Database Users

[Q] Making those NAND System.img files

Howdy all,
Just wondering, how are the system.img files made? I have read that if it's a YAFFS image file, that the maximum filesize cannot exceed 128MB. However, I've seen on some NAND HD2 Android builds, the system.img filesize is >128MB.
My question is, what method are you guys using for making the NAND system.img files to flash within MAGLDR? (ie. is it like a ZIP archive with a .img extension on it)
I'm currently working on a remix of a ROM that I use (a hint is in my Sig), and I know that the update.zip method that was used on "true-Android" devices to change ROMs doesn't apply to our MAGLDR method now.
Cheers and I'm sure you'll see another ROM for the HD2 in the coming weeks!
IcedCube.

IcedCube said:
Howdy all,
Just wondering, how are the system.img files made? I have read that if it's a YAFFS image file, that the maximum filesize cannot exceed 128MB. However, I've seen on some NAND HD2 Android builds, the system.img filesize is >128MB.
My question is, what method are you guys using for making the NAND system.img files to flash within MAGLDR? (ie. is it like a ZIP archive with a .img extension on it)
I'm currently working on a remix of a ROM that I use (a hint is in my Sig), and I know that the update.zip method that was used on "true-Android" devices to change ROMs doesn't apply to our MAGLDR method now.
Cheers and I'm sure you'll see another ROM for the HD2 in the coming weeks!
IcedCube.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The system.img is a yaffs2image. Google 'compiled windows unyaffs' use that program to take a peak inside the .img. When you're completely ready to make your own .img your gonna need a linux distro or cygwin w/mkyaff2image compiled. However I recomend compiling the mkfs.yaffs2 command if you are using linux. Alternatively you can place the /system/ directory you are trying to make an image on your SD and run that command in the terminal emulator in Android. It should look like this #mkyaffs2image /sdcard/system/ System.img
Hope that helps.

KillaHurtz said:
The system.img is a yaffs2image. Google 'compiled windows unyaffs' use that program to take a peak inside the .img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this give you write abilities so that files can be changed out pre-flash?

dharvey4651 said:
Does this give you write abilities so that files can be changed out pre-flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have to dump them to a folder, then you can change what you want. Then do the yaffs2 cmd and it will package it back up to .img for flashing...
Chris

noellenchris said:
I think you have to dump them to a folder, then you can change what you want. Then do the yaffs2 cmd and it will package it back up to .img for flashing...
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that a tutorial is in order. Someone who knows how to extract and replace files in a system.img needs to write a short tutorial on how to do it. - A simple step by step on how to decompile a system.img and re-compile it.
I for one would be extremely grateful because I finally worked out a perfect MMS patch and I'd like to be able to easily modify the builds pre-flash.

dharvey4651 said:
I think that a tutorial is in order. Someone who knows how to extract and replace files in a system.img needs to write a short tutorial on how to do it.
I for one would be extremely grateful because I finally worked out a perfect MMS patch and I'd like to be able to easily modify the builds pre-flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been trying to do that all night. I can unpack them but haven't got around to repacking them. For now all I do is install the build and push the patched file that I have and do a AD hardrest in MAGLDR. MMS 300-1024k and all TMO US app works.

dharvey4651 said:
I think that a tutorial is in order. Someone who knows how to extract and replace files in a system.img needs to write a short tutorial on how to do it. - A simple step by step on how to decompile a system.img and re-compile it.
I for one would be extremely grateful because I finally worked out a perfect MMS patch and I'd like to be able to easily modify the builds pre-flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, it would be very nice if smb can write some tutorial on modifying system.img files

i have been trying to figure this out too!

IcedCube said:
This is IcedCube, the Developer of GingerHD2, a Android 2.3 ROM for your HD2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought I should point out that you could really confuse things by using that name...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=871387
That's not actually a Gingerbread build - it's just themed to look like one, but still got the same name

hnamanh said:
I have been trying to do that all night. I can unpack them but haven't got around to repacking them. For now all I do is install the build and push the patched file that I have and do a AD hardrest in MAGLDR. MMS 300-1024k and all TMO US app works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another option is to connect to ADB or Android Commander before going through the initial setup(when it asks you to choose your language) and change the files then - use the PC to reboot the phone, not the phone's built-in reboot. This should take you right back to the setup screen where this time, should show United States localization.
Still a bit too much work. I'd like to be able to patch the build, flash it, and be good to go.

found this but too educated for me
http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack,_Edit,_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images
sorry i think this one is normal data img.not sure.
well i did say it was too educated for me

Turorial
KillaHurtz said:
The system.img is a yaffs2image. Google 'compiled windows unyaffs' use that program to take a peak inside the .img. When you're completely ready to make your own .img your gonna need a linux distro or cygwin w/mkyaff2image compiled. However I recomend compiling the mkfs.yaffs2 command if you are using linux. Alternatively you can place the /system/ directory you are trying to make an image on your SD and run that command in the terminal emulator in Android. It should look like this #mkyaffs2image /sdcard/system/ System.img
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, let's start again. If you are using windows, google the said phrase above and you will find the precompiled utility 'unyaffs'.
Place the System.img you want to extract in a new directory with unyaffs.exe & drag the .img onto unyaffs. A command window will open and start extracting the files in the image to that same folder. You can now explore & edit/pull whatever you need to get things going. Once you have it the way you want copt it to your SD/root/ & make a folder for it with an obvious name like "Project" or "Test". Now to get it back into a bootable .img open Terminal Emulator in Android & enter the following
#mkyaffs2image /sdcard/NAMEofFOLDERuCHOSE/ System.img
**alternatively you can do this in windows itself if u have the utility compiled under cygwin or simular.
Linux
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, you will need the unyaffs & mkfs.yaffs2 utilities compiled and working 1st off.
mkyaffs2image works to make the image however it fails upon flash with DFT Android Flasher. So I recomend mkfs.yaffs2 & have included it, you will need to place it in /usr/sbin/. If you have trouble copying it open a terminal and run "gksudo nautilus" then copy to the above mentioned directory.
**Now that those utilities are working let's get to work.
open a terminal and run 'unyaffs /home/yourusername/Desktop/targetdirectory/targetimage.img
copy/edit/pull the files you want. When your ready to build the image you are happy with open a terminal and run 'mkfs.yaffs2 /home/yourusername/Desktop/targetdirectory/ System.img'
Now your ready to flash !
System.img & Boot.img Contents
============================================================
System.img contains the entire root/system/ directory in Android
System/
app
bin
etc
fonts
framework
lib
lost+found
media
usr
xbin
build.prop
dmesg.txt
Boot.img contains
Boot/
initrd.gz
zImage
lost+found
============================================================
Hope that helps guys, It's my first tut on XDA
**EDIT: I included an archive for windows users that has unyaffs2.exe & cygwin1.dll
The Linux archive contains mkfs.yaffs2.x86, once moved to /usr/sbin/ rename to mkfs.yaffs2
The process works exactly the same for Boot.img

you need linux and run command by terminal
put them in /bin
http://www23.zippyshare.com/v/13814384/file.html
then you can yaffs or unyaffs
example
unyaffs /home/rafpigna/folder_with_img_you_wann_unpack/system.img
or
mkyaffs2image /home/rafpigna/folder_with_stuff_you_wanna_pack/ system.img

strange thing...when I open with unyaffs and then close with mkfs.yaffs2 or mkyaffs2image I get init: untracked pid 250 exited (where 250 varies) in a loop :S
some light for me?

michyprima said:
strange thing...when I open with unyaffs and then close with mkfs.yaffs2 or mkyaffs2image I get init: untracked pid 250 exited (where 250 varies) in a loop :S
some light for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What platform are you using? Have u tried copying your target directory to your sdcard and running the command in android's terminal?
Reguards

KillaHurtz said:
What platform are you using? Have u tried copying your target directory to your sdcard and running the command in android's terminal?
Reguards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
linux x64.
btw no I didn't, because I want to make a rom (I'm not new to android development but that makes me think that I'm probably stupid )
Everything I do doesn't work.
Already tried something like:
- opened a premade working rom, exchanged just app and framework: no way
- exchanged everything but not bin/xbin/lib: no way
- exchanged just what was different between a stock and a premade leo rom: still no way
mmmh...

yaffs2
There is actually a way to modify files in a yaffs2 image but I've not done it my self yet. I'm 100% sure it's possible cuz everything is possible.... under Linux of course.
You need:
Linux, compiling skills, mounting skills, etc.
Basically for any other filesystems you can mount them as loop devices but not yaffs2. For yaffs2 you actually need a virtual mtd block device. once you have the mtd device you can mount the yaffs image on it.
For details google for: mounting yaffs image
and focus on virtual mtd block device.

michyprima said:
linux x64.
btw no I didn't, because I want to make a rom (I'm not new to android development but that makes me think that I'm probably stupid )
Everything I do doesn't work.
Already tried something like:
- opened a premade working rom, exchanged just app and framework: no way
- exchanged everything but not bin/xbin/lib: no way
- exchanged just what was different between a stock and a premade leo rom: still no way
mmmh...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.miui-dev.com/forums/showthread.php?481-Howto-Make-your-own-Android-Build-for-the-HD2
This has a list of files to be pulled. Hope this helps. BTW michy I need help with a kernel, know anyone?

I'm Having a problem using on Linix, when i use the unyaffs trough the terminal it extracts the rom but not the squashed contents, which in the main apps and frame work are at on thoughs roms. I do get a file that says squashed but empty. I tried on cyanogens 6.1 rom and everything extracted fine.but that rom does not have a squashed folder, am i doing something wrong?

1. If i unyaffs System.img and manually remove some programs/aplications then create System.img with yaffs, does it programs will appear in apps and does my rom will be caused a more memory for other programs for installation?
2. Is it possible to unyaffs Boot.img then replace zimage with newest kernel like MDJ or hastarin then yaffs to new Boot.img, After that i suppose then this Android OS will be on new kernel???
3. And... If i remove zimage and initrd.gz from Boot.img, create new Boot.img without these two files and these two files copy to SD card and define that two files in flash.cfg for find on SD. Does it works?
Sorry for bad English.

custom update.zip for gapps

FIRST: I know that there are custom ROMs and this has been done via root/etc. I want as vanilla of a gtab as possble (i've tried the TnT Enhancement pack and I have all sorts of issues w/ viewing mp4 files and the device locking up 'Scanning the SD card' that I don't have w/ the OTA updates)
I'm trying to create a custom update.zip that will JUST install the gapps on my gtab. I've got the necessary files from a previous thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
I've created a directory struction w/ update\system (with the files in the gapps zip from the thread) and update\META-INF\com\google\android with an update-script that says:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
I zip it up and sign it:
java -classpath testsign.jar testsign my1stupdate.zip update.zip
then I go to install it, have the \recovery with the command file that says "--update_package=SDCARD2:/update.zip" and it looks like it's installing it fine (get the standard square status screen with the install package icon looking like its going to install) until within a second or two I get the triangle with the exclaimation point in the middle and it reboots (package never gets installed)
what am I missing? anyone provide some insight into how I can figure out what happened to troubleshoot further?
Thanks in advance.
-Deniz

Do you mean something like this which is only the Google apps? No sense in reinventing the wheel.
http://android.d3xt3r01.tk/cyanogen/gapps/gapps-mdpi-tegra-20101020-signed.zip

tullywork;11012789
I'm trying to create a custom update.zip that will JUST install the gapps on my gtab. I've got the necessary files from a previous thread: [url said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209[/url]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure why you are reading an old/closed thread when that thread actually directs you to the currently stickied thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9257637

tullywork said:
FIRST: I know that there are custom ROMs and this has been done via root/etc. I want as vanilla of a gtab as possble (i've tried the TnT Enhancement pack and I have all sorts of issues w/ viewing mp4 files and the device locking up 'Scanning the SD card' that I don't have w/ the OTA updates)
I'm trying to create a custom update.zip that will JUST install the gapps on my gtab. I've got the necessary files from a previous thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827209
I've created a directory struction w/ update\system (with the files in the gapps zip from the thread) and update\META-INF\com\google\android with an update-script that says:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
I zip it up and sign it:
java -classpath testsign.jar testsign my1stupdate.zip update.zip
then I go to install it, have the \recovery with the command file that says "--update_package=SDCARD2:/update.zip" and it looks like it's installing it fine (get the standard square status screen with the install package icon looking like its going to install) until within a second or two I get the triangle with the exclaimation point in the middle and it reboots (package never gets installed)
what am I missing? anyone provide some insight into how I can figure out what happened to troubleshoot further?
Thanks in advance.
-Deniz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what you want is a stock rooted rom with gapps? I wanted the same exact thing, if this is what you wanted let me know and I will let you know how i did it

1st: thanks for the replies.
I looked at the CyanogenMod update.zip and it has 33 different apks that get installed, which again, I don't want all the 'garbage' just gapps (they've got twitter, facebook, carhome, htc email/etc, passion quickoffice...etc..etc).
I've rooted it successfully and installed GApps, so I know how to get it to work successfully....i was just hoping for something easier (eg. load the update.zip on boot after doing a clean NVFlash and all the gapps stuff was there).
I was also hoping to learn a bit more about building my own update.zip and curious what I did wrong (i got pretty far along before it choked), obviously there are probably easier wasy to get this done other than building an update.zip, the learning is half the fun right?!
Thanks again for your replies/help.
-D

I do not have a gtab but a advent vega and believe they are similar.
I made a update.zip from the market_update.zip. Just added the apps i wanted to system/app folder in the zip file, and flash from the software update tool. Not sure if my edited one will work on the gtab because it has the advent vega framework to give a small taskbar.
Original thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931337
I have posted the original unedited one, hope it helps you out

Unpack stock System.img?

Hello Moto
I've just downloaded Verizon Jelly Bean 4.1.1 by "Firmware Team".
Just to play with it a little, extract apks and test them on Galaxy SII Skyrocket.
The thing is i'm having a hard time opening system.img.
Now i've tried LinuxReader, Unyaffs and ext2explore/read but none of these can open it, they all say that it's an unrecognized image.
Do you guys know how to properly open a stock moto System.img?

lingowistico said:
Hello Moto
I've just downloaded Verizon Jelly Bean 4.1.1 by "Firmware Team".
Just to play with it a little, extract apks and test them on Galaxy SII Skyrocket.
The thing is i'm having a hard time opening system.img.
Now i've tried LinuxReader, Unyaffs and ext2explore/read but none of these can open it, they all say that it's an unrecognized image.
Do you guys know how to properly open a stock moto System.img?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google for a tool called simg2img (I used the python script that appears in get first few results, there should be other versions as well). That will unpack the image into a plain ext4 image that you can mount with any Linux pc (I recommend using a virtual machine if you have windows or mac).
Happy hacking!
Sent from my XT907

aslomagic, did you try this with the firmware lingowistico is talking about? I also tried before to unpack system.img from this package, and system.img.ext4 from ICS package, and another ICS soft for XT897, and all of them give "Bad magic" error in simg2img. All of those softs are published by the same "Firmware Team" - maybe that's the case? I also tried dsixda kitchen (which also uses simg2img, but anyway...) and it also didn't work. Might be also some custom Motorola's approach to system.img....
Could you possibly help? Thanks.

micx_pl said:
aslomagic, did you try this with the firmware lingowistico is talking about? I also tried before to unpack system.img from this package, and system.img.ext4 from ICS package, and another ICS soft for XT897, and all of them give "Bad magic" error in simg2img. All of those softs are published by the same "Firmware Team" - maybe that's the case? I also tried dsixda kitchen (which also uses simg2img, but anyway...) and it also didn't work. Might be also some custom Motorola's approach to system.img....
Could you possibly help? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I know for a fact that those images are packed ext4, but I haven't tried specifically with that one.
Now that you mention, I think I remember signed images (like those ones) have some additional header, maybe that needs to be removed with an hex editor, or with dd of you like
If I get a chance, I'll try and report back...
Sent from my XT907

aslomagic said:
Well, I know for a fact that those images are packed ext4, but I haven't tried specifically with that one.
Now that you mention, I think I remember signed images (like those ones) have some additional header, maybe that needs to be removed with an hex editor, or with dd of you like
If I get a chance, I'll try and report back...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I tried, and yes, it complains it cannot find the magic (again, I'm using the python script). I modified the script to look for the magic value in the first 50Mb of the file, and if it finds it, it starts unpacking from there. Python scripts are very easy to play with
It seems to work for me, but I don't have a linux vm handy to see if it mounts correctly (I'm currently on a mac). micx_pl, can you give it a try and let me know?
I had to zip the file even though it's very small because the forum won't let me upload a .py file... who knows, just unzip it.

Holy cow! It works! You're the master I was looking for such solution everywhere, and was stunned to see barely few topics with similar problem, and no solution at all. Thanks!

micx_pl said:
Holy cow! It works! You're the master I was looking for such solution everywhere, and was stunned to see barely few topics with similar problem, and no solution at all. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome, glad I could help!
Sent from my XT907

aslomagic said:
Ok, I tried, and yes, it complains it cannot find the magic (again, I'm using the python script). I modified the script to look for the magic value in the first 50Mb of the file, and if it finds it, it starts unpacking from there. Python scripts are very easy to play with
It seems to work for me, but I don't have a linux vm handy to see if it mounts correctly (I'm currently on a mac). micx_pl, can you give it a try and let me know?
I had to zip the file even though it's very small because the forum won't let me upload a .py file... who knows, just unzip it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HOLY $#!+ THANKS!!! I've been trying to decompress the moto images for awhile and have never been able to do it until now

Would it be possible to modify make_ext4fs to re-sparse the image and copy the original signature?

Q9Nap said:
Would it be possible to modify make_ext4fs to re-sparse the image and copy the original signature?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome to try ... my guess is that it could be made to work if the image was an official, originally signed image that was unpacked by the script above or equivalent, but if you want to modify it, re-pack it and re-attach the signature, most likely the signature won't match the content. But I may be wrong, so if somebody is willing to try, best of luck to you
If your goal is just to create a packed image, but not necessarily signed (needs bootloader unlock), then I'd say it's definitely possible, search around here.

aslomagic said:
You're welcome to try ... my guess is that it could be made to work if the image was an official, originally signed image that was unpacked by the script above or equivalent, but if you want to modify it, re-pack it and re-attach the signature, most likely the signature won't match the content. But I may be wrong, so if somebody is willing to try, best of luck to you
If your goal is just to create a packed image, but not necessarily signed (needs bootloader unlock), then I'd say it's definitely possible, search around here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm sure you're right about the signature not working on a modified image; it was just wishful thinking. the idea of course would be to inject superuser.apk and su, which wouldn't be necessary on a bootloader unlocked device.
for bootloader unlocked devices though, the ability to repack a modified image does give you another way to build custom roms. here's the code to unpack and repack images with simg2img.py and make_ext4fs:
Code:
mkdir system
./simg2img.py system.img.ext4 system.raw
sudo mount -t ext4 -o loop system.raw system/
#make changes, then:
wc -c system.raw #lists size in bytes of system.raw
sudo make_ext4fs -s -l 1234567890 -a system system.img system/ #where 1234567890 is output from wc -c
sudo umount system
rm -rf system
i've used this proecess with samsung system images, should work for moto images now too (bootloader unlocked, of course)

Yep, it's a good cheat sheet reference
Besides, on razr m and hd at least, you can also use this with safestrap without unlocking the bootloader.

aslomagic said:
Besides, on razr m and hd at least, you can also use this with safestrap without unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean by this; do you mean you could mount a modified system.img with safestrap? I guess it's possible since safestrap uses a system.img on the emmc, interesting idea

Q9Nap said:
Not sure what you mean by this; do you mean you could mount a modified system.img with safestrap? I guess it's possible since safestrap uses a system.img on the emmc, interesting idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's what I mean, more or less. You don't need safestrap to just mount it (use the terminal and "mount"), but you can use it to boot from it and try it.
I did this to try the Telstra image that pjcons dumped, which is pre-rooted and not signed (there it's no official signed image to date), and with a few tricks it worked without me having to unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my XT907

aslomagic said:
Google for a tool called simg2img (I used the python script that appears in get first few results, there should be other versions as well). That will unpack the image into a plain ext4 image that you can mount with any Linux pc (I recommend using a virtual machine if you have windows or mac).
Happy hacking!
Sent from my XT907
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello, i cant find anything on the basics of how this works, could you point me somewhere that explains it step by step or do one here. sorry of the noob question

TheWhiteChallenger said:
hello, i cant find anything on the basics of how this works, could you point me somewhere that explains it step by step or do one here. sorry of the noob question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1588461

CNexus said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1588461
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link I need to go learn Linux now. Lol I dontbgt the virtual machine thing at all. Its basically a Linux emulator right?
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

TheWhiteChallenger said:
Thanks for the link I need to go learn Linux now. Lol I dontbgt the virtual machine thing at all. Its basically a Linux emulator right?
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to
http://sourceforge.net/projects/androidicsjbext/

CNexus said:
No need to
http://sourceforge.net/projects/androidicsjbext/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh damn it. ok first i do appreciate the help. but that sucked. that was the frist program i tryed and it gives me "unknown file format" have i just been screwing up from the begining?

[6045*] [TWRP] custom recovery 2.8.7.0

TWRP 2.8.7.0 custom recovery
thanx to user @Unjustified Dev we have TWRP custom recovery for our phone.
download HERE
So anyone who download the TWRP should send him a dollar for beer or at least thank him!
Of course you do everything on your own!
To test before installation (linux users need sudo before fastboot):
Code:
fastboot -i 0x1bbb boot twrp-2.8.7.0-idol3.img
To install (linux users need sudo before fastboot):
Code:
fastboot -i 0x1bbb flash recovery twrp-2.8.7.0-idol3.img
!BEFORE YOU START, PLEASE READ THIS!
And don´t forget to thank Famewolf for the tutorial, because this could save your phone when something go bad!​

Thanks, tried it. It worked.
I also just installed SU directly, bypassing the previous root thread.
1. Download the .zip package from here: https://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip
2. Put it on the root of my SD card.
3. In TWRP click install and find the .zip.

Wonderful. Just a question: is this recovery for Idol 3 4.7 (6039) or 5.5 (6045) ?

Gynoid said:
Wonderful. Just a question: is this recovery for Idol 3 4.7 (6039) or 5.5 (6045) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's for 6045. For 4.7 TWRP, see this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61976520&postcount=18

Thanks!

is it functional for backing up our system in TWRP?

@DallasCZ could you please provide the original link to TWRP. That was a bit unfair to upload it elsewhere as I tend to track the number of downloads.
Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk

gecko702 said:
is it functional for backing up our system in TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes although to my knowledge noone has actually done a restore yet. He's fixing some minor bugs and will be releasing a new version at some point.

famewolf said:
Yes although to my knowledge noone has actually done a restore yet. He's fixing some minor bugs and will be releasing a new version at some point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am in touch with the dev and allready downloading the new build..will be soon on my google drive

Unjustified Dev said:
@DallasCZ could you please provide the original link to TWRP. That was a bit unfair to upload it elsewhere as I tend to track the number of downloads.
Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
sorry, i corrected the link...

Convert TWRP Backup into flashable rom zip
I found these instructions that explain how to take a TWRP backup and turn it into a flashable zip file. This would allow someone to create a "factory" rom pre-rooted to be flashed.
For TWRP Backup
Transfer the TWRP backup from Phone to PC.
You’ll see a file named system.ext4.win which is the System partition backup of your device. Rename it to system.ext4.tar (Changing its extension from .win to .tar)
Extract the system.ext4.tar using an archive software like Winrar or 7zip.
If your TWRP backup is not in compression mode, you will directly get the system folder, else you will get a file named system.ext4, which should be renamed again to system.ext4.tar and extract it to get the system folder.
Take the boot.emmc.win file and rename it to boot.img.
Now collect a META-INF folder from any custom ROM which is made for your device. Make sure you get the correct Meta-Inf folder, else the Zip won’t work and might worsen the condition of your device.
Select the META-INF, System folders and the boot.img and right click your mouse and select add to Archive.
In the Archive settings, choose the extension of the compressed file as Zip (Make sure of this part)
Now you can use this Zip file to flash it on your Custom recovery.

we dont have the meta-inf folder...there is one in the update i got, but i dont know if this id the right one.
and we dont have custom rom to get meta-inf from.
also the main thing is, that i cannot unpack the system win file when renamed to .tar i dunno why (i got latest 7-zip app).

DallasCZ said:
we dont have the meta-inf folder...there is one in the update i got, but i dont know if this id the right one.
and we dont have custom rom to get meta-inf from.
also the main thing is, that i cannot unpack the system win file when renamed to .tar i dunno why (i got latest 7-zip app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What they primarily want is the "update-binary" which is device specific. I don't remember if the update had one....I did take apart an update-supersu.zip and it uses a script as it's update binary...thought about trying to convert that. Theoretically you could take a meta-inf for another device's rom...and use it's meta-inf making sure to replace the update-binary. It also has an installer script that tells it to mount system and data....extract files from the zip and where to put them. I learned a bit when I was trying to make an update.zip to fix my build.prop.
It untar'd fine for me on my linux pc:
[email protected]:/workarea/android/idol3/TWRP/BACKUPS/408adcbe/1970-01-01--22-28-53_LRX22G_release-keys/work > tar -xvf ../system.ext4.win000
tar: Removing leading `/' from member names
/system/app/
/system/app/AntHalService/
/system/app/AntHalService/AntHalService.apk
/system/app/AntHalService/arm64/
/system/app/AntHalService/arm64/AntHalService.odex
/system/app/BasicDreams/
/system/app/BasicDreams/BasicDreams.apk
/system/app/BasicDreams/arm64/
/system/app/BasicDreams/arm64/BasicDreams.odex
/system/app/Bluetooth/
/system/app/Bluetooth/Bluetooth.apk
/system/app/Bluetooth/arm/
/system/app/Bluetooth/arm/Bluetooth.odex

famewolf said:
What they primarily want is the "update-binary" which is device specific. I don't remember if the update had one....I did take apart an update-supersu.zip and it uses a script as it's update binary...thought about trying to convert that. Theoretically you could take a meta-inf for another device's rom...and use it's meta-inf making sure to replace the update-binary. It also has an installer script that tells it to mount system and data....extract files from the zip and where to put them. I learned a bit when I was trying to make an update.zip to fix my build.prop.
It untar'd fine for me on my linux pc:
[email protected]:/workarea/android/idol3/TWRP/BACKUPS/408adcbe/1970-01-01--22-28-53_LRX22G_release-keys/work > tar -xvf ../system.ext4.win000
tar: Removing leading `/' from member names
/system/app/
/system/app/AntHalService/
/system/app/AntHalService/AntHalService.apk
/system/app/AntHalService/arm64/
/system/app/AntHalService/arm64/AntHalService.odex
/system/app/BasicDreams/
/system/app/BasicDreams/BasicDreams.apk
/system/app/BasicDreams/arm64/
/system/app/BasicDreams/arm64/BasicDreams.odex
/system/app/Bluetooth/
/system/app/Bluetooth/Bluetooth.apk
/system/app/Bluetooth/arm/
/system/app/Bluetooth/arm/Bluetooth.odex
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Click to collapse
i allready build some roms for my older device, so i know what it is about.
For the proper rom zip you have to make the updater script with all the simlinks and metadata ...in the latest update there were no simlinks in the updater script...
without them you can brick your phone.
for example simlinks from 4.4.2 Os from zte V5
Code:
symlink("/data/misc/audio/mbhc.bin", "/system/etc/firmware/wcd9306/wcd9306_mbhc.bin");
symlink("/data/misc/audio/wcd9320_anc.bin", "/system/etc/firmware/wcd9306/wcd9306_anc.bin");
symlink("/persist/WCNSS_qcom_cfg.ini", "/system/etc/firmware/wlan/prima/WCNSS_qcom_cfg.ini");
symlink("/persist/WCNSS_qcom_wlan_nv.bin", "/system/etc/firmware/wlan/prima/WCNSS_qcom_wlan_nv.bin");
symlink("/system/lib/modules/pronto/pronto_wlan.ko", "/system/lib/modules/wlan.ko");
symlink("Roboto-Bold.ttf", "/system/fonts/DroidSans-Bold.ttf");
symlink("Roboto-Regular.ttf", "/system/fonts/DroidSans.ttf");
symlink("libGLESv2.so", "/system/lib/libGLESv3.so");
symlink("mksh", "/system/bin/sh");
this you cannot copy from another device....

Never mind. I installed the second build.
How do I boot into the custom recovery? Is it power up + power button on the Idol 3?

Acreo Aeneas said:
Never mind. I installed the second build.
How do I boot into the custom recovery? Is it power up + power button on the Idol 3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reboot or power on till you see the alcatel screen pop up....right away hold down up arrow and it should go into recovery.

Thank you so much...been waiting for this....
so now let ROM's start pouring in )))))))

Hmm odd. I had to reflash it. For some reason it didn't take the first time I flashed the second build TWRP to my Idol 3.
What partitions should I backup using TWRP? I'd assume: Boot, System, and Data? Should I include System Image too?

Acreo Aeneas said:
Hmm odd. I had to reflash it. For some reason it didn't take the first time I flash the second build TWRP to my Idol 3.
What partitions should I backup using TWRP? I'd assume: Boot, System, and Data? Should I include System Image too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The default of boot, system and data should be fine for personal use however if you have not yet rooted please read here first! http://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-3/help/want-to-able-to-install-ota-updates-t3163745

So Awesome! best looking twrp Ive seen yet xD. Also, works well too. I havent tested backing up data, but I did a successful restore of the system and boot So far so good!

New file_contexts.bin format and make_ext4fs

Trying to alter a stock ROM and resign with my own custom key just for myself. This process will allow me to use a device with custom changes (NOT root), but still allow me to use Android Pay.
This process involves using the "make_ext4fs" tool. However, this tool (as far as I can tell) requires using the old plaintext version of "file_contexts". Android 7+ uses a new binary version of this file instead ("file_contexts.bin").
So if anyone can solve either of these questions, I would be very grateful:
1) Is there a tool to convert my device's binary "file_contexts.bin" to the old plaintext "file_contexts"? -OR-
2) Is there a build of "make_ext4fs" that accepts the new binary format "file_contexts.bin"? I tried to build the new nougat version myself from AOSP, but after a successful build of the tool, I can't get the thing to read files on either 64-bit or 32-bit systems. It yields an error "No such file or directory" when trying to point to file_contexts. I am not a great C developer, so I don't know if I built it wrong. For reference, no, I am not missing the lib32stdc++6 libraries. I have attached the binary if you want to see if you can get it to work. -OR-
3) If anyone has the file_contexts text file for the OnePlus 3, ROM version 7.X Nougat, that would work too!​
Any help anyone can offer in any way would be fantastic! Thank you so much for your time to look at this!

A good question

1) yes, see my signature

munjeni said:
1) yes, see my signature
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Click to collapse
I'm trying to do the same with a 7.1.1. rom. I convert the file_contexts.bin to file_contexts, unpack the rom, do the modifications to the rom, repack the rom then replace the original system.new.dat and system.transfer.list with the newly packed ones (original file_contexts.bin is still in the original zip) and when I go to flash it in TWRP it doesn't flash the system and I get a No OS installed Is there something I have to do to the file_contexts.bin after I repack the system.new.dat?

"file_contexts.bin" to the old plaintext "file_contexts" tool: http://blog.cofface.com/archives/2255.html

puargs said:
I tried to build the new nougat version myself from AOSP, but after a successful build of the tool, I can't get the thing to read files on either 64-bit or 32-bit systems. It yields an error "No such file or directory" when trying to point to file_contexts. I am not a great C developer, so I don't know if I built it wrong. For reference, no, I am not missing the lib32stdc++6 libraries.
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Click to collapse
Try building with the pie (Position Independent Executable) flag. Had this exact same problem when trying to compile a CVE for android.
Hopefully this should work for you and sorry for the Necro post