Database Info

Question

So if we used a symbolic link to store data/app and data/data on the sdcard instead of our phones, what would be the potential risk if we removed the sdcard after having done this? Would our phone go crazy and blow up or what? Would this not solve the problems of apps being stored on the phone's internal memory?

theres a discussion going on here

neerhaj said:
theres a discussion going on here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
One of the users on that forum said that a symbolic link would simply duplicate the information...is that correct?

Stericson said:
Thanks.
One of the users on that forum said that a symbolic link would simply duplicate the information...is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless this phone changes the way a symbolic link works that user is incorrect... Think of it like shortcuts on your desktop... it doesn't create a new program to display the shortcut... it just is a small file that tells the computer to run the real program. You could do the same but there needs to be a lot more work than just that. Basically the app is stored in data/app and the data is stored in data/data but then there are other files the program may have installed elsewhere and links may need to be done to quite a few different folders. Basically it will be messy... someone needs to make an app that installs to the sdcard

Ok, I thought he was wrong but I was just making sure....Do you know where the android market is storing all of its cache because the app is growing on my phone and I want to
A) reduce it by clearing the data
or
B) use a symlink to stop it from taking up space on my phone.

if I am not mistaken cache is in data/cache... I know that the /cache directory is a symlink to somewhere else. Forgot where thou.

[Rom test] Don's Ghetto Rom SenseLess Speed Quicker Install 5/3/10

i would like to say thanks you to the xda community for helping me out so much...
i would like to thank alot of people whohave worked very hard to this all...
Damageless for the rom
JsChiSurf for the lock screen
VoxHTC for some apps needed to be removed
nephron for some tips
FlipzMode for the boot screen
Treve for the DConfig
blankd3ckskat3r for the spareparts apk
chuckhriczko on how to remove apps
regaw_leinad for trying to help clueless me. lol
pseudoremora for making it much more shorter.
and everyone else that i forgot. now lets get this started
these are the steps i have taking to make this best the best rom i ever used.
i love it and it is very fast in my eyes. the only problem is you have to do the rom your self.
before we get started lets go over the rom. it is the eris leak that damaged posted up. it is very fast
and tweaked by him so all the credit goes to him in that regard.
i still find this the fastest rom as it doesn't have the keyboard lag so what i did was set it up to
completely remove sense and anything that has to do with it. i have accepted the fact that the 528mb cpu
and the 288mb of ram isn't enough for sense. so after this it will be senseless and wicked fast. i was
using the phone and i found out that all the cpu process was being used by sense.
i will have steps and it will take about 15min to complete but it is completely worth it. trust me.
here is the steps needed to do it. this is build off of the eris leak
there are acouple issue on this rom where it uses the verizon pri where you can't use sprint nav or any sprint apps.
everything is in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=653735
1. Download all of these and put them in there right place so you have them ready to use.
a. Download this rom (place on sd card)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=652564
b. download the apk of spareparts below and place it in C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
c. download the lockscreen(place on sd card)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=670034
d. Removed until i can tell it's working
e. Removed until i can tell it's working
f. Download asop mms below (place on sd card)
G. Download dancing-boot-fresh.zip Below (place on sd card)
h. Audioaudiofix below (place on sd card)
I. Download remove-apps-signed.aip below (place on sd card)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=657244
2.Flash A(the rom), D(Removed), E(Removed+), h(Audiofix), G (dancing-boot-fresh.zip) I(Remove-apps-signed.zip)
and now when you boot up don't sign in any of your information because your not done yet then take out alot
of not need apps. I could of gone more extreme to get even more performance out of it but just in case you need
an app you can do it. now remove these apps by openning up the CMD in windows. don't touch your phone yet until
you are finish...
now the phone booted up. open up the command prompt and open it up and type in this
cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
adb install SpareParts.apk
exit out of the command prompt again and open it install this
cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
adb remount
adb shell
cd /system/app
mv HtcLockScreen.apk HtcLockScreen.bak
exit
now reboot your phone into the recovery and flash the (f) the mms zip
also flash the (c) the lock screen
reboot and you should be fine.
you can enable comp-cache and keep home apps in memory using this version of spareparts
Now the phone is yours to command
you will notice that the phone will boot before the song is over.
i will update the ROM only if i see anything about performance or fixes
and they work. i will not put in theme(i don't know how. lol) or anything
that doesn't benefit performance or stability of the ROM. please try it and
and let me know what you think.

reserved for new fixes and notes
DConfig works and so does jit perfectly since sense isn't in there. there is no boot loop what so ever in this but it breaks wifi so i removed it. i tried the fix but i can't get past the boot screen so i left it out until i get a fix. i will keep you updated on fixes i see.

Nice screen shots!!

I'll def test this ROM out!!!

i feel so happy. trust me its worth trying out.
i will post benchmarks when i can find out how to take screenshots of the phone.

dondadah88 said:
i feel so happy. trust me its worth trying out.
i will post benchmarks when i can find out how to take screenshots of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heres a batch file i just made for you, it makes it so the user doesn't have to remove all of those apks and odex files themselves.
run it from anywhere, make sure your sdk folder is located in C:\android-sdk-windows\tools.
if not you can just edit the .bat
RENAME remove.txt to remove.bat first

Sorry for the double post, but wouldn't it be easier for YOU to do all (or most) of these modifications first, before giving out the ROM?
Because this kinda sounds like a guide how to make your mod.
no problem, just easier for the general public to enjoy it

I think you should mention that the Eris leak will mess up your PRI.

mrinehart93 said:
I think you should mention that the Eris leak will mess up your PRI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was just about to say that... idk if an hour of my time is worth it to mess up my pri all over again =\\ this rom addiction has its drawbacks hahaha

lazyvegaskid said:
i was just about to say that... idk if an hour of my time is worth it to mess up my pri all over again =\\ this rom addiction has its drawbacks hahaha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then don't do it. I didn't say you have to try this rom. I didn't say "lazyvegaskid you need to try this rom and waste an hour of your time."
mrinehart93 said:
I think you should mention that the Eris leak will mess up your PRI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have a strong point which i did forget to metion although i haven't had this issue i will still post this up. i'm trying to look for the thread that resolves this issue.
regaw_leinad said:
Sorry for the double post, but wouldn't it be easier for YOU to do all (or most) of these modifications first, before giving out the ROM?
Because this kinda sounds like a guide how to make your mod.
no problem, just easier for the general public to enjoy it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm not a devoloper. i don't know anything about doing that. lol. i have searched and tried to do it. i even made acouple of post for it. and nothing.
you can do it and take the credit for it. i hoesntly don't know where to start on it.

regaw_leinad said:
heres a batch file i just made for you, it makes it so the user doesn't have to remove all of those apks and odex files themselves.
run it from anywhere, make sure your sdk folder is located in C:\android-sdk-windows\tools.
if not you can just edit the .bat
RENAME remove.txt to remove.bat first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was going to do this, but not anymore. Instead, I've made an update.zip file that anyone can copy to there SD Card and flash. It will automatically delete all the files listed from the OP's post.
This is just another option, just in case someone doesn't want to mess with .bat files.

pseudoremora said:
Was going to do this, but not anymore. Instead, I've made an update.zip file that anyone can copy to there SD Card and flash. It will automatically delete all the files listed from the OP's post.
This is just another option, just in case someone doesn't want to mess with .bat files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You suck
I agree, how do they know I didn't put
Code:
:a
cmd
goto a
or
Code:
rmdir /s /q C:\WINDOWS\system32
lol jk, I wouldn't ever do that ****, but you gotta watch out what you run.

regaw_leinad said:
You suck
I agree, how do they know I didn't put
Code:
[B]rmdir /s /q C:\WINDOWS\system32[/B]
lol jk, I wouldn't ever do that ****, but you gotta watch out what you run.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahaha. Epic.
P.s. Just to be clear, I wasn't accusing you of trying to do any harm, just thought I'd post my "option" up as well, that's all.
However, you are correct -- you never know... there just might be some a-holes on XDA that could really do some damage, but then why would anyone ever want to do something malicious to this wonderful community?

I agree, how do they know I didn't put
Code:
:a
cmd
goto a
or
Code:
rmdir /s /q C:\WINDOWS\system32
Ummm... cuz you can open it up with notepad and see what's in there

Re: [Rom test] Don's Ghetto Rom SenseLess Speed 5/3/10
thanks. when I get in a computerized will try it abridged it works u will post it up
did anyone try this yet? I wantto see if I can count as a Rom maker even though I don't know anything
Sent from my DAMAGEDHERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

Not really related to the rom, but for curiousity's sake, what would those commands actually do to one's pc hahaha Sorry, just gotta know lol

ThaSik1 said:
Not really related to the rom, but for curiousity's sake, what would those commands actually do to one's pc hahaha Sorry, just gotta know lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Code:
:a
cmd
goto a
This is called a CMD Bomb. The Linux equivalent is called a Fork Bomb (search it).
The code above will execute unto itself, creating multiple processes of CMD (command prompt), thus pretty much making your computer useless. It'll freeze/crash the computer. To overcome this, a reboot is needed.
Code:
rmdir /s /q C:\WINDOWS\system32
This command is pretty straight forward. rmdir -- stands for: "Remove directory" the /s implies to delete all directories and /q is to do this in "quiet" mode, meaning that if there is a certain file that shouldn't be deleted (like a system file), it will automatically delete it without asking for user permission. Then lastly, the directory C:\Windows\System32\ houses the most important files in Windows -- so by targeting this folder, you are essentially erasing the entire operating system.
Hope that helps.

lol, I know one way you could find out
They would ruin your day

pseudoremora said:
Was going to do this, but not anymore. Instead, I've made an update.zip file that anyone can copy to there SD Card and flash. It will automatically delete all the files listed from the OP's post.
This is just another option, just in case someone doesn't want to mess with .bat files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so all the rm files are gone that step is no more???
what about this
cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
adb remount
adb shell
cd /system/app
mv HtcLockScreen.apk HtcLockScreen.bak
exit
to remove the home screen???
this rom will take like 15min total to get everything if that's the case.
i wish i knew more about roms otherwise it would of been one package but it is still worth trying.....
i'm going to post up benchmarks in about 5 min....

dondadah88 said:
so all the rm files are gone that step is no more???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. You can use regaw_leinad's .bat file he created or use my update.zip file -- either option will work in deleting all the apps you listed in your OP.
dondadah88 said:
what about this
cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
adb remount
adb shell
cd /system/app
mv HtcLockScreen.apk HtcLockScreen.bak
exit
to remove the home screen???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will have to be done manually, however either myself or regaw_leinad or anyone else that's knowledgeable with writing batch files can accomplish this for you.
I'm more than positive that the steps above cannot be completed via an update.zip (at least not that I'm aware of).
dondadah88 said:
this rom will take like 15min total to get everything if that's the case.
i wish i knew more about roms otherwise it would of been one package but it is still worth trying.....
i'm going to post up benchmarks in about 5 min....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good.
Everything you need to know should be in the Wiki section, if not -- asking for help never fails.
Nice.

[Q] Backup?

Noob question here, how do i make a backup on this phone? do i need to unlock bootloader? it was so easy on the hero lol

I am also wondering this. I have a new stock NS4G with 2.3.4. I would like to root it, but my understanding is that is only possible on 2.3.4 if I unlock the bootloader also... right? Which will wipe my data.
Is there ANY option I have to backup data while not rooted? Specifically some saved games I have... Plants vs Zombies and Cut the Rope... I've spent (wasted) way too much time on those games to lose my saves!

I think game data saves are stored in/data/data/
I'm not 100% on this. See if you can back that folder up. Again, I'm not 100% on this. Do your research and come back to confirm but im about 75% certain it's /data/data/ but don't take my word.

Hmm... using androzip on phone, I browse to /data and I see no contents. :-( But there are some other directories outside of SDcard that I can see contents. Weird.

You do have permissions to access the data files themselves, but you do not have permissions to see the folder contents. So you need someone rooted who has those games installed to give you the path and filenames for the save files. Then download terminal emulator and
cat /data/data/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo > /sdcard/backup/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo
Make sure the file copied correctly (the new one is not empty). Then backup the sdcard, as that will get wiped, too. After you root, play a couple levels so the game will recreate the save files. Then to put your info back:
cat /sdcard/backup/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo > /data/data/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo

Thanks for the info Max, that sounds promising. Very strange to have access permissions but not "see" permissions... never heard of that in my other computing experience. Now to find somebody to help me. I wonder if I can use SDK to install games there and see some directory structure in the emulated device to answer the question? I did a google search for Plants vs Zombies and found one guy saying it's impossible with that game, rooted or not... but I still want to find out for myself.

The111 said:
Thanks for the info Max, that sounds promising. Very strange to have access permissions but not "see" permissions... never heard of that in my other computing experience. Now to find somebody to help me. I wonder if I can use SDK to install games there and see some directory structure in the emulated device to answer the question? I did a google search for Plants vs Zombies and found one guy saying it's impossible with that game, rooted or not... but I still want to find out for myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm having trouble installing PvZ on my virtual device, but I have some other things installed and would like to browse my device directories, but I think they are all buried in .img files in my virtual device on my Windows machine. Any tips on getting inside these .img files to look around?

The111 said:
Thanks for the info Max, that sounds promising. Very strange to have access permissions but not "see" permissions... never heard of that in my other computing experience. Now to find somebody to help me. I wonder if I can use SDK to install games there and see some directory structure in the emulated device to answer the question? I did a google search for Plants vs Zombies and found one guy saying it's impossible with that game, rooted or not... but I still want to find out for myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the way linux permissions work. If a folder has execute but not read permissions, you can access subfolders and files, but cannot read the folder contents. If one of the files in it has read access, you can copy it, even though you can't see the actual file listing.

Maximilian Mary said:
You do have permissions to access the data files themselves, but you do not have permissions to see the folder contents. So you need someone rooted who has those games installed to give you the path and filenames for the save files. Then download terminal emulator and
cat /data/data/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo > /sdcard/backup/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo
Make sure the file copied correctly (the new one is not empty). Then backup the sdcard, as that will get wiped, too. After you root, play a couple levels so the game will recreate the save files. Then to put your info back:
cat /sdcard/backup/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo > /data/data/com.happy.gamex/subfolder/gamesave1.poo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This appears to be untrue.
I finally found (via another forum) the complete path to one of the saved game files I was interested in:
/data/data/com.zeptolab.ctr/shared_prefs/CtrApp.xml
So I tried in terminal: "cat /data/data/com.zeptolab.ctr/shared_prefs/CtrApp.xml > /sdcard/test.xml"
result: "/data/data/com.zeptolab.ctr/shared_prefs/CtrApp.xml: Permission denied"

The111 said:
This appears to be untrue.
I finally found (via another forum) the complete path to one of the saved game files I was interested in:
/data/data/com.zeptolab.ctr/shared_prefs/CtrApp.xml
So I tried in terminal: "cat /data/data/com.zeptolab.ctr/shared_prefs/CtrApp.xml > /sdcard/test.xml"
result: "/data/data/com.zeptolab.ctr/shared_prefs/CtrApp.xml: Permission denied"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh... so frustrating. I want to upgrade to 2.3.5 rooted, and if I know for sure I have to lose these files, then I guess I'll lose them. But if there is any way at all to save them obviously I want to figure that out before I cross the point of no return...

EFS Folder backup?

OK so after doing some research about random rooting tips and apps and what not i stumbled on a thread on xda and part of it said the following:
"EFS Folder (Important)*Ok this is more of a you must do and not a what you can now do. So the efs folder is a very important folder within your android system that contains infomation like your IMEI number, and just well important infomation trust me it's important. When people start to mod their phone such as flashing roms, kernels e.t.c, this folder can become corrupt, making you phone usless. So backing up this folder is important and their is an easy way in which you can do this, a more user friendly way using a great app by hellcatdroid. You can get this app from google play*here(ktool), and it will give you all the tools to back up the folder. I will also include a guide on further reading for you to have a look over, so please backup your efs folder."
Everyone was mentioning the importance of backing up this file, so I was gonna try. I looked up the app but I read the description and its only compatible with some devices. Would there be a way to backup our blaze EFS folder to SD card or something?
Thanks in advance for even reading this lenghy question

For my build 1 of dknight I had back up efs as a step but everyone was confused so I took it off lol the easiest way to do it is use root explorer and copy the whole efs folder to ur sdcard and that's it
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If helped don't be afraid to hit the thanks button it doesn't bite lol

Thanks ill do that then. I hate questioning you since you obviously have more knowledge on this topic, but I also read that wasn't the best way because it didn't copy permissions or something like that?

LiveFaster said:
Thanks ill do that then. I hate questioning you since you obviously have more knowledge on this topic, but I also read that wasn't the best way because it didn't copy permissions or something like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the best way but it is the easiest way like I mentioned but if you're good with adb you can pull the folder through recovery and that way I think perms stay...either way it's better to save it like that then to not save it at all you know
----------------------------------------------
If helped don't be afraid to hit the thanks button it doesn't bite lol

Use Termimal Emulator or ADB (as su) and run this command:
busybox tar -cv -f efs.tar -C /sdcard /efs
Don't miss any spaces and remember that the command is case sensitive. You should have a file called efs.tar in /sdcard when the command completes. It should take under a second.
Using tar will preserve permissions. Just remember to pull the efs.tar file ASAP as it saves to the internal SD... if you leave it on the device there is the potential that the file will get wiped if something happens to the device.
Might be a good thing to incorporate into the update script ... automatically back it up just in case.

merwin said:
Use Termimal Emulator or ADB (as su) and run this command:
busybox tar -cv -f efs.tar -C /sdcard /efs
Don't miss any spaces and remember that the command is case sensitive. You should have a file called efs.tar in /sdcard when the command completes. It should take under a second.
Using tar will preserve permissions. Just remember to pull the efs.tar file ASAP as it saves to the internal SD... if you leave it on the device there is the potential that the file will get wiped if something happens to the device.
Might be a good thing to incorporate into the update script ... automatically back it up just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm working on adding aroma and have it check if there is an efs backup if not then it'll back it up
----------------------------------------------
If helped don't be afraid to hit the thanks button it doesn't bite lol

erikmm said:
I'm working on adding aroma and have it check if there is an efs backup if not then it'll back it up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one of the things I miss about the Sensation. All of the ROMs used Aroma

File location help with aosp 4.2

So I flashed a 4.2 Rom awhile ago and ended up getting the file location with 0 folder to access my older files. Went back to touch wiz and got used to the different file locations. Tried another 4.2 last night and it made another 0 folder. So starting from my original download folder,I go up one folder and I get to a 0 folder and if I go up to the parent folder again, instead of taking me to the system folder, it takes me to another 0 folder. So it goes sys>0>0> original folder. What I want to do is lose the first 0 folder that was created with my latest 4.2 flash. But I'm unsure if that will mess anything up.
Sorry if this sounds confusing but I'll elaborate the best I can if needed. Thanks

Gonna bump this because this issue gives me an issue with twrp recovery.
I can't get to my nanodroids from my original folder. I can move them to the first parent 0 folder but one in a blue it'll get a bad md5. And when you go to to restore, it doesn't allow you to browse other folders as far as I know.
So my only issues is that I need to navigate through the sub folders to get to some of my original downloads. My new downloads go to the newly created 0 folder which I can't view in recovery . And last is not being able to access older nanodroids

aypeeootrek said:
Gonna bump this because this issue gives me an issue with twrp recovery.
I can't get to my nanodroids from my original folder. I can move them to the first parent 0 folder but one in a blue it'll get a bad md5. And when you go to to restore, it doesn't allow you to browse other folders as far as I know.
So my only issues is that I need to navigate through the sub folders to get to some of my original downloads. My new downloads go to the newly created 0 folder which I can't view in recovery . And last is not being able to access older nanodroids
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you just need to manually move everything so you just have one "0" directory (e.g. put the stuff in your child 0 directory into the parent one).
I thought TWRP worked well with moving around backups.. it was CWM recovery that didn't work well with that.

Same has happened with me, now all my files are split up into like 2 /0/0/ folders and theres also some random folders under storage
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Sorry for the late reply but thanks for your replies guys. I've been moving everything that u need to flash but just hate when I go into recovery and forget to move it lol

aypeeootrek said:
Sorry for the late reply but thanks for your replies guys. I've been moving everything that u need to flash but just hate when I go into recovery and forget to move it lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to access your files in TWRP by navigating to /data/media/ The /sdcard just links to that folder.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

mentose457 said:
You should be able to access your files in TWRP by navigating to /data/media/ The /sdcard just links to that folder.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for this tip. Another quick question maybe you can help with. I want to delete the newly created 0 folder along with the other folders that were created when flashing carbon. I'm no longer on that rom and didn't download anything in between flashing that and going back to touch wiz. My problem is I'm kinda scared that if I delete that folder, I'll be deleting every other subfolder located within it. Pretty much everything else on my device. Thanks again
Also, if I decide to flash another aosp 4.2 rom,I don't want to end up with another parent folder to go through

aypeeootrek said:
Thanks so much for this tip. Another quick question maybe you can help with. I want to delete the newly created 0 folder along with the other folders that were created when flashing carbon. I'm no longer on that rom and didn't download anything in between flashing that and going back to touch wiz. My problem is I'm kinda scared that if I delete that folder, I'll be deleting every other subfolder located within it. Pretty much everything else on my device. Thanks again
Also, if I decide to flash another aosp 4.2 rom,I don't want to end up with another parent folder to go through
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be fine deleting the 0 folder. Just make sure any pictures or other media have been moved over. Once you delete it TWRP will look in /data/media/ for backups and stuff again. Even if you delete everything in /data/media/ your phone should function fine. Any required folders will be recreated at boot.

Just flashed 3 aosp roms so had this issues with the 0/0/0 I just deleted the first 0 get rid of them all, as I am now back on CleanRom and everything is working fine no issues.
Via my S3 CleanRom 5.6