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Well hello everyone.
I am an application development student from Belgium.
I am proficient in Java, VB.NET, some c/c++ and also PHP/JS/HTML/CSS
Anyways, my recent interest has been going out to creating custom roms for the galaxy S!
The problem now is though, I was able to find some guides and such, but most were incomplete, and for HTC(and other) devices.
I have no idea what is different between making a ROM for galaxy S or a ROM for an HTC device.
If anyone would like to link me to some good resources that can help me on my way, or would like to collaborate (and in the meanwhile teach me a bit) I would be more than happy! (I am open for collaboration as I am pretty proficient in Java and I'm always happy to code and learn more about coding!)
I think the question is really want you want to do!
Custom ROMs for Android are as simple as using recovery console to replace files on the system with your own versions.
ie. Replace the framework.apk which contains all theme images with your own modified one, which you can use to skin the device. Same for replacing other system apps.
Unfortunately, most of these apps are closed source, so modifying them is difficult. The stock android system has open source versions of most of them though, and you can modify those and build them, and then replace the ones on the device. I'm not entirely sure how to build them up though, but it probably isn't too hard.
Then there are custom kernels, which let you actually change the underlying linux system underneath android - Samsung has an open source version of the kernel available that you can compile, and then flash to your phone using Odin or other tools. Compiling the kernel is pretty tricky though.
Well i'm really talking about stuff like SamSet, MoDaCo, Doc's ROM and others.
I'm not saying I want to create a pro ROM in a day or anything, but i'd really love to learn more to get better (always looking for more stuff to put on the resume, I guess?!)
Thanks a lot,
Kenny
Bump for some help
(sorry for the double post but i'm really eager to learn)
I don't have time to give a detailed response right now. However you will want to read up on yaffs (file system) and odexing/deodexing ROMs.
Thank you I will definately do that,
I am following a guide now to start out creating custom ROMs for android, however it was written for Motorola Droid and I have no idea what you have to do different for a samsung galaxy s.
I am a good coder, even though I say so myself, with a lot of experience. I also have a lot of linux experience, you name it
Only the problem is the old, and much known "where do I get started?"
So if anyone can point me out in the right direction on that, tell me how/where you started out, I would appreciate it greatly!
Thanks!
Very sorry to bump again
I set up my environment in ubuntu today to get started (just gotta fix a few errors, didn't know android wouldn't compile on java 1.6, only on 1.5)
Anyways, still need some help here! thanks!
Again I am awefully sorry for the bump here but i'd really like some help.
Note that i'm not a newbie at coding whatsoever and i'm not unfamiliar with some hardcore java, c/c++ and other languages, I'm just having trouble getting started when it comes to modding an existing android release (there are tutorials on HTC and other devices but some methods do not apply to the galaxy S)
If you're trying to create a ROM from scratch then unfortunately you're out of luck at the moment. No one has really managed to do so yet. By "from scratch" I mean the Android Open Source Project (i.e. official Android git repository).
What you can do is grab an existing firmware. Extract the contents, de-odex the apks, modify them or add new apks, optionally you can also compile a custom SGS kernel using Samsung's kernel source. Then you can re-odex the ROM, pack it back up and distribute it.
There's no real "starting place" as such and you won't yet find any tutorials about how to create SGS ROMs. Just give it a go and see where you get.
Yes, I do mean creating a ROM from stock samsung firmware, of course.
So my next logical question would be now:
How do I go over extracting contents from the existing samsung firmware, de-odexing and so on?
Any links/guides/tips are greatly appreciated, as long as they are applicable to this cell phone and not totally crap, thanks!
Samsung uses rfs, I think you should know. There is a thread somewhere in this forum regarding extracting .rfs file. Understood you need Debian though.
For some readup, go search for a famous guy named JesusFreke. Tons of materials...
Hope that from here onwards, this can lead you on, and to find out more. Google is your friend too...
I'm afraid my biggest problems already occur in setting up the environment, so it's really the very beginning that gets me stuck, i'm sure coding would be a bikeride compared to setting up the environment for me (i'm no hero in linux,not at all, i'm afraid)
How the hell do I get from point A (being downloading the full source) to point B (starting to create a custom ROM?)
thanks
of course if anyone has the time, and wants to, you can PM me your msn or something, if anyone is up to it
Raykoid666 said:
I'm afraid my biggest problems already occur in setting up the environment, so it's really the very beginning that gets me stuck, i'm sure coding would be a bikeride compared to setting up the environment for me (i'm no hero in linux,not at all, i'm afraid)
How the hell do I get from point A (being downloading the full source) to point B (starting to create a custom ROM?)
thanks
of course if anyone has the time, and wants to, you can PM me your msn or something, if anyone is up to it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed completely! Getting a full cross-compilation to Samsung's Android going is seriously difficult! There have been some promises for tutorials and guides for setting things up though, but none have appeared yet. Probably because it's hard!
Well thank you for agreeing with me on that.
I am really hoping for anyone that can help me out here, either on here or in private, and give some detailed instructions on how to get started.
Hell there is enough information on creating roms alread, deodexing, adding/removing apps etc etc etc... The real problem lies in setting everything up properly.
I think I have gotten to the point where I'm compiling the android source (without samsung specific files)
note i'm saying "i think i am compiling" because i'm hoping it won't error out on me again after an hour of compiling!
But once that is done... I have no idea where to go next, where to get the samsung specific files, or what to do with them whatsoever once i have them
thanks!
Android generic source won't actually help you much. Samsung has made a huge number of changes to it, and while it is all open source, backporting their changes to get your stock source running on the phone is a major undertaking. I believe cyanogenmod was actually working on this, but it seems without much success so far.
What the other rom makers you see are doing is taking a snapshot of a running rom, copying over all of the APKs and the files on a running device, and then tweaking those. ie. Opening up framework-res.apk and changing the image files inside.
The update.zip roms that are what most people are doing are really just using the Android recovery to replace files on the phone with their own versions. Since the underlying system is linux, and everything is a file, this actually works pretty well.
The kernel development effort is completely separate from the rest of the system though, and Samsung has provided the entire source tree that just has to be compiled. I'm a bit stumped myself on all the details of setting it up, but I have seen some threads on this forum about it, and it didn't seem too bad to set up. Apparently you shouldn't use the codesourcery toolchain though, or something. Not too clued up on it, sorry. Hopefully someone with the details can chime in, or give us a link to the old post on it (I'm failing to find it using the search function! )
Alright sounds good!
So these recovery files you are talking about (the contents of /system) how do i retrieve those from a base ROM such as JM7 or the likes after a clean flash?)
Raykoid666 said:
Alright sounds good!
So these recovery files you are talking about (the contents of /system) how do i retrieve those from a base ROM such as JM7 or the likes after a clean flash?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root your phone, zip them up onto the sdcard, and then copy them off.
There are probably better methods, but this works fine.
Also, with credits to Unhelpful, he has told me that the correct toolchain to be using is 'uClibc or eglibc toolchain with ct-ng'. I have no idea what to do with that yet, but it's a start.
RyanZA said:
Root your phone, zip them up onto the sdcard, and then copy them off.
There are probably better methods, but this works fine.
Also, with credits to Unhelpful, he has told me that the correct toolchain to be using is 'uClibc or eglibc toolchain with ct-ng'. I have no idea what to do with that yet, but it's a start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't even need to root your phone to pull /system Ryan
adb pull /system <random folder>
is all you need ^^
Alright thank you, I managed to get all the /system files using abd pull /system
now next thing up would be de-odexing right, before I go editing stuff?
Now before I go de-odexing. Can anyone tell me what exactly de-odexing is and why I need it?
and what do I need to do to create an update.zip again?
thanks a lot all!
Tayutama said:
You don't even need to root your phone to pull /system Ryan
adb pull /system <random folder>
is all you need ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha cool, didn't know you could pull whole folders!
Raykoid666 said:
Alright thank you, I managed to get all the /system files using abd pull /system
now next thing up would be de-odexing right, before I go editing stuff?
Now before I go de-odexing. Can anyone tell me what exactly de-odexing is and why I need it?
and what do I need to do to create an update.zip again?
thanks a lot all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apk files in Android are odexed - that means they have a special index applied for dalvik that speeds them up somehow! I don't know how, I haven't checked how it actually works.
The important point is though:
odexed is faster, but you can't edit it because of signatures or something technical
deodexed means you can change it however you want
More useful info can be found from google - lots of it!
update.zip is easy - it's a zip file in a special format that can be understood by Android's recovery console. The easiest way to do it is to grab an existing update.zip and modify it as needed. Tayutama has millions of em around, so use his!
Then you need to sign it once you're finished with it so that the SGS will accept it. Samsung made a boo-boo and didn't disable the test keys for the 2.1 SGS firmwares. That makes it easy!
http://www.londatiga.net/it/how-to-sign-apk-zip-files/
Just use the test keys to sign it, and then copy it to /sdcard/update.zip and reboot into recovery and it'll work.
We have an imageinfo.bin, and S000, S001, S002, and S003. We need to combine them somehow.
So, I've found threads that will teach you how to create ROMs based on imageInfo.bin files, but does anyone know how to take the pieces of a DLL (or executable) and put them together as a standalone DLL? We are trying to do that in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844008&page=3
For an example of what we are trying to assemble, check here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=444604&d=1290160423
You need to get recmod.exe.
Awesome, thanks! You rock.
I'm running into an error message though, "Error! ProcessCase0: bit 5 is zero!" I think maybe the file format for windows phone 7 is different. Is there anywhere I can go to understand this problem, and maybe get the source code and fix it or something?
FWIW my suspicion is that recmode.exe doesn't properly handle signed binaries, since all the WP7 binaries are signed, but previous WM versions weren't all signed.
Ondraster probably knows the right way to re-file them.
OndraSter doesn't know the actual way .
Binaries in WP7 are a bit different, maybe those e32 and whatever (I haven't dug into this ever, don't understand it and I'm not sure it is worth learning, since WM is going off and WP7 won't be cookable or worth cooking) are different and recmod can't handle its new awesomeness .
Hey OndraSter,
Thanks for the reply. It seems it would be something useful in our efforts to run native code on Windows 7 to be able to recmod those things. Do you have the source code, or any tips on how to go about figuring it out? I can give you all the credit, all I want is to be able to assemble the files!
I have the same problem...
Whilst spending more endless hours attempting to root my wildfire, I have noticed that if I push mtd0 to sdcard as mtd0.img, and then use HxD to edit it as though to use flash_version ( I was thinking I wonder if it's possible to spoof supercid 111111) so after backing up the original I filled the entire file full of 1's (I tried 0's first, the error message tells me if i could force 0's this may be a good thing???) and flashed misc.
On entering hboot when it checks sdcard a load of 1's came up before anything else, so i repeated the experiment with stars *, and *'s is what hboot seen.
I'm thinking possiblity of some kind of alternate boot or mabye a command (fastboot oem unlock, or fastboot erase hboot) or something along those lines. Tried modifying the first line, but still came up *'s so somewhere else in the file possibly where version goes, but version doesnt usually show up on sdcheck does it.
Experiments continue
Keep up the experiments!
Thanks!
keep up doing it, you are great
thousands of people hope this work in the future...
i think unrevoked is not doing anything now
we r 4 months from 2.2....
Any more luck? How is this getting on?
dannyjmcguinness said:
Whilst spending more endless hours attempting to root my wildfire, I have noticed that if I push mtd0 to sdcard as mtd0.img, and then use HxD to edit it as though to use flash_version ( I was thinking I wonder if it's possible to spoof supercid 111111) so after backing up the original I filled the entire file full of 1's (I tried 0's first, the error message tells me if i could force 0's this may be a good thing???) and flashed misc.
On entering hboot when it checks sdcard a load of 1's came up before anything else, so i repeated the experiment with stars *, and *'s is what hboot seen.
I'm thinking possiblity of some kind of alternate boot or mabye a command (fastboot oem unlock, or fastboot erase hboot) or something along those lines. Tried modifying the first line, but still came up *'s so somewhere else in the file possibly where version goes, but version doesnt usually show up on sdcheck does it.
Experiments continue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this a week ago and it does not seems to work :S
cid version is on "ro.cid" prop. Change cid on mtd0, flash it and then try a "getprop ro.cid"
Of course, you'll get the original CID, not the supercid. You cannot change these properties (ro.secure is another one. The ONE that prevent us from writing on system, etc)
I think these properties are Read-Only and are loaded into the system from the hboot at boot time.
I managed to change the default.prop on "/" from ro.secure=1 to ro.secure=0 but every time you reboot your phone this file goes back to ro.secure=1, so I think hboot re-load every file and prop needed for their security lock at boot.
I repeat, even with root access you won't change a single property with "ro." before.
Not a single one.
Sorry guys, we'll have to wait more...
For more information abot the proccess read my post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1042077
As you can see, no one has answered yet so I think this is useless...
Looks promising!
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App
Think I've discovered a bit more, I'm absolutly posotive that this is the way forward. Problem is not enough people seem interested in this post.
It would appear that this can be used to issue a boot message, so please share your knowledge on what you know of boot messages, coz I'm pretty sure a boot message could be used to override certain parameters.
Please people, if you read this, HELP ME OUT
I know what are you talking about,and I think that might help you
http://runtimeworld.com/2011/04/a-complete-list-of-hboot-commands/
I could work with you on this, PM me if you are interested
edit: this command has 8 letters (like cidnum):
writemid // write model ID
The best thing u've found.. I'm feeling like we'll oly root wildfire before unrevoked.,
It'll be good if we do it our self as unrevoked has tried hard but not succeeded due to heavy lock of hboot.. If there is a luck and ability to do it, we can do it..
I dont hav knowledge in linux and android much elz i would hav joined to root wildfire with u all..
Best of luck for rooting and make sure not to brick the phone..
God, I must follow this post.
Thanks for your hard work.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App
Maybe you'll find something interesting there
tjworld.net/wiki/Android/HTC/Vision/HbootAnalysis
sry, can't add urls i'm new
ejnreon said:
Maybe you'll find something interesting there
tjworld.net/wiki/Android/HTC/Vision/HbootAnalysis
sry, can't add urls i'm new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant be THAT new if you joined in 2009 :L
I tried to make a ROM, and it is not installing properly.:crying:
I data-resetted everything and formatted system, but this ROM is not installing correctly because I had removed some system apps and also added a few of them. But after a reboot I saw the system apps which I removed.
Please help me.
Thanks in advance
Noobwithabrickedsgy said:
I tried to make a ROM, and it is not installing properly.:crying:
I data-resetted everything and formatted system, but this ROM is not installing correctly because I had removed some system apps and also added a few of them. But after a reboot I saw the system apps which I removed.
Please help me.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post updater script you are using under [ hide ] tags?
Was your /system mounted before you flashed your rom?
A Hero Can Be Anyone
Noobwithabrickedsgy said:
I tried to make a ROM, and it is not installing properly.:crying:
I data-resetted everything and formatted system, but this ROM is not installing correctly because I had removed some system apps and also added a few of them. But after a reboot I saw the system apps which I removed.
Please help me.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did u make a rom??
Give the uodater scriot...
.................I Walk In Shadows...!..................
sanny5 said:
How did u make a rom??
Give the uodater scriot...
.................I Walk In Shadows...!..................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made it without kitchen . I used a sample updater script given by hell_lock/prototype U.
Its attached.
I guess its some prob with my sd card cuz i could not install the same hyperion 7 which used to work before.
Could anyone test it???????
Here is my ROM-http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3pk413hrcq1ze27
Here is my updater script-http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?paknyyfkebb6ybw
Noobwithabrickedsgy said:
I made it without kitchen . I used a sample updater script given by hell_lock/prototype U.
Its attached.
I guess its some prob with my sd card cuz i could not install the same hyperion 7 which used to work before.
Could anyone test it???????
Here is my ROM-http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3pk413hrcq1ze27
Here is my updater script-http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?paknyyfkebb6ybw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first question, how did u make ur rom?
how did u make the zip file?
how are the files placed inside ur zip?
I think he just grab someone else's ROM and edited it as much as he wanted and then grab the Updater-script from Hell-lock and thinking "hey, this must be works!" and now, look the result. No one has success to make a Custom ROM without a kitchen (Editing the .zip).
If i helped you, Press the thanks button. don't say it
GermanyGSG said:
I think he just grab someone else's ROM and edited it as much as he wanted and then grab the Updater-script from Hell-lock and thinking "hey, this must be works!" and now, look the result. No one has success to make a Custom ROM without a kitchen (Editing the .zip).
If i helped you, Press the thanks button. don't say it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to be honest,
i never used kitchen to make my rom,
i had to code the updater script manually,
@OP.
you need to study the codes first and know what you are doing,
you can't build a house without proper procedures, same with ROM building,
you must learn to research and be patient when you fail,
it happens all the time,
in most instances the phone won't boot and what i always do is to go back and think over what went wrong and what must i do to resolve the issue,
we can help you as much as you can but please try to help yourself understand the situation a bit more.
deathnotice01 said:
to be honest,
i never used kitchen to make my rom,
i had to code the updater script manually,
@OP.
you need to study the codes first and know what you are doing,
you can't build a house without proper procedures, same with ROM building,
you must learn to research and be patient when you fail,
it happens all the time,
in most instances the phone won't boot and what i always do is to go back and think over what went wrong and what must i do to resolve the issue,
we can help you as much as you can but please try to help yourself understand the situation a bit more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for motivating me. I know what is the problem now. I did not mount /system before flashing?. Added that to my script... All working fine now.
@GermanyGSG-
How the heck could you create ROMs before kitchen was made .. Eh? Its a matter of bash and edify... No kitchen needed.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Re: new "developer's edition" N910V ROM compatability
From the few ROMs I've tried to flash so far, I've gotten a lot of error 7s in TWRP
As far as I can tell from some googling, this means that the updater-script in the ROM isn't allowing it to be installed on the device because it's not one of the ones in it's approved list based on some prop file somewhere
I think the fix to this is to edit the updater-script file by making it a .txt doc, deleting some amount of lines after the "assert," and changing it back to a file before putting it back into the ROM... so I'm trying to learn enough about coding to find out where exactly I should stop the deletion at. Or, alternatively, what I'd have to add.
It's also possible that I'm totally wrong and I'm getting this error for another reason entirely.
If anyone knows what they're doing here, I'd definitely be open to suggestions. If this is what the problem is, I imagine it won't be hard for devs to edit though.