Database Users

Post-Root Setup Instructions?

I know many of us are new to the whole rooting thing. I'm coming from the Windows Mobile world of custom ROMs, kitchens, etc., but I do have some linux experience. However, I can't for the life of me figure out how to do a lot of what comes "standard" in MoDaCo's ROM. Obviously it would be easier to simply install Paul's ROM and be done with it, but I'd really like to learn how to do it on my own too.
So, that being said, maybe we can pull together some tutorials, guides, and/or links to existing guides which explain how to go about setting up our Rooted phones manually. Here are some of the built-in mods the MoDaCo ROM comes with which would be nice to be able to do manually or on a one-off basis:
Included in MoDaCo 1.1 'core':
Rooted with 'adb remount' permission and superuser APK
A2SD included (fully automatic thanks cyanogen!) create a EXT2 partition as your second partition to use. dalvik-cache remains on device.
Added Jbed Java
Added Dropbear SSH running by default, check 'About' screen for password (port 2222). You can now remove this by running /system/bin/removedropbear.sh
Added Notes app from Dragon
Added Spare Parts (run it and switch the 2 animation types to 'fast' for an even better experience!)
Added android-wifi-tether 1.60 pre3 (props to the developer, this is a great app!)
Added WiFi Status indicator, with kind permission of Andrew Schwimmer
Added busybox 1.15.2 tweaked such that 'get information' in Swapper now works as desired
Added nano 2.09 text editor for use in shell mode
Added parted and sqlite tools
Added terminfo and settings to boot.img to allow nano etc. use
Added files required for Debian linux including loxley's updated bootdeb script
Moved Quickoffice to data partition to allow easy uninstall
Moved Google Maps and Google Voice Search to data partition to allow easy update
Silenced boot sound (it's still there and can be reactivated with a file edit)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*********
*********
!Working!
Wireless Tethering:
http://android-wifi-tether.googlecode.com/
Go to the "Downloads" tab and download version 1.61-pre
!Not Working!
Superuser Whitelist App
I found two threads here that describe how to install Superuser.apk.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=582140
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4897587&postcount=5
Using the first one, I was able to get the files onto the phone and I used the chmod commands found in the second file in the hopes this would work; however, whenever I try to use it, nothing happens. The ES File Explorer, in particular, used to work with MoDaCo. When I'd try to browse as root, Superuser would pop-up and ask if I wanted to grant the app permissions. Now it just hangs there (black screen) and ES File Explorer says I don't have root access. Other Root apps work fine though, it's just they don't seem to be dependant on Superuser Whitelist.
'adb remount' permission
This requires that the default.prop file be edited from ro.secure=1 to ro.secure=0. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get this file to stick. If I use the mv command using adb shell, I get some kind of permissions error. If I use the cp command when booting into the recovery menu and using adb shell, the file reverts to the original on boot. Or maybe it's simply not being overwritten, but not throwing any errors either

I think I may have found a thread that will help with the default.prop changes. Looks like this has to be done in the recovery.img which apparently overwrites any modifications in the root of the device on each reboot. I'll post an update if/when I figure it out.
HOWTO: Unpack, Edit, and Repack Boot Images
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443994

The adb remount permission issue is driving me crazy. Please keep us updated if you figure out a way of resetting that without installing a new ROM.

I ended up modifying one of the MoDaCo update scripts to set up ADB Remount, Superuser.apk, and Busybox. It's been working fine for me, but be sure to do a backup before you apply the update. Check it out here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=593952

DI18 - EC05 Update - Stock App Restore Procedure for Rooted Phones

So I received the OTA Update for my Samsung EPIC 4G stock build Eclair DI18.
Unfortunately it did not install due to missing packages.
I was rooted.
I was not running any custom roms,
I did use the SDX Stock App Remover to remove "nascar",
I have seen other people having problems because they are missing the "Asphalt Demo" apk.
Unfortunately if you remove Nascar or Asphalt you will get that error message when you try to install the OTA EC05 update, as well as if you try the manual method of upgrading by copying the update.zip. This happens because the installer is trying to verify packages for the upgrade (which you no longer have).
I went nuts considering all the different methods I could take to apply this update. I wanted the quickest and easiest method, and one that would leave my data intact.
So if this matches your situation, you don't have to reflash back to stock DI18 to recover a couple of missing stock apps and you don't need Odin or the 255 mb tar ROM that's out there (SPH-D700-DI18-8Gb-REL.tar.md5) etc. with this method.
So here is the method I used to restore my Stock Sprint apps so I could get the installer to run.
Before you start, make sure you know which packages you need to restore back to your /system/app folder. (unfortunately, their is no way of knowing which package(s) you're missing if you don't remember what you removed. You could cross reference what you have with someone who has all the stock apps OR the easiest way is to try to apply the update and write down or remember which apk it is complaining about. Chances are you already know which APK you're missing and that's why you're here. If you removed multiple stock apps, then you might have already guessed that you are going to have to restore each apk one by one, and so you may need to go through this process more than once to discover exactly which apk files are missing.)
These instructions also assume that you've already copied the DI18-EC05 update.zip file found in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005593 to your sdcard.
Download the stock Sprint apk packages from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987777
The file you are looking for that is linked from that thread is:
http://www.nubecoder.com/files/andro...store_EB13.zip (Even though these are EB13 app's it doesn't matter that you're on DI18, we just need the file to be there so we can trick the installer into running.)
Unzip this file and copy the apk's you need to your sdcard by first mounting your android phone in mass storage mode (usb debugging disabled). After you have copied the apk's to your sdcard, you will need to remount your system folder and copy the apks to that /system/apps location for the update installer to recognize it (simply installing the app to your phone won't cut it).
To continue you will need the Samsung drivers ( I am not providing links because this can be found anywhere on the web. My particular Samsung driver archive is called "usb_drivers_GalaxyS_x64.zip" (reboot your system after installing if necessary).
You will also need the "one click root" zip archive (or any other package that can give you access to the adb shell.) I used the adb shell from the "epic aio one click root" file archive "epic.aio.v1.13.zip".
Enable USB Debugging mode in your phone, and then plug your phone into usb.
Follow the instructions below to remount your /system partition as rw so that you can copy back (to /system/app) the missing apk packages that you've already copied to your sdcard.
Navigate to the location where your adb executable is installed:
1. cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools> adb shell
2. $ su
3. # mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
4. # cd /system/app
5. # ls (make sure it is mounted)
6. # cd /sdcard
7. # ls *.apk (show the apk package filenames)
8. # cp "apkfilename" /system/app (copy from current working directory [/sdcard] to /system/apps)
On step 8, replace "apkfilename" with apk's you want to copy. Repeat process as many times as necessary to copy back all the default apk's that you removed.
Taken partially from http://androidforums.com/2079717-post6.html
After you have copied all of your stock apk's back, simply unplug your phone, and reboot. Once you have rebooted press and hold volume down, power and camera buttons until the recovery menu pops back up, then simply select install update.zip
This time the installer will not error out on missing packages.
If you want to root your phone after installing the EC05 Stock Update:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/epi...optional-ext4-new-updated-2-a.html#post760733

For those who only need the stock epic asphalt demo here it is.
(Note to mods, this is a 5 minute demo only, not a full game. As such I believe it is ok to post.)

I was looking inside the run.bat file and I used a run.bat file that did not remove asphalt5.apk and freeHDGamesDemo.apk.
Now I don't know if you need the freeHDGamesDemo.apk or where to find it.
I was going to reinstall the asphalt5.apk, but do I erase the /sdcard/gameloft/ folder and if I do will it be recreated again or should I leave it in?

You can get rid of the gameloft folder on sdcard, thats where it puts the file it downloads when you launch the asphalt demo and it prompts to download. Be careful though, if you have other gameloft games they will also use that folder.
I'm not sure on the free hd demo file, if the ota complains about it we should be able to pull it from the eb13 tar file. If it's not posted by time the ota rolls out I'll add it here for ease.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

rocket321 said:
You can get rid of the gameloft folder on sdcard, thats where it puts the file it downloads when you launch the asphalt demo and it prompts to download. Be careful though, if you have other gameloft games they will also use that folder.
I'm not sure on the free hd demo file, if the ota complains about it we should be able to pull it from the eb13 tar file. If it's not posted by time the ota rolls out I'll add it here for ease.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I am not a big game player so the little asphalt5 demo is about all I need - I never even opened the freeHDDemo file so I don't know what it does, I was only looking for it incase it stopped you from getting any minor updates via OTA's.
I didn't think the Odin EC05 no data loss upgrade version would remove those two apps on Androidcentral.

i did everything but when i went to the system menu to intall the update.zip i dont have that file...
where do i get it from?

Joph said:
i did everything but when i went to the system menu to intall the update.zip i dont have that file...
where do i get it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1005593

[SCRIPT] Adblock Script and Updater

I put together a small shell script to make it easy for anyone rooted to block ads and check to see if they have the latest version I keep of adhosts. If after checking you do not have the latest, it will download it for you automatically.
What does this script do (in a nutshell):
1) Checks to see if you have the latest version of ad hosts for adblocking from me
2) If you do not have the latest, it will download it for you
3) If you have the latest, it just exits out, no changes
4) Installs the script to your /system/xbin directory so the next time you just have to type:
Code:
su
blockads
and it will run the script for you
How to run this?
Get this if you are using an AOSP ROM:
1) Download it from http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24904191/blockads
Try this if you are using a SENSE ROM (thanks chrootz for the fixes):
1) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24904191/sense/blockads
*** If you have troubles getting the script to work, try updating your system to the latest version of busybox (stick it in /system/xbin and overwrite the current version of busybox, then change the permissions to 755 and owner and group to root) ***
2) Move it to /data/local/tmp (if you dont have it, create it) from a file explorer with root permissions (must set the system in r/w mode) or from the terminal shell
3) make sure the script has the right permissions by typing:
Code:
su
chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/blockads
in the terminal shell (in the emulator or whatever you use to get to it)
4) run the script by typing
Code:
/data/local/tmp/blockads
5) let it do its thing
After its done you can run it again anytime from the terminal by typing
Code:
su
blockads
as already mentioned.
I'm working on making it a GUI app next (with more features), but this should tie anyone who wants it over until then
Anyone who finds any adservers and wants me to add them to the list, feel free to list them here and I will add them.
Latest updates:
2011-12-01: Updated to block carrieriq

Tried this out and got this:
sh-3.2# su
sh-3.2# /data/local/tmp/blockads
Fetching host file via hostname
wget: bad address 'dl.dropbox.com'
update could not be completed, sorry
sh-3.2#

newter55 said:
Tried this out and got this:
sh-3.2# su
sh-3.2# /data/local/tmp/blockads
Fetching host file via hostname
wget: bad address 'dl.dropbox.com'
update could not be completed, sorry
sh-3.2#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot some ROMs and such have a busybox version that doesn't work right with hostnames in wget. I'll see if I can work around that and update the script
EDIT: updated to work around by using the IP for those that their busybox wget does not work correctly with hostnames. Only issue with that is the IP may change.

Ok. I am stuck. I actually don't have a hosts file under "etc", only a hosts.bak. With root explorer mounted as r/w I am still not able to rename the "host.bak" file to "hosts" - error message "read-only file/directory". I created a blank "hosts" text file, put in on the sdcard and with terminal emulator still can't cp to "etc" because of "read-only directory" error message. Any other suggestions?

GermanGuy said:
Ok. I am stuck. I actually don't have a hosts file under "etc", only a hosts.bak. With root explorer mounted as r/w I am still not able to rename the "host.bak" file to "hosts" - error message "read-only file/directory". I created a blank "hosts" text file, put in on the sdcard and with terminal emulator still can't cp to "etc" because of "read-only directory" error message. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Top right corner of Root Explorer .... Mount RW.
Sent from my A05PTH3ORY using XDA App

Does this do anything differently then AdFree, from the market?

yareally said:
I forgot some ROMs and such have a busybox version that doesn't work right with hostnames in wget. I'll see if I can work around that and update the script
EDIT: updated to work around by using the IP for those that their busybox wget does not work correctly with hostnames. Only issue with that is the IP may change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updated blockads script to test this am and:
sh-3.2$ export PATH=/data/local/bin:$PATH
sh-3.2$ su
sh-3.2# blockads
Fetching host file via hostname
wget: bad address 'dl.dropbox.com'
The busybox version of wget on your system does not work correctly with
hostnames. Trying workaround with latest known IP to the hostname...
Connecting to 184.73.229.87 (184.73.229.87:80)
hosts 100% |***********| 641k 00:00:00 ETA
backing up old host file and updating
failed on 'hosts' - Cross-device link
md5sum: can't open '/system/etc/hosts': No such file or directory
/system/xbin/blockads: line 38: [: 8172d35d1b72871f7e1ef4e709920f0e: unary operator expected
Unable to chmod /system/etc/hosts: No such file or directory
Unable to chmod /system/etc/hosts: No such file or directory
remounting filesystem in r/o mode...
Cleaning up files...
rm failed for -f, No such file or directory
update complete!
sh-3.2#
The end result is the existing hosts file being renamed hosts.bak and obviously no new hosts filebeing being created.
EDIT.... The above is testing on my inspire running busybox 1.19. Tried using the script on my sensation running bb 1.18.4 and it works fine.
Edit edit... Installed bb 1.18.4 on inspire and result is the same as posted above.

DroidTh3ory said:
Top right corner of Root Explorer .... Mount RW.
Sent from my A05PTH3ORY using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did, but it does not work - still does not let me modify read-only files.

After reading over the code and seeing the comments, I can only guess you had the modified version of wget on your device during testing, which does support host names. Before I continue, I am not trying to rain on your parade, but... By downloading the file, checking the md5, comparing it to the existing file, replacing if needed, and then cleaning up... you went about 5 steps beyond what just doing an "if server file is newer" check would do by including a custom wget. Even though you have to put in the code to install and verify the wget, the trade is that you no longer have to download the file every time, check it every time, and worry about making sure the md5 matches.
If you decide you want to switch over to that method, you can check out the option already included in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1092128 by downloading the live install version to view the actual script. Just a recommendation to optimize the process. Nice work, though, you definitely found a way to get the job done.
As for the difference between this and Adfree. There is no real difference. Adfree checks the server, does a callback, and prompts the user with updates. Adfree just requires an entire shell to turn it into an app, but will automatically run on boot.

twistedumbrella said:
As for the difference between this and Adfree. There is no real difference. Adfree checks the server, does a callback, and prompts the user with updates. Adfree just requires an entire shell to turn it into an app, but will automatically run on boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, for those of you not comfortable running ADB, or Terminal Emulator, just install AdFree, and let it do everything for you.

spotmark said:
So, for those of you not comfortable running ADB, or Terminal Emulator, just install AdFree, and let it do everything for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you also have the option of most included ROM toolkits, ScriptFusion, and a lot of preinstalled adblock scripts, but the big difference is the hosts file itself. Sounds like this one is custom, whereas mine takes bamf and adfree and merges them. This one may end up blocking more ads, but the only way to know would be to sit down and compare them all.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

twistedumbrella said:
Well, you also have the option of most included ROM toolkits, ScriptFusion, and a lot of preinstalled adblock scripts, but the big difference is the hosts file itself. Sounds like this one is custom, whereas mine takes bamf and adfree and merges them. This one may end up blocking more ads, but the only way to know would be to sit down and compare them all.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see.

Thank you for your comments everyone . I'll refine the script a bit more and also deal with a permanent workaround for not having a wget that checks hostsnames by testing with a ping and getting the IP first, using that and then doing wget. This started as a way for me to deal with having to move my ad host file each time I update it on my phone to just giving it out to everyone.
The only other difference than what was mentioned between my script and adfree as far as I know is I include a wider range of adhosts according to those that have used both. I have never used adfree, but people that have said I blocked more ads than they do and I also use an invalid IP address to block (0.0.0.0) instead of the loopback address (127.0.0.1) so it kills them a bit faster.
If anyone is still having problems that weren't resolved with it from above, let me know as well. I tested it against busybox 1.16.2 on my own phone, but it seems no 2 busybox version are alike
I havent tried this, but this one does include busybox 1.19 for those that don't want to manually install it. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jrummy.busybox.installer&feature=related_apps

yareally said:
Thank you for your comments everyone . I'll refine the script a bit more and also deal with a permanent workaround for not having a wget that checks hostsnames by testing with a ping and getting the IP first, using that and then doing wget. This started as a way for me to deal with having to move my ad host file each time I update it on my phone to just giving it out to everyone.
The only other difference than what was mentioned between my script and adfree as far as I know is I include a wider range of adhosts according to those that have used both. I have never used adfree, but people that have said I blocked more ads than they do and I also use an invalid IP address to block (0.0.0.0) instead of the loopback address (127.0.0.1) so it kills them a bit faster.
If anyone is still having problems that weren't resolved with it from above, let me know as well. I tested it against busybox 1.16.2 on my own phone, but it seems no 2 busybox version are alike
I havent tried this, but this one does include busybox 1.19 for those that don't want to manually install it. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jrummy.busybox.installer&feature=related_apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hit me up if I can be any help. It's good to have a better list available. Adfree has never been very thorough.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

+1 I exam yareally's hosts, This is much faster killing them and I glad you finally developing the script update for the hosts. I am going test your script update on 2 of the roms A05PTH3ORY and Gengeritis 3D VII. Thanks - Keep it up
yareally said:
The only other difference than what was mentioned between my script and adfree as far as I know is I include a wider range of adhosts according to those that have used both. I have never used adfree, but people that have said I blocked more ads than they do and I also use an invalid IP address to block (0.0.0.0) instead of the loopback address (127.0.0.1) so it kills them a bit faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Added about 10-15 more hosts today.

Thanks for the script. I'm going to give it a shot in a little bit. AdFree hasn't worked right in months. I've been using Absolute System to block ads, but I think I'll give this a try. Thanks again.

I'm about 50% done working on a basic gui app to do what the script does + some other features, just to give an update. GUI app will be free to any xda members of course
Things I am putting into it:
Choice between no blocking, partial blocking (basically in browser only stuff in case you want to show developers some love by not blocking their application ads), and full blocking.
Updating like the script does with just a touch of a button.
Optional ability to download a host block list for your desktop pc.
*features that may come later*
-ability to send me hosts from the app to add to the block list
-ability to add your own hosts on the fly to the list (either for personal routing or for adblocking, since adblocking is only the secondary use of the hosts file). Unfortunately, you will have to figure out the hosts yourself, since there's no easy way to tell really automatically.
Any other suggestions are welcomed

yareally said:
I'm about 50% done working on a basic gui app to do what the script does + some other features, just to give an update. GUI app will be free to any xda members of course
Things I am putting into it:
Choice between no blocking, partial blocking (basically in browser only stuff in case you want to show developers some love by not blocking their application ads), and full blocking.
Updating like the script does with just a touch of a button.
Optional ability to download a host block list for your desktop pc.
*features that may come later*
-ability to send me hosts from the app to add to the block list
-ability to add your own hosts on the fly to the list (either for personal routing or for adblocking, since adblocking is only the secondary use of the hosts file). Unfortunately, you will have to figure out the hosts yourself, since there's no easy way to tell really automatically.
Any other suggestions are welcomed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like AdFree but much better and will work better as well. Can't wait!!

Just tried this today on gingeritis 3d beta8 and it doesnt seem to work as i get the same error someone else posted a few posts back. Something about no such file or directory system/etc/hosts. I reverted adfree and uninstalled it and renamed the hosts file to hosts from hosts.bak but when I Su adblock it gets renamed to hosts.bak and terminal shows that same error

those invisible menu options

There is an interesting discussion on the Russian forum the-ebook.org (paste this link into Google and select the translation; item is on page 2) regarding those annoying invisible menu options in many apps. Although the translation is a little rough around the edges, the gist seems to be that the default text and background colors for the app menus are not exactly what the e-ink display has in mind, often resulting in light or near-white text on a white background--hence, invisible text.
The "solution" used is to change some background color settings in framework-res.apk. I have no idea what the outcome looks like but it seems like a really good idea, although beyond my abilities, and the example used is 1.10 firmware. I'm using 1.21. Any attempt I have made to modify apk files has always failed
Does anyone have a fool-proof set of steps for doing this?

I remember reading about what you're talking about somewhere on the forums but I could never get it to work either...
Here's what I'm talking about:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1356514
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1512846

OK, well.....I've got the adjusted background images extracted from the framework-res.apk file that I got from the Russian site (I'm working with the lighter background option at this point). And...I've found the setting in WinRar to simply "store" (not compress) the updated png files. So far, so good. My altered apk file is the same size as the original.
The clincher is to get it back on the Nook without disaster ensuing. I'm going to follow Renate's method for pushing back framework-res.apk via ABD (from this thread):
C:\>adb shell
# stop
# mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p5 /system
# ^C
C:\>adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework
C:\>adb shell
# reboot
Keep your fingers crossed. If it works, I'll report back with step-by-step and files.
[Report: in concept this "works". On reboot I could see the slightly grey background color in menu options and going to a few apps where I knew the menus were invisible, I could see white text on the slightly grey background. BUT...almost no apps will work. The B&N side seems to function OK, but the App drawer is useless. Back to the drawing board. The Russian site has a method for installation using RootExplorer. I'll try that next.]

OK...day 2. Here's what does NOT work:
1. method in post above using ADB
2. method using RootBorwser as adapted from Russian site and detailed below:
a. Change permissions in /system, /system/etc and /system/framework folders so that all users have write access
(note this is my kludge to get around not knowing how to "mount" the /system partition as r/w--maybe it's wrong?)
b. Use ADB wireless to move modified framework-res.apk into /system/etc
c. Use RootBrowser to check ownership of modified framework-res.apk (should be and was already owner: 0-root, group: 0-root)
d. Use RootBrowser to change permissions on modified framework-res.apk to rw-r--r-- (664)
e. Use RootBrowser to move (cut/paste) modified framework-res.apk into /system/framework (overwrite)
With Superuser permission, this all went off without a hitch.
f. Use RootBrowser to reset permissions of folders listed in (a)
g.Shut down Nook and restart.
The result is the same as the ADB-only method described before. The Nook starts up just fine. You can see that the background color of menus is slightly gray. Those changes have obviously worked. But the vast majority of apps will not run (ADW Launcher is an exception). At one point while I was fiddling with things the Nook spontaneously rebooted.
I guess that's better than spontaneously combusting
SIGH. Clearly, despite my best efforts, something I did in handling the framework-res.apk has damaged it in some subtle way, OR, my inability to properly "remount" the /system as R/W is causing the problem, although using ADB this is accomplished without difficulty and since the result is the same...it must be the modified apk file.
And this is why I have a dedicated SD card backup......

Method 3 that does NOT work:
1. Install Ninjamorph and BusyBox from Market
2. Follow instructions for altering framework-res.apk found here.
Two ways to Finish Project, with zip-align and without. Both yield the same result which is the same as the other methods above, i.e., the B&N stuff mostly works and the desired contrast of the menus is achieved so you can actually see what used to be invisible, but most apps will not run. Really frustrating.
I have to say that while this method seemed promising it is tedious in the extreme as each of the 28 png files must be replaced individually and that means each must be located in a much larger list (which reverts to the top after each replacement....). Ugh.
I simply don't believe anyone who says they can make these modifications with the instructions they have provided. It must be that people who are more familiar with this stuff are leaving out information which is so obvious to them that they don't even think to mention it

framework-res.apk is an apk and therefore it must be signed.
It's a system apk so it must be signed with the system signature.
Modifying a few things doesn't annoy the signature matching, other stuff does.
When you have problems, please quote from logcat because that tells you exactly what the problem is.
Using ADB:
Code:
logcat
Whatever.9.png are special files.
The are usually created thusly:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/2d-graphics.html#nine-patch
When they get packed into an apk they are turned into a PNG graphic with alpha channel.
aapt handles this.
If you take a PNG with sidebars and just zip it, it will not work.

Renate NST said:
When you have problems, please quote from logcat because that tells you exactly what the problem is.
Using ADB:
Code:
logcat
Whatever.9.png are special files.
The are usually created thusly:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/2d-graphics.html#nine-patch
When they get packed into an apk they are turned into a PNG graphic with alpha channel.
aapt handles this.
If you take a PNG with sidebars and just zip it, it will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried again and this time after pushing the amended framework-res.apk file (yes, all 28 amendations are nine-patch files) I typed in logcat before rebooting.
Whoosh!!! Lines of information went streaming by faster than I could follow, so much that some of the earliest disappeared from the top of the console window. I have no clue how to extract the text from the console window
The top-most complaint I saw was a reference to system error 1248 in association with the CleanMaster app. Then there seems to be a periodic (15 second) dhcpcd renewal. Eventually there is a section that says "Framework disconnected, eof, failed to read size, closing connection". Then comes a long list of notifications from the Service Manager about all the services that have just died. After that it just continues with the 15-second dhcpcd renewal cycle. Then I gave up and rebooted.
The result is the same as before. The new image backgrounds have been incorporated into the system, but most of the app drawer is just pretty icons. ADW runs--at least the drawer and home page appear. The B&N Home and Library pages load but you can't access any of the books shown. Wi-Fi can be accessed but no apps that use it will run. Occasionally the CleanMaster app throws up an error message.
Here's what I've learned so far:
1. In the original amended framework-res.apk file (for FW 1.10) viewing the archive reveals that the files which have been changed all have an "archive " attribute. None of the original files show any attribute. I don't know whether that is important. I've searched on this topic and have come up with nothing.
2. In moving the amended *.9.png files from the original Russian example for FW 1.10 into a copy of my own framework-res.apk for FW 1.21, those "archive" attributes came along for the ride and the resulting amended file does show "STORE" for the method so I think I got that part right and didn't recompress any files when moving from one apk to another (I dragged the files from one instance of WinRAR to another--I tried 7zip as well...).
But I have no idea why people report that this procedure works just fine. For me, it is predictable, but not successful.
I've just completed yet another restore from backup. I'm going to uninstall CleanMaster and try again. Perhaps it's background activities are driving the process into the ground. I have no clue.

Here's the logcat session file (learned how to get that done!) after a re-try, having removed CleanMaster first.
No change in the outcome but no bleating from the Nook about CleanMaster errors.

I wonder--is it the modified apk that is causing the system to malfunction, or....is it the way it is being pushed back to the Nook?
So..an experiment: I pulled a copy of the stock framework-res.apk from my Nook. I didn't do anything to it at all. Then I pushed it back to the Nook via wireless ABD:
C:\>adb shell
# stop
# mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p5 /system
# ^C
C:\>adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework
C:\>adb shell
# reboot
This is supposed to work, yes? It does not. It leaves me in the same condition that all of the other attempts by this and other methods have. The Nook boots normally and displays Home but you can't access the "currently reading" book. I can get to the app drawer via the quicknav buttons, but very few apps will work (including ADB). There is no way to examine the file system because RootBrowser will not work (although ES File Explorer does, but it doesn't have root access).
So....whether the modified apk is OK or not, I would never know because all of the methods I have tried to get the framework-res.apk back onto the Nook have been unsuccessful.

That procedure should work fine.
Have you checked using the stock framework-res.apk ?

Renate NST said:
That procedure should work fine.
Have you checked using the stock framework-res.apk ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's what I just tried. Just pulled it via ADB and then pushed it right back. I also installed a copy of Root Explorer (I generally used Root Browser) because that's what was used in the original thread on the Russian site where I got started with the whole project. That also yields the same results. The Home screen loads but you can't access the book currently being read from it or from the little button at the top left. You can access any of the QuickNav options. The Library "functions". But you can't access books from their covers and the double-tap does not work.
In the app drawer, ADW seems to work fine but you can only run a very few apps, and none that require wi-fi (although wi-fi works). Too much fiddling around and the Nook spontaneously reboots.
When I have tried to move in the modified apk with the slightly gray background 9.png files I can see that the new image backgrounds have been used in the drop-down menus. This suggests to me that the problem is not in how the 9.png files have been moved from the FW1.10 apk obtained from the Russian site into my FW1.21 apk but rather in the integration of the modified apk into the system. I've checked permissions, etc. Everything is OK but the system is just screwed up.
I'm running FW1.21 which has been rooted using Nook Manager with Gapps added. I've done the multi-touch modification and have swapped in a modified internal.db file which seems to have solved the confusion of the "reading now" button. I have some apps that run along in the background, like Tasker and Clean Master (probably others that I don't realize). Do I need a completely clean system to make this change?

I saw the logcat and it showed that it's unhappy and killing the Android.
I couldn't see exactly where the problem is.
I think that you are doing too many things at once.
If there are specific things that do not work, a logcat when you do that should show.

Renate NST said:
I saw the logcat and it showed that it's unhappy and killing the Android.
I couldn't see exactly where the problem is.
I think that you are doing too many things at once.
If there are specific things that do not work, a logcat when you do that should show.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was probably a little unclear. The ONLY thing that I did when I produced the logcat was attempt to push the modified framework-res.apk file back to the Nook. All those other things mentioned have long ago been successfully accomplished and included in my current backup (which I've had to use dozens of time in the last week or two as I struggle with this framework issue).
The ONLY change to the stock framework-res.apk is the overwriting of 28 *.9.png images with ones copied from another framework-res.apk which, unfortunately, is from FW1.10 (or I'd just use it "as is" without the copying). However, even pushing back an unmodified stock apk results in the same mess.
Like I say, based on what functionality remains when the modified apk file is pushed over, it is clear that the new images are being used, but the system function is severely degraded.
I don't know much about the process, but from what I've read I'm wondering if it would be better to use a zip via CM to deliver this modified file? That way the Android system is not even running (right?) during the replacement procedure.

When you say "stop" Android is no longer running.
Try clearing the cache:
Code:
rm -R /data/dalvik-cache/*

Renate NST said:
When you say "stop" Android is no longer running.
Try clearing the cache:
Code:
rm -R /data/dalvik-cache/*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before pushing? After, but before rebooting?

Anytime that Android is stopped you can clear the cache.

I tried this with a copy of the stock apk:
Code:
C:\>adb shell
# stop
# rm -R /data/dalvik-cache/*
# mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p5 /system
# ^C
C:\>adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework
C:\>adb shell
# reboot
It put me in an very long chase of the black and white dots that I almost thought would be endless but eventually it finished booting and is in the same condition as all the previous methods. Very crippled.
I can't figure it out

First, get the 1.2.1 update off B&N's website and unzip.
Get framework-res.apk out of that and push it.
The stuff in /system/framework should all be chmod 644.
An ADB push probably leaves it with wider access.
None of this should make any difference.
I'd guess that you are either missing a resource in your fw-r or else you modified something else.
Find an app that crashes. Get a logcat of just that crashing.

Renate NST said:
First, get the 1.2.1 update off B&N's website and unzip.
Get framework-res.apk out of that and push it.
The stuff in /system/framework should all be chmod 644.
An ADB push probably leaves it with wider access.
None of this should make any difference.
I'd guess that you are either missing a resource in your fw-r or else you modified something else.
Find an app that crashes. Get a logcat of just that crashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a copy of the FW 1.21 zip from B&N and extracted the framework-res.apk. I didn't try to push it yet. Instead I got the checksum for the current file on the Nook and compared it to the newly minted file. They were identical. I don't think there is any point in trying yet again with the same procedure. If my reasoning is incorrect, I'm certainly game to try anyway.
All files in /system/framework are chmod 644. The Framework folder itself (and the system folder) are something else, but the contents are all 644.
The only modifications I have made after rooting with Nook Manager are the installation of Google Apps, the implementation of multi-touch (I have to go back and look that up to see what all I did, but surely nothing with framework-res.apk or it never would have worked....), editing settings.db to relabel the QuickNav buttons after programming with NTMM, and pushing a modified copy of internal.db to fix the schizo "reading now" button. As i say, these are all long-established changes and the Nook has been stable with them. I think Google apps may modify framework.jar, but I'm not sure.
[I checked on multi-touch. I flashed a new kernal image and added one line to /etc/permissions/required_hardware.xml in order to enable multi-touch...have no idea what "flashed a new kernal" actually did, but it worked]
Two really noob questions: 1) how can I get a logcat of an app crashing when ADB will not run once a copy of framework-res.apk has been pushed? 2) if the Android system is actually stopped when I type "stop"in ADB shell, how does ADB continue to function?
And, actually, apps do not so much "crash" once I've attempted to put in a "new" framework-res.apk--most just refuse to run. But maybe there is something going on in the droid brain while the screen flickers a little and nothing else happens.

ADB runs under Linux, not the Android subsystem.
You should always be able to access ADB.
If ADB isn't running continuously and reliably you have problems.
If some app does not run, give the specific section in logcat where it doesn't run.

[MOD][SCRIPT] Get More Storage by Relocating Dalvik Cache!

DISCLAIMER: YOU AGREE TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR DEVICE IF YOU PROCEED.
The original thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g/general/mod-save-data-space-cache-partition-t2942765) was getting to cluttered up with development and testing so I decided to start a new thread with the "finished" product. The original thread will be renamed to Q&A/Development. We might even ask for the old thread to be closed down. (up to @Bert98, the thread's creator.)
Moto G's internal eMMC card has a ~600Mb partition called /cache, which is not used since the apps' cache is stored in /data, so the latter fills up and the first one stays empty.
Owning a 8Gb model, having 600Mb not available for storage really bugged me, because my phone's memory (/data partition) was always full because it's a 5.7Gb space shared between apps and microSD files.
Now, it may not work for you if:
a) you have A LOT of apps installed.
And by "a lot", I mean more than 90-100 apps, but if you have a 8Gb model, you probably don't
b) you're running ART (this is default in lollipop and newer)
Since ART uses a lot more space than dalvik, the space in the /cache partition probably won't be enough. When I was running ART, it used 1Gb more than dalvik.
Original post by @Bert98
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was tested on my moto g 16GB which is running RetailUS_4.4.4 kitkat with CWM recovery. The custom ROM procedure was tested on the same phone but with cm11 Nightly installed.
Prerequisites:
1. You must have "adb root" functioning. If you don't head to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1687590 and there is a free download link at the bottom of the post.
Download and install the apk on your phone. Open up adbd insecure (the new app) and grant it superuser rights PERMANENTLY. Check the box that says "enable insecure binary" and make sure to check the box
that says "enable at boot."
2. You must have a recovery that can accept adb shell commands.
3. Root Access Duh?!
4. A windows machine capable of running batch files.
5. A decent text editor, notepad will work but notepad++ is strongly recommended. (Only needed if you are using STOCK ROM procedure)
Please, please make a nandroid backup before you continue!!!!
Stock ROM procedure:
Read the directions very carefully and then read them again, before continuing.
1. Download the cachemover_v1.3.zip from: LINK REMOVED DUE TO SCRIPT ISSUES.
2. Extract the contents.
3. Connect device to PC and navigate to the extracted folder.
4. Double click/Run the cachemover_Stock.bat
5. Follow the onscreen instructions until you get to the part where it says to edit a file.
6. About halfway through the script it will pull a file called "init.qcom.post_boot.sh" to the folder.
7. Open it with a TEXT editor and navigate to about line 487 (Might be different for 8gb model). Look here for a better understanding: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jr5lyl5s5i2jtpg/where to paste code.PNG?dl=0
8. Start a new line and paste this code in the file: (Refer to the image above for help)
Code:
chmod 655 /cache
chmod 655 /cache/dalvik-cache
chmod 655 /cache/dalvik-cache/*
9. Make sure to save the file in the same folder as the cachemover_Stock.bat
10. Press any key to continue on the script and let it do its thing.
11. It will reboot several times and land you on the home screen/lock screen.
12. If the script hangs after a reboot, you need to unlock the device to reestablish a connection with your computer.
13. There might be one or two force closes but once you close the notifications they will not come back.
Custom ROM procedure:
USE THIS FOR ROMS THAT DO NOT REMOUNT OR CHANGE PERMISSIONS OF /CACHE ON BOOT
1. Download the cachemover_v1.3.zip from: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bzj34g4q1s61ojz/cachemover_v1.3.zip?dl=0
2. Extract the contents.
3. Connect device to PC and navigate to the extracted folder.
4. Double click/Run the cachemover.bat
5. Follow the onscreen instructions.
If anything goes wrong:
Go to recovery, wipe cache, then wipe dalvik-cache and reboot. This should get your device back to how it was.
(If you used STOCK ROM procedure)
The script made a backup of the "init.qcom.post_boot.sh" file to /sdcard/init_backup
You can restore the shell script to /system/etc/ via shell commands or by using a root browser. To restore permissions:
Code:
chmod 740 /system/etc/init.qcom.post_boot.sh
chown root:root /system/etc/init.qcom.post_boot.sh
Custom ROM procedure already has a restore script!
I am currently working on an auto restore script for stock and that will be relased soon, hopefully! :good:
Changelog:
v1.0 - First stable release. Does not work on STOCK ROM.
v1.1 - Added a restore script.
v1.3 - Added support for STOCK ROM. There are still a few bugs.
How it works?!?!
Coming soon...
Huge thanks to @Bert98 and @dd043
Hit the thanks button if it worked! I went through about 50 factory resets, and reflashed the ROM about 25 times, and put about 10 hours of work into this script! Really motivates me for future projects. :laugh:

Thanks for your help man and effort.
I encountered a problem, everything works up until my device boots in CWM to fix permissions, then just sits there doing not alot I don't even see the option in my CWM.
Any ideas? cheers
Sent from my XT1032 using XDA Free mobile app

When it reboots to cwm unplug the cable and replug it, if it hangs just type these commands manually from a command window.
chmod 655 /cache
chmod 655 /cache/dalvik-cache
chmod 655 /cache/dalvik-cache/*
reboot
If this does not work you may ned to go into mounts & storage in the cwm menu and click mount /cache. Then try the commands again.

I'm having some issues on stock.
I thought 0655 fixed everything but no, I can't install any app after moving the dalvik-cache to /cache. I tried chmoding 0777 on the new cache folder, on /cache itself, to no avail.
Code:
E/dexopt cannot open '/data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]' for output
Anyone can confirm it's not only my device? And/or can help find a fix?
Also does someone knows how to execute commands on a particular init step? Real init.rc scripts can do:
Code:
on post-fs-data
mount -o bind /cache/dalvik /data/dalvik-cache
It there was a way to achieve the same from post_boot/init.d we could mount -o bind /cache/dalvik /data/dalvik-cache and all permissions issues would disappear as well as the need for symlink.

You have a typo in the threads title. Just a heads up.

Vuciz said:
You have a typo in the threads title. Just a heads up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for letting me know!

dd043 said:
I'm having some issues on stock.
I thought 0655 fixed everything but no, I can't install any app after moving the dalvik-cache to /cache. I tried chmoding 0777 on the new cache folder, on /cache itself, to no avail.
Code:
E/dexopt cannot open '/data/dalvik-cache/[email protected]' for output
Anyone can confirm it's not only my device? And/or can help find a fix?
Also does someone knows how to execute commands on a particular init step? Real init.rc scripts can do:
Code:
on post-fs-data
mount -o bind /cache/dalvik /data/dalvik-cache
It there was a way to achieve the same from post_boot/init.d we could mount -o bind /cache/dalvik /data/dalvik-cache and all permissions issues would disappear as well as the need for symlink.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me try and do that right now... Ill get back to you if it does!
My script works on stock btw... But the mount way seems a bit easier and might cause less errors than my way.
Try it please.

skyguy126 said:
Let me try and do that right now... Ill get back to you if it does!
My script works on stock btw... But the mount way seems a bit easier and might cause less errors than my way.
Try it please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I've tried your script, all went well but the result is the same. The script itself works nicely btw
Applications present before moving cache work perfectly, but I can't install anything new. I suspect it might be my device but before wiping everything I'd prefer feedback from others :fingers-crossed:.

I cannot install new apps as well. The mount command you showed me has the same effect too. I honestly don't know anymore, the sym link did not allow the install of new apps nor did the mount command you sent me. Correct me if I am wrong.
Edit: Going through all the init files on my phone to see which one remounts /cache at boot.

Why does the init.rc get overwritten at boot. Is it because the kernel (boot.img) is the one that copies it over? I have found by changing the perms/locations in this file and init.target.rc you can achieve what this mod is trying to acomplish.

I don't see the mount cache command in CWM strange
I've managed to get back to normal, thanks for everyone's help though, I will keep and eye on the thread
Sent from my XT1032 using XDA Free mobile app

non-windows version?
Thanks for this tool. It's a great idea and our Motos really need it.
However, I have a problem - I do not own a windows license (os x and ubuntu user) and I would prefer not to spend $120 just to use it for this script. Pirating is out of the question for me.
I was wondering if there is any chance of having this script written for linux and/or mac. If impossible, is there a LEGAL way of running windows in a virtual machine? Something like a trial or similar?

If you know how just convert it to shell script for osx and Linux. I give you permission to do this but you may not take credit or rehost your creation.

Ok so I have the kernel extracted and we could modify and flash that, but I believe that it's not really necessary. There are a lot of risks to flashing kernels and I am not willing to take it. So is there a way we can modify dalvik so it creates it's cache in /cache instead.

skyguy126 said:
Why does the init.rc get overwritten at boot. Is it because the kernel (boot.img) is the one that copies it over? I have found by changing the perms/locations in this file and init.target.rc you can achieve what this mod is trying to acomplish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the init.rc is in the boot ramdisk. I don't think it would be worth the trouble to rebuild a boot.img. The moto g is fairly unbrickable but it's quite a lot of work to setup an environment to rebuild an image :/.
Too bad for the mount command, I was sure it was working but maybe I had changed something else and don't quite remember the steps to reproduce
We could possibly implement a shell script toggler for when we need to install new apps, but I'm afraid it'd become annoying fairly quickly: I noticed the issue initially because google play services decided to update itself, failed, and broke all google apps. As far as I know this autoupate can't be disabled.
Thanks for trying!

dd043 said:
Yes the init.rc is in the boot ramdisk. I don't think it would be worth the trouble to rebuild a boot.img. The moto g is fairly unbrickable but it's quite a lot of work to setup an environment to rebuild an image :/.
Too bad for the mount command, I was sure it was working but maybe I had changed something else and don't quite remember the steps to reproduce
We could possibly implement a shell script toggler for when we need to install new apps, but I'm afraid it'd become annoying fairly quickly: I noticed the issue initially because google play services decided to update itself, failed, and broke all google apps. As far as I know this autoupate can't be disabled.
Thanks for trying!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about making a simple apk that toggles this feature. Something like when you click the icon it doesn't even open but gives a little notification of success. Something like that. I myself am not experienced with apks but I can put together a shell script for the apk.

skyguy126 said:
Ok so I have the kernel extracted and we could modify and flash that, but I believe that it's not really necessary. There are a lot of risks to flashing kernels and I am not willing to take it. So is there a way we can modify dalvik so it creates it's cache in /cache instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Patching dalvik itself sounds promising. It can probably be done with in a batch script with a command line hex editor.
The path is defined in frameworks/base/cmds/installd/installd.h
Code:
#define DALVIK_CACHE_PREFIX "/data/dalvik-cache/"
Not sure if there is another mention in the source tree.
But there's nothing to say we wouldn't face the same issue, the error message in the logcat is pretty generic

dd043 said:
Patching dalvik itself sounds promising. It can probably be done with in a batch script with a command line hex editor.
The path is defined in frameworks/base/cmds/installd/installd.h
Code:
#define DALVIK_CACHE_PREFIX "/data/dalvik-cache/"
Not sure if there is another mention in the source tree.
But there's nothing to say we wouldn't face the same issue, the error message in the logcat is pretty generic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill try it. I don't mind doing a bunch of resets because I am using my moto g as a test bench anyway. My daily driver is the OnePlus One

dd043 said:
Patching dalvik itself sounds promising. It can probably be done with in a batch script with a command line hex editor.
The path is defined in frameworks/base/cmds/installd/installd.h
Code:
#define DALVIK_CACHE_PREFIX "/data/dalvik-cache/"
Not sure if there is another mention in the source tree.
But there's nothing to say we wouldn't face the same issue, the error message in the logcat is pretty generic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: Unfortunately it didn't work. I don't know if I modified the installd file correctly. The program I used is HxD.

Is there a way we can force dalvik to start after the directories are created. And change dalvik to create it in /cache.