you would delete stock programs, but it generally leads to stability issues when done so.
As far as permanence, if you do a wipe, then install a new version of an os, you will be stuck with whatever is in the update.zip package. You would need to pull the framework-res.apk from that new version, and then resign it, then install it in recovery mode.
The splash1 image is permanent, the splash2 isn't permanent if you decide to change themes, or wipe your phone (from my experience.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stericson said:
Actualy, theming has to deal with modifying every apk. Yes majority of the work is done with framework but a good deal of work is done to launcher.apk, contacts.apk, and various other apks for custom icons and things related specifically to the apps theselves.
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now see, this is why I said right away that I'm a noob in this. I don't know what framework is, how launcher.apk works, etc, etc etc...
I kind of figured out that I will need to remove alarm and amazon again (from my earlier experience) but I really need someone to basically go thru the list and say "this will stay" or "you will need to do this again". This way I will compile a little "to do after theme install" list. I also would like to know what would happen if I end up doing the same mod twice, like running a command to move move all the apps to sd, not that I want to do it but hey, sh** happens.
At any rate, thanks to all for your replies.

Stericson said:
Actualy, theming has to deal with modifying every apk. Yes majority of the work is done with framework but a good deal of work is done to launcher.apk, contacts.apk, and various other apks for custom icons and things related specifically to the apps theselves.
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah stericson, I forgot about those haha. =]

[Q] Best ROM to Use as a Starting Point

I recently got into flashing custom ROMS onto my Droid X. I have had it since launch and was rooted from the day the first root was released, rooted after the 2.2 OTA and recently, have gotten kinda bored of the same old launcher pro and got into looking at custom ROMs. Last night I successfully went through the process of flashing ZapX semi-blurless rom. I loved the speed and not having all the moto junk but have noticed that you can't necessarily use themes on blurless ROMs. I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a good ROM or themed rom that I could manually remove bloatware or at the least a themed ZapX rom? Thanks for the help in advance!

rubix focused 0.5, period

Haven't tried zapX yet. I've run Rubix for a few days and it's been great. Just loaded Apex this morning, but haven't had time to 'run it through its' paces'.
As for themeing, if you are comfortable with editing the zip file for the theme, just remove the blur related APK's that have been removed from your system
May take a little investigative work to make sure you remove the right ones, but it's doable.
FYI, Fabolous (Apex) also released a version of his NexTheme for the Apex ROM and it looks pretty nice.

Thanks for the help! Im probably gonna use the RubiX ROM and mess around with the .zip

I have fabolous nextheme with teenfaces + bigdx (swype + multitouch) + removed blur related themed apks + win7font (probably from env theme) + vanilla lock screen mod
And I am loving it

rohitece06 said:
I have fabolous nextheme with teenfaces + bigdx (swype + multitouch) + removed blur related themed apks + win7font (probably from env theme) + vanilla lock screen mod
And I am loving it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of these days you'll work up enough nerve to branch out and truly customize your device.
LMAO

so if i have a rom installed (the deodexed 2.2 OTA that someone released), and then I install another rom on top of it, is it completely replaced?
whereas if i install 1 theme on top of another, they coexist?
also, themes can only go on top of roms that are deodexed, correct?

DroidXChat said:
so if i have a rom installed (the deodexed 2.2 OTA that someone released), and then I install another rom on top of it, is it completely replaced?
whereas if i install 1 theme on top of another, they coexist?
also, themes can only go on top of roms that are deodexed, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand is that the theme only replaces portions of the ROM that realate to the visuals. It leaves the meat of the ROM applying to it operating intact. Correct me if im wrong.

DroidXChat said:
so if i have a rom installed (the deodexed 2.2 OTA that someone released), and then I install another rom on top of it, is it completely replaced?
whereas if i install 1 theme on top of another, they coexist?
also, themes can only go on top of roms that are deodexed, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
somethingwired7 said:
The way I understand is that the theme only replaces portions of the ROM that realate to the visuals. It leaves the meat of the ROM applying to it operating intact. Correct me if im wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes & no. Themes generally only replace certain files, but many times those files are certain application APK's. And the theme may ADD apk's that you didn't have (ie, you have a blur-less ROM, and put on a theme that includes blur stuff).
If two themes don't change/replace the same file, then yes portions may co-exist.
Not all ROM installations are completely wiping /system. Some of them only replace the portions of /system that have been modified. Thus, you could theoretically get some intermixing of two ROMS as well.

zaphod
if im getting ready to go from an OTA 2.2 rooted w/ build.prop mods and bloatware frozen; what would you suggest doing to retain a list or backup of my current aps to know what i want when i get back up and running after flashing to rubix blurry? appbrain sync be sufficient?
also, syncing contacts/etc possible via backup assistant; or is that removed as well (or down-loadable in the market)?
im looking to get back to where i am now widget, app, contacts, etc wise after getting back up with the least problems due to no syncing or having to write everything down.

unboostedzc said:
zaphod
if im getting ready to go from an OTA 2.2 rooted w/ build.prop mods and bloatware frozen; what would you suggest doing to retain a list or backup of my current aps to know what i want when i get back up and running after flashing to rubix blurry? appbrain sync be sufficient?
also, syncing contacts/etc possible via backup assistant; or is that removed as well (or down-loadable in the market)?
im looking to get back to where i am now widget, app, contacts, etc wise after getting back up with the least problems due to no syncing or having to write everything down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appbrain will certainly work for creating/maintaining a list of your current apps.
The Froyo Market app, however, also does this if you have your google account set to backup. When I re-flash (way more than I would like to admit ), first time I sign into my google account, and go into market, it starts downloading (a very long list!) of apps that I had.
Note that this will just get your apps/widgets installed. Any data/settings/screen layouts will need to be re-created. I've not found a good way to restore this yet. While there are some programs (titanium) that will do this, it's been known to create problems.
As for contacts, I have both an exchange and g-mail accounts. My contacts are automatically synced there. If you put all of your contacts on your google account, they should sync as soon as you sign in.
I don't know much about 'offline' methods of contact syncing.

For starters I would go with 928 Black Glass

Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
I've not found a good way to restore this yet. While there are some programs (titanium) that will do this, it's been known to create problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you don't use Titanium to restore anything for /system it works fine. that is where the problems all come from as people restore /system things from an old build that does not work on there new build.
IMO the best way to restore apps if you want all your data settings back is to use My Backup Pro.

Two Questions about CM10

1. Not to criticize or anything, I'm honestly curious about it. Instead of having to flash the ROM + Gapps separately, why aren't the Gapps integrated into the install by default? Is it a copywrite issue or something?
2. Is it possible to flash a new boot screen using ROM Toolbox Pro? Or will this crash the system necessitating a wipe and restore?

k-semler said:
1. Not to criticize or anything, I'm honestly curious about it. Instead of having to flash the ROM + Gapps separately, why aren't the Gapps integrated into the install by default? Is it a copywrite issue or something?
2. Is it possible to flash a new boot screen using ROM Toolbox Pro? Or will this crash the system necessitating a wipe and restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I cannot remember the reason.
2) Ive never bothered much to change the boot animations but i believe the infuse toolkit has this option.
(sorry i couldnt offer more information)

For some reason, Google ended up frowning upon including their apps in a ROM. Can't remember what their reasoning was, but it ended up being less of a potential headache for the devs to just link to the G-Apps separately.
As far as boot animations go, you can use a root-enabled file explorer to change them. I use JRummy's Root Browser Lite. The boot animation is located in /system/media. You'll have to manually set permissions once you replace the animation. Permissions are "rw-r--r--" or 0644.

Viper XL - Desense.

Ive read the venom guide, ive googled, i have come up with nothing.
1. install notes say install zip from recovery then choose your options.
I flashed the rom & the update.
Didnt see much in the way of options.
Custom install gave the option to wipe data or not wipe data.
Full install then asked the exact same options anyway.
2. release notes state choose between nova or apex launcher in desense.
Ive found vipers tweaks, it even has a little sense section.
But nothing about 'desensing'. The whole thing still stinks of sense.
Im confuzed.

Ok i need sleep.
Flashed again and found where i took the wrong turn.
EDIT / DELETE only allows for edit otherwise i'd delete.
Feel free to close thread.

AROMA file manager that works on Explorer? [SOLVED]

Is there any version of AROMA file manager that works properly on the Explorer? I have discovered that I have some how lost the busybox binary from /system/xbin and now I need to replace it, which I think would probably be easiest by copying from /system/bin with AROMA FM. (If there's a better way, please let me know and I'll do it instead).
(At the moment, my phone won't boot, so it's kinda urgent...)

Isn't easyer to just flash the rom that you already have, with wiping only cache?

shortyoko said:
Isn't easyer to just flash the rom that you already have, with wiping only cache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, seeing as that wouldn't fix anything...I'm on stock ROM which does not include busybox, so flashing it would achieve nothing. (To clarify, busybox is required by some script(s) I have installed)
EDIT: Turns out that the latest version of AROMA FM works fine. Booting is certainly getting further now than it did before

then flash something new

TUDVAD said:
then flash something new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No thank you. I have fixed the issue now, without needing to flash a new ROM or anything silly like that (my current setup is exactly what I want, there is no point in me changing it and having to go through the hassle of restoring all my apps, setting up all my accounts again etc.).
All I needed to do was use the latest AROMA FM to copy busybox from /system/bin to /system/xbin. Took all of about 20 seconds once I got a card reader and the latest version of AROMA. Compared to the time required to download and flash a new ROM, and all the app restoring that would be required following doing so (and I don't even have completely updated backups, so I'd be missing some apps/data), I think my solution was better.

....
SifJar said:
No thank you. I have fixed the issue now, without needing to flash a new ROM or anything silly like that (my current setup is exactly what I want, there is no point in me changing it and having to go through the hassle of restoring all my apps, setting up all my accounts again etc.).
All I needed to do was use the latest AROMA FM to copy busybox from /system/bin to /system/xbin. Took all of about 20 seconds once I got a card reader and the latest version of AROMA. Compared to the time required to download and flash a new ROM, and all the app restoring that would be required following doing so (and I don't even have completely updated backups, so I'd be missing some apps/data), I think my solution was better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u found it can u plz post the link/.......:good:

bid4sumit said:
if u found it can u plz post the link/.......:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, the latest version of AROMA FM (1.8 was the version I used) works fine as-is. Here's a link to it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646108