Bootloader hacking - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

So, with all the interest in getting Android on Windows Mobile phones, I am wondering what sort of thing it would take for the community to start a project for hacked booloaders to allow the direct booting of Android. If I remember correctly, the next thing would be to learn to write directly to the DOC chip to allow Android to be flashed to the device.
So, would we as a community be willing to set some sort of bounty to get this in motion?

Hell yes! Let's make this happen. We need to get really organized in our effort to get android on WiMo phones.

Related

[Discussion] Idea for OpenSource NAND Bootloader

Hello everybody.
I know that Cotulla has developed already his own Bootloader but I think it would be the best if we could use one Bootloader who are OpenSource so everyone could work on it !!
Now I searched for some Informations and found these very interested Article:
little-kernel-based-android-bootloader/
Here a little summary of the Article and basic Informations:
The bootloader does the basic task of hardware initialization, reading the Linux kernel & ramdisk from nand device and loading it up to RAM, setting up initial registers and command line arguments for Linux kernel and jumps to the kernel.
In context of support for Qualcomm chipsets and Android, the bootloader currently supports:
* Variety of nand devices for bootup
* USB driver to enable upgrading images over usb during development
* Keypad driver to enable developers enter ‘fastboot’ mode for image upgrades
* Display driver for debugging and splash screen
* Enable Android recovery image and image upgrades
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now we have to find some Persons who would help to develop little Bootloader !
Here are some thing who we are needing:
How to build Bootloader ??
How to build flashable Version of Bootloader ??
I think the first Point of work are to know how we could build Programm which are we could dump into "NBH-Files" to let us flash it ??
I hope that we could find some Persons who would help me with these Project !!
Greeetz Oliver
do you even know how to program in the first place?
This serves no practical application whatsoever.
Cotulla has already written a perfectly functional bootloader that can boot Android, WM6.5.x, and WP7. What is an open source version going to give us that this one doesn't. Let's all redo everything he just did, only not as good, so we can say it's "open source".
This isn't an OS, nor a kernel, nor anything other than a bootloader, it makes no sense to spend months redoing something in the name of open source when that isn't going to help us at all. Cotulla is probably the only person who could do such a thing anyways. How do I know this? Well, he's the only person who HAS done it. We don't even need the source code for this thing honestly. It's like messing with the source code for HSPL, there's no need. Once it's done, it's done, and no one knows that stuff better than Cotulla anyways.
What exactly are you looking to accomplish here?
Im an HD2 user and very interested in nand for HD2, as many others users, i really want to install android on nand. As i know, the android for HD2 now is ready, we are only waiting for bootloaded, but I feel that it takes forever for waiting this thing.
sorry for my bad english
Better to wait a while for the bootloader and have it built and tested right. If it is released early it has the protential to brick a lot of phones properly as it will be replacing the orgional bootloader. Be patient people, the devs are doing an amazing job!
OK now I read that nobody seems to be interested and we have to used Cotullas Bootloader I personaly break at this point and says thanks for the comments !!
MOD Please Close this Thread !!!
orangekid said:
This serves no practical application whatsoever.
Cotulla has already written a perfectly functional bootloader that can boot Android, WM6.5.x, and WP7. What is an open source version going to give us that this one doesn't. Let's all redo everything he just did, only not as good, so we can say it's "open source".
This isn't an OS, nor a kernel, nor anything other than a bootloader, it makes no sense to spend months redoing something in the name of open source when that isn't going to help us at all. Cotulla is probably the only person who could do such a thing anyways. How do I know this? Well, he's the only person who HAS done it. We don't even need the source code for this thing honestly. It's like messing with the source code for HSPL, there's no need. Once it's done, it's done, and no one knows that stuff better than Cotulla anyways.
What exactly are you looking to accomplish here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With such highly lyrical appraisal, I guess you must have MAGLDR flashed on your phone..?
Cotulla has been criticized by several developpers as talented as he is for keeping his bootloader closed source, even if it's his right. The point? His source code could inspire other devs working on other devices. So making a new bootloader out of scratch may be tough, I think personally that it's a good intitiative.
Without knowing everything at stake, what were you trying to accomplish here anyway?
Beretta93 said:
With such highly lyrical appraisal, I guess you must have MAGLDR flashed on your phone..?
Cotulla has been criticized by several developpers as talented as he is for keeping his bootloader closed source, even if it's his right. The point? His source code could inspire other devs working on other devices. So making a new bootloader out of scratch may be tough, I think personally that it's a good intitiative.
Without knowing everything at stake, what were you trying to accomplish here anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm certainly entitled to my opinion, just as you are.
It seems fruitless to me for someone to take months to develop an open source version of a bootloader already developed.
The developers' time could be better spent on things as yet undeveloped.
I am sure that if developers on other devices want some help, Cotulla would be willing to help them on IRC anyways.
I have not seen actual developers criticize Cotulla for not releasing his source code for magldr, only a few forum members who have not developed anything.
The developers I have seen have all praised him for creating the bootloader, porting WP7, helping with NAND development and other feats.
Maybe I missed something...
Honestly it's not the worst idea even and I do see theoretically someone might want to attempt it, it just seems like a horrendous waste of time and it seems the best developers on this site have day jobs and I don't see them spending their free time redeveloping something in the name of open source.
orangekid said:
Well I'm certainly entitled to my opinion, just as you are.
It seems fruitless to me for someone to take months to develop an open source version of a bootloader already developed.
The developers' time could be better spent on things as yet undeveloped.
I am sure that if developers on other devices want some help, Cotulla would be willing to help them on IRC anyways.
I have not seen actual developers criticize Cotulla for not releasing his source code for magldr, only a few forum members who have not developed anything.
The developers I have seen have all praised him for creating the bootloader, porting WP7, helping with NAND development and other feats.
Maybe I missed something...
Honestly it's not the worst idea even and I do see theoretically someone might want to attempt it, it just seems like a horrendous waste of time and it seems the best developers on this site have day jobs and I don't see them spending their free time redeveloping something in the name of open source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You surely did miss something, it happened on htc_linux IRC chat, several times.
The problem is that MAGLDR is not out yet , and anything can happen today or tomorrow forcing DFT team to drop the project suddenly, sending all the work on NAND drivers LeTama, Gauner1986 and others did go to garbage.
The fact that one person has full hand to such a project has its pros, for it can be dangerous to deliver a bootloader that might brick phones everywhere around the globe out of the blue, and cons, since no one knows what may happen to threaten the project life.
So I think an alternative is welcome, and the point I agree with you, is that it should have come really earlier, like 2 or 3 months ago...but never too late it is friend.
Beretta93 said:
You surely did miss something, it happened on htc_linux IRC chat, several times.
The problem is that MAGLDR is not out yet , and anything can happen today or tomorrow forcing DFT team to drop the project suddenly, sending all the work on NAND drivers LeTama, Gauner1986 and others did go to garbage.
The fact that one person has full hand to such a project has its pros, for it can be dangerous to deliver a bootloader that might brick phones everywhere around the globe out of the blue, and cons, since no one knows what may happen to threaten the project life.
So I think an alternative is welcome, and the point I agree with you, is that it should have come really earlier, like 2 or 3 months ago...but never too late it is friend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Cotulla has got MAGLDR im not to sure but from my point of view,ide much rather wait for him to do it and have it done properly as he knows what hes doing rether than someone else do it and not having it work 100%.Cotulla has put an awfull lot of time and effort into sorting out this NAND and it will come,we just be all patient but when it does come,our device will be truelly awsome,having the abillity to boot 3 or more Os,itle deffienetly give our HD2 a couple of more years life before we get somin else,its been a while in the making and i reckon we could see it be released early next year.Well as the saying goes,all good things come to those who wait
Just wow again. I am always amazed at how impatient people reason...it is so...one sided.
It is the ethical responsibility of anyone making an offering to the public free or otherwise to deliver a product that is not harmful or damaging. If I started giving out free hot dogs on the corner, and warned the public that they MIGHT get e-coli if they eat it, how long do you think I would last before I was shut down for endangering the public...? Even with inanimate objects people have lost in court for damaging property with a faulty product that was given away for free.
If MAGLDR had been released and it was faulty this place would be inundated with complaint after complaint by the same people who are moaning because it is not out yet.
The OP's reasoning is WAY out there! Hmm I want a Playstation 4 , but it has not been released and who knows what is happening with it or when it will be out, so we should get a group and do this ourselves...
All I need is...
1. Someone to design it
2. Someone to build it
Really we get the right people, we could do it!
Gee. Original. Well covered. You are a project manager aren't you?
Excuse me, I need to go clean up some of this sarcasm.
J
Guys, this isn't a topic for your opinions. If you have something constructive to add to the topic of the thread, please do so, if not, I'll remind you that this is a developers forum and no matter how frivoulous an attempt you think it might be, it still has a place at XDA.
Locking this up as per OP's request.

Samsung Wave Android Port Any Chances ?

hey now that the bada zone is finally open i just wanted to know if there is any chance to port android to the wave i mean bada runs on linux so there must be a way.
i just want to know it for a friend that hate hes phone now coz of bada haha
i mean i have lgp500 with droid so i am happy if somebody got anynews please do report thx.
If you had some devs, who were ready to work on that project and if they found possibilities to have an breaktrough in to the Bada/Wave system, it would be possible to port Android to the Wave. But it still needs a lot of time and work to have an usable Android port. Some tried it some already resigned.
At the moment there are no big plans or progresses in this way.
By the way many smartphones/tablet OS runs on a Linux kernel. But it doesn't mean that they are similar to each other or that Bada is similar to Android.
Not to mention that the current bada phones don't use Linux for a kernel, but NucleusRTOS (as part of SHP). There is nothing in common with today's Android phones!
The JetDroid project is much closer.
There is already a thread open discussing this matter *HERE* so please post there as 2 threads talking about the exact same thing isnt productive to your goal.
Thread closed.
Mark.

[Q] Is there a full detail guide to rom building?

Hey guy's (please don't flame me to bad still a little new to the forums) I have looked over many guides but they don't really go over Samsung mostly HTC. I have the source from Samsung for the 2.1-update-1 and have been looking at it but not sure what i am really looking at. If anyone can maybe shed some light on it...of course i could be just confusing myself and its simpler then i think. I have been reading a paper on how to build linux from scratch to get that understanding considering Android is linux in all reality...
Thanks ahead of time guys.
Not to be mean, but unless you understand the code, all you'll be doing is copying/pasting into terminal to get a build. Which isn't very useful if you are trying to learn something.
If you are actually looking at building the OS and manipulating the underlying code, go ahead and grab a C book. It'll take even an intelligent person a good deal of time to understand it all.
As far as putting some APKs into a zip file and calling it a rom, well there's tons of stuff on that laying around, most of that is scripting. If you get into rebuiling the APKs with Smalli - there is code involved there - but you will need to know how java works for it to make sense to you there...might as well learn that while your at it.
Well i know C++/C# and java (took them in college and currently use them for my job) so it shouldn't take too long..i guess i just need to dig into the code and go from there. I don't want to copy past thats definitely out of the question. Have any pointers where i should start and see if i can grasp this or just stick with using other custom rom's which in the end if thats what i do that's fine by me just wanted to get into it myself.
PS: didn't take what you said as mean lol any criticism or help is always appreciated.
^
What he said.
There are a bunch of mini-guides to teach you to copy and paste some stuff, but little in terms of a clear concise guide. I've been working on learning to do a rom myself, but I learned to program in C and Java on unix and linux machines in college. You're going to have to spend a lot of time reading and learning things that you won't be sure you'll ever really need to in order to do any meaningful dev work with that source.
Start using linux on a home machine. Start learning C. And pick up a book called "Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment" to begin to understand how the low level parts of a linux operating system work. Then you will be much better prepared to see how it all works together.
edit: Looks like we both replied at the same time. I guess you can ignore the above post.
lol, i will look into that book for sure though. I have been slowly getting back into linux i use to use it all the time then somethings i was working on and a few apps i was using i had to switch to mostly Microsoft and lost a lot of my Linux knowledge (which sucks) but i will start there thanks again!
I think if you are familiar with the code you are ready for what you want to do. Seeing as how you are reading htc development guides tells me your searching cause that's all that you can really find online. You dont know the steps to take to actually build that source your looking at. First thing is you need your development machine set up to build. I hope youve done that already if not, source.android.com will get you through that. You need the sdk and all that. Next you hook the phone up usb debugging and from within your android folder (mydroid) run extract.sh that willful the samsung files into your environment. From here it will be similar to the htc guides for building but you have the files in front of you to edit you just need to research the structure of linux and those files. Also you need to get familiar with building a kernela well to see how they interact. Good luck
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Learning to develop

I've been around this site quite a while now and have really wondered what its like to develop a rom or a kernel or even an app for that manner. Is they any way i could take the steps to learn even the basics of doing this? Even if it meant developing for the new windows phones or something, i just wanted to know how to do something...
Rocklee99 said:
I've been around this site quite a while now and have really wondered what its like to develop a rom or a kernel or even an app for that manner. Is they any way i could take the steps to learn even the basics of doing this? Even if it meant developing for the new windows phones or something, i just wanted to know how to do something...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some basic tutorials on app development can be found at http://developer.android.com/ and I do mean basic, but it will get you going.
You can also get the book Sam's Teach Yourself Android Application Development in 24 hours. It's really good and starts you, from the ground up, building applications and test with various platforms.

Complete HTC HD2 Guide, part of Android Dev Codex (merge with XDA-University)

> Abstract: I have consolidating a complete, monolithic, and community editable guide to the HTC HD2, since none has existed prior. Come in and help with the guide.
The HTC HD2 is probably one of the most awesome devices ever made, with a long-running developer community, attracted by the HD2's ability to run a dizzying array of operating systems
Unfortunately, owing to it's messy evolution, the guides for most devices on XDA are, (quite honestly, no offense), outdated and disorganized, divided among tons of guides and maintained by OPs who may or may not be active. The reality is, forums are great for development and asking questions, but they are bad for constantly fluctuating guides that demand community support. The result is the status quo on XDA; newbies constantly asking "obvious" questions about methods and issues long since solved.
To rectify this situation, I have been creating a complete, monolithic, and community editable guide to the HD2. It takes you all the way from boring ol' Windows Mobile 6 to the greatness of triple-booting Windows Phone 7, Android, and full-blown Linux on one phone. It will also give readers a few tips and tricks for troubleshooting common problems, and using the phone in general.
https://github.com/bibanon/android-development-codex/wiki/HTC-HD2
This guide is part of the Android Development Codex, an initative to create a customized and functionally complete modding guide for every device we can get our hands on.The entire thing is stored on Github Wiki, so you can edit it if you have a github account.
## The Android Development Codex is not finished! Why are you releasing it now?
Originally, I was going to keep the Android Development Codex an anniversary secret until all the guides for the devices I owned were complete. However, a new project called "XDA University" is being started, so am prematurely releasing my work to the community and awaiting further developments. As a result, only the HTC HD2 and the HTC Droid Incredible have functionally complete guides at the moment.
If anyone knows the people who have a hand in creating the XDA University, please PM me, because I have some very good insight and great ideas to make that project a success, not to mention data.

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