Related
Since the original link to this guide is buried in another thread, I've re-posted it here (and the guide in full) in order to help people that might've missed it. The latest version of the guide will always be available at http://www.karrderized.com/romguide/ however, and is a more printable version as well, so please check there too.
Installing the Hero ROM on your HTC Magic
Version 1.2 - 13 August 2009 - by KarrdeNZ
Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you brick your phone. This is only a guide. These instructions have worked for me, but there is no guarantee that they will for you as well. Follow this guide at your own risk.
Feel free to print off this guide if it makes things easier to follow. Please do not, however, steal this guide and claim it as your own. Updates to this guide will be posted here - http://www.karrderized.com/romguide/ - link, but don't steal. Thanks.
Things you'll need
Back up your settings
Installing the Android SDK
Determine your phone's version
Download the correct recovery ROM for your version
Download the correct Hero ROM for your version
Setting up the fastboot connection
Boot the recovery ROM
Back up your phone with Nandroid
Wipe your phone
Load your new ROM
Boot into your new ROM
Things to note
Acknowledgements
Changelog
1 . Things you'll need
A HTC Magic phone (obviously) running Cupcake (1.5) and with a SD card
A USB cable for your HTC Magic
A PC. These instructions assume you're running a Windows variant, though the same procedures can be performed on a Linux machine. Don't ask me about Macs. If you're running Windows, note whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit OS, it becomes relevant later on.
The Android SDK - current release as of this writing is 1.5 Release 3, available here.
Recovery ROM - Which particular one you want to use will depend on your phone's version (I'll cover this later on).
A signed Hero ROM to install. Again, this is version dependent.
Got all that? Good.
2. Back up your settings
Now, before we start, back up. I'm of the opinion that you can never have too many backups. Take a copy of everything on your phone's SD card, make sure your contacts etc are synced, any apps you want that you can't easily get back from the Market are backed up, all that stuff.
Another thing you should note are the APN settings for your particular provider. These are in Settings, Wireless Controls, Mobile Networks, Access Point Names. You may have multiple APNs listed - go into each one and note down all the settings. You'll likely need to re-enter these manually once you've installed your new firmware.
Once you're satisfied you've got everything backed up, we can start setting up our environment.
3. Installing the Android SDK
Download the latest release of the Android SDK - here at the time of writing - for your relevant OS. I'll be using Windows from here on in. Extract the .ZIP file to somewhere convenient - I've got mine on my C: drive under C:\android-sdk-windows-1.5_r3. We need the SDK for the tools it provides in the tools subfolder, fastboot in particular, as well as the USB drivers for your phone.
4. Determine your phone's version
As of this writing, there are two distinct versions of the HTC Magic - PVT32A and PVT32B. The primary differences between these two versions is the amount of RAM (288MB on the 32A, 192MB on the 32B) and the radio (Qualcomm MSM7200a for the 32A, Qualcomm MSM7201a for the 32B). Generally, if your phone is HTC branded, it's a 32A, and if it's carrier branded (Google, Vodafone, etc) it's a 32B. Mine's a PVT32B from Vodafone NZ. But let's find out for sure what yours is.
Grab your phone and turn it off. Now, while holding the Back button down, power it back on. Your phone should now boot to a screen with a white background, some lines of text, and some skateboarding androids at the bottom. Welcome to fastboot.
The first few lines on the screen, in green, are what we're looking for. Mine reads as follows:
Code:
SAPPHIRE PVT 32B SHIP S-ON G
HBOOT-1.33.0004 (SAP10000)
CPLD-10
RADIO-2.22.19.26I
Apr 9 2009,23:30:40
Yours will likely differ slightly. The number we're looking for is in that very first line - PVT 32B in my case. Make a note of this. The next item we're looking for is the second line, which indicates your SPL version. Some SPL versions do not allow ROM flashing, notably those of T-Mobile's myTouch3G variant of the HTC Magic. At this writing, HBOOT-1.33.0006 and HBOOT-1.33.0010 are the two known "perfect SPL" versions that do not allow flashing. If you have either of those versions, stop now. There is a complicated procedure you will need to follow first.
Otherwise, for now you can turn your phone back off (by pressing MENU).
5. Download the correct recovery ROM for your version
Head to this thread and download the recovery ROM for your particular phone version, as we determined in step 4. Save it in the tools subdirectory of the Android SDK (in my case, C:\android-sdk-windows-1.5_r3\tools).
6. Download the correct Hero ROM for your version
If you have a 32A, this thread should help you find a signed ROM (I'd suggest Fatality's Hero ROM): here
If you have a 32B like me, try Qteknology's Hero port here- the swap version is the fastest Hero ROM I've found so far. It does however require you to repartition your SD card in order to provide swap space to speed the ROM up - a guide for this is available from the linked forum post.
Note I have only tested the one I linked for the 32B as that's the version I have. Download whichever ROM you need to somewhere handy, and rename it to update.zip. Please note: if you have file extension display turned off (default in XP) then just rename the file to update instead - the .zip extension will already be set. Once you've done this, copy it to the root directory of your phone's SD card. You can do this using the standard USB connection system that the phone provides, or if you prefer using a card reader.
7. Setting up the fastboot connection
Start your phone in fastboot mode as we did in step 4 (hold down Back while turning the phone on). Once the fastboot screen is up on the phone, plug the phone into your computer with the USB cable.
At this stage, my computer asked for drivers for the phone - these are included with the Android SDK, in the usb_driver subdirectory. Users with 32-bit versions of Windows should use the drivers in the x86 subdirectory under that, and 64-bit versions should use those in the amd64 subdirectory. Once the drivers have installed, leave the phone attached to your PC - you're ready to proceed with booting the recovery ROM.
[Guide] Installing the Hero Rom on your HTC Magic - part 2
8. Boot the recovery ROM
We're going to use the Android SDK's fastboot utility in combination with fastboot mode on the phone to perform a one-off boot of the recovery ROM so that we can back up the existing setup, wipe the phone and then load the new ROM. At this stage, it would be wise to make sure you've synced contacts and backed up whatever you want to hold onto.
Open a command prompt window on your PC (Start, Run, cmd) and change to the tools subdirectory of where you installed the Android SDK, for example:
Code:
cd\android-sdk-windows-1.5_r3\tools
The prompt should change to indicate you're now in that directory. Now we make sure the phone is properly configured to communicate through fastboot. Type the following:
Code:
fastboot devices
If you see your device listed, we're about ready to go. Let's boot into the recovery ROM:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery-RAv1.2.0G.img
If the recovery ROM you downloaded is named differently, substitute it's name for recovery-RAv1.2.0G.img.
All going well, your phone should kick into the recovery ROM now - you'll come to a pretty green texted menu with the HTC logo in the background. This ROM is being loaded via the fastboot software and is NOT on your phone, just in it's memory. We have yet to make any modifications to your phone at all.
9. Back up your phone with Nandroid
Let's make one more backup to be safe. The recovery ROM we booted into provides us with Nandroid backup and restore, which we can use to backup the firmware and data currently on the phone to the SD card.
On your phone, use the trackball to scroll down to Nandroid v2.2 backup and click. This will start the backup process, and you'll see some yellow text start to appear at the bottom of the phone's screen. Once it's complete, you have a backup.
Use the trackball to select the Reboot system now option and click. It should load back into it's normal firmware. You can now mount the SD card as usual and copy the nandroid directory from the SD card to your computer. This is also a prime opportunity to back up your entire SD card.
10. Wipe your phone
WARNING: This is the absolute LAST point at which you can back out of this procedure. After this, it's all or nothing. Proceed at your own risk.
Boot your phone back into fastboot with USB attached (see step 4) and then load the recovery ROM again:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery-RAv1.2.0G.img
Use the trackball to move down to Wipe data/factory reset. This will erase all the data on your phone, ready for you to install the new ROM. Click. Congratulations, you have just wiped your phone! You are now ready to load your new ROM.
11. Load your new ROM
Still in the recovery ROM menu, scroll to Apply sdcard:update.zip. This process extracts the ROM from the update.zip file we placed on your SD card earlier and installs it onto your phone. It may take a little while so be patient. It'll tell you when it's done.
12. Boot into your new ROM
Select the Reboot system now option and click. Your phone will now restart with it's shiny new ROM! First boots can take a while, so bear with it. You'll probably see a new splash screen or two on startup, and eventually you'll get into your phone. You may or may not be prompted with a request about giving an app root access on your first boot - you can safely Always Allow this, as it's writing a swap file to your SD card in an effort to speed things up. You'll also need to go through the setup process on the phone again as if it were new, because for all intents and purposes it is. This includes setting up your Google account syncing, as well as the new Hero functionality such as your Facebook, Flickr and Twitter integration (if you so desire).
And from here on out, it's all up to you! Enjoy your new firmware, make it your own. There's some great new functionality in Hero over the standard Magic firmware.
13. Things to note
This firmware isn't perfect. I'm loving it and see myself using it from here on in, but there are some quirks. These may or may not be fixed with your particular versions of ROM, especially once this guide has aged a little, but I'll try and keep it up to date.
The main thing you'll likely notice (especially if you're using a 32B like me) is the slowness. There's a lot going on with this new ROM so lag is fairly common. The phone will speed up a bit once you've used it some more, so bear with it. Your initial setups and playing around will be slow because of initial caching and your non-typical use of the phone, but this should clear up. Various ROMs have tried for workarounds for this, for example Qteknology's Hero port uses a swap partition on your SD card to help speed things up. CompCache is also a popular method, but my own experience with CompCache hasn't been very successful.
There are also reports of SMS messages sometimes not arriving on the latest Qteknology ROM - I mostly didn't experience this until recently, but it seems to be an occasional issue. The ROM builders are working hard on the issues they come across so fingers crossed for resolution on this one.
14. Acknowledgements
This guide wouldn't exist without the xda-developers forum. The bits and pieces I gathered from thereabouts are what I used to run this procedure on my phone, and hence build this guide. The people there are much more experts at this than I am, so I defer to their wisdom.
I must also give props to Jesse of Radix's Gadget Blog. His instructions were incredibly helpful in getting my head around what exactly to do.
And also to papalazarou, whose forum thread prompted me to write this guide.
- KarrdeNZ
15. Changelog
Version 1.2 - 13 August 2009
Added Changelog
Updated links and references to ROMs to account for new versions
Changed ROM recommendations to Qtek for 32B based on personal experience
Removed references to now fixed bugs, added reference to SMS bug on Qtek's ROM
Added "perfect SPL" note
Version 1.1 - 29 July 2009
Added note about update.zip naming with regard to file extensions
Added SD card issue
Version 1.0
Initial release
First rate stuff mate, thanks very much. Now all I need is the new release of Jerp's ROM and I'll be embarking upon my first upgrade. Makes so much difference having everything you need in one coherent place. This post really should be stickied.
+1 for sticky.
Needs to be in one place, will cut down on 'how do i' and 'where can i find' threads
(note i said cut down, and not cut out lol)
This applies to all roms actually.
Great write-up! Thx for the effort, this will surely be handy in all other topics, where these questions are asked again and again (logically IMHO, as it isn't basic stuff for everyone).
Well done!
Now that is a quality tutorial cheers!
+1 sticky
I had posted these replies elsewhere before I realised you had posted the guide in it's own thread. I've run into a problem and it's really confusing me as to why it's not working
---------------------------------------------------------------------
KarrdeNZ, mate I followed your guide to the letter. I got all the way down to step 11 and then a problem occurred.
When I clicked 'Apply sdcard:update.zip' it just said cannot find or cannot load update.zip, or something like that, then said operation aborted?
I was trying to install the EXACT same ROM as you, I downloaded it to my laptop, renamed it update.zip and moved it to the root of the SD card.
Yet it didn't work, I can't for the life of me think where it's gone wrong as everything else up to that point had gone smoothly.
Any idea's?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well I tried downloading the same file again. No luck this time either!
This is what it says when I click the install from sdcard button:
--install from sdcard...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
E: Can't open /sdcard/update.zip
(no such file or directory)
Installation aborted.
Now I get that it's saying that it can't find the file but I really don't understand why? I mean the file is there, do I have to unzip the file onto my computer 1st and then put it on the sdcard?
I thought i just stuck the zipped file onto the root of the card making sure i renamed it 'update.zip'
Please help me out guys, thanks.
i did have the same issues, sorted it by:
Formatting the sd card (fat32)
Changing the permissions on the zip file
Moving files to the sdcard then sticking the sdcard into another computer to check that the files had been moved.
And it worked!
Roy_Drage said:
When I clicked 'Apply sdcard:update.zip' it just said cannot find or cannot load update.zip, or something like that, then said operation aborted?
I was trying to install the EXACT same ROM as you, I downloaded it to my laptop, renamed it update.zip and moved it to the root of the SD card.
Yet it didn't work, I can't for the life of me think where it's gone wrong as everything else up to that point had gone smoothly.
Any idea's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't know if this is the exact same error, but i had a similar situation and it freaked me out, all you have to do (in my situation) is wait a few seconds or so. i think the phone is still in the process of mounting the SD card or initializing the card component. give it a few seconds (30 sec) and try the update again.
I formatted the card in the phone before I started, did u format yours in the actual computer itself?
Also how do I change the permissions on the zip file?
n1ck75 said:
i did have the same issues, sorted it by:
Formatting the sd card (fat32)
Changing the permissions on the zip file
Moving files to the sdcard then sticking the sdcard into another computer to check that the files had been moved.
And it worked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is 5 star
thanx works gr8
Excellent guide. All the other tutorials/guides/instructions totally went over my head. Yours was extremely clear and easy to understand. Two thumbs up!
Excellent
Thank you for an excellent guide.
KarrdeNZ said:
I must also give props to Jesse of Radix's Gadget Blog. His instructions were incredibly helpful in getting my head around what exactly to do.
- KarrdeNZ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet.. I get a mention! Glad my guide helped you get started and now you're writing a guide too to help others - this is what a community is all about!!!!
KarradeNZ - you've made a great start to a guide here - but I really think this should all be in the XDA Wiki so everyone can contribute/update/maintain it. Then we just get one link stickied at the top and everyone goes there..
I just started to write up a skeleton of what I think should be in the 'Ultimate Guide to Sapphire Hacking' on the Wiki page at:
XDADeveloperWiki - HTC_Sapphire_Hacking
You want to help me improve it?
Heck.. if you want we can use your guide as a basis if you like - I just braindumped what _I_ think should be in it and I can immediately see stuff I've overlooked that's in your guide!
Feel free to take inspiration/snippets/whatever from my guide for it - just throw a link to it in there as well. I prefer to keep the guide itself separate but am happy to have it contributing to the wiki.
And there's only one A in my name.
When I apply sdcard:update.zip I get the following Error
E:cant open/sdcard/update.zip
(No such file or directory)
installation aborted
Please help and suggest what could be wrong ?
Just rename the file update mate.
Then try again.
Thanks Roy_Drage for the fast reply you sorted my .zip problem.
Also well done and thanks to KarrdeNZ for putting such a great guide together that even a noob like me could follow. My new Magic is now running Hero looks awesome !
bajax said:
Thanks Roy_Drage for the fast reply you sorted my .zip problem.
Also well done and thanks to KarrdeNZ for putting such a great guide together that even a noob like me could follow. My new Magic is now running Hero looks awesome !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BT works? (can you connect to a BT headset?)
Facebook integration works?
have you notice any issues?
Here is basic program for your windows computer that just does basic stuff.
It can reboot your phone to wherever you want like recovery, bootloader.
It will wipe your ext2/3 from recovery if you choose and it will repair your ext2/3.
This is still beta, so far everything that is on the app works. But when I say beta I mean I still to implement alot more features so just use it and then tell me what you guys want. I am working on implementing switchrom into it.
This is just about 3 hours of work so you will see alot more in the future.
Screenshots Below!
*(For those of you wondering it is writen in a mix of C++,vb.net,python,and MS-DOS)*
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kickfliprock13
** Oh I forgot to mention you need to have adb set up for this to work if you don't have it set up than it wont work. So if you want to set up just go here: http://punk-in.com/driver_vista.html
changelog:
9/8/09: Added a link to tell you how to install usb drivers for your phone
Added links to our twitter's and plurk's
Fixed a few small bugs
Sped it up a little
doesn't work. tried all your buttons. only one that said anything that made sense was the connect button saying that it was successfully connected. used them both with mounted and unmounted.
adb needed
you must have adb copied to system32 or have the path set up, sorry I forgot to mention that. and then when you plug your phone in click connect and then when it says that it has successfully connected than use the other commands. but everything uses adb so you need it!
Instead You can Add the ADB files into the program & provide a "Install Necessary Files" Button Which will copy the ADB & Fastboot files into the system32 folder of the User From the Inside Of the Program & its UI
Lastly Good Work...
fantasic! works like a charm.
no criticisms as such, but maybe the layout could be improved a bit (i appreciate you did in 3 hours )
anyway, very handy little program!
This sounds like an awesome project. i will play with it and let you know what i find.
Keep it up!
If any of you guys want to help out with it just send me a pm and I will send you myC++ folder. I took an entire C++ course in like 3 days so my brain is kinda forgetting some of the simpler stuff!
Nice work, it'll be a great tool to use. Keeping my eye on this project, I can only imagine all the modifications that'll be made for it.
Wipe is a basic deletion of ext3
What command are you using for fixing ext3?
Wipe is a basic deletion of ext3
What command are you using for fixing ext3?
I am using the repair filesystem command that cyanogen put into his recovery image
For all you guys constantly flashing kernels,
I have made a little app to make sure that all command are typed in correctly & to make it a little easier.
You can find it here.
http://minooch.com
Let me know if you think I can make any improvements.
I've only tested it with my N1, but there is no reason why it wouldn't work on other android phones - its just using adb & fastboot. Having said that, it will obviously need the AndroidSDK installed (well partly) & the only other requirement is .NET 2.0 or up.
I finally got around to posting the new version - Version 1.0.1 - The main feature that has been added is synchronise. For example, you can select a folder full of music on your PC & it will copy all the music to your phone (if it's not already on there), & if there is music on your phone thats not on your pc that will copy over as well.
26/05/10 - Small change - Version 1.0.2 - ADB location is now saved in registry
17/08/10 - Version 1.0.3 - Added flash radio (via fastboot) - It will reboot into the bootloader, flash the radio & then reboot the phone
30/08/10 - Version 1.0.4 - Added a donate link
25/11/10 - Version 1.1 - It now has the option to verify the MD5 before flashing a radio
08/01/11 - Version 1.2 - Language can now be changed - Language.lang has the values of all labels, buttons & comboboxes
Known Bugs: (wth synchronise)
If a folder has a space in its name, it's contents won't sync properly (currently working on a solution)
If you delete a file/folder on your phone/pc (not both) it will be copied back next time you sync (not sure how to fix)
The destination folder must exist already (/sdcard/music or where ever you choose), but obviously not the folders what will synced they will be created
Cheers,
Minooch
Feel free to donate
Nice work. Looks like it will make things easier for inexperienced users...which I am not sure is a good or bad thing.
Also, you might want to add "adb reboot recovery". I know I use it fairly often.
(make it "adb wait-for-device reboot recovery". This way, if your phone is bootlooping due to you having not installed bcm4329, you can access recovery for adb push options to fix the bootloop)
rcxquake said:
Nice work. Looks like it will make things easier for inexperienced users...which I am not sure is a good or bad thing.
Also, you might want to add "adb reboot recovery". I know I use it fairly often.
(make it "adb wait-for-device reboot recovery". This way, if your phone is bootlooping due to you having not installed bcm4329, you can access recovery for adb push options to fix the bootloop)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
didn't know that command will add it now. - edit: Done
Cheers,
Minooch
I'm happy with ADB so not going to be using this (don't mean that the way it sounds!) but just thought if the user is pushing the .ko over adb, will they need and "adb remount" option as well?
yep you will need to remount - but that is automatic.
Using my tool, it takes less steps & is faster
great tool! thumbs up!
Great tool. Any chance for a Wipe Cache/Dalvik Cache option? A lot of times this will fix a bootloop when flashing different kernels on top of eachother. I understand it's in the recovery but this could speed up the process even more.
mikroN1 said:
Great tool. Any chance for a Wipe Cache/Dalvik Cache option? A lot of times this will fix a bootloop when flashing different kernels on top of eachother. I understand it's in the recovery but this could speed up the process even more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
Will have a look into it.
looks like a nice tool.. gonna give it a try
good work man
Hey man I'd have to say that I'm getting used to the command line that I nearly forgot there's something in the world called GUI It's really a great tool for lazy guys like me (even I've written a simple shell script). Good job!
Thread hasn't been bumped in awhile. You still working on this Minooch? I was wondering if you could have it save your ADB location? Maybe have it save settings to an .ini file.
MikroN1,
I will add that later today when I get home from work.
Cheers.
Can you please kindly provide the manual instruction, as I'm not the professional user, even I don't know much the ADB command codes, so please instruct the functions of the buttons.
mikroN1 said:
Thread hasn't been bumped in awhile. You still working on this Minooch? I was wondering if you could have it save your ADB location? Maybe have it save settings to an .ini file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mikroN1,
It nows saves the ADB location to registry
devil126 said:
Can you please kindly provide the manual instruction, as I'm not the professional user, even I don't know much the ADB command codes, so please instruct the functions of the buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little confussed by what you want. Are you wanting a manual for ADB GUI or how to use ADB?
This is very good. Downloading now.
New Version - 1.0.3
Added flashing radio via fastboot
It will reboot into the bootloader, flash the radio & then reboot the phone
using ADB sync for sqlite DB
Hi,
I am fairly new to Android / ADB and i have found ADB as a great tool.
My requirement is to sync a sqlite DATABASE (from my PC and on device), i am not sure how should i go ahead with this, gave couple of tries but not able to get anything
Can anyone please suggest me possible ways to fix up this issue. If this is not possible please give me any alternate (i believe this is possible).
Any help in this regard would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
BTT
asinghma said:
Hi,
I am fairly new to Android / ADB and i have found ADB as a great tool.
My requirement is to sync a sqlite DATABASE (from my PC and on device), i am not sure how should i go ahead with this, gave couple of tries but not able to get anything
Can anyone please suggest me possible ways to fix up this issue. If this is not possible please give me any alternate (i believe this is possible).
Any help in this regard would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bringing this thread to top.
Can anyone provide the source for ADB sync (prob from ADB_GUI tool)
Thanks,
Think you should add a donate button somewhere in your app too!
Vulpix said:
Think you should add a donate button somewhere in your app too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done Feel free to be the first to donate
Oh, If you would like me to add any features, let me know
1.0 – WELCOME AND DISCLAIMER
So, it seems like a lot of people are having problems with their new Samsung Epic 4G. I thought I'd take a minute and throw together a little comprehensive guide on, well, everything. I'll be updating this periodically, so be sure to check it out.
I'll also be working on formatting it to improve readability... I'm not so good with this markup language that forums make you use, so bear with me. If I can figure out some basic tricks, we'll be in business.
And, just so you know, this is just a guide. As long as you follow it and do research, everything should go fine. That being said, I am not responsible for what happens to your phone. This is all elective and I am not forcing you to do any of this. You brick your phone, you own up to it. I'm only trying make it as easy as possible for your to avoid that.
2.0 – GETTING STARTED
New to Android? Need to root? Just got your phone? Not totally clear on everything? Start here. Even if you have experience with Android, had your Epic since day one, or whatever, you'll still want to check this section out.
2.1 – TERMINOLOGY
First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the terminology. This is vital to understanding what you are doing, so I'll outline as many as I can.
Brick – Not a term that should be thrown around as much as it is. If you have a bricked device, it is worthless. Like, completely. It is literally as useful as a brick. You CANNOT fix a brick. Everything else is just just breakage.
Root – a)This term comes from Linux/UNIX. To obtain root access means that you have elevated privileges. Look at this like administrator rights in Windows. It's what allows you to run custom software and access administrator setting in Android.
b)The uppermost folder. Such as “/”, “C:\” , et cetera.
Rooting – Gaining elevated root admin access.
Kernel – A kernel is the base of an operating system. For Android, it's where all the drivers and system information resides. A custom kernel can contain undervolting instructions, overclocking instructions, and many other battery-saving, power-giving, phone-enhancing features. There are several options, so make sure you do your research and choose the kernel that offers what you are looking for.
Shell – The shell is the part that you see. It's the interface that interacts and allows you to interact with the kernel.
ROM – A ROM is the combination of a kernel and a shell. Think of this like an operating system.
Dev – Dev is short for developer. These are the people who spend their days and nights writing code and bug testing to bring you the ROMs you love. These guys are the reason you're here, so show your appreciation!
Chef – Chefs and devs are essentially the same thing.
Recovery – A system that allows basic phone function. You can flash from this, clear data, and do very basic debugging. As long as you can boot to this, your phone is NOT bricked.
Flashing – The act of installing a ROM or fix to your phone through recovery.
Wiping – The act of performing a factory reset or cache clear from recovery. Your settings are gone, your apps are gone, your phone is as it was when you you got (to an extent). Formats /system/. This is not reversible.
CPU – Central Processing Unit. The brain of the phone. All data travels through this at some point.
Overclocking – Pushing your CPU to its limits. The CPU has a stock clock speed (1GHz for the Epic), and overclocking is pushing it past that.
Undervolting – Making the phone use less power. This saves battery.
AOSP – Android Open Source Project. Frequently referred to as “Vanilla”. The actual people who make Android. Go here for more information.
Theme – A cosmetic change to the user interface.
One-Click – A script or program that does everything for you.
Busybox – A collection of scripts that allow deeper editing of the system while it is running.
Remount – An easy method of mounting /system/ for writing.
Stock – Samsung-released, no editing, as-is stuff. Basically, how the phone came.
OTA – Over the air. Updates that automatically come to your phone, through your service.
adb – “Android Debug Bridge” A debug program for accessing your phone.
deODEX – Combining the ODEX file and the APK files for all the items in the /system/ folder. Allows for easier theming and customizing.
FC/Force Close – When a program or app crashes.
2.2 – WHY SHOULD I ROOT MY PHONE?
Rooting offers several great things including, but certainly not limited to, access to hidden features, total customization, better battery life, and overclocking. It gives you control over the device that you paid money for in the first place. The devs here are great at finding features that the manufacturers left out or disabled and making them work.
It also is a great hobby. Even if you aren't a developer yourself, flashing ROMs and trying out new features can be a lot of fun and definitely kill boredom. And who knows? Maybe you'll end up learning something and start coding yourself.
2.3 – ROOTING
Great! Now you know some words! So, what next? Well, we need to achieve root access on your phone. There are a few ways to accomplish this on the Epic. Please note that the one-click methods are hit and miss and are affected by several factors, including computer speed, cable, USB ports, and, for all intents and purposes, random chance. I HIGHLY recommend you open the .bat files and run every command in adb manually. I'll update this guide, eventually, with how to do this.
If you're running Windows, you're going to need the drivers for this phone. Install them BEFORE connecting your phone to your computer. You can get them here:
32-bit: Click here
64-bit: Click here
You'll also need to put your phone into debug mode. After you turn this on, you can just leave it on. To do this, go to settings, and then to applications, then to development, and then tick the “USB debugging” check box.
I also recommend using a cable other than Samsung's cable that came with the phone. Really, that cable is hardly good for anything more than charging. It's low quality and has caused a lot of users more than a headache. If you are unable to get another cable for whatever reason, run each command individually from adb. Check the section about adb and the Android SDK later in the guide for more information on how to do that.
2.3.1 – The Jokeyrim temporary root with noobnl's one-click script method – DO FIRST
Let it be known that I don't recommend relying on this method. It's janky and can cause problems once you get deeper into Android modification. Use it to get your remount scripts and then quickly do the kernel mods in the steps in 2.3.2.
Go here and download the .zip file. Extract the .zip contents to your desktop. Open the folder, run “run.bat” and let it go.
NOTE: This is just root, this is temporary, and this DOES NOT give you access to a recovery. All this will allow you to do is run applications that require root or busybox and adds the remount script.
2.3.2 – The rooted kernel and recovery method method – DO SECOND
I do recommend that you use this method. This gives you true, permanent root.
There are a couple of ways to do this. I actually suggest you follow both guides, too. This will help prevent you ever getting to Samsung's stock recovery, which is worthless for your purpose.
The first is noobnl's recovery method, and definitely the one you should do first. You can find it here. Download the .zip file and extract its contents to your desktop. There is an issue with this .bat file, so you're going to have to do some extra steps. With adb (go to the section about the Android SDK and adb further in the guide if you do not know what this is) and type:
Code:
adb shell
su
remount rw
exit
exit
(the two 'exits' is not a typo)
After running those commands, open your extracted folder and run the run.bat file. Should be smooth sailing.
The second is koush's method. koush's thread is here, but I that's a complicated method. After you do noobnl's method above, go to this thread and download the .zip from that. Put that .zip on the root of your SD card. Boot into the Clockwork recovery by turning the phone off, holding down the camera button, the volume down button, and pressing the power button until the phone turns on. Once in there, do this:
1. BACK UP YOUR PHONE. I cannot emphasize this enough. Backups are sooo important in your Android modding quest. Backup and do it often. (Backup and restore → Backup).
2. Go to “Flash zip from SD card”
3. Choose zip from sd card
4. Select the zip we put there earlier
5. Click “Yes”
6. Let it do its thing
Once you've done this, you need to boot into the phone, go to the market, and download “ROM Manager”. From that, click “Flash recovery” (the top option) and select the Epic. This will take a minute. From this point on, you can use ROM Manager to boot into the Clockwork Recovery.
2.3 – FLASHING ROMS/KERNELS/FIXES
This is the fun stuff. This is why you're here. Now that you have root and a recovery, we can get some work done. First, you have to select a ROM that you want. Always pick a ROM that is designed for the Epic. ROMs designed from other phones can and will brick your phone!
You can find ROMs for the Epic in the Epic 4G Android Development section of XDA. Do some research to each ROM to make sure it's what you want. If you want a kernel, make sure your ROM supports other kernels and that the kernel supports your ROM.
Once you've picked your ROM, put it on the root of your sd card and then boot into Clockwork Recovery using your method of choice, then:
1. BACKUP. I seriously cannot stress this enough.
2. Wipe everything. Factory reset and clear cache.
3. Go to “Flash zip from SD card”
4. Choose zip
5. Choose “Yes”
6. Let it run
7. -OPTIONAL- To ensure it worked, repeat steps 2-6. This is just to make sure everything worked. Problems with this can be intermittent and this helps to avoid them.
8. Reboot.
3.0 – ERRORS
Stuff goes wrong. You have to understand, EVERYTHING in this is experimental. The devs here do not have access to EVERYTHING that is required to make these phones work and have to guess at some things and, basically, just do their best (And their best is pretty damn good!).
Basically, just be sure you have backups that you can restore from, and this will all be fine.
3.1 – BLACK SCREEN
Oh no! I flashed ROM X and now my phone won't boot and I hate everything!!!
Worry not! As long as you can boot in to recovery, you have nothing to fear. Just restore the backup that I told you to make and you're back in business. Easy fix.
3.2 – CONSTANT FORCE CLOSES
You boot up your phone and are immediately greeted with force closes. Chances are that you didn't wipe OR that the ROM you're using isn't ready for show time. Again, just restore your backup from Clockwork.
3.2 – CAN'T GET TO RECOVERY, CAN GET TO DOWNLOAD MODE
Well, looks like you'll be returning your phone to stock using Odin. Read later on in the guide how to use Odin in the section about Odin.
3.4 – PHONE WON'T TURN ON AT ALL
Welcome to bricksville, population you. Sorry, but you're phone is a $500 paperweight... Probably shouldn't have flashed that GSM ROM, huh? Not even Odin can save you at this point...
4.0 – THE ANDROID SDK AND ADB
The Android SDK (Standard Developer Kit) is a tool freely available to everyone. You can find it here and it is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
4.1 – INSTALLING THE SDK
So, the first step is going to be how to install the SDK on your system. I have experience with Linux and Windows, so that's what I have for now. If someone with a Mac can help write the set up instructions for that, I'd be very appreciative.
4.1.1 – Windows
First, download android-sdk_r07-windows.zip from here to your Desktop. Once it has downloaded, double-click the file and extract it to the root of your C:\ drive (this is optional, but it will make things a lot easier in the future). Rename the extracted folder “android-sdk-windows” to just “android” to make your life easier.
Open the new folder, then run the SDK Manager. If you run into an error about Java, go to java.com and get the latest version of the Java JRE (pretty much just click whatever the biggest “download” button is that you first see).
Once you have the SDK open, it will ask you to install packages. Just tick the “Accept All” radio button on the bottom right and press install. Depending on your internet connection, this can take a long time. Just be patient. Once they are all installed, you're good to go.
How you use adb is simple. Open a command prompt (press the Windows key + r and type “cmd” in the box that shows up, or go to Start → All Programs → Accessories → Command Prompt) and type in “cd C:\android\tools\” and type your commands (list of common commands at the end of this section.
-OPTIONAL- This step is optional, but HIGHLY recommended. Now that we have the SDK set up, we're going to adb to the Windows paths so that you can use adb from anywhere you can open a command prompt.
First, click the start menu and then right-click “My Computer” (Just “Computer” in Vista and 7. You'll also need to click the “Advanced System Setting” on the left side of the window that appears.). Click “Properties” and the Properties window appears. Now, click on the “Advanced” tab and the the “Environment Variables” button. A new window appears with two scrollable boxes. In the lower box, scroll until you find a “path” option and select it. Click “Edit” underneath the box. Move your cursor to the very end (Press END on your keyboard, just to be safe) and type “;C:\android\tools\”” (That leading semi-colon is important and may already be there. Check to be sure).
And you're done! Open a command prompt and type “adb devices” and see what comes up. If a list of devices (phones; will be empty if your phone isn't connected in debug mode) comes up, you've succeeded! Congrats.
4.1.2 – Linux
I use Ubuntu personally, but most of this information should be universal. If anyone running anything else sees anything missing or wrong with other distributions, let me know and I'll update or fix it.
First, you need to acquire the SDK. The file is android-sdk_r07-linux_x86.tgz from this site. Once downloaded, extract the contained folder to your home folder (/home/*USERNAME*, using your username) and rename the folder “android' for later ease of use.
Use terminal and cd to the android folder your created. Use the command “tools/android update sdk” to make the SDK updater come up. Just tick “Accept all” in the bottom right and then click install. This can take a while depending on your internet connection.
Once you have all of the files installed, you're ready to use adb. Using terminal, navigate to /home/user/android/tools and type (For Ubuntu):
Code:
sudo chmod 777 adb
This will allow the adb file to be read as an executable. Note that this only has to be done once. Then, use this code:
Code:
sudo ./adb start-server
(replace 'sudo' for 'su' for distros other than Ubuntu)
This is necessary every time you use adb (in Ubuntu, at least). You only have to do it once per session, but if the adb process is ever killed during your session, you must do it again. I've just gotten into the habit of doing it every time I log into my computer. You could also create a boot script that does this for you... which I've been meaning to get around to. After you have the process running, you won't have to use su/sudo or ./ to use adb.
Note that one-click scripts written for Windows will have to be opened and run manually. There are scripts for Linux floating around, but I can't seem to find the thread.
-OPTIONAL- This isn't a needed step, but you'll probably want to do it. Here we're going to add adb to the paths folder so that after you have started the process as an administrator, you can run it from any folder.
Open terminal and use these commands:
Code:
echo $PATH (should return the directories associated with $PATH)
export PATH=$PATH:/home/user/android/tools (replace with path to your tools directory, you may need to add 'sudo' or 'su' to the beginning of this cmd)
echo $PATH (you should now see your tools directory added to the end of the $PATH variable)
Once done, you're set. Once you have the process started, you can run adb commands from any terminal window.
4.1.3 – Mac OS
-I don't own a Mac, never have, and I have zero experience with Mac and Android... If someone else can help with this section, I'd appreciate it -
4.2 ADB COMMANDS
This isn't a complete list, but it should be enough to get you by for your purpose.
adb shell – opens a terminal on your phone. Terminal is like the command prompt of Linux.
adb push – pushes a file to the phone. The syntax is ”abd push *file location on your PC* *Location you want it on your phone*”
adb pull – pulls a file from your phone. The syntax is “adb pull *file location on the phone* *location to be placed on your PC*
adb shell rm – deletes a file from your phone. The syntax is “adb shell rm *location and name of the file to be deleted*. NOTE: adb shell rm -r is a recursive deletion and can cause damage to your ROM and phone. Make sure you know what you are doing if told to do an rm -r.
adb devices – lists all connected Android phones.
5.0 - ODIN
(I don't have a ton of experience with Odin, so if someone can refine this section, let me know and I'll update it)
Odin is a tool that was created for previous Samsung phones. It is a powerful tool and very useful for saving your phone from many malfunctions. As long as you can boot your phone into download mode (Hold down the “1” key on the slide-out keyboard while powering the phone on) you can almost always save your phone.
That said, Odin is also fairly experimental in its implementation on the Epic. There have been several reports of failed flashes and intermittent errors. This guide will hopefully help prevent that from happening.
5.1 – SETTING IT UP
If you haven't already, you need to get the drivers for the phone. Install them BEFORE Odin and before connecting your phone to your computer. You can get them here:
32-bit: Click here
64-bit: Click here
After that, you're going to need to get Odin. You can find that, as well as a basic guide and the stock files from noobnl, here (External link to SDX). Odin is the .rar file from the first link fo the post.
5.2 - USING ODIN
After you have it downloaded, extract the files somewhere (I recommend a folder on your desktop). From the extracted files, double-click “Odin3_v1.0.exe” and the Odin window opens. Have it completely ready to go before connecting your phone. Put all your files in the spots they belong (refer to the post where you got the Odin files for instructions on that... it seems to vary a lot depending on the purpose). Make sure that no other check boxes are ticked besides “Debug En.” and “Auto-reboot”. All the others can have very negative effects.
Before connecting your phone, put it into download mode by holding down the “1” key on your slide-out keyboard while powering the phone up. Once it is in download mode, connect the phone. The first box in Odin should come up as something akin to “COM4”. If it doesn't say exactly that, don't worry. Make sure all your files are placed correctly, and then click “Start”. It should take up to a few minutes, so be patient. Cutting this process off early can have negative effects. When it is finished, the phone should reboot.
6.0 – CLOSURE
I hope this guide helped you. If you have any questions, you can contact me, but I can't guarantee I can help you. Most devs are willing to help, too, so you can shoot them a PM and they'll try to get back to you.
Good luck and happy flashing!!
[Update Log]
*10-5-2010 - Added sections for Odin and adb/Android SDK. Updated sections, fixed typos and mistakes, reorganized a little. Fixed links.
None of those links are working for me. I get sent to a page with a message saying "Sorry, we can't find "xn--http-fb7a". We suggest that you check the spelling of the web address or search above."
Thanks a bunch, this was a very useful tutorial on the basics and for me helped out greatly with understanding where and what you need to do to be getting the best out of these awsome phones!
blasted across the interwebs by the Epic 4g!
Lonewuhf said:
None of those links are working for me. I get sent to a page with a message saying "Sorry, we can't find "xn--http-fb7a". We suggest that you check the spelling qof the web address or search above."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. I just went through and checked them all and everything is working on my end. All the URLs are correct. Maybe try clearing your browser cache?
DevinXtreme said:
Weird. I just went through and checked them all and everything is working on my end. All the URLs are correct. Maybe try clearing your browser cache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of them work for me either. The urls all start: http://xn--http-fb7a//forum.xda-developers.com/
dwyw42 said:
None of them work for me either. The urls all start: http://xn--http-fb7a//forum.xda-developers.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is so weird... It's showing up like that for me now, too. I've checked the source, and it stills is showing the right links in my post.... It's something on XDA's end right now... I'll look into getting it to work a little later.
Good work! This should be a sticky!
Sent from my Epic 4G
dwyw42 said:
None of them work for me either. The urls all start: http://xn--http-fb7a//forum.xda-developers.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah same here, i just cleared everything before "forum" from address bar and page loaded.
You might wanna ad that you need done battery life when flashing a kernal. If your phone dies during the flash your phone will be a useless brick.
You might also wanna adds the odin steps for flashing back to stock
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
mysteryemotionz said:
You might wanna ad that you need done battery life when flashing a kernal. If your phone dies during the flash your phone will be a useless brick.
You might also wanna adds the odin steps for flashing back to stock
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless whatever you're flashing messes with the recovery partition, an incomplete flash shouldn't cause a brick. As long as you can boot to recovery or download mode, you can save your phone.
And I'm working on an Odin section for my next update to this. A lot of things will be added next time I update the main post.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
i've got the first part of your guide done by completing noobnl's method but i cant get koush's method down. you say to hold down the volume, camera, and power buttons to boot into clockwork recovery, but it seems like it goes into the stock samsung recovery? how do i get the clockwork recovery?
The link for noobnl's easy method always takes me to Koush page not noobnl's might want to check your links there.
but very great idea and should be sticked on the front page.
dsummey30 said:
The link for noobnl's easy method always takes me to Koush page not noobnl's might want to check your links there.
but very great idea and should be sticked on the front page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=770388
for the proper thread
^^^ I have the same problem he did: I followed the instructions to root, but when I tried to restart with the "Epic 3-finger salute", it went into what appeared to be the stock bootloader, not clockwork.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
bitbang3r said:
^^^ I have the same problem he did: I followed the instructions to root, but when I tried to restart with the "Epic 3-finger salute", it went into what appeared to be the stock bootloader, not clockwork.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with me. I selected "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" and after a number of tries it was successful. Yet when I boot with the 3 buttons it still goes into the stock recovery.
you might wanna add how to set adb
Spunkzz said:
i've got the first part of your guide done by completing noobnl's method but i cant get koush's method down. you say to hold down the volume, camera, and power buttons to boot into clockwork recovery, but it seems like it goes into the stock samsung recovery? how do i get the clockwork recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bitbang3r said:
^^^ I have the same problem he did: I followed the instructions to root, but when I tried to restart with the "Epic 3-finger salute", it went into what appeared to be the stock bootloader, not clockwork.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vanquish46 said:
Same with me. I selected "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" and after a number of tries it was successful. Yet when I boot with the 3 buttons it still goes into the stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I know the issue here. It's that /system/ isn't being mounted as rw. Run the jokeyrim root method and then go into adb and type this:
Code:
adb shell
su
remount rw
exit
exit
If you don't know how to use adb, just wait until a little later tomorrow. I've got a whole section about it to add to the guide, but I don't have it completed yet (did some work on my laptop in the middle of writing it, forgot to reconnect my WLAN card and was baffled for most of the day...)
dsummey30 said:
The link for noobnl's easy method always takes me to Koush page not noobnl's might want to check your links there.
but very great idea and should be sticked on the front page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about that. Should be fixed now. Thanks for pointing it out
mysteryemotionz said:
you might wanna add how to set adb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All in the works I expect to have the guide updated early tomorrow, if not tonight.
Updated the guide with a lot of new info. Two new sections for adb/the SDK and Odin as well as a general update to the whole thing. Some of the sections changed (HARD and EASY mode are now both required, unfortunately...) and some things got a little moved around.
Also, all of the links should now work correctly. Something about the way XDA was handling quotations... So I just stripped them all from the forum code stuff...
If anyone has any experience with Mac, I could use your help for the adb/SDK section, and I could also use some help from someone more experience with Odin for that part.
Thanks, guys! I really hope this guide helps some people.
not to be a pain Devin but the two links for noobnl's programs goes to the same page for the easy and hard method don't know if that's right or not but wanted to point it out to you.
Thanks again for the great guide.
David
Well, some of you might have had the same urge to buy one of these little wonder with almost the same data sheet than a LG G2 but with a Dual SIM functionality and at a much smaller price. If you are one of these crazy people that ordered their in China just like me, you might have the same disappointment that I felt when I finally received mine: the advertised SD Card slot is just a fantasy and all Google apps have been replaced by their Baidu counterparts. If the English language is indeed present in the Operating System, none of the installed application seems to understand this language. If you just don't speak Chinese just like me, you might end up wondering why on earth you bought a smartphone destined to Chinese people.
So I decided to turn this frustration into something positive and succeeded so I'm happy to bring you my home cooked ROM for the Lenovo K910. But first of all, the usual disclaimer:
Disclaimer
Don't hold me responsible if you brick your phone. This method have been successfully tested on mine but this is no guarantee for yours. You should obviously always have a backup of your data at all time if you're willing to install this ROM (or any other).
Safety measures
Like most Android phones, the Lenovo Vibe Z have many possibilities of recovery. I would advise you to be ready to apply at least this one:
Download the QSB file of your ROM (for example, mine is K910_SS_S_2_040_0039_131101.qsb). Google will point you to a Baidu site where it is downloadable
Put it in the folder /sdcard/SDFUSE/
Shut down your phone
Hold Volume Down and Power button for a few seconds
You end up in a menu with a "SD Card Update" entry. Move down to this entry using the Volume Down button then press ENTER or power button.
Make sure your ROM is available in the list
Cancel and reboot
If your QSB file is visible in the list, you should be pretty safe. If anything goes wrong, use the same method but apply the upgrade this time. Note that this method overwrite everything included your applications, SD Card, ...
What it is
The ROM I'm offering is:
An extract from K910_SS_S_2_040_0039_131101.qsb
Applying only to your system partition (your applications and data should be safe)
Rooted
Busybox-ed
Grossly freed from most vendor applications
Replaced by Google applications
What it is NOT
This was already some work to figure out how to reach that goal so it is not:
Bug free (I have at least observed a strange display glitch for the network icons which turn standard blue instead of Lenovo's white one)
A multi-language ROM
A ROM build from scratch like MIUI, Cyanogenmod, ...
A custom recovery (though this might come in a later stage)
...
Prerequisite
You should have installed:
K910 ADB Driver (available on the CD that appear when you connect the device)
ADB
Fastboot
Just check that your USB debug mode is enabled (in the USB Access Mode menu).
In any of these prerequisite is an issue for you, I'm ready to explain you further but you should also wonder if you are ready to go further because if anything goes wrong, you won't be able to properly act.
The installation
OK, enough talking, now some action. It is pretty simple actually:
Download the ROM and un-7zip it (mirroring in progress)
Reboot your phone in bootloader mode. Therefore, open a command prompt (no matter which OS you're using) and type:
Code:
adb reboot-bootloader
Now your phone is displaying the Lenovo logo
Check that you can access the system
Code:
fastboot devices
If fastboot just return displaying nothing, you might have to run in Administrator/root mode. Under Linux, I had to use sudo.
Unlock the bootloader (this should wipe all your data if it wasn't unlocked previously):
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
Flash the system:
Code:
fastboot flash system <path-to-file>system.img
Reboot:
Code:
fastboot reboot
That's all folks ! After your phone restarts, you should be able to use Google applications (though not all of them are there, at least the Play Store is allowing you to install the others).
What's next ?
I hope to be able to free some time to achieve these next steps:
Publish the script I wrote to extract content from Lenovo QSB files
Apply the same method to the last upgrade (K910_SS_S_2_040_0078_131203 ?). If you are lucky enough to have this version please contact me to see if you can provide the QSB file.
See if I can cook a custom recovery.
This is probably my very first participation to the community so I'll accept any comments as long as they are constructive :good:
Thanks!!!!!
Thank you so much, I'm crazy because I get the phone and to try, where is the link to download please??
Thanks again, you can post pictures?
---------- Post added at 04:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 PM ----------
Another important question ... How did you rooteado?
What program did you use?
Thanks.
All need you help please.
I'll need just a few more hours since my upload just missed (I'm not sure why it only uploaded 437 Mb on the 659 Mb)
It will be for the first hours of 2014 (at least for me).
csu333 said:
I'll need just a few more hours since my upload just missed (I'm not sure why it only uploaded 437 Mb on the 659 Mb)
It will be for the first hours of 2014 (at least for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your work, but you can tell us how you got to be root??
sakilxda said:
Thank you very much for your work, but you can tell us how you got to be root??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably in the most complicated way possible: I extracted the system partition from the upgrade file, mounted it in my Linux, put all the needed files and authorization then flashed it on my device.
I confirm that the file is now available but I need a few more messages before I can add the link. In the meanwhile, I can send it privately.
csu333 said:
Probably in the most complicated way possible: I extracted the system partition from the upgrade file, mounted it in my Linux, put all the needed files and authorization then flashed it on my device.
I confirm that the file is now available but I need a few more messages before I can add the link. In the meanwhile, I can send it privately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure I get it, I also took little time here and leaves add links.
You could pass it private?
With your permission I'll share it on other sites of course directing people to this thread so they can see their creator and comment.
In several HTCMania we are waiting to receive the phone and while we're compiling everything.
Root on many threads where people are wanting to get and so far you're the only one.
I await your email with the link partner, and with your permission I'll share. A greeting.
sakilxda said:
Sure I get it, I also took little time here and leaves add links.
You could pass it private?
With your permission I'll share it on other sites of course directing people to this thread so they can see their creator and comment.
In several HTCMania we are waiting to receive the phone and while we're compiling everything.
Root on many threads where people are wanting to get and so far you're the only one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you don't ask money for it, feel free to share this as much as you want. My goal is sharing !
You should have received the link in the meanwhile. I'm also busy trying to mirror it on AndroidFileHost but it failed last time so just wait and see.
Latest ROM version release notes
By the way, here are the release notes of the next ROM (K910_SS_S_2_040_0078_131203).
What Google translate by:
Recommend
* Expand the system partition, a number of bug fixes
Update log
System
* Expand the system partition to 1.5G
* Boot and recovery signature added to the system
Show
* Fixed shutdown problem dialog scene mode switching
* Modify profile English translation error
* Adjust section shows the layout
Camera
* Pre-correction first picture black beauty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This means that next upgrade will most probably erase all the content of your phone (again) included your data and internal SD Card. This also means that flashing the first version of my custom ROM will make you "lose" 500 Mb, at least until a release based on the latest version of Lenovo's original ROM.
This also mean that:
Next Custom ROM upgrade won't be applicable to the not upgraded phone (you would be certain of bricking your phone)
You will lost 500 Mb worth of storage on your non expandable device
This isn't all good news ...
csu333 said:
As long as you don't ask money for it, feel free to share this as much as you want. My goal is sharing !
You should have received the link in the meanwhile. I'm also busy trying to mirror it on AndroidFileHost but it failed last time so just wait and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for sharing, of course I will not ask for money and in forums where I am at all costs to visit this thread.
csu333 said:
By the way, here are the release notes of the last ROM (K910_SS_S_2_040_0078_131203):
What Google translate by:
This means that next upgrade will most probably erase all the content of your phone (again) included your data and internal SD Card. This also means that flashing the first version of my custom ROM will make you "lose" 500 Mb, at least until a release based on the latest version of Lenovo's original ROM.
This also mean that:
Next Custom ROM upgrade won't be applicable to the not upgraded phone (you would be certain of bricking your phone)
You will lost 500 Mb worth of storage on your non expandable device
This isn't all good news ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are not good news. but I honestly what I need are 3 things:
1 Language Spanish, but we already you can not imagine not doing anything?
2 Root, to be able to use apps like Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc..
3 Very importantly, GAPPS (Play Store, Gmail), but of course in Spanish or English.
Your Rom has 2 I need and it is very important to me and very many users, it is a great job and the first to do so was you.
I do not mind losing 500mb, but I worry that the next official update is dangerous for us.
Thank you very much for sharing the link. If you write more answers in this thread at XDA have permission to put the link publicly, I think the requirement is 10 responses and almost have them.
---------- Post added at 12:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 PM ----------
Apply the same method to the last upgrade (K910_SS_S_2_040_0078_131203). If you are lucky enough to have this version please contact me to see if you can Provide the QSB file.
You control by private (Because here I can not yet) a link to the version you want, I found on google, as I said I have not tested, I hope that this can do wonders lol
I also hope that I root Gapps and either Spanish or English: D
sakilxda said:
They are not good news. but I honestly what I need are 3 things:
1 Language Spanish, but we already you can not imagine not doing anything?
2 Root, to be able to use apps like Titanium Backup, Root Explorer, etc..
3 Very importantly, GAPPS (Play Store, Gmail), but of course in Spanish or English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The few post I read about this are telling that it is close to impossible but I installed morelocale 2 on mine and it does add my language in the application that supports it.
Root is probably my top priority so it will stay available in the future releases
Play Store and GMail are present in the ROM and if you install morelocale 2, it will be in Spanish
sakilxda said:
You control by private (Because here I can not yet) a link to the version you want, I found on google, as I said I have not tested, I hope that this can do wonders lol
I also hope that I root Gapps and either Spanish or English: D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the link on Baidu I also found but for some reason, I can't flash it on my device so I can't cook it properly. I have to be able to flash it first
csu333 said:
The few post I read about this are telling that it is close to impossible but I installed morelocale 2 on mine and it does add my language in the application that supports it.
Root is probably my top priority so it will stay available in the future releases
Play Store and GMail are present in the ROM and if you install morelocale 2, it will be in Spanish
This is the link on Baidu I also found but for some reason, I can't flash it on my device so I can't cook it properly. I have to be able to flash it first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, the priority is Root.
About the Gapps in Spanish or Englis, the could include a patch?
If not, do not worry that you use MoreLocale2.
I'll try to find more links ... it's a shame it does not work ...
The good news with root access is that you can do a lot of crazy things. For example, I'm starting to understand why it is so hard to get this upgrade thanks to a network dump:
Code:
POST /reaper/server/config2 HTTP/1.1
Host: fsr.lenovomm.com
Content-Length: 131
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Connection: Keep-Alive
User-Agent: Apache-HttpClient/UNAVAILABLE (java 1.4)
Config.2.1.2.imei.8628720201xxxxxxxxxxxxx
HTTP/1.1 503 Service Unavailable: [B][COLOR="Red"]Back-end server is at capacity[/COLOR][/B]
Content-Length: 0
Connection: keep-alive
That said, I'm sick of coming close to the end and receiving a connection time out
Patience friend, I do not really understand how you could do, but I'm sure you will. Good luck ...
sakilxda said:
Patience friend, I do not really understand how you could do, but I'm sure you will. Good luck ...
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Click to collapse
If I have latest version K910_SS_S_2_040_0109_131226 installed via ota update and push this system.img from previous version it's ok?
Really apreciate your work and hoping to be able to support you anyway. Keep working ! Respect.
katalinscrob said:
If I have latest version K910_SS_S_2_040_0109_131226 installed via ota update and push this system.img from previous version it's ok?
Really apreciate your work and hoping to be able to support you anyway. Keep working ! Respect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should work since the system it pretty much self contained but since I haven't tested it, I really can't be sure. Furthermore, this is a downgrade of your system.
If you have this version, could you check if you still have the image on your sdcard? This could be in folder /sdcard/lenovoota.
csu333 said:
This should work since the system it pretty much self contained but since I haven't tested it, I really can't be sure. Furthermore, this is a downgrade of your system.
If you have this version, could you check if you still have the image on your sdcard? This could be in folder /sdcard/lenovoota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, here's the deal:
1. I tried to push system.img but no working, adb respond "failed: targed locked".
2. I don't have the ota file anymore BUT I have the K910_SS_S_2_040_0109_131226.qsb file. I poot this one in sdfuse folder and updated already before starting procedure with adb from above as you described, no problem just flashed it, btw it wipes everything.
So, my opinions:
1. Locked target issue could be determined by the bootloader beeing locked? Don't we need to unlock it somehow?
2. Can you reinsert root and gapps in this newer version K910_SS_S_2_040_0109_131226.qsb file?
3. How do you decompiled .qsbfile ?
Waiting for your feedback asap.
Respect.
Obs:
- we can use android-aio-flasher just to substitute from working with cmd commands... just sayin', works for me.
- reboot in recovery command doesn't work, just adb reboot bootloader, then lenovo logo appears.
- correct command for pushing system.img is adb fastboot flash system path to system.img.
katalinscrob said:
ok, here's the deal:
1. I tried to push system.img but no working, adb respond "failed: targed locked".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be sure, is it an answer from adb or fastboot?
katalinscrob said:
2. I don't have the ota file anymore BUT I have the K910_SS_S_2_040_0109_131226.qsb file. I poot this one in sdfuse folder and updated already before starting procedure with adb from above as you described, no problem just flashed it, btw it wipes everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great news! Do you have any way of posting ithe QSB somewhere?
katalinscrob said:
So, my opinions:
1. Locked target issue could be determined by the bootloader beeing locked? Don't we need to unlock it somehow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had nothing to do but I did restart a few time with a custom boot.img that I never actually flashed. Maybe this helped?
katalinscrob said:
2. Can you reinsert root and gapps in this newer version K910_SS_S_2_040_0109_131226.qsb file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sure will!
katalinscrob said:
3. How do you decompiled .qsbfile ?
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Click to collapse
I wrote a script for that purpose. I have to clean it a bit before I can publish it but I'll definitely do it.
katalinscrob said:
Obs:
- we can use android-aio-flasher just to substitute from working with cmd commands... just sayin', works for me.
- reboot in recovery command doesn't work, just adb reboot bootloader, then lenovo logo appears.
- correct command for pushing system.img is adb fastboot flash system path to system.img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right. I didn't know about android-auto-flasher, probably because I'm running Linux (which made my task easier to cook the ROM since the system partition can be mourned like any other).
I edited my first post with your correction and the link since I have now 10 messages on the board !
Well who are finding out that important things. Hopefully soon have new developments. I keep watching your work. I hope that more and more we are, I have put in all the sites I've found this link for more developers to come.
csu33 said:
This is great news! Do you have any way of posting ithe QSB somewhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have it. please contact me in PM