Related
This is an FAQ thread, where you can find a list of common questions and answers. I couldn't fit it all in my signature, so figured a thread would be a better place. In general this isn't a place to ask questions; there is an Android Vogue port help desk for asking questions. I really don't care if you ask questions here and will probably answer them, but better to keep things organized.
Purpose of this thread is to have a list of frequently asked questions that link to answers. I will start off the list with a number of questions that I answer all the time. Other helpful people or devs that find themselves answering the same question over and over again, either a) post a link or b) pm me a link to a well described and organized answer and I will add it to this first post; you can also just post the well described and organized answer below. I'll make categories as the need arises. We have answers to just about every question, however they can be hard to find spread out between different threads, so this thread is the launching point to find them.
Also, this is a vogue forum. Feel free to link this in the android kaiser, nike, polaris forums etc, however I won't be linking to wifi answers and the like unless there is an uprising for me writing this
ANDROID FAQs - MENU - just keep scrolling down, or click the links
1. General questions - post #2
2. Android on NAND (i.e. replacing windows mobile with android) - post #3
3. Android from the microSD card (running both windows mobile and android on your phone) - post #4
GENERAL
1. android button layout
2. android resolutions - what gives?
3. how to change android ROMs
4. how to install a ROM update
5. android market problems (can't see all free apps, or can't see paid apps)
6. I can't change from portrait to landscape using longpress power
7. how do I connect my phone to my computer? adb, usb mass storage
8. how to install applications without a data plan
9. where do I find all the files to get this to run?
10. my battery life sucks in Android. can I make it last longer?
11. how to calibrate your screen
12. Verizon GPS (thx mrkite38 for the link)
Android on NAND (i.e. replacing windows mobile)
1. how do I flash android to NAND - the noob guide from ground zero, see also this guide by corbs808 (thx)
2. how do I get windows mobile back? (see bottom of post, under "OTHER NOTES")
3. how to change android ROMs
4. how to install a ROM update
5. how do I change resolution?
6. complete how to guide in kaiser forum, most of it applies to vogue as well, currently written for old rootfs method; includes setting up for running from SD, partitioning, and changing builds. (thx loserskater)
Android from the microSD card (i.e. both windows and android on your phone)
1. how do I install android to the microSD card - the noob guide (thx umbilicalbungee)
2. how to change android ROMs
3. how to install a ROM update
5. how do I change resolution?
6. how do I partition my card if i want to run off an ext2 partition? (thx intimidatorx31) or here (thx loserskater)
saving this one too
and I'll keep this one
and this one is mine
and I think that is enough for future categories
changing resolution when running from microSD card (ext2 or regular)
When running from the microSD card, resolution is stored in the default.txt file in /sdcard/andboot/. you'll need to edit that file one of two ways:
1. use a windows mobile program like Total commander to go to the file and edit the settings
2. connect your phone to your computer using activesync or USB mass storage while in windows, and edit the file using wordpad
Go to the second to last line in the file. note, some text editors will not see the hard returns in the file and lists them instead as little boxes; this won't affect the functioning of the file, but makes it harder to read. wordpad and total commander read it fine. the second to last line should look something like this:
Code:
set cmdline "ppp.nostart=0 mddi.width=240 mddi.height=320 msm_sdcc.msmsdcc_fmax=32000000 pm.sleep_mode=0 no_console_suspend"
change the width and height to meet your needs. see here for a discussion on different resolutions and their merits.
very good idea
i add it too my fav
how to change resolution of NAND install
BEFORE STARTING
1. know that there are multiple ways to flash a rom to your phone. here are a few
a. using windows, get a flashing package from one of the xda devels, and replace the RUU_signed.nbh file in that package with whatever you are trying to flash (try NFSFAN's package, it has always worked well for me for this; some carrier packages don't work), renamed the same way
b. use a 2GB or smaller micro SD card with the .nbh named VOGUIMG.NBH in root, then place the phone in bootloader mode (see #2)
c. use linux and HTCFlasher - don't know much more about this method, find it here
2. if flashing from a computer, I always recommend flashing from the bootloader, NOT through active sync. enter bootloader: hold down power and camera, then press and release reset, wait for the tricolor screen. then connect to usb, and flash away
3. Flashing etiquette: I always flash everything twice, back to back, for good measure. while the phone is flashing, don't move it, don't open programs, don't surf the internet, just leave your phone and computer alone, hands off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Download the latest .nbh in the resolution you want from sourceforge. sometimes all the resolutions are packaged in one zip file.
2. choose your flash method (see above quoted text)
3.
-- if flashing from linux or windows, place your phone in bootloader mode (enter bootloader: hold down power and camera, then press and release reset, wait for the tricolor screen). connect to the usb cable.
----windows: rename your .nbh to RUU_signed.nbh, place it in the flashing package (overwrite the pre-existing RUU_signed.nbh), and run romupdateutility.exe. follow the instructions
----linux: I don't have linux, but should be straightforward
-- if flashing from the microSD card: see quoted text 1b.
4. allow phone to boot.
5. use app "rogue tools" to adjust the lcd density until the stuff on your screen size looks about right. suggestions: 240x320 use between 110 and 120; 320x428 and 320x480 use 160 (some like 144 for 320x428)
I have a nice little getting started guide HERE if you want to add it to your post. Not trying to take over, just trying to help
loserskater said:
I have a nice little getting started guide HERE if you want to add it to your post. Not trying to take over, just trying to help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
plenty of work for more than two , i'll add it, looks great; when norootfs method is working for your phone, would be nice to have it conform to that method.
installing apps without a data plan
the old AndroidApps folder for installing apps has been phased out. for those without a data plan, you must first download apps on your computer, and then either A) transfer them to your SD card and install using a file explorer from within android, or B) use adb to install them from your computer.
best way to find apps from the market is to look them up here, here, or here. then either go to the developers website to see if they offer downloads, or just google the name of the app and see if you can find a download link. you can also download freeware android apps from here (thx smarcin).
there are also warez sites where you can find free and paid apps but I can't link them here.
then get them installed.
method A - adb install
1. set up adb on your computer (see section on adb in this post to set it up)
2. open a command prompt on your computer. then enter command
Code:
adb install <path_to_apk>
where <path_to_apk> is replaced by the location and name of the app, i.e. /windows/mydocuments/neocore3d.apk. or even easier, from within the command prompt cd to the directory where the apps are located, and then enter
Code:
adb install <android_app_.apk>
i.e. adb install neocore3d.apk. it will install the file. that's it.
method B - storage card install
this method depends on having a file manager already installed on android. many chefs include one in their packages; if there is none, you would have to use method A above first to get one installed to use this method.
1. connect your phone in USB mass storage mode (see USB MASS STORAGE here)
2. copy the .apk files over to your sd card (you can place them anywhere you like)
3. when done, hit enter on the phone to disconnect, then click on quit in the menu. android will boot up.
4. go to settings > applications and check the box to allow "unknown sources".
5. fire up your file explorer. navigate to the directory where you copied the .apk files.
6. click on the file; some file explorers will give you an option at this point, click "open app manager" if it does.
7. click install. that's it, you're done.
installing android to the SD card
courtsey of umbilicalbungee with some editing.
Note: if you do not have GPS functioning in windows mobile, then to use GPS in Android you will need to unlock your phone. go here and follow steps 1 - 3 under GET STARTED.
BEFORE STARTING:
Make sure your micro SD card is formated to fat32. wouldn't hurt to do a fresh reformat even if it is already in fat32; back up any important files first.
GET STARTED:
1. Erase all previous android files from your sd card
2. Go here, download the latest basefiles.zip or haretinstall.zip.
3. open the zip and place the andboot folder and all its contents on the root directory of your SD card
4. download the build of your choice, it may be zipped, but inside you should have an androidinstall.tar file
5. copy androidinstall.tar to your sdcard /andboot folder
6. then on your phone's file explorer run haret.exe from /andboot folder on you sd card
7. click run and immediately hold this button as linux boots, until the install menu appears.
8. check the appropriate location at the top of the menu. there are options for location of the sys file, and location of the data file. since you are running haret, you can either install to the sd card ext2 (regular sd card, everything will get placed in the andboot folder), or to sd card partitions (if you created extra ext2 partitions on your sd card, you can choose to use them here). you can use a combination of options (i.e. system on ext2, data on partition).
9. choose "install system" in the lower half of the install menu. click yes, and yes in the two pop-ups that follow. allow it to run, it should kick you back to the install menu when it is complete.
10. choose "quit". android should boot.
tatnai said:
method B - storage card install
this method depends on having a file manager already installed on android. many chefs include one in their packages; if there is none, you would have to use method A above first to get one installed to use this method.
1. connect your phone in USB mass storage mode (see USB MASS STORAGE here)
2. copy the .apk files over to your sd card (you can place them anywhere you like)
3. when done, hit enter on the phone to disconnect, then click on quit in the menu. android will boot up.
4. go to settings > applications and check the box to allow "unknown sources".
5. fire up your file explorer. navigate to the directory where you copied the .apk files.
6. click on the file; some file explorers will give you an option at this point, click "open app manager" if it does.
7. click install. that's it, you're done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could also put your microSD card into a card reader, connect it to your computer and copy the .apks to your SDcard. Then go to step 4 and continue.
Installing apps without data plan
I found this website which has .apks for a number of useful freeware apps:
http://androidfreeware.org/
You can download the .apks directly from the website. It has Astro and a couple of other file browsers.
You can download the apps directly to your computer.
smarcin said:
I found this website which has .apks for a number of useful freeware apps:
http://androidfreeware.org/
You can download the .apks directly from the website. It has Astro and a couple of other file browsers.
You can download the apps directly to your computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx, will incorporate this.
smarcin said:
You could also put your microSD card into a card reader, connect it to your computer and copy the .apks to your SDcard. Then go to step 4 and continue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not everyone has a card reader, but everyone can easily use the usb mass storage function of linux; also very easy to use. great suggestion though, some may not have thought of that!
unable to install to NAND
Hi, ive been using android for a week on my sd card now and I love it so I want to get it on my NAND and get rid of WM. I followed all the steps of the tutorial carefully and successfully flashed the two different .nbh files many times. No matther what I do and how hard I hold the volume key up the installation menu dosent appear and the linux screen stops at : «Unable to open persistent property directory /data/property errno: 2 ».
It's weird because I went back to my old ROM and installed android again from the SDcard and as soon as I hold the volume key up (after prssing run) the instalation menu appeared.
I tried everything, formated FAT32 my sd card, going back to my bell stock ROM, searching hours on the forum and on google but I didnt find any solution.
Any help would be very appreciated,
(thanks for the FAQ by the way it's verry helpfull)
thanks in advance.
Hey all, I'm currently in RA after flashing the recovery image , and I'm trying to install the FRESH rom on there but for some reason when I try to "Flash zip from sdcard" it's telling me "No zip files found." Why is that? I have the whole zip folder placed in the main SD card, so why is it telling me it's not found?
BOOGIE_BOTZ said:
Hey all, I'm currently in RA after flashing the recovery image , and I'm trying to install the FRESH rom on there but for some reason when I try to "Flash zip from sdcard" it's telling me "No zip files found." Why is that? I have the whole zip folder placed in the main SD card, so why is it telling me it's not found?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I responded to you on http://GeekFor.Me, but the reason is because RA looks in the root of sdcard, the zips can't be inside of any folders.
So does that mean I have to take out all the individual files and place them directly into the root of the sdcard? Because I just basically copied the download folder and dropped it into the root. Thanks for the reply
BOOGIE_BOTZ said:
So does that mean I have to take out all the individual files and place them directly into the root of the sdcard? Because I just basically copied the download folder and dropped it into the root. Thanks for the reply
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to leave the files in a .zip, but yea that zip needs to be on the root of the sdcard.
The only file you need to install the rom is fresh-cdma-hero-20d.zip (for fresh rom 2.0d). Any other zips are just addons or tweaks or whatever they may be.
flipzmode said:
You need to leave the files in a .zip, but yea that zip needs to be on the root of the sdcard.
The only file you need to install the rom is fresh-cdma-hero-20d.zip (for fresh rom 2.0d). Any other zips are just addons or tweaks or whatever they may be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I'm on a Mac and maybe it's me but the link I download from gives me an actual folder rather than a zip. And when I rename the folder to a zip, it gives an error. Is there a mirror link to download an actual zip folder?
Boogie when you download it dont opening after it finishes downloading .. just use the finder to navigate to where its at and then copy that to your sd .. when you open it on a mac it will automatically create the extracted folder .. hope this helps ...
Sounds like your using Safari to download it. To make this easier in the future go to Safari > Preferences > General and make sure that "Open safe files after downloading" is NOT check-marked.
Safari is unpacking the zip file for you. The file you want is in your trash bin, drag it to the root of your SD card and that's it..
Ok I'm gonna give it another go. Since I made it all the way through to the RA stage, there's no reason I shouldn't be able to flash the rom is there?
Thanks for all the help everyone I finally got it to flash the FRESH rom, but once I rebooted it, it's still in the "HTC" branded screen. Is it loading? It's not going anywhere but this screen, although I know it's doing something because the animation shine is moving.
BOOGIE_BOTZ said:
Thanks for all the help everyone I finally got it to flash the FRESH rom, but once I rebooted it, it's still in the "HTC" branded screen. Is it loading? It's not going anywhere but this screen, although I know it's doing something because the animation shine is moving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After flashing a new ROM, it can take up to 10 minutes or so to load.
Nice Everything is all good! Now my last question is how do I get the removed apps from the ROM back onto here? I actually prefer to have some of those programs back onto the phone.
BOOGIE_BOTZ said:
Nice Everything is all good! Now my last question is how do I get the removed apps from the ROM back onto here? I actually prefer to have some of those programs back onto the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a link in the release notes to download all the removed apk's from Fresh Rom. You will then need to use adb push to push them back to /system/app. Search for how to setup adb on a mac as I honestly don't know.
im trying to flash paragon rc5. i follow the instructions, but when i go to choose sd card... and click on paragon.zip as file to use in clockwordmod recovery manager, it loads okay, then says replacing recovery manager and reboots. what did i do wrong?
To flash rom you should boot into recovery, select ingersoll zip from sd, choose zip, select parogon, confirm, done
Well when i do, it acts like its going to install, but then says "replacing recovery manager with clockwork..." then exits and reboots into the normal recovery screen.
Each time i get into recovery it is the normal one. I have to go to reinstall packages to get to the clockworkmod one. Something tells me thats not right.
Could this have happened because i installed rom manager and it didnt say i needed it?
Sounds like you are flashing an update.zip to get clock work recovery. i think you need to confirm you downloaded the correct file
What happened was i installed rom manager, got recovery manager through it, then downloaded paragon and its update.zip file. So am i basically flashing the recovery manager right now?
Sounds like it, are you on stock?
Paragon rom zip should be like 170mb in size
Rooted, but otherwise stock. Have already wiped all my data on it in preparation.
What im trying to do is this- have update.zip and paragon.zip in main internal sd folder. Go into recovery---reinstall---then it loads clockwork, then go to from sd---choose--- and if i pick paragon.zip it still does it.
let me clarify this, basically you do not need rom manager here.
1. download the update.zip and put it in your sdcard root folder;
2. download the rom file (170mb one) and put it in your sdcard; not necessary to be the root folder;
3. suppose you are on the stock rom; shut down your phone and use key combo to get into recovery mode;
4. apply the changes (i remember it is the second option), you may need to do it twice. you should now be in the cwm;
5. use the menu in the cwm to browse and install the rom file
6. reboot your phone. done.
Boot phone up normally. Delete paragon file you have. Redownload. Like I said the file should be like 170mb.
Update.zip goes in the root folder? Where is that? I couldnt find it anywhere....
The file is about 170mb. I know thats correct, im thinking since i had already installed cwm i moght have screwed up.
when you select reinstall packages you should go into green recovery/clockwork recovery.
If that works boot phone, open rom manager, select install rom from sd, select paragon
check the attached file.
Thats the update.zip i have. Now where do i put the damn thing?
Your internal sd card. Dl to phone, go to my files app, open dl folder find file select copy, click paste. Should now be where you need it
mm01 said:
Thats the update.zip i have. Now where do i put the damn thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
copy to your sdcard root directory.
mm01 said:
Thats the update.zip i have. Now where do i put the damn thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/sdcard
10char
wonner said:
/sdcard
10char
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, ok, i will let you guys help him ... lol
I feel.....stupid. Like, asking if a mac gets bluescreens stupid. I renamed the files on my pc alot, and upon closer inspection, discovered... *Ahem* xp had decided to rename the cwm fole the same as the rom file (yeah, lets go with that...). So i was flashing cwm.
Im going to let my battery charge and then try it. Will post results tomorrow morning. Thanks for all the help guys!
mengbo said:
ok, ok, i will let you guys help him ... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I didn't mean to step on your toes. We all posted at the same time.
Got it all up and running. Works infinitely many times better than it did stock. Got a gps lock in about 5 seconds. Im loving this phone again.
i have a rooted fascinate with a super clean froyo on my phone with rom manager and was just curious as to what may be the easiest way to install a theme on my phone.... thanks for the help!
im old school through cwr
vdelsan said:
im old school through cwr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wouldn't happen to know a good page with step by step instructions?
no...im sorry
I have also just recently rooted my phone and what I did was download the .zip file for a theme and renamed it update.zip then put it onto my sd card, then went into recovery and installed the update.zip file then rebooted my phone and that worked just fine for me
Update.zip is how you get into Clockwork Recovery, so you definitely don't want to rename another file to that...
Boot into CWM by holding volume - volume + and power, select "apply:update.zip", then "install zip from sd", "select zip from sd", find the zip and install. Then reboot. Note: you need to be running a deodexed ROM in order for themes to work properly
Kevin Gossett said:
Update.zip is how you get into Clockwork Recovery, so you definitely don't want to rename another file to that...
Boot into CWM by holding volume - volume + and power, select "apply:update.zip", then "install zip from sd", "select zip from sd", find the zip and install. Then reboot. Note: you need to be running a deodexed ROM in order for themes to work properly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, cuz that's what I did and I didn't have any problems, my phone is working just fine, and I can still get into recovery.
There is ABSOLUTELY no need to rename the file update.zip just put the file on your sdcard, get into recovery (easiest way is to hold down power and press recovery in the menu) click apply zip from SD, click the file and click install...done
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
genaro12543 said:
There is ABSOLUTELY no need to rename the file update.zip just put the file on your sdcard, get into recovery (easiest way is to hold down power and press recovery in the menu) click apply zip from SD, click the file and click install...done
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if there are two files that i downloaded for a theme... such as META-INF and System, would i put them both in the same file when moving them to the SD card then just name the file something.zip? or would i only change the name of one of the two files? also am i able just to reboot into recovery from rom manager in order in install this file ?
to install a theme....
1. download it
2. put it on your sdcard (i make folders ie themes, roms, kernels)
3. boot into cwr
4. wipe cache (optional imo)
5. select install from sdcard
6. navigate to theme file
7. flash it
8. reboot
9. profit (optional)
boorad22 said:
if there are two files that i downloaded for a theme... such as META-INF and System, would i put them both in the same file when moving them to the SD card then just name the file something.zip? or would i only change the name of one of the two files? also am i able just to reboot into recovery from rom manager in order in install this file ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using rom manager is completely fine, I haven't tested it with the new recovery I've been using the shutdown menu but don't see.why it wouldn't work.
You don't have to extract any of those files from the zip just leave them in there, leave the zip on your sdcard and navigate to it through recovery. Its easier to put the zip in the root of your sdcard for easy access but if the zip is in downloads or something for whatever reason you can just click the downloads folder andthen the file then install.
Also after you install you might need to press your search button to go back a page then click reboot and you're good
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Back a year ago I rooted my nexus one phone, but the thing is I uninstalled a few stock apps. I had no idea that my updates would be a pain.
What I found out is that each new google update does a ton of asserts on files that it expects to be there. I had a problem with google books when I tried to update from 2.3.3 to 2.3.4, but someone on this forum hack a cracked version that allowed me to do so.
Now the annoying problem is back again, and this time, it's saying something about assert_failed: apply patch check ("system/app/EmailGoogle.apk...
I tried to find an EmailGoogle.apk out there, and I was able to find it, but if I was to use it, it wouldn't connect at all, then it would crash. I also placed it in system/app folder, and still same problem.
Is there a way for me to hack the update.zip so I can tell it to ignore these assertions?
AHH! I figured it out!
After much searching for updating scripts, I found out that there is indeed a file that tells your phone how to perform a patch update.
This involved me rebooting the phone 7 times (with about 5 times prior with previous experimentation)
Okay what I had were the following items
-Dropbox
-Root Explorer
-Laptop
Initially I got the error after running anon ra recovery, but I lost it when I accidently updated 2.3.4 again (I stupidly named my files as update.zip, update1.zip, update2.zip). Actually, I lost root (the phone still had the unlocked thing on it, but it was fooled). So I used this website (to root my phone again):
http://chensun.net/android-development/root-nexus-one-with-android-2-3-3-gingerbread/8/
So to get the specific error
1.you shut down your phone
2. reboot by pressing power button and down volume and hold it
3. Select recovery by navigating using the down volume, and select it by pressing power button.
4. After it reboots again, scroll down using your trackball and select Flash zip from sdcard
5. make sure you toggle signature verification to disable
6. select your update.zip
thats how you get your error
to fix:
1. So I took the signed zip file, and uploaded it to my dropbox
2. I opened the file using winrar (DO NOT UNZIP THIS FILE TO EDIT) the reason you do not want to unzip is because if you zip it up again you lose the signature, and your phone won't find the script
3. I used winrar to navigate to the following:
META-INF-->com-->google-->android
4. Open update-script using notepad
5. crtl-f on each package-name searching through the file:
emailgoogle.apk
GenieWidget.apk
Mms.apk
Talk.apk
Twitter.apk
VoiceDialer.apk
(ugh.. I forgot I uninstalled all those)
they existed twice. Once to assert to make sure the file exists, and the second to apply the patch
You have to remove both, you can keep the progress bar command there, that's just to update the progress of your update on your screen
example
;assert(apply_patch_check("/system/app/Twitter.apk", "48dcef1792760138acb1c10e2a2341dfbee69258", "e3e34aa0a72d0eaf76d80a06828bd14ea8450d34"))
apply_patch("/system/app/Twitter.apk", "-",
48dcef1792760138acb1c10e2a2341dfbee69258, 1596937,
e3e34aa0a72d0eaf76d80a06828bd14ea8450d34, package_extract_file("patch/system/app/Twitter.apk.p"));
so after repeating this over and over, it finally updated
anyways, going to sleep
Unzip the file on your phone with eStrongs file manager.
Edit the update script (eStrongs again).
Rezip (eStrongs again).
Sign with ZipSigner, or toggle signature verification in recovery.
Flash.
Note, if you use the "flash zip from SD" option, you don't need to name the file "update.zip"
thanks danger-rat, seen your posts many times before, I saved lots of your comments in my evernote
I already knew about renaming update.zip, I just got into a dumb naming habit, the last 5 tries I just kept the name as it was
my root explorer (file manager) by speed software does what eStrongs does, I can edit, zip, tar, unmount folders, set permissions etc, maybe you should check it out
but i've learned two new things about your post
never heard of zipsigner, and eStrongs
thanks for showing the quicker way of doing this, the dropbox thing was a bit of a hassle, but I love editting this on my computer rather than my phone using the trackball touchpad combo :-|
I'm wondering why a solution wasn't even there when I was looking for answers around the web? I searched for hours too. I'm also glad I didn't brick my phone!
Yeah, I use Root Explorer a lot. I prefer the interface on eStrongs and love the LAN capabilities and Dropbox interface, but Root Explorer is much better when you need root permission.