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When I first got my G-tab I was baffled by all the instructions and the literally thousands of posts in the forum. Even now, I haven't been able to find exactly how (or why) I should update my kernel. That said, I have TNT Lite running and I love my g-tab. Exploring the possible uses and utilities on it provides hours of fun. Now - here is my question. I stumbled on some instructions for installing the ROM and I have used those same instructions to install several patches to the Rom. I see all this commentary on Clockwork, side loading, etc. and I wonder if I am missing something. Today I just installed the .25 patch for TNT-Lite. I downloaded the rar file, unzipped it on my PC to get the Recovery folder and the update.zip file. I plugged the g-tab into the pc and switched it to usb mode. Then I moved the old recover folder and update.zip to a folder (cautious me) and put the new ones in the root. I disconnected the usb and started the g-tab in recovery mode (holding the power and volume+ key. It rebooted, applied the patch and I was done. That seems simple enough. It would seem that this would work for switching roms, applying patches and probably even upgrading the kernel (If I knew where it was and why I should do it). Am I missing something? Everything seems to work.
Sounds like you got the basics ok.
The real main reason to update the kernal as i see it is to add things like driver support for devices like gps and g3, so on, also minor fixs. If your not using your gtab for anything like this you maybe happy to stay stock. But if you like myself like to use your gtab to surf with g3 or as a sweet gps, then thats what the kernal updates allow. Im sure others can correct me if ive got anything wrong or add to what ive said.
You got the basic steps right, but installing ClockWorkMod Recovery has a lot of benefits.
First, built in backup and recovery will save your skin if the gTab get "cranky".
Second, installing ROMs and/or updates saves you a few steps. From "tar" files (TnT-lite), extract the update.zip file to a folder (I created a folder named "xda", just an example) and name it after the version of ROM/update.
CWM will flash "*.zip" file. This way you can keep multiple ROMs/updates on the card and switch between them.
CWM lets you clear cache, wipe Data partition, clear Dalvik-cache (use caution there), fix permissions and so much more! It is a great tool.
Sent from my gTablet-TnT-Lite-4.2.5 using TapatalkPro
So now we peel back another layer
OK so now the question of multiple roms comes up. I am not clear about the role of the rom - can I switch roms and keep all of my apps and data intact? I'm thinking like changing style sheets on a web page - presentation is different but the underlying data is still the same? Is it that easy?
And... if I am doing that perhaps I need to "clear cache" or "wipe data partition" but although I like to investigate new things I'm not willing to just walk up and push the big red button without knowing what it is for. So why would I "clear" or "wipe" things?
I get the impression that I could switch between ROMs just like switching between browsers on a pc - today Chrome, tomorrow, Firefox and never Internet Exploder... Is that correct? It took me quite a while to get the market working and it still doesn't work optimally but I'd hate to undo all the work I've done getting the g-tab humming along by switching roms. Can I?
So - anyone care to expound on the structure and how it all hooks together? What parts can be swapped out and what parts form the foundation? I'd hate to brick the little guy in my ignorance.
One final note if you know and you answer - where did YOU learn about this. Is there a book somewhere to read?
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
The Need for A Wiki
I'm in the same boat as enigma. I'm not even sure what ROM is an acronym for, though I think it means operating system. A wiki would be a big help for many people. I bet people would be glad to contribute.
Well, I don't know about Android book, especially about "hacking android book" , but this (and others) forum has plenty of reading material and guides. Not to mention people (a lot more knowledgeable and experienced than me) who will offer advice and lend a hand. And Google search comes in handy too.
Switching ROMs is almost like switching the OS, or a flavor of. Very much like switching between Linux distributions; the base OS is the same, but the overlay changes the user experience. Some things do change deep down inside, that's why is advisable to clear data.
Android, like Linux which it is based on, uses separate partitions for different parts of the OS, like boot, recovery, data, cache and user data. Plenty of write ups and discussions on the web on that.
So when flashing a ROM, you'll rewrite boot and system. Your user apps and data/preferences pertaining to those apps are stored in data partition, and since you are changing the 'OS', the apps need to be recompiled for it. Backup apps, like Titanium Backup, come extremely handy here: backup and restore apps AND appdata with a few clicks.
Backups are stored on sdcard, which is a lot like Linux /home directory, and do not get wiped during flash. Also the CWM (sometimes called Nandroid) backups are also stored there. A backup-of-the-backup is always a good habit (copy of /sdcard to your PC for safekeep).
This is just a quick rundown, hopefully that answered some of the questions.
There is a world of information available out there in "ether-world", Google is your friend.
[EDIT]:
Some links:
http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
http://lifehacker.com/#!5596108/how-to-choose-the-right-android-rom-for-you
and of course:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=841
(use the search on top of the screen)
Sent from my gTablet-TnT-Lite-4.2.5 using TapatalkPro
Doesn't my sticky on how to flash the roms help at all? I can try to make it clearer if you have suggestions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=892090
TeamSpeed said:
Doesn't my sticky on how to flash the roms help at all? I can try to make it clearer if you have suggestions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=892090
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, your Sticky is as clear as Florida sky.
I just installed Thumb Keyboard on my gTab last night and I guess I got carried away getting used to it!
Yes, I have found some very good step by steps (reflashed to vegan after reading that one). Step by steps are great but I 'd like to understand why I'm doing it. The market fix...I can follow the steps and it works but why? I wish I had time to research all these things but there are so many forums,so many posts to read! The explanation that did surface in this thread was great though. Thanks. I'll keep asking questions. There are a lot of smart people out there!
Undelete
Welcome to the open beta of our newest root application - Undelete for Android, an application for root users that allows you
to recover deleted files on your SD card or internal storage.
Features:
- Fast scanning logic
- Restore any file that has not been written over
- Securely wipe/shred files
- Works with images, video, music, archives and binaries
Currently, only FAT is supported. On Tegra devices, only the external SD is supported.
We may write a special version supporting EXT4 if this app is successful.
Be warned: this is an early Beta build, provided "as is" with no support of any kind.
We take no responsibility for any issues that may arise from using the app. In some rare cases attempting to restore files may
corrupt the memory entirely (though we have not seen this problem, it is theoretically possible).
That said it has been in development for a while and well tested on the devices we have at the office - Incredible S, Nexus S,
Xoom, Transformer, Sensation, Galaxy S I/II, Galaxy Ace, Desire.
Market:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.undelete&feature=search_result
Screens:
You guys make nice apps!
Thanks. We are pretty awesome. And humble too
Really great idea! Looking forward to support for ext3 and ext4
For most people this will be enough. The only ones who will truly suffer will be those with no sd tablets like the galaxy tab family...
I myself build a variant of cm on ext4, but have no need to restore data from the internal memory.
Just took it for a spin and it found one file I deleted. It also showed an asec file. You might want to filter those out or have it for advanced users only.
I can see a need from some users to undelete from /data/app and /data/data. For example, an accidental app install. If you can tie the apk and deleted app data directory together, it would be even more convenient. I know some might have Titanium Backup but this would cover the cases where they don't or only have an older backup. Just an idea
Damn..I'm impressed. Keep up the good work.
One more question . Do you have plans to implement deeper recovery methods?
As mister morden told londo mollari - one thing at a time
Looking forward to it.
OK, you're going to hate me, but I have another suggestion . Since you opened a can of worms with file recovery some of your more paranoid users will want secure deletion (rewriting the file with junk data or 1s and 0s, etc) I think this would go pretty well in this app. So have a section for users to pick the file to be securely deleted and also give them an option to overwrite files that can be recovered.
doesn't seem to work for me,crashes every time I attempt to restore something
You'll have to be more specific. What file system are you using? What phone? Did you send logs?
Has anyone had problems? Lets get some feedback please!
No problems yet. I tried undeleting a few things and it has worked without a hitch.
ftgg99 said:
You'll have to be more specific. What file system are you using? What phone? Did you send logs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
incredible,cm7 rom with latest nightly and log was sent
I havent looked at the logs yet, have been avoiding work on my bday. However, there is no guarantee that a file can be recovered, sometimes the data is just corrupted.
If one file doesnt work, another will.
Any issues?
avgjoemomma said:
OK, you're going to hate me, but I have another suggestion . Since you opened a can of worms with file recovery some of your more paranoid users will want secure deletion (rewriting the file with junk data or 1s and 0s, etc) I think this would go pretty well in this app. So have a section for users to pick the file to be securely deleted and also give them an option to overwrite files that can be recovered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are already apps on the market that do this, look for SHRED, the typical name for this sort thing on PCs. I saw a few, although they all claim that due to journaling it will possibly not work.
Not sure what VFAT they're using, but the ones I know of don't journal So YMMV.
Indeed, deletion may not be right for this application...
Hi,
I am currently running on CleanROM 2.4.5 SE, I have made a lot of personal changes like removing certain apk's in the system/apps folder for apps and services that I do not use, which took me forever to get right since I am a noob (in otherwords I had to start from scratch multiple times after deleting the wrong apk :s).
I know this comes with the territory of jumping on custom ROMs early when they still are rough and I got myself into this, but is there a quicker way to do this? With the constant updates for these ROMS (every second day or so...) how can I streamline the process. Should I edit the system/apps before booting the ROM? Should I create a list of which APKs i dont use so I can replicate the process easier?
Currently I clean wipe, flash the ROM (plus mods/themes/etc.), go through titanium one by one deleting APK's, sync with my pc (to get contacts,music,etc) and then have to go through the process of reinstalling apps, setting Nova back up and customizing and all that kind of stuff.
I am a noob and this is a learning process for me, so any hints of tips one how to do this quicker (safer?) would be helpful.
Thank you
Hi,
I am slowly getting through the basics of apk decompiling, Editing, Debugging & recompiling.
Using tools like Apk Tool, Winrar, Notepad++ Winmerge, Adb .
First time I have touched an android or even done any kind of stuff like this was Early August 2012. So not long at all, Someone might even remember I asked what should I do with my phone after I root it,, haha previous Iphone user.Thank God I changed! I have definately seen the light! Anyways now i have a question to the more experienced Devs. Eg; Lets just say I dont want increasing ringtone How do you pin point where in the apk to start editing i mean there are heaps of files its like looking for a needle in a haystack. One way I came close and pin pointed it is using a previous made mod and then used Winmerge to compare the differences, Problem is the differences in these to Apks is not just the Increasing ringtone, so when I winmerged them it picked out out the other differences Now this deffinatley narrowed it down. I have a feeling it has something to do with the Callnotifier.xml is this the only Xml?
Also Lets just say you dont have another apk to compare it to , how to you find out this stuff..
Another thing is I want to cook up a rom, but the way I want to do it is modding my own rom untill I am happy with it and then creating something like a nandroid without my personal data. then making it flashable for people. What tools is best used for this? I was thinking editing my nandroid and adding it to a cwm flash. but I think there is an easier way.
PS: You can have a look at my signature for my current device i am using
Thanks for you help
I've been having this phone for a year, and I've finally had the guts to go ahead and root the phone. I now have super user application. I have also installed Link2sd and linked all the big apps to a separate ext2 partition in my SD.
My question is , now since I've rooted this, what all options are there for me to explore and try out, in making this phone better. I've seen about various Cyanogen Mods, CM 7, CM9, CM10. But they all seem to have some issues. But sometimes even simple issues may be blown out of proportion. I just need some feed back on how bad the issues are, or how good the mods are actually. Basically I want to know if the impact of these certain issues will hinder me in enjoying my android experience. And i couldn't think of a better place to put these questions to.
Summary:
1) What options are present to make my device better, now since I've rooted it?
2) What kind of serious issues are there with the CM versions, and whether i can enjoy the phone despite these.
PS: One more thing. in Link2SD , despite linking those Apps to the ext partition, the internal memory only has 75 MB left, and some portion of it is reduced everytime I install a new app. is it a bug, or I've done something wrong?
I was afraid of rooting first too, but now that I rooted it, it totally worth it. First, I installed hexgore's stock plus rom with some modifications and used it for almost a year, then I decided to try out cm9. It was a lot better, and had almost zero problems (everything was working except the front-facing camera). Yesterday I installed cm10, and it is even better than cm9 I recommend you to install cm 10.
For making your phone better, you can install One Power Guard, Total Commander (give it root permissions instead of java), Cache Cleaner and Super Backup. These are the rooted apps I use/have used in the past.
Your "problem" with link2SD is not a bug, it is how it is supposed to work. It links the apk, the dalvik-cache and the cache, but it does NOT link the app's private data, which then is stored on your phone's internal storage. And that is taking up space.
Have fun with your rooted chacha!
Thanks
Thanks for your suggestion, I have decided to give CM10 a shot. Now, can u please send some link of a guide to follow, in order to flash CM10 in my HTC ChaCha. Also, a guide to revert back to the current ROM in case I fall into some issue with CM10.
Also, I wanted to know, is there any improvement in the battery? Mine is a year old and lasts for about 11 hours max. Anything that can improve this would be of great help.
I had earlier gone through a post on modifying a system file with a # sign in front of a line which makes the battery better, but I was unable to figure out how to edit a system file(I've located it using Astro file manager).
And I cant post there, since the forum rules say that the user must be at least 10 posts old to post in the dev section.
Any help is deeply appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Issue with backlight and prediction
archacha said:
I was afraid of rooting first too, but now that I rooted it, it totally worth it. First, I installed hexgore's stock plus rom with some modifications and used it for almost a year, then I decided to try out cm9. It was a lot better, and had almost zero problems (everything was working except the front-facing camera). Yesterday I installed cm10, and it is even better than cm9 I recommend you to install cm 10.
Your "problem" with link2SD is not a bug, it is how it is supposed to work. It links the apk, the dalvik-cache and the cache, but it does NOT link the app's private data, which then is stored on your phone's internal storage. And that is taking up space.
Have fun with your rooted chacha!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heyy!
I took ur advice and installed it, and there is almost no problem for me, I never use much of the front camera anyway. The thing is, the Keyboard backlight doesnt work when the brightness is on automatic. is there a work around?
Also, the prediction, as I mentioned in another thread, does not work good. there is no prediction as a matter of fact, no options come out for me to select.
One more thing is that I am unable to see a list of users to select from that and send messages to. I have to type in the name of each user and add it manually. Any work around or apps available to solve it?