...[from elsewhere] ...I didn't see any mention of this in the how-to threads so I didn't back up my EFS files from the stock rom. Anyone here have had any issues with this after going back to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is an example of things that are scattered in many threads...specifically, what are the things you should DO or SAVE before flashing a new ROM?
Above seems to be one (except is "EFS" a folder or what?). Would folks please offer your suggestions of the "protective" steps to be done/preserved in case of future difficulties.
Actually, in addition to the one quoted, doing a Titanium Backup is in almost all of the how-to discussions, so I guess that is already covered.
efs is really only relevant if you plan on using kies. Your phones product code and imei number are stoped in those files. flashing roms can alter these files. I have never done this. If you want to down load root explorer, or free option android mate. I would pay for root explorer. Find the efs file copy and paste it to your internal sd. Then save it to your pc
Android id. Dl android id changer from market. if you have not already dl busy box from market. Install busy box using app. Open android id changer, click save id, custom flashes change this and it us god to have it saved, you can restore using same app after flash
Do you know what odin is?
Do you know your build number?
mcord11758 said:
efs is really only relevant if you plan on using kies. Your phones product code and imei number are stoped in those files. flashing roms can alter these files. I have never done this. If you want to down load root explorer, or free option android mate. I would pay for root explorer. Find the efs file copy and paste it to your internal sd. Then save it to your pc
Android id. Dl android id changer from market. if you have not already dl busy box from market. Install busy box using app. Open android id changer, click save id, custom flashes change this and it us god to have it saved, you can restore using same app after flash
Do you know what odin is?
Do you know your build number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recapping this...
EFS is a file. Can save it using Root Explorer or Android Mate.
I have copied down all the data under the battery. Is there more than that in this file?
I am confused about second paragraph. You mention download
Android ID Changer
Busy Box
Which one is it that captures the Android ID? And obviously it saves it, but where?
Yes, odin is mentioned in the how-to's, but it IS part of the flashing process. I am looking for things that should be done BEFORE starting that.
Yes, I know the build (1006). It is part of the data under the battery. And flashing wouldn't destroy or modify that.
Yes the efs had your csc or product code. If you flash a rom that is a port from another device this may be changed. Not an issue if you do not use kies.
Busybox is an app that installs commands onto your phone that certain programs need to operate correctly. Titanium backup and android id changer need this to function correctly. Android id changer saves your id in a file on your internal sd. The file is called update.id when you flash a rom you open the app again click load id, then change id. Phone reboots, id us back to your original id
Odin is a utility that flashes you back to stock 2.1. It is used by many as a safe way to go from rom to rom with a clean install. It is also used to recover from software bricks.
If you have more questions that pop up pm me, this way we are not clogging up the q&a
I think the exchange helps many people who I assume, like me, are trying to sort all this out.
MAIN purpose of the thread is to identify things to do/save before beginning the 'change to another ROM' process--which to me would include the Odin flash back to stock if you aren't there already.
But these side question resolutions are pertinent.
Your Busybox comment threw me a curve. It sounds like you are saying it installs stuff TiBU and Android ID Changer need in order to work. You mean TiBU as downloaded from the market does not work as a standalone app?
tibu needs busy box. If you download tibu and open the app there is a button on the bottom that says problems. If you click it it will also look to install busy box commands.
You are right about the usefulness of threads like this, no disrespect but it looks like you joined xda 4 days ago. These types of discussions are constant and rehashed on nearly a daily basis. For some odd mental quirk I read then all and help when I can. There are a thousand questions you can have, the offer to pm was to keep it easy
I have been reading for two weeks--I mean reading A LOT, not just 4 days ago; that was when I registered on the site. This is a =wonderful= resource, but it is a plain fact that what you need to know is scattered all over the place, both video and written how-to's. I have not found a single one that includes everything you need to know. I mean, for example, they will tell you to do something, which seems trivial to them, but which really involves other knowledge. And that sounds like a non-isue, but in fact it is a complete showstopper for "us" types. Yes, you can go off hunting to clarify the incompleteness, but that is exactly what I am talking about--hunting all over the place.
By the time someone gets to the point they can create something with completeness, the problem is...they are already to the point they can create such a thing. That contradiction arises from it being almost impossible to remember what you didn't know "back then."
I had been studying HARD trying to get "it," everything you need to do to flash a different ROM. Then, a day or so ago, in all that hunting around I speak of, someone mentioned "be sure you ... before you flash." It dawned on me that, when you think you are ready to flash, you aren't. There are things that should be done BEFORE. I started the "hunt" again as alluded to here. Then I said, dang, all us newbies would be well served if all the preliminary do's and save's were in one thread (preferably, ultimately in one LIST). Thus the reason for this thread.
If I am wrong, and other newbies really don't need to know these things, then yes, it can be done in PM. Others will never see it, and still be stuck in the hunting-all-over mode. Thus, I think it is desirable and helpful to others to put it in public, in one thread.
Once again no disrespect. Your point is taken.
Tibu to back up all your user apps, no system information. unless you want to learn how to use odin in the case of issues
Android id changer to back up your android id
Rom manager to back up your current setup, and flasg clockwork recovery. Never restore a backup of one rom on top of another rom
Contacts to external sd, sim, or sync with google
Efs using root explorer to copy folder and save in pc
Odin to flash stock and or recover from software brick. Builds 1010 and above do not use one click odin
No offense taken, and that's a great input. Thanks.
If others see anything else, please contribute.
Ok, I am also new at this, I have flashed 3 Roms. This is what I have done when changing ROMs.
Download Titanium Backup and rom manager. Back up your apps with Titanium Backup.
Download the ROM you want to flash.
Download Odin.
Turn on usb debugging.
Plug phone into the computer, pull down the notification window and click on usb to mount the sd card.
Open this up to look at files.
You should have an update.zip file you can copy to your desktop. You also should have a folder named Titanium Backup that you can save as well.
Once you have this, you can begin.
Take your phone to stock using odin. There are several tutorials available. I used this one,http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10056254&postcount=36 because I have a 1010 phone.
Once this is done, I push the voume up and down along with the power button. You will get a menu giving you a choice to reinstall packages. You need to click this, go to yes, and it will pull up to the same menu again. Hit reinstall packages again which will get you to clockwork recovery.
Now, I chose to wipe/factory reset to make sure my phone was "clean".
Then, I chose to apply the update.zip.
Then, I chose to install a zip file from the sd card, scrolled down to the rom file, and chose it.
Then it will install the Rom. You will choose go back, then reboot the system. Then your Rom should be installed.
I think I remembered everything. I used a few tutorials:
http://theunlockr.com/2010/08/02/how-to-load-a-custom-rom-on-the-samsung-captivate-vibrant/
and this one:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10183875&postcount=4
Hope this helps!
OOPS. Thanks, but this thread is for things to do or save BEFORE starting the ROM change.
So... let's say that you didn't save your android id before you flashed... will that cause problems?
beryxil said:
So... let's say that you didn't save your android id before you flashed... will that cause problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You tell me. Did you? Are you experiencing problems?
it depends on the rom you are using. You may experience issues downloading from market and certain games may give you issues.
If you did not save it and you are not having problems then no big deal. You can go back to stock and save it, then flash again.
Related
I created a custom Rom, a really great mash up for people that like certain things from eugenes R2 final and Nero using KA6 while also implementing a very nice stock look (stock gingerbread messaging, dialer, contacts)... calling it Frankenstein. I of course will give credit and am not taking any credit away from these real great devs... this is just a mash-up.
This is where I need my [Help] while doing this, testing on my vibrant etc. I have managed to mess up my market.... my phone started off by not being able to connect (data) at all, and only having basic phone ability (mms, callling out).. I have fixed that, but no matter if I odin back to stock, do the eugene froyo odin/reformat back to jfd.. the market will not update. No apps really whatsoever... I get more apps when going to a rom like Nero V5 vs. stock JFD.. so this tells me that I am getting the market the way it was when they were implemented into the roms? but even with nero v5 im still missing a great deal such as titanium backup, file managers... even little things like doodle jump....
anyone that can provide detail that leads to a fix i will happily donate $15 via paypal, no big deal.
files must be missing, would love help.
Edit: have tried clearing data, resigning in.. all the little things... and as i said i have flashed back to jfd... now im on jfd with apps such as firefox test.. and a bunch of apps that were most likley the first apps ever put on market.. this puzzles me.
Thanks, Brandon
the only featured app right now is auto focus snake.. which looks like a android test app...
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=55c997eccabf0a6a&hl=en&start=40
seems to be an issue with SGS devices and the market? WTF
Attached is a copy of the vending.apk I've been using in my kangs, and haven't had a problem with it. It shows all apps, on my phone its updated by now, but if it isn't when you push it, it should update properly given a little bit and a reboot. I would say if this doesn't fix your issue, it may be something else in your build. Just push the file to the system/app folder in your build, reboot and test it. Or, copy and replace the vending.apk in your working files, recompile and flash your rom, and test it. Good Luck.
so, select section you want, select free or latest or whatever, and you will see them.... or just search for the app you want
IMEI issue
I had the same issue all test apps in market and really no access.
I had to restore my backup and relock the phone.
Now all is working.
It is because certain apps don't recognize the Vibrant's build number. (T959KA6 is an example of a build number)
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
No I flashed back to stock tried Nero 5. Nothing helped had to restore nvdata. Imei was something like 004 phone was unlocked and tested on ATT. Look when you go into the market and it popup saying phone kay not support the market. Tried multiple google accounts its linked to your google account and your imei for supported apps on your type of phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
saintjmf said:
No I flashed back to stock tried Nero 5. Nothing helped had to restore nvdata. Imei was something like 004 phone was unlocked and tested on ATT. Look when you go into the market and it popup saying phone kay not support the market. Tried multiple google accounts its linked to your google account and your imei for supported apps on your type of phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App[/QUOTE
there we go, my imei starts with 004 too, and is not my original imei.. what is the easiest way to restore my files? if you could give step by step that would be great! thanks mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to have a backup copy of your original.
If you do delete the files that start with nv -- in the /efs directory.
You probably can see your original IMEI if you open the file that is hidden in the directory /efs it is .imei -- That held the correct number for my IMEI. not sure if someone knows how to use that if you dont have an original backup of nvdata.bin.
I took nvdata.bin and put it in the /efs directory.
removed all files that start with nv in /efs example nv2data.bak
rebooted phone it built md5 from nvdata.bin.
factory reset and all apps back.
I also coudlnt get my pro license of titanuim backup to register with google checkout until this was completed.
saintjmf said:
You have to have a backup copy of your original.
If you do delete the files that start with nv -- in the /efs directory.
You probably can see your original IMEI if you open the file that is hidden in the directory /efs it is .imei -- That held the correct number for my IMEI. not sure if someone knows how to use that if you dont have an original backup of nvdata.bin.
I took nvdata.bin and put it in the /efs directory.
removed all files that start with nv in /efs example nv2data.bak
rebooted phone it built md5 from nvdata.bin.
factory reset and all apps back.
I also coudlnt get my pro license of titanuim backup to register with google checkout until this was completed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i do have a back up of my efs folder thank god. what program did you use to access your efs folder is what im saying? not sure if i have access to adb commands on this machine that i am using, any other way?
and remember i cant use market, so if someone can maybe provide a program to navigate my phone files from my pc, i can just put back in the nv data
I used root explorer
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Can I flash this with clockwork mod? And does the voodoo kernel and sounds work with this?
I created another thread about this as I believe there maybe alot more users with this issue
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
whit this program you use to access your efs folder
http://www.mediafire.com/?c8x8wvpc9vhcd5x
shon yakobi said:
whit this program you use to access your efs folder
http://www.mediafire.com/?c8x8wvpc9vhcd5x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
said this version is expired, need to update manually?
saintjmf said:
I used root explorer
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you know if there is a rom out there that has this preinstalled? remember i cant get apps because of that market.
The problem [might] be inside the build.prop.
Try changing:
Code:
ro.build.fingerprint=Samsung/SGH-T959/SGH-T959/SGH-T959:2.2/FROYO/UVKA6:user/release-keys
to
Code:
ro.build.fingerprint=Samsung/SGH-T959/SGH-T959/SGH-T959:2.1-update1/ECLAIR/UVJFD:user/release-keys
total commander
whit this program you use to access your efs folder its ok no problom
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=494485&stc=1&d=1295487965
IMEI
You're IMEI can easily be found by just taking out your battery and looking under it at the sticker with all the numbers and bar codes. It may just show IME and have either dashes or periods (you can ignore the punctuation). That is your original IMEI (this is nothing more than your serial number, make sure you know what it is because if you ever have a hardware issue and want to still utilize your warranty then they check by this number, and of course unroot the phone first so it won't be considered out of warranty)
Let me apologize first of all as I come from 5 years of using Windows Mobile knwoing what I am doing (cooking ROMs included) and now just got my Galaxy /Android a couple weeks ago and am blank at all of it.
After messing up with some system files and (useless) stock applications (like I removed stk.apk and other stuff) I decided to do a full hardware reset as the phone started getting random crashes.
But after the full reset things only got dramatically worse. I quickly realized all the missing system apps are still missing (I thought they'd be "restored") and basically nothing works, just crashes one after the next, cant use anything.
So, a hardware system reset on the galaxy, doesnt really reset anything except user installed apps and settings... amazing
Can someone please tell me (the idiot here, I know) how to do a real full restore where all system files, all missing files and positively everything gets back in the Tab as it was originally?
What a flippin' nightmare... Thanks in advance very much!
deletion of Stk.apk causes FC's in phone and acore.
if you don't have a backup of this apk, download a rom (like Modaco or Overcome),
open with winzip and extract the Stk.zpk from system/app and push it to /system/app on your Tab using adb (remember set the permissions to 644 after push).
A hardreset NO restores deletions on /system
Note: Other files that are not deleteable in /system/app are: Browser.apk, Email.apk, TouchWiz30Launcher.apk and TwWallpaperChooser.apk
Note (2): For your convenience, i attach the Stk.apk file from Overcome-1.1.3. Try it
Note (3): In order to restore ALL system data and apps, you need to restore a full rom.
bartito said:
deletion of Stk.apk causes FC's in phone and acore.
if you don't have a backup of this apk, download a rom (like Modaco or Overcome),
open with winzip and extract the Stk.zpk from system/app and push it to /system/app on your Tab using adb (remember set the permissions to 644 after push).
A hardreset NO restores deletions on /system
Note: Other files that are not deleteable in /system/app are: Browser.apk, Email.apk, TouchWiz30Launcher.apk and TwWallpaperChooser.apk
Note (2): For your convenience, i attach the Stk.apk file from Overcome-1.1.3. Try it
Note (3): In order to restore ALL system data and apps, you need to restore a full rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, first of all a big thanks for both file and info. Aside from the Stk.apk, the biggest thing that made me run into problems was trying to update my Contacts.apk:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=907399
things didnt work out for me and even after restoring the original files (Contacts.apk and Contacts.odex) nothing really worked again, reason for wich I tried a system reset.
Now, do I need to re-root the Tab or its still rooted, and can I perform the operations easily with Root Explorer like I did before? You mentioned to use adb and set permissions to 644 after push but, sorry again for the ignorance, I have no clue what adb is nor what/how to set permissions. Pathetic to be ignorant huh?
My last 2 questions are, where could I find the original Contacts.apk and Contacts.odex and if needed a full ROM to do a total restore?... hopefully I wont need to get to that point?...
Thanks a million again.
hi,
try to download overcome-1.1.3, and extract all the deleted apk's from system/app directory. push into the /system/app in your tab.
the apk's of overcome are deodexed (you don't need the .odex files). after that, wipe your data/cache and reboot.
if this don't works, try with roto rom
bartito said:
hi,
try to download overcome-1.1.3, and extract all the deleted apk's from system/app directory. push into the /system/app in your tab.
the apk's of overcome are deodexed (you don't need the .odex files). after that, wipe your data/cache and reboot.
if this don't works, try with roto rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmm thanks again but I think Im beyond all this. I dont have a file manager on my system, just realized I deleted the useless stock one and had repalced it with Root Explorer and ES File Explorer. I have them on my External SD Card to install them again but withou a file manager or an app installer cant get to them. And I tried download an app installer from the Market and get Framework errors non-stop and downloads do not initialize... I think Im beyond a quick fix... how do I get my hands on a stock full ROM to restore everything... and how? What a nightmare... gotta tell you, I love Windows Mobile... I love it... never ran into anything like this in the past 5 years of using it... never...
Thanks again!
use "adb" in order to access to your tab from your desktop pc.
bartito said:
use "adb" in order to access to your tab from your desktop pc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cant. Dont even know if I need Kies installed or not (I did have it installed) but adb just asks me to connect the phone and thats it... its connected aready... this is desperating...
OK I did manage to connect with adb but, how to I install applications? I can navigate to my SD card where I have ES File Explorer and Root Explorer but dont seem to be able to install them... Also if i try to copy Stk.apk I get immediately an failute message... this is crazy...
OK so I managed to install ES File Explorer and Root Explorer with adb... crazy process. It seems my phone is still rooted after the reset. From the phone I copied Stk.apk back to /system/apps where it was before deleted.
But needless to say nothing got fixed... not sure if Stk.apk is now "actually" installed or just there in the folder. But still nothing works and crashes every 10 seconds... logs provider, dialer, phone, framework, contacts... its all a firework of crashes...
Given that you've hard reset your device already, you are pretty much wasting your time trying to "fix" what you broke by messing with /system, and you should really just flash another ROM.
My suggestion would be to follow the advice on this thread.
Regards,
Dave
Yeap, that what i did and it was succesfull. My only issue is that Id like to convert my Tab's file system to ext4 to improve speed and performance and then update to the 1.4Ghz OC Kernel. I have no idea how to do those 2 things... actually Im not sure I understand the difference between a ROM and a Kernel... I assume a Kernel is part of the engine of the ROM itself but I have no idea how to perform the update. I read countless threads and its all scattered info without finding one straight to the point guide on how to do it...
Thanks again
VeEuzUKY said:
Yeap, that what i did and it was succesfull. My only issue is that Id like to convert my Tab's file system to ext4 to improve speed and performance and then update to the 1.4Ghz OC Kernel. I have no idea how to do those 2 things... actually Im not sure I understand the difference between a ROM and a Kernel... I assume a Kernel is part of the engine of the ROM itself but I have no idea how to perform the update. I read countless threads and its all scattered info without finding one straight to the point guide on how to do it...
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part of your problem is that you are trying to run before you can walk! Your experience with WinMo is of pretty much no use to you in the Linux/Android world, and until you get a better handle of how everything hands together you are always going to feel a little lost.
Personally, since your device is now up and running again, I'd suggest that you hold off doing anything else for while, until you get a chance to catch up with some of the basics. Once you are a little more familiar, you can then start with something simple like flashing the MoDaCo kernel (instructions here) to support EXT4, and to give you access to ClockworkMod recovery.
IMO, whilst EXT4 and O/C kernels will give you a performance boost, they are not as noticeable as jumping from a shipping ROM to one of the JMx development builds that Samsung has put out. If you are running JMI, you should already be feeling that the device has got much snappier.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
Part of your problem is that you are trying to run before you can walk! Your experience with WinMo is of pretty much no use to you in the Linux/Android world, and until you get a better handle of how everything hands together you are always going to feel a little lost.
Personally, since your device is now up and running again, I'd suggest that you hold off doing anything else for while, until you get a chance to catch up with some of the basics. Once you are a little more familiar, you can then start with something simple like flashing the MoDaCo kernel (instructions here) to support EXT4, and to give you access to ClockworkMod recovery.
IMO, whilst EXT4 and O/C kernels will give you a performance boost, they are not as noticeable as jumping from a shipping ROM to one of the JMx development builds that Samsung has put out. If you are running JMI, you should already be feeling that the device has got much snappier.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Dave you are right, right and right again!!! Thank you for the wisdom and advice!!!
The main thing I have understood with today's messy experience was that the actual ROM files are never deleted or damaged as long as you dont access them via a rooted tool and start deleting them. Now I understand that Titanium Backup, Sprint Backup (my favorite), My Backup Pro and others, only back-up and restore what the user installs on top of the ROM itself. So a full "reset" wipes all that data but leaves the ROM files as they always were. If they got damaged in the process, they'll still be damaged till a a full ROM restores all system data, now I get it.
What I still dont get is the issue of bakcing up and restoring. In Windows Mobile, a toll like SPB Backup has a simple option called FULL BACKUP and that backs-up everything on top of the ROM and then restores everything after a full reset on top of the ROM again like it was before. The problem I have with apps like Titanium Backup, Sprint Backup, My Backup Pro, etc... is that there is not a "BACKUP ALL" option... one has to backup "data", "settings", "apps" and I always feel stuff will be left behind and then not restored.
Till I find an app or way to do a simple one-click "backup everything" and then "restore evertything" I always feel vulnerable to changes I make to the Tab that may get it unstable or corrupt and then not being able to be restored properly without a full ROM Flash and then re-installing all from scratch.
With WinMo, I could do all sorts of crazy experiments and tweaking and after that, a registry restore or back-up restore would bring me back my phone to exactly like it was with all my stuff and configuration in a matter of seconds or minutes. Thats what I need to find out with this Tab/Android and then Im ready to be able to explore messing up with this knowing I can always easily go back within minutes to the state I had before with all my apps and settings.
This is what I need to learn next how to do! Trampoline without a safety net is not a good idea. Ive alwways loved WinMo for the ease of backing up and restoring whatever I was doing on my handsets withjout ever worrying to put myself at risk to loose it all. I need to learn this on Android and its definitely more intricate!
just put sdcard into your samsung tab and flash modaco kernel amd it will automatically covert to ext4, after that you can flash the 1.4ghz kernel you wanted.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
instechgainza said:
just put sdcard into your samsung tab and flash modaco kernel amd it will automatically covert to ext4, after that you can flash the 1.4ghz kernel you wanted.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I cant follow you. I put an SD card in and flash modaco kernel? What files do I put on the sd card for this effect?...
VeEuzUKY said:
Sorry, I cant follow you. I put an SD card in and flash modaco kernel? What files do I put on the sd card for this effect?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no...you need a kernel to flash via odin, you need sdcard mounted so that it will backup all files automatically while converting to ext4..head over to modaco kernel section amd follow the instruction.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
instechgainza said:
no...you need a kernel to flash via odin, you need sdcard mounted so that it will backup all files automatically while converting to ext4..head over to modaco kernel section amd follow the instruction.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is the modaco kernel section you refer to? I can search for hours and find zilch... these blogs are endless...
VeEuzUKY said:
What I still dont get is the issue of bakcing up and restoring. In Windows Mobile, a toll like SPB Backup has a simple option called FULL BACKUP and that backs-up everything on top of the ROM and then restores everything after a full reset on top of the ROM again like it was before. The problem I have with apps like Titanium Backup, Sprint Backup, My Backup Pro, etc... is that there is not a "BACKUP ALL" option... one has to backup "data", "settings", "apps" and I always feel stuff will be left behind and then not restored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you want is a Nandroid backup, which you can only make from a recovery image like Clockworkmod recovery.
Essentially, this does exactly what you want, but you need to flash a new kernel (e.g. the MoDaCo kernel) which supports Clockwordmod.
Regards,
Dave
bartito said:
deletion of Stk.apk causes FC's in phone and acore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i beg to differ about stk.apk fc's your phone. that's the first thing i delete when removing system apps with no fc's
refer to this link about having a bare bones system. stk.apk is for management of multiple sim cards
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones
b0ricuaguerrero said:
i beg to differ about stk.apk fc's your phone. that's the first thing i delete when removing system apps with no fc's
refer to this link about having a bare bones system. stk.apk is for management of multiple sim cards
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I delete stk.apk (for me useless useless useless) the first thing that happens immediately is that when I hang-up on a call made or received, the Tab vibrates then freezes for about 5 seconds then tells me the phone application has crashed. I tried this with 2 ROMs now as a test and its guaranteed. More even, if you use a program like SYSTEM APP REMOVER you can emulate the removal of an app by disabling it... it only takes me to disable STK and a reboot for the phone not to work. cant get rid of it, that simple
I want to create a copy of my phone as it is (not just user data, but everything, firmware and databases too) - so TitaniumBackup is probably not sufficient for what I need.
The idea is to be able to explorw all aspects of the phone on my computer - things such as passwords etc.
I repeat, I do not just want the firmware, but everything from my current phone in its current state.
I have already rooted it, just not sure what I need to do from here? Assume it's something Linuxy or Telnet based? (I am using a Windows Machine, so ideally something I can do on there)
Thanks for your help
i think to access the complete ROM via a PC you would need some sort of linux OS. you can do a nandroid backup via CWM and find a compatible program to let you browse thru the md5 file format but then again im not sure thats possible via windows OS... perhaps you could ask one of the Dev's for advice as im sure not all them create roms, themes, apps using linux based OS's ???
I think I did try to post this in the Dev section, as I felt it was better suited there, but maybe by selecting the 'This is a question' option, it got moved into this forum.
I have a backup using CWM which has produced some IMG files - will take a look in them and see if it's got what i'm looking for it in there.
I thought maybe I would need ADB running, but maybe I don't.
ADB is like having some Chinese woman teaching you German...... totally confusing..... at least it is for me anyway but good luck hope you do what you set out to do
what you want is NAND back up.
Search for rom manager on the market.
You must be rooted for this.
NAND back up is like creating the back-up image of your current cell phone just like you do it for your computer.
it backs up your phone completely.
Do some googling and you will see.
[email protected] said:
what you want is NAND back up.
Search for rom manager on the market.
You must be rooted for this.
NAND back up is like creating the back-up image of your current cell phone just like you do it for your computer.
it backs up your phone completely.
Do some googling and you will see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rom Manager does not back up your kernel. Use sgs kernel flasher for this task.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Hello my name is P3Droid,
We (TBH) have a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. This experience dates back to the Razr days.
Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.
Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.
You can remove many of the stock apps without rooting just by using the built in app manager.
Those apps are in /data it is the apps that are in /system that count.
jimmydafish said:
Hello my name is P3Droid,
We (TBH) has a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. The experience dates back to the Razr days.
Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.
Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i take it that all the apps you can delete through app manager are on /data therefore are safe to delete right?
This should definitely be sticky'd.
franciscojavierleon said:
i take it that all the apps you can delete through app manager are on /data therefore are safe to delete right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes anything that you can delete through the application manager is okay to remove, those have no impact on the update process.
And to complete my thought above. When an update is released, and they are coming, then you need to just change the file names back to normal to take the update.
Sound to me like we ned an ap that lets toys select programs to rename and then can change then back when needed. Would make it alot easier. Ill look onto this...also if some one else can confirm this info I might stick it.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I can confirm that what p3droid is saying is true for all recent Motorola devices, but the point is really that you won't know until an OTA update is released how they have written the updater script in the zip file.
We have been through this with releases for every phone since the Droid X and many people got caught out by it and were stuck until we released SBF files that could safely restore the stock configuration and allow updating to official release versions.
This brings up another important point about modding your phone at this stage in the cycle. Without a full SBF to recover with in the event of a problem that renders the phone unbootable or unable to access recovery, or if you haven't made a complete nandroid, you will be again be stuck and have to return your phone to AT&T/Motorola for warranty replacement. This is never good for anyone.
When we mod our phones against the wishes of the carriers and manufacturers, we should really take responsibility for those actions and not produce a mountain of bricked phones whose cost is passed along to everyone in the form of higher ETFs for smartphones and other ways.
So, until a full SBF is released of the current build, people should be very careful what they change or remove from their phone's system and/or NVM and radio.
I also tried to warn users about this in another thread that was locked before p3droid started this thread. We have watched hundreds or even thousands of users destroy their phones in myriad ways and helped many of them recover them by providing SBF files as a safety net. It's not fun and if it can be avoided it is to everyone's benefit to do so and only requires care and forethought.
Is there anyway we could make a backup of this partition for later use? would each user need to make one or would one for all users suffice?
Assuming a bootstrapped custom recovery is possible, and we know Koush is already working on it, then a nandroid backup of at least the system, userdata and cache partitions would be the first and best step to take. Also assuming that the bootloader is locked/signed and true recovery is not possible, then the boot image and kernel will not be able to be backed up or written to by the bootstrapped recovery. It is always best to make your own backup for your device and store it on the sdcard where you have easy access, but users have also been able to use someone else's nandroid backup to restore their device in many cases as well. The recovery will give you the option to restore each partition separately in the advanced options so that you won't be restoring someone else's data to your phone.
We at TBH have also been able to create our own update.zip files and SBF files to help users recover from various mishaps.
This was because we had access to both official and unofficial files and tools to accomplish those things.
We have no idea if that will be the case here and we will not likely have the device ourselves to work with given we are VZW users primarily.
Again, there are many variables here that are yet to be determined and modes of access to the various partitions and radio baseband will be different with this phone as opposed to previous Qualcomm chipset devices.
All of this means that at this stage extreme caution is advised and being overzealous with root access is very dangerous right now.
I suggest everyone that is rooted use TITANIUM BACKUP to deal with their bloatware issues. The pro version, which you will need, is only a few bucks and is worth it. TB allows you to 'freeze' bloatware apps, which to my knowledge just blocks it fro the system, but does not delete it. The apps you choose to freeze are also removed from the app tray - so no more clutter. This way when an update rolls around, you can run down the list and simply touch 'thaw' to bring those apps back to recognition. This seems like a much more efficient and easy way to go back and forth, rather than renaming the .apk's.
I apologize if someone already mentioned TB in this thread - I just skimmed quickly.
I deleted all the bloat apps using the app manager without root. They were gone!
I did a factory reset on the phone and *surprise* the apps were back!
The things that were not part of the system come back during reset. On the other hand, im ****ed because I went crazy and deleted some actual apps that the system will check. Yay me.
pwndrone said:
The things that were not part of the system come back during reset. On the other hand, im ****ed because I went crazy and deleted some actual apps that the system will check. Yay me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch. Might not work, but have you tried a hard reset?
We should make a list of what's safe to remove like we did for the Captivate. Might be helpful.
I did a full factory reset and those apps that weren't part of the system came back but stuff like the help center are still missing.
Hopefully there will be a way to load the stock firmware sometime in the future.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Would an app like "Autostarts" work in this case?
Guys, I can't emphasize this enough: use Titanium Backup to freeze the apps rather than deleting them, it will make your life much easier.
does this apply to using different font files as well? I'd like to use a ttf font that's a little larger than DroidSans. if i rename and use a different font will that impact OTA updates or anything else for that matter? thanks!
before reading about "freezing" apps, i reset my atrix back to factory settings. i need help rooting my atrix again. it keeps me in "Waiting for Device" where before i had no problem rooting. and another thing, when i had reset back to factory settings...i still have superuser installed. do i uninstall superuser in order to gain root access again?
I have not rooted yet. My question is can we use freeze to turn off BlurAccounts or is it fully baked into the Rom?
Hello,
I'm a beginner lost in reading all the useful information on this forum.
I started with the idea to reduce the permissions of applications of my Razr I.
Google pointed to this http://www.xda-developers.com/protecting-your-privacy-app-ops-privacy-guard-and-xprivacy/
And I'm really happy and surprised about all information I can find here, thank you that much for
making this possible to all of you!
As today I feel ready to start playing around with my phone I wanted to ensure I understood the items right.
May be for you it takes only some seconds to verify my guess and can give a short notice
about Step 2 or 3 is easier to become implemented.
Step 1.) I wanted to do a full backup before I start, following this thread:
So I'll install ADB on my PC and run "adb backup -f FullBackup.ab -apk -all"
This works on a Razr I with 990.43.74.xt890.Retail.en.EU - of the shelf and is not risky at all - or?
Could you pls. tell whether it is really true I can switch back to my backup if I'm not happy with my System?
Step 2.) My first intention was to root my device and install Xposed framework
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2299428
http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer
And to use Permission Master out from google play store
First of all I wanted to ask you whether this is feasible technicaly and esp. for a beginner?
Alternative to Step 2 Step 3?
Step 3.) In general I'm happy with my Razr I Android 4.4.2 (990.43.74.xt890.Retail.en.EU)
But I'm wondering whether it would be easier or has less risk to use a custom ROM instead of implementing Step 2.
By reading in this forum I found out there is a planty of features FM-Radio, enhanced stand-by current ,
to get rid of preinstalled aps and so on.
I'm an embedded developer but do not have the overview about the architecture of Android devices, what I got so far is:
There is a bootloader which needs to be changed from OEM closed to open.
There is a boot partition I flash ROMs in.
I need some tools on my PC combined with SDK and Motorola drivers to allow a USB-Debuging and flashing.
And sure as always once your bootloader is damaged you are lost, so I understand even backup will not help here.
So I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Thanking you in anticipation and pls accept my excuses about my english and stupid beginners questions.
Best Regards
gonso
PS:
As I main entry point I used the
http://forum.xda-developers.com/razr-i/general/index-razr-t2832722
from there I'll try to get ADB, drivers etc.
Hi GonsoXDA,
Step 1: I have never used it. Didn't even know that it existed. On the internet there are numerous people who uses it and it seems to work. Maybe someone else can give some info about this or just try it. U can try it with a non-important app and see if it works. Just backup it, delete it and restore it.
Step 2: This works just fine. But do know 3 things:
1. First root: To get root on stock rom, u need to use kingsdroot methode afaik. And that one sends your IMEI to some rare ip adress. I personnaly don't trust this and stay away from it, but there are many people who use it.
2. Xposed requires a recovery to install the framework. It can be done mannually or by the app i suppose. With only root u don't have a recovery on your device that can perform such action.
3. If something goes wrong only a full restore with RSD-Lite can most of the time help u out. Because u don't have a recovery that works than.
Step 3: We only have 2 full roms. 1 for JB (stock) and a working CM11 rom (kitkat).
Only the Jellybean roms support fm-radio, on every newer rom fm-radio is cut out of the audio firmwares. The risk of going to this is even less as Step 2, because u can do a full backup and restore of ur phone. ( I would chose for this if u want to play a bit with the phone and ur warranty is already out of years)
The gereneral idea about the android architecture is this (it is different for almost every device and the Razr I has many more thing to hold into account, but if u are here only for the roms and xposed, there is no more to know):
Bootloader: Is like an uefi bios for PC, but then for android. It also contains fastboot
Bootimage(boot): Has all the info like kernel and ramdisk to boot the system
Recovery: Is like 'boot', but boots into the recovery partition that lets u change every aspect of the device if u know how. Its mainly used to flash a custom recovery to, backup and restore a nandroid backup and flash/wipe roms, mods, (all/specific) data and packages.
Systempartition: Is the system the boot boots into. It's android.
Datapartition: Where all the user data is stored.
Cachepartition(dalvik): Where all cache is stored and in earlier android versions also dalvik. But not now anymore.
Fastboot: To flash/wipe the above partitions and many more (needs drivers)
Adb: To push, pull, command things in system or recovery (needs drivers)
Sdk: contain the abd and fastboot packages, but aren't needed for adb and fastboot because with the right drivers can work on there own (see the internet)
If u have a custom recovery and only change things on the system, data and cache partition there is almost no way to damage the phone. There is always a backup through recovery. As long as u stick to the things u can do in recovery.
The only thing tha can mesh up your phone beyond repair is doing wrong stuff withint the bootloader and other inner parts in the phone(like i did to get newer kernel working) or u are in bad luck and you internal memory blocks. See 'Super brick samsung phones' (emmc error).
I suggest:
- Unlock your bootloader
- Install custom recovery
- Make a backup with the recovery
- Do what u want, xposed on stock rom, try CM11?
- If things won't boot, restore through recovery
And always, read up before doing anything. There are thousands of articles about android, flashing things, repairing android, using adb and fastboot. AND ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN!
Hello,
always having a backup seems not to be that easy.
So I unlocked my boot loader and tried to install twrp2850 and twrp2860 via mfastboot.
The mfastboot with 533.353kB caused the following "(bootloader) Variable not supported!"
I rebooted into bootloader and tried recovery -> horizontal Android man with a red !-rectangle
After reboot to normal power up my phone seems to be in factory reset, all my data is gone :crying:
ok crying dosn't help so I looked around and tried with another mfastboot 186.178kB and recoverycwm6.0.5.1.4.img.zip
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441224
The twrp I tooked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2278483 seems not to work.
I did a backup with cwm is there a change to get back my data? I think I know the answer.
In the meanwhile I installed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/razr-i/development/rom-unofficial-cyanogenmod-11-t2966855
And will try to install
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/tool-installer-xposed-installer-zenfones-t2983589
Thank you for the help, work and excuse the stupid beginner posts.
Regards
gonso
gonsoXDA said:
Hello,
always having a backup seems not to be that easy.
So I unlocked my boot loader and tried to install twrp2850 and twrp2860 via mfastboot.
The mfastboot with 533.353kB caused the following "(bootloader) Variable not supported!"
I rebooted into bootloader and tried recovery -> horizontal Android man with a red !-rectangle
After reboot to normal power up my phone seems to be in factory reset, all my data is gone :crying:
ok crying dosn't help so I looked around and tried with another mfastboot 186.178kB and recoverycwm6.0.5.1.4.img.zip
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441224
The twrp I tooked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2278483 seems not to work.
I did a backup with cwm is there a change to get back my data? I think I know the answer.
In the meanwhile I installed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/razr-i/development/rom-unofficial-cyanogenmod-11-t2966855
And will try to install
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/tool-installer-xposed-installer-zenfones-t2983589
Thank you for the help, work and excuse the stupid beginner posts.
Regards
gonso
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Than u know the answer, it is no I think.
Both twrp images should work just fine, but always chose the latest. The message "(bootloader) Variable not supported!" doesn't do anything So don't worry about that one. There should be a lot more in you log that the message if twrp didn't install. U did extract it and flash it with the command: mFastboot flash recovery <recovery-image>. Where <recovery-image> could be C:/users/*/Downloads/recovery.img.
Hello,
yes sure "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future"
So I use CM11 now for about 2 days and I'm really impressed, so far everything works :good: THANK YOU!!!
As I asked already I installed XPosed and Permission Manager, but I found XPrivacy might be the better solution and switched to this.
(Today I do not have all the technical background to judge whether it is technically equivalent, but I'll investigate on it)
Esp. one thing I'm wondering, why XPrivacy is reading my Contacts once I check the permissions of an app?
But the more important thing I recognized differences between CM11 and the Stock ROM. One is the Entry
"Privacy" in the settings. It seems to be more or less the XPosed and XPrivacy, or?
But it seems the Restrictions are not shared, so I can restrict in the one and do not see the restriction in the other tool.
So first is there a risk to use both, is it useful or just doing the same twice.
Thank you
Gonso
gonsoXDA said:
Hello,
yes sure "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future"
So I use CM11 now for about 2 days and I'm really impressed, so far everything works :good: THANK YOU!!!
As I asked already I installed XPosed and Permission Manager, but I found XPrivacy might be the better solution and switched to this.
(Today I do not have all the technical background to judge whether it is technically equivalent, but I'll investigate on it)
Esp. one thing I'm wondering, why XPrivacy is reading my Contacts once I check the permissions of an app?
But the more important thing I recognized differences between CM11 and the Stock ROM. One is the Entry
"Privacy" in the settings. It seems to be more or less the XPosed and XPrivacy, or?
But it seems the Restrictions are not shared, so I can restrict in the one and do not see the restriction in the other tool.
So first is there a risk to use both, is it useful or just doing the same twice.
Thank you
Gonso
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a sentence.
Why XPrivacy needs it i don't have a clue. For that sort of things u need to be by the dev of the app.
CM has a lot of features out of the box compared to stock, but stock is most of the time a bit more optimized in terms of proprietary stuff like camera.
So as u noticed, CM had an inbuilt security app. This app (CM) and XPrivacy don't share there settings, so that's the difference u see. But most likely if u disable something in one of the apps it is disabled even tho the other doesn't say it because it doesn't know of it.
I don't think it will be a risk. They both do the same thing, but they don't know about it. To be on the safe side, just use one and restore the other to default. U can always search on the web if they don't get along.
U can now make a full backup, so everything can be reverted and your data should be relative safe.
Hello,
thank you again - I now find the answer by reading in the development part of the forum. For me as a beginner it is sometimes not easy to interpret the discussions there.
If accepted I will use the thread now as a kind of diary, may be some other users will have similar destinations and my learn from my mistakes.
So to answer my question a little more detailed, but with less background know how than Hazou. Pls. do not trust me I'm a beginner, I have not analyzed the code just the behavior - feel free to correct or contradict my words!
The XPosed is in the area of permissions just a framework which allow other modules to put some code between an app requesting permissions and the Android core granting this permissions. The Xposed it self doesn't handle settings or permissions you did in modules like the CM Privacy, Permission Manager or XPrivacy.
As a result I came to the same conclusion it is not a risk, but an overhead to have more than one pice of code between the app requesting permissions and the Android core. -> My proposal: Do not use more than one of this Permission control apps in parallel.
From the privacy perspective the Permission is just a starting point, it allows you to hide your private information from the app. On the other side many apps will need access to the data to work and most of them are able to connect to the internet.
So I realized the next step would be the restriction of internet usage of apps. Here permissions are sword but we need a scalpel, to separate the necessary from the unwanted connections. This scalpel could be AFWall+ and "Netzwerk Log", this is a firewall and a sniffer.
What I can say to day the apps run on CM11 installed on my Razr I.
So it looks like I see my destination raising on the horizon and I will try to formulate it in the following order:
1.) Hide Contacts, Calls and SMS from Apps who do not need this to work -> XPrivacy
2.) Disable some Android features I think I don't need.
(e.g. Captive Portal Check - settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0)
3.) Restrict the internet access of some apps to servers they need to connect. ( e.g. E-Mail client is restricted to connect to the mail server)
4.) Limit the access to my pictures, stored on SD card. [I have not found a solution so far]
If you read this I think 1 is reasonable for most of you, even if you do not have deep Android or Network know how (as I have), you just restrict the permissions - if app crashes or doesn't do the job you expect you may permit access or uninstall the app. (XPrivacy allows you also to fake data)
3 is a usual task of a network administrator, if you are used with iptables it is just work. I'll try to find out whether there is somewhere a source of "Templates". Usually the network admins share there common settings based on services, once I find out I'll post.
To restrict the access to SD Card I only see the change to extend the sandbox of Android to the SD and to hide files which does not belong to the app. As I would store my pictures on SD as I would store my Navi Data, but neither the Navi app should see my pictures nor the Cam and Gallery my Navi Data. ...
I don't know whether there is an app out there but It should be possible the same way like XPrivacy fakes the other data.
Thank you
Gonso
Hello,
Most of the time I used the numbers to just put in the extension, so if I want to call 0049 9876 54 321 I put the numbers 321 the Motorola dialer will show a list of all contacts where the number contains 321.
Some Numbers of contacts are not shown as well, seems if a contact has more numbers only one or two are shown.
The CM11 dialer doesn't show the number, is there a setting to get this feature?
I tried to get my Stock dialer back, so I copied dialer.apk from stock into the /system/sec-app/ directory of the CM11 and restarted the phone -> doesn't change the dialer ....
Any proposals? I'm terrible sorry for my stupid questions, I read several threads and still no idea about a possible solution
Gonso
PS: CM11 file manager shows a secure storage /storage/emulated/0/storage/secure - what is the algorithm used for the encryption.
gonsoXDA said:
Hello,
Most of the time I used the numbers to just put in the extension, so if I want to call 0049 9876 54 321 I put the numbers 321 the Motorola dialer will show a list of all contacts where the number contains 321.
Some Numbers of contacts are not shown as well, seems if a contact has more numbers only one or two are shown.
The CM11 dialer doesn't show the number, is there a setting to get this feature?
I tried to get my Stock dialer back, so I copied dialer.apk from stock into the /system/sec-app/ directory of the CM11 and restarted the phone -> doesn't change the dialer ....
Any proposals? I'm terrible sorry for my stupid questions, I read several threads and still no idea about a possible solution
Gonso
PS: CM11 file manager shows a secure storage /storage/emulated/0/storage/secure - what is the algorithm used for the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock CM dialer doesn't have that function afaik. The moto one doesn't work because it needs the Moto framework to work. Just download a dialer U trust from the playstore.
I don't have any clue about the secure storage, sorry.