[solved] No Customisation + Welcome.exe [email protected] - Windows Mobile

Device flashes - Device boots - Device runs the Welcome.exe, but then no Customisation.
Iv recently added some EXT packages into my rom. i made them myself from .cab's with cab2ext. ive tested the .cab's before adding to my rom, they do work. but some programs that did work before adding the new EXT's now dont because of no customisation eg, Task Manager - the one on the today screen and also Windows Live. (iv only noticed these two at the moment but there will be more, to be honest i cant be arsed looking for programs that work or dont work when its quite obvious its because of no Customisation, if i fix that, they will work again.. simples )
Anyway...
I opened the new EXT packages ive added and checked all the files.. eg, .dat .reg and all "FILES" files, i even checked the .lnk's and all seems ok. i then checked them again.. yet everything still looks ok, but something is seriously f*cked!
Also another problem, a wierd one..
When i Soft-Reset/Restart the device, it boots up with the Welcome.exe again? (the Welcome.exe is meant to only run the once and then dissable )
Help? iv almost got my rom the way i want it - ive been working on this rom for 2months and i dont want to start building the rom from scratch...
..again! pmsl
Does anyone have any idea what is wrong, if this has happened to you, how did you fix it?
Thanks!
Rn

Check your runcc.lua, then the conf*.txt files you include in your rom, then all the commands you execute inside them.
One of these commands go wrong in your first boot and so you are stuck on customization.
If you use xda_uc or another user customization method, check those scripts as well.
It may happen, for example, if you try to install a cab and for some reason it fails.
If in your recent packages you overwrite one of your conf*.txt file, this could be the cause.
Ciao

...
cheers dude, thanks for your time and help, i think i understand what you meen..
[1)config*.txt <-- all config files are ok.]
[2)runcc <-- googled and i dont use]
[3)xda_uc <-- googled and i dont use]
raving_nanza said:
iv almost got my rom the way i want it - ive been working on this rom for 2months and i dont want to start building the rom from scratch.....again! pmsl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its ok claros, f*ck it dude, its the second time this problem has happened to me, it happened on my first rom too.. (2months ago.lol)
i litteraly started again from scratch (a nice clean slate) ill just start my rom again like i did then which will solve my problem.lol ive got all my programs and setting backed up (*in a messy folder of messy folders )
my new kitchen will basicly be up and running again by the end of the day, its my birthday on wednesday so i may as well set it as the rom date.lol
Raving_1337_Rom_V3 (Alpha)
Cheers anyway dude, muchly appreciated!
Rn
[changed title to solved, @claros]

raving_nanza said:
its ok claros, f*ck it dude, its the second time this problem has happened to me, it happened on my first rom too.. (2months ago.lol)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This happened to me at least 20 times, or more
Let's check together what happen at first boot, if I'm wrong anybody else will correct me.
1) files are moved from \windows to other directory according to your app.dat / initflashfiles.dat.
2) .provxml files are parsed to change config values or filesystem
3) welcome is executed, but this command don't stop startup so:
3a) autorun.exe or runcc is executed too to customize rom: these package runs according to the commands inside various config*.txt files in oem packages or sometimes in ext packages
4) user configuration, usually included as a call inside one of conf*.txt files is executed. If you don't use xda_uc, user customization should follow the same syntax as autorun/runcc
5) Last conf*.txt file should include at least a
LOCK: Disabled and a reset
At this point you should have completed the welcome wizard. If not, and your calibration data is not in registry, your are prompted again with welcome wizard at second boot.
Common errors during boot sequence are:
- wince.nls is missing
- app.dat / initflashfiles.dat error, such as creating subfolders inside non existent folders or statements not in unicode format
- registry / provxml errors during setup of welcome.exe itself, for example you disable the whole welcome wizard but don't write calibration data into registry
- chain error inside conf*.txt files, such as config.txt calls config_operator.txt which call config.txt, generating a loop
- a cab or command inside a config*.txt files cannot be installed, for example for lack of space or a missing certificate
What I usually do in these cases is:
- check platformrebuild log file for errors
- save my last tmp/dump folder to check what is really inside the rom and what is really overwritten by what
- If you can connect by activesync to device before reboot, explore the device itself, it's processes and registry
- recompile the rom putting semaphores inside app.reg files, .provxml files, config*.txt file. I usually add an ext package to be included as the last one (ZZZ_Claros_Fix) where I put a special app.reg, a .provxml and a modified copy of config.txt, config_operator.txt, config_end.txt etc etc.. If you don't have a diamond, you can boot without sdcard to avoid any sd_config.txt error
Starting a new kitchen from scratch for me is at least 20 days of work, I'd spend a day more finding a solution
Ciao

claros said:
This happened to me at least 20 times, or more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A Mortscript called Autorun.exe
V2 working again, Cheers!
*i started setting up a new kitchen then thought f*ck that!
Rn

Are you saying that you were cooking in mortscript, and the autorun.exe file from the mortscript package over-wrote the one from your OEM package? I think that happened to me once a while ago. I just left out the one from mortscript; I've never needed it before, anyway.

...
yeah a mortscript called Autorun.exe over-wrote my OEM Autorun.exe
i deleted it the mortscript, everythings sound now

Related

Creating a Kitchen

Hi there,
I'm pretty experienced with rom cooking, but need a bit of direction from the pros here in a project I'm working on.
I have a working WM6 rom that I'm looking to make a kitchen for in order to more efficiently customize the rom.
I've decoded the rom to nba/fat format (my device uses nba/nbf format) and dumped the imgfs to a dump folder without any issues and can edit the rom that way, but I'm looking to make a kitchen.
I've used bepe's package tool to convert my dump into OEM & SYS folders without any problems. I now just need to be pointed in the right direction on how to rebuild these packages back into a working nba/fat file.
I've tried putting the OS & SYS directories in an existing kitchen like the bepe/helmi/scoter kitchens and using the imgfs tools there building the packages back into a rom. The rom builds successfully but then won't boot past the initial splash screen after flashing it.
Is there something else I need to do? Is it possible Bepe's package tool isn't properly building the packages?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks for everything each of you does to help the community
anyone?
I'm no expert, but everytime I've tried to dump a rom then rebuild it and flash it, it freezes at the 2nd splash screen. I never could get it to work, then I read somewhere that if the RGU files are missing then it would fail to boot, and sure enough on every rom I tried to dump, the RGUs were gone
My advice would be to build your rom with an existing kitchen. Collect all the packages you can find, build the ones you can't. Save all your custom graphics, themes, sounds, ringtones. Export all the registry keys for the programs you have on your phone now and use them to tweak your packages. It really won't take you much longer than if you were able to use the one you dumped. Before you know it, the kitchen you put together will be so much better than the ROM you dumped that you'll forget all about it!
My kitchen is a work in progress, but right now it's SO close to the way I want it that I can do Hard Resets without a thought as the only thing that needs to be done afterwards is restore my contacts!
All my connection settings are there, all of the buttons are set the way I like, all the colors, graphics, themes...everything! I've even set up an extrended rom with custom cabs I put together with all my commerical software with the Registration keys built-in.
I can't recommend a kitchen since I haven't used them all, but I started with Octaivio's with a 1437 build rom, now I've replaced that base rom with the 1908 build one from his latest kitchen and it's worked fine. The reason I used Octaivio is because he used Pbar as a taskmanager instead of that awful useless HTC x button (remnants of it still pop up when switching from portrait to landscape and vice versa).
joemanb said:
I'm no expert, but everytime I've tried to dump a rom then rebuild it and flash it, it freezes at the 2nd splash screen. I never could get it to work, then I read somewhere that if the RGU files are missing then it would fail to boot, and sure enough on every rom I tried to dump, the RGUs were gone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can easily dump a rom, change it, rebuild it and use it successfully. That's not my issue. And, by the way, you were given misinformation about the rgu's. The rgu files are supplementary registry files that are merged into the main hives for each specific package, to make the registry entries modular. Even if you were to delete some rgu files, your device would still boot but wouldn't have the desired behavior for the packages you installed as some registry entries would be missing
My advice would be to build your rom with an existing kitchen. Collect all the packages you can find, build the ones you can't. Save all your custom graphics, themes, sounds, ringtones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are still a number of devices where no kitchen exists--mine is one of them, and honestly I'm not looking to use someone else's--I'd prefer to make my own
I just need someone to tell me what needs to be done to convert the OEM & SYS directories generated by bepe's package tool back to a working rom.
Steps I'm attempting now:
1) Dump original rom to dump folder
2) Run Bepe's package tool to make SYS & OEM folders.
3) Add modules
4) Run G'Reloc to fix overlapping modules.
5) I run BuildOS which makes the dump in the temp folder from the SYS & OEM folders.
6) I copy the original rom's fat(nba) to a temp folder
7) I dump imgfs from fat(nba) to imgfs bin file in temp folder with prepare_imgfs.exe
8) I merge the dump back into imgfs bin file with buildimgfs.exe
9) I put imgfs back into the fat(nba) with make_imgfs.exe
10) I convert nba back to nbf to flash
11) I flash the rom successfully.
12) Doesn't get past splash screen
Can anyone tell me what I'm missing or what could be making this non-bootable?
Thanks.
So its not the RGUs..
Please, if you figure this out, post the solution. When I ran into this, I searched all over the forum for a solution and found at least 2 or 3 other posts with this problem, but never a response.
Good Luck
have you modified the Iniflashfile.txt? thats the step most leave out and then it wont boot past the second splash screen
austinsnyc said:
have you modified the Iniflashfile.txt? thats the step most leave out and then it wont boot past the second splash screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, at this point I'm not trying to change the initflash so I haven't modified it. I know that when the time comes to change it I'll need to do the hex edit thing for the first 2 bytes, the unicode and the last line empty,. etc.
Also I'm not even getting to the 2nd splash. I'm not getting off the initial splash screen.
I'm thinking at this point the imgfs isn't getting put back together properly.
There have got to be some old pros who can tell me what I'm doing wrong.
I think I found part of the problem. In step 5, CreateOS.exe is doing something wrong with the hives. After running it, default.hv which is 770K+ in sys/metadata goes down to like 42K.
Anyone know why this is happening?
source said:
I can easily dump a rom, change it, rebuild it and use it successfully. That's not my issue. And, by the way, you were given misinformation about the rgu's. The rgu files are supplementary registry files that are merged into the main hives for each specific package, to make the registry entries modular. Even if you were to delete some rgu files, your device would still boot but wouldn't have the desired behavior for the packages you installed as some registry entries would be missing
There are still a number of devices where no kitchen exists--mine is one of them, and honestly I'm not looking to use someone else's--I'd prefer to make my own
I just need someone to tell me what needs to be done to convert the OEM & SYS directories generated by bepe's package tool back to a working rom.
Steps I'm attempting now:
1) Dump original rom to dump folder
2) Run Bepe's package tool to make SYS & OEM folders.
3) Add modules
4) Run G'Reloc to fix overlapping modules.
5) I run BuildOS which makes the dump in the temp folder from the SYS & OEM folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point I think that you have the XIP extracted already, in order to create valid boot.rgu
6) I copy the original rom's fat(nba) to a temp folder
7) I dump imgfs from fat(nba) to imgfs bin file in temp folder with prepare_imgfs.exe
8) I merge the dump back into imgfs bin file with buildimgfs.exe
9) I put imgfs back into the fat(nba) with make_imgfs.exe
10) I convert nba back to nbf to flash
11) I flash the rom successfully.
12) Doesn't get past splash screen
Can anyone tell me what I'm missing or what could be making this non-bootable?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a suggestion, but i think you're missing the .rgu files.
Of course, those are not needed when flashing, but when BuildOS creates the default.hv and user.hv...these 2 being invalid, the OS can't boot.
Probably Bepe can clear you better on that one.
Cheers !
source said:
And, by the way, you were given misinformation about the rgu's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently not, after reading Anichillus' response (which agreed with mine) I converted the HVs to RGUs and it WORKS finally!
It's probably not a good idea to reject info out of hand like that..You almost had me convinced. Thankfully I always try to verify information before I accept it, or tell someone they're wrong, mistaken, or misinformed.
Thanks Anichillus!

sUC - suiller UC way [9 Feb 2010]

ABOUT
The purpose of this CAB is to reach a sort of UC way but with a very easy & friendly approach
HISTORY
I come from Diamond world, so because this CAB can be adapted for other platform/devices why not preparing a separate sUC.cab to use for enabling ALL the stuff (ramdisk, pimbackup,ram recovery,etc...) included in Dia Duit rom series?
what have I to do with this cab?? simply it will apply these features:
Latest stable MortScript is inscluded & ready to go, so no more needs to install as separate cab
Choose between 3 speed profiles: 1. fast (takes more ram & battery), 2. balanced (not heavy tweaked but not funny) & 3. untouched (default WM6 settings)
GPS profile: TomTom, iGO, Navigator or default WM6
Everyday auto recover RAM feature (at 4.30AM) + automatic sms/contacts/calls backup/fav manila people (trough pre-configured pimbackup app, PimBackup included)
Ramdisk (2Mb) feature (optional)
A new way for a fully automated CAB/REG/EXE/CPY installation/copy after every hard-reset/rom upgrade
UPX executable, compress (fully automated) exe files from fresh installed cabs, this saves space & gives faster app load times
Easy & fast tweaking method without 3rd part software: tweak registry scripts (with comments)
Tips enabled by default to preserve a bit more battery life (for ex 3 secs of led blinking instead 5, increased battery life counter,etc) + increased speaker sound volume + many example for setting automatic alarms, rings, etc...
Moved MAIL + Attachments folders from main memory (My Device) to external one (Storage Card)
3 / 4 rows configuration
This should work on every WM based rom, also because I added the auto recognition of "Storage" name... so should work without troubles also on NON WWE roms (except for CABi installation)
DOWNLOAD sUC.cab HERE
DOWNLOAD sUC_source.zip HERE
BEFORE INSTALL (mandatory)
create in your "Storage" (the BIG one) a folder called "Backup and Restore", then inside it a folder CAB (inside this another folder called CABi), then at the same level of CAB folder create a folder called CPY, then REG, then EXE
so practically your basic structure should be like:
Code:
Storage Card (or whatever name)
=> Backup and Restore (folder)
=> CAB (folder, put here all the cabs you want install on main memory)
=> CABi (folder inside CAB folder, specific for "must go into Storage", see notes)
=> REG (if present all reg files here will be joined to default WM registry)
=> CPY (if present all files here will be copied under their correspondent folders)
=> EXE (if present all .exe & .mscr files will be launched)
all files in the CAB folder will be installed (automatically) into "device", the ones in the CABi folder will be installed into "Internal Storage" (or whatever you have, always automatically), from REG folder all *.reg/*.rgu files will be loaded on the fly, from CPY all files will be copied (with overwrite) into correspondent folders (for ex useful for copying personal dlls, wav/wma/mp3 files or background, etc...), for finish from EXE folder will be launched your executables (personally never needed, but who knows?) & if present all *.mscr scripts... pay attention to exe files that needs user interaction
INSIDE THE CAB (a deeper explanation)
when your sUC cab is installed it simply creates a registry entry under [HKLM\init\]"Launch69"="2ndboot.exe", this permits the script 2ndboot.mscr (launched by 2ndboot.exe) to be loaded upon system reboot (just one time)
this script, if the structure mentioned above isn't found, it will create automatically all the folder & default reg files needed under your storage card, the name isn't important because it should guess itself its correct name, so don't care if your storage is called something like "MyBigStorageCard"
then it will ask you some questions... such as if you use ActiveSync, which GPS performance adopt, etc... all this info, which at 1st you'll pay high attention, will be stored under your storage card in a file called config.txt ...why?? simple... because next time you will flash or hard-reset your phone you wont have to push a button the script will found that previous stored config file & it will take all the info needed for final rom configuration to skip all annoying questions after every upgrade/HR
note: there is also an hidden option that should be used only by experts, to enable this option simply add by hand to your config.txt file the line: FastInstall=1
this will skip all countdown menu & messages... personally I use this option because flashing a lot this saves much time more
next it will look in the CAB folder for installing your CABs into "device" or main memory
next in the CABi folder for installing CABs into your storage card (you need to do this just 1st time, I'll explain later...)
next it will look at a file called upxlist.txt (must filled before), where simply you will specify all the *.exe file you want to compress after every cab installation... for example your upxlist.txt could look like:
Code:
\Program Files\Navigator\TomTom Navigator.exe
\Program Files\9.5 Beta\Opera9.exe
\Internal Storage\Program Files\Binaryfish\All Mobile Mines\All Mobile Mines.exe
note: every line for every EXE file, pay attention that you can compress just EXE files coming from extra CABs, because EXE files present in the rom are read-only
next it will copy a set of basic reg files with many tips/tricks/examples inside, useful for making many customizations
note: of course if you have previously prepared the folder structure & you have copied your REGs files under the REG folder they will be processed together the files above
next it will look in the CPY folder and will replicate the found folder structure (with files too), for example create inside it a folder \windows with some file inside & it will copy all found files under \windows on your device, or create \program files\myapp & it will create that folder structure in your device, of course it works also for Internal Storage even if it has no sense, anyway just a note it doesn't create empty folder, to create an empty folder just use a single .mscr script (something like: MkDir("\mydir") ) & copy it in your EXE folder
next it will look in the EXE folder & will launch all the exe files inside it, if found it will launch also all *.mscr scripts
next if found (you'll understand better upon an HR), it will ask you to restore your backed-up start menu, so you don't have to re-arrange your icons again
next if found, it will ask you to restore your last PIM backup & will reboot
notes:
right now CABi procedure works only on WWE roms (due to translations work to be finished), anyway there is a trick to skip CABi installation, or better make by hand just once (read few lines below)
installing cabs into Storage Card sometimes will fail, this simply because some cabs need confirmation/accept license & so on, so don't expect will work 100%, also many cabs require to be installed into main memory so NOT into Storage Card, for ex I use to install into Storage Card simple cabs such as games
sometimes pim backup restore can fail, try to restore by hand after installation; backup are divided into week days (monday, sunday, etc... "Last" is the last saved backup)
if you put sUC.cab in your CAB folder wont re-processed of course, useful if using sUC together with UC/UC2 installation method (see at bottom)
if you still use the 1st sUC release way your personal scripts still work like before, simply move them under EXE folder, or transport as reg entries directly into your personal reg file & copy it under REG folder, you can find on the same folder some examples (to clean all your old stuff simply empty the REG folder, modded REG files wont be touched on future upgrades)
you don't need to re-install every time your CABi, just install them once, then on next upgrade answer No or simply edit your config.txt & change the correspondent value; after CABi installation on a clean boot go with your explorer under "\windows\start menu" folder & re-organize your start menu structure (cut/past links, create/delete folders, etc...), remember to don't delete "Settings" folder even if empty, then go under sUC menu & backup your StartMenu, on next upgrade sUC will detect start menu backup & it will reinstall automatically... because the content of your storage card isn't erased after a rom upgrade/hard-reset your installed CABs will stay there untouched, so backed-up start menu has inside correct links
is possible to move TomTom, iGO, Navigon, etc... definitively into your storage card, so you don't need to install them every time: copy entire nav software folders from \program files to \internal storage\program folders, re-create icon shortcuts (copy/past as shortcut in your start menu), for iGO you have to edit sys.txt (under iGO folder) & change the path of base installation
in the same way is possible to skip for example FingerKeyboard installation from related cab, simply take a look at this short guide
INSTALLATION
note: to migrate in every new sUC version simply move your reg mods in your Personal.reg file, erase all the rest of reg files because they will be re-generated with the new ones, remember that on upgrades reg files wont be touched so pay attention on what you mod
if the rom is UC compliant simply create a called SDConfig.txt file in the root folder of your Storage Card, for example your SDConfig.txt could look like (pay attention to upper-lower case & no empty lines):
Code:
LOCK:Enabled
CAB :\Internal Storage\Backup and Restore\CAB\sUC.cab
LOCK:Disabled
RST: Reset
in this way at reboot will start standard sUC procedure (remember MortScript is included & also that sUC cab wont be re-processed even if present in CAB folder), instead if the rom isn't UC compliant simply install sUC as any normal cab, then it will ask to restart (or restart manually) & automated procedure will begin on reboot[/b]
bye,
davide
OK, that's all very nice, but WTF is it?
Wouldn't hurt to have an "about" section in the post for ppl who see this thing the first time in their life.
GENIAL !!!!!!
aiiro said:
OK, that's all very nice, but WTF is it?
Wouldn't hurt to have an "about" section in the post for ppl who see this thing the first time in their life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep... you right sorry, I'll correct soon...
suiller
OMG~ You finally made it available!!! I'm going to test it with my HD and will report back once everything is organised
I didn't mean to sound rude, sorry... Anyway, thanks for the addition, but still - what is UC? User Configuration? Could You post some screenshots too to make it more comprehensible for dumbusers like me?
jackkkkk said:
suiller
OMG~ You finally made it available!!! I'm going to test it with my HD and will report back once everything is organised
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh FRIEND! I found you
yep, I'm looking here around to see if my mad projects can be useful
the cab isn't still perfect but should work, of course I haven't a different device from diamond so all you will be a sort of beta tester
I've removed all specific diamond stuff, so it should work
Of course this is just a starting point, I'm dedicating much time to develop this small piece of "software", thx also to many other friends
You know as it works, so you should feel a bit like at home
aiiro said:
I didn't mean to sound rude, sorry... Anyway, thanks for the addition, but still - what is UC? User Configuration? Could You post some screenshots too to make it more comprehensible for dumbusers like me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep you are right... UserConfiguration, the only difference is that you don't need to write any config file, at least not as "normal" user, it's enough to copy under correct folders the CAB plus other stuff you want installed/loaded after every flash/hard-reset
I'll porvide soon a video-guide, so it will be for sure more clear
OK, OK, nuff with making fun of me Or were You seriuous with video guide?
Cos I just had a brilliant idea - I'll install the damn thing and look for myself
I think I should have done that in the first place. But still, I believe screenshots would save some time understanding what's it really about.
Yeah Screwed Up Click for life
no no I'm serious friend... but I'll suggest to wait a couple of days because I'm working on a new version where is possible to cut-off all the specific HTC/manila stuff & above all I'm re-commenting all the registry entries that interact with OS
no no I'm serious friend... but I'll suggest to wait a couple of days because I'm working on a new version where is possible to cut-off all the specific HTC/manila stuff & above all I'm re-commenting all the registry entries that interact with OS
Hi,
really don't want to be rude or offence, but ... isn't this something like SASHIMI????
If so ... where are sUC's pros?
kind regards
fwt
almost... but it's very very simple... I'm testing an heavy modified version able to run on almost every WM6.x base device
OK the CAB is ready for testing purposes... please re-read 1st post because I'm making a better, I hope easier, description of features... thx
bye,
davide
Mate, this piece of software is plain GENIUS!
So much easier than the UC thing, with all the boring scripting. This way you just place in folders, and you are (mostly) done! Amazing stuff!
I have some questions/requests for you though...
Is there a way to repeat the procedure (restore at 1/2 start up), at a later time? This could be useful, for example, if some files get corrupted, or you just want to revert back to default cabs/settings, etc. So I guess what is needed is a way to manually activate the procedure.
Second thing is regarding mail settings. Is there a way to back this up? My hotmail settings get destroyed after every HR.
Cheers.
Forgot to mention, a manual activation of this procedure would also help if (for example) you want to make multiple program installations. This way you could just use the folder CAB, without wasting time on every single program you are installing/testing...
Cheers
krale said:
Forgot to mention, a manual activation of this procedure would also help if (for example) you want to make multiple program installations. This way you could just use the folder CAB, without wasting time on every single program you are installing/testing...
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm... it could be a good idea... even if some phases can't be reverted, or better it's very complicated to "go back"... such as for ramdisk
anyway many phases are yet accessible as indipendant scripts just take a look under "\Backup and Restore\scripts" folder, of course other script could be extrapolated but I'll do probably on next version... let's say this is a testing purpose version because I have to "think" that this app must work on many (almost all I hope) wm6.x based devices
As one of the end (l)users who first saw this in Suiller's Dia Duit rom series, I can attest to this resolving one of the major grievances of Windows Mobile rom-upgrades. With some "smart" planning ahead, getting everything back can now be mostly scripted by simply placing the install file in the correct directory. Same with restoring data from your pimbackup, or adding registry settings. Once again we have a case where the xda-developers have surpassed the "offficial" roms in user friendliness.
I have since moved on to WM6.5 (still on my Diamond), but I sorely miss sUC from my later roms.
//Svein
updated sUC, corrected some small issues
I corrected some default/samples reg files, so I suggest to erase all default *.reg files under REG folder to update correctly
move your personalization to something like "MyRegPers.reg"
please reports here bugs/issues/suggestions or whatever... thx

[Q] Unsigned Folders ?

First of all, sorry for openeing a new thread; but surely i have searched all of chef central din't find anything much or maybe din't understand which one was my solution.
The problem is after boot of my ROM ( regardless of which boot ie 1st 2nd or 10th ) i get 2 pop up errors:
1) "The file 'programs' cannot be opened. Either is not signed with a trusted certificate or one of it's components cannot be found.If the problem persists please try reinstalling or restoring this file."
2) "The file 'Tools' cannot be opened. Either is not signed with a trusted certificate or one of it's components cannot be found.If the problem persists please try reinstalling or restoring this file."
I have a folder called "Tools" in the start menu, and it works fine, and everything inside also works good. But still this error.
I'm pretty sure all the Packages cooked which are meant to go in this folder do go in.
And the programs error is it anything to do with the fact that in the APP.DAT in almost all packages i have used similar naming:
Code:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-Directory("System")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\Tweaks"):-File("Flip_IT.lnk","\Windows\_Flip_IT.lnk")
and also added similar REG in the REGS :
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Security\Shell\StartInfo\Start\Tools\Tweaks\Flip_it.lnk]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As i was not sure which one will decide the location, so some packages have only .REGs, some have only APP.DATs and some have both ( but all the locations are same that is sure !)
Please help me with this.
Thanks alot.
PS: I have enabled NoCert in EVK, and also cooked in the latest ( 2015 ? ) SDKCerts EXT. And after that no other apps give an unsigned problem.
Just a question, this isnt the full app.dat right?
Code:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-Directory("System")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\Tweaks"):-File("Flip_IT.lnk","\Windows\_Flip_IT.lnk")
If yes, you miss some lines,this app.dat is just copying a link to startmenu but i guess that you need the program in Windows.
i'm afraid that is the full App.DAT
here is another one
Code:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-Directory("System")
Directory("\Windows"):-Directory("appdb")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_end_mid_2.png","\Windows\_end_mid_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_end_mid_8.png","\Windows\_end_mid_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_folder_2.png","\Windows\_folder_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_folder_8.png","\Windows\_folder_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_folder_8_2.png","\Windows\_folder_8_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_lock_gray.png","\Windows\_lock_gray.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_lock_green.png","\Windows\_lock_green.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_lock_red.png","\Windows\_lock_red.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_logo_2.png","\Windows\_logo_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_single_2.png","\Windows\_single_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_single_8.png","\Windows\_single_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_start_2.png","\Windows\_start_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_start_8.png","\Windows\_start_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_suite_2.png","\Windows\_suite_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_suite_8.png","\Windows\_suite_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_ack_2.png","\Windows\_ack_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_ack_8.png","\Windows\_ack_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_compiling.png","\Windows\_compiling.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_disable_2.png","\Windows\_disable_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_disable_8.png","\Windows\_disable_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_dt_2.png","\Windows\_dt_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_dt_8.png","\Windows\_dt_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_dukeok_2.png","\Windows\_dukeok_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_dukeok_8.png","\Windows\_dukeok_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_empty.png","\Windows\_empty.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_end_ams_2.png","\Windows\_end_ams_2.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_end_ams_8.png","\Windows\_end_ams_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\appdb"):-File("_logo_8.png","\Windows\_logo_8.png")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\\Tools\System"):-File("Java.lnk","\Windows\Java.lnk")
This seems to be correct right ?
Can you please tell me does APP.DAT decide the position or REG ? and what if both exist.
Thanks.
Can an incomplete app.dat cause those errors ?
EDIT: i have identified 3 packages have incomlete app.dat
1) task manager
app.dat says :
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\"):-File("Task Manager.lnk","\Windows\dotFred Task Manager.lnk")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\Utilities"):-File("Regeditor.lnk","\Windows\dotFred RegEdit.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
reg also defines a location.
2) flip it
app.dat says
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-Directory("System")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\Tweaks"):-File("Flip_IT.lnk","\Windows\_Flip_IT.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
reg defines location and settings.
3) torch
app.dat says
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\Utilities"):-File("hTorch Flashlight.lnk","\Windows\hTorch Flashlight.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
reg defines settings only.
4) reg editor
app.dat says:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tool\Utilities"):-File("PHM RegEdit.lnk","\Windows\PHM RegEdit.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
reg defines sttings and location.
Can anyone of the above cause the issue ?
can some please help me correct them ?
Thanks.
EDIT: can someone please tell me the REG to enable Call Waiting Tone.
I don't hear any tone it when i have a call waiting.
The app.dat decide the position of file and folders.
I found thi " Flip-IT" from a Tom Codon thread and i used Cab Converter for extracting it.
This is the App.dat that i got:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools"):-File("Flip_IT.lnk","\Windows\Flip_IT.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In red are the subfolders that doesnt come with the original.
There are some difference with your but i dunno if this is the problem but worth try.
Umm well i have defined those locations as to fit them lnk in the place i want in the start menu.. isn't that the way ?
Im Quoting you from 1st post:
1) "The file 'programs' cannot be opened. Either is not signed with a trusted certificate or one of it's components cannot be found.If the problem persists please try reinstalling or restoring this file."
2) "The file 'Tools' cannot be opened. Either is not signed with a trusted certificate or one of it's components cannot be found.If the problem persists please try reinstalling or restoring this file."
you got this popup error automatically, no need to open any folder\file?
It seems that you put a wrong shortcut to files called "Tools and programs" in your StratUp folder.
Check some other App.dat
i have checked all APP.DAT in the EXT can't find any which i cook and does not get cokked in the correct location ?
Umm and the two errors are seperate not in one only.
So i guess the conflict is there with 2 seperate folders "Tools" and "programs" respectively.
Ideally it should not conflict with tools, because i do have a tools folder in the start menu.. so everything should go there :/
any other help?
Try to cook a rom without one of the latest apps that you have add and if the problem gone then you have find the issue,after that post here the responsable so we can look at it.
madnish30 said:
i have checked all APP.DAT in the EXT can't find any which i cook and does not get cokked in the correct location ?
Umm and the two errors are seperate not in one only.
So i guess the conflict is there with 2 seperate folders "Tools" and "programs" respectively.
Ideally it should not conflict with tools, because i do have a tools folder in the start menu.. so everything should go there :/
any other help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
af974 said:
Try to cook a rom without one of the latest apps that you have add and if the problem gone then you have find the issue,after that post here the responsable so we can look at it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and cook without the 5 EXT i identified with wrong app.dats ?
I have had this problem since long, but i din't bother much, so i really don't know whats the issue..
it has been there basically since i tweaked the start menu locations.
now i have to get rid of it cuz any ROM user won't like to just press ok and continue with the ROM.
I'll try.
My suggestion is to try one by one but ofcourse this way you need to flash 5 times your phone.
Did you ,maybe,tweaked your Initflashfile.dat?
madnish30 said:
I'll try and cook without the 5 EXT i identified with wrong app.dats ?
I have had this problem since long, but i din't bother much, so i really don't know whats the issue..
it has been there basically since i tweaked the start menu locations.
now i have to get rid of it cuz any ROM user won't like to just press ok and continue with the ROM.
I'll try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No i don't play with initiaflash... because i don't know much about it..
I guess i will not cook anyone of them so that if its one of them i will just download fresh CABs for them and convert them into EXTs rather than flashing my phone 5 times..
Thanks alot.
i tried cooking without those apps no luck
Same 2 errors hence those 2 apps are ok..
Attached my Initflashfile.dat if that helps.
Please help.
You really need to look in your startup folder to see what is in there. That's the first thing to do. Then, look in the start menu and see if anything weird is going on. Particularly, look for corrupted files or folders. If there are any files that look like folders, that could be the issue.
You're initflashfiles.dat is effin' huge!! Learn to make a cab, or relocate apps to windows. You must be wasting a ton of storage space.
thanks for the help Ted,
In the startup i see 2 folders
1) programs in which there is tools->system->Arkswitch.
2) tools -> system -> XDA_UC.
rest are the normal i guess.
Then in the startmenu it seems fine.
but one problem there i see in the start menu i see a system folder which is empty AFAIK i did not create and such path why is that there ?
You're initflashfiles.dat is effin' huge!! Learn to make a cab, or relocate apps to windows. You must be wasting a ton of storage space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not good with initflashfiles.dat i don't know much about it.
Can you please link me to a thread where i can learn about it.
Also what do you mean by CABs ? does that mean using UC to install via CABs ?
And how can i reloacte apps to windows ?
can you give a little explaination please.
thanks alot for the help.
The app.dat for Arksswitch is
Directory("\Windows"):-Directory("StartUp")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-Directory("Tools")
Directory("\Program Files"):-Directory("ArkSwitch")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch"):-Directory("Theme")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch"):-Directory("NLS")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\NLS"):-File("1033.xml","\Windows\1033.xml")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\NLS"):-File("1036.xml","\Windows\1036.xml")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\NLS"):-File("1040.xml","\Windows\1040.xml")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\NLS"):-File("1049.xml","\Windows\1049.xml")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\Theme"):-File("config.xml","\Windows\config.xml")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\Theme"):-File("status-bar.png","\Windows\status-bar.png")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\Theme"):-File("x-deselected.png","\Windows\x-deselected.png")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch\Theme"):-File("x-selected.png","\Windows\x-selected.png")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch"):-File("Microsoft.WindowsMobile.Gestures.dll","\Windows\Microsoft.WindowsMobile.Gestures.dll")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch"):-File("ArkSwitch.exe","\Windows\ArkSwitch.exe")
Directory("\Program Files\ArkSwitch"):-File("ArkSwitchNative.dll","\Windows\ArkSwitchNative.dll")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\System"):-File("ArkSwitch.lnk","\Windows\_ArkSwitch.lnk")
Directory("\Windows\StartUp\Programs\\Tools\System"):-File("ArkSwitch.lnk","\Windows\_ArkSwitch.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and the app.dat for XDA_UC is
Directory("\Windows\StartUp\Tools\System"):-File("XDA_UC.mscr","\Windows\XDA_UC.mscr")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please help me correct the two in order to remove the warning.
Will try and cook without them to see if they cause they problem.
I don't use xda_uc, but delete the sub-folders in startup and the problems go away.
App.dat copies files from windows to other places. In many cases, an app works fine in windows. You just need to fix paths (shortcuts, registry) so they point to windows. It's a complete waste to have two copies of all your files, especially when the ones in rom work perfectly fine. Personally, I don't even use app.dat's, except to create directories and to copy the important customization links into startup.
Edit: ok, so I'm looking at your initflashfiles.dat. One, there's something weird with your Manila twitter lines. Why does it appear twice? That's kind of a waste, and will slow down 1st boot. Also, you've got a dozen mui files in there. Just put in the one you need (0409 or whatever), and delete the rest. You've to two copies of a bunch of files that you don't use. Remove the lines you don't need from the app.dat.
As far as relocating apps, you've got 20 or so that would work fine in windows. For example, clean ram does not have to be in program files. Just leave the exe's in windows, and send 1 lang file to \windows\lang. The app will work fine. Do you really need 20 lang files for cleanram? Dude, that's a total waste.
Here's an easy one to fix: pocket rar. You've got two copies of it now on your device. Just get a shortcut for it to windows, and you're done. You stick rar.exe in a package, along with the shortcut, and send the shortcut to the start menu as normal. Speaking of which, it looks like you've got a syntax error there:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\\Tools\System"):-File("Pocket RAR.lnk","\Windows\_Pocket RAR.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get rid of the extra \.
Thanks sir i got it, now i will impliment it.
Sir if you don't use app.dats then how do you chose which package shows up where in the start menu ?
I do pretty much everything with morscripts. I put all files and directories in zip files that are unzipped during customization, and all shortcuts are created by a script. This reduces the rom file count by hundreds (I have about 1800 rom files), and the zip files reduce the storage memory for files that have to be inserted elsewhere. There's also a restore script that resores files that change a lot and that aren't practical to cook in.
Anyway, were I you, I'd work on fixing all of your packages to make the rom more efficiently designed (instead of worrying about upgrading build numbers). I bet you could removed 500 files and clean up a crazy amount of memory (like 50 mb). It can be tricky moving an app to windows. Some apps have .ini files or similar settings files, and the app will crash or not load if the setting file is read-only, so you need to get the file into windows without having it read only (do it with an app.dat that copies or renames it to windows). Some apps have their settings in the same damn file name (like settings.txt), so you can't have them both in the same directory.
To relocate to windows, almost anything in the root program folder (like \program files\cleanram) can be moved straight to windows. Sub-folders generally just need to be moved to \windows. Typically, an exe looks for .dlls first in its own directory and second in \windows, so just about any dll can be moved to windows without issue. It will then usually look for the support files in the same directory that it's located in. The only apps I've had problems with are resco keyboard (the skin files seem to be hard coded to program files), and the latest Power Radio (2.4.0.2, or something like that). I had a bunch of power radio packages that worked fine in windows, but the latest wouldn't, so I just didn't do the upgrade.
It's usually easiest just to test things without cooking. In your case, you've already got everything in windows. Just click on exes and see what works and what doesn't. Some apps will need sub-folders relocated to windows, and it looks like your cab-to-ext package unfortunately renamed the rom files, so some files in the program folder will need to be copied to windows. Just do this for testing purposes, to see what works and what doesn't. I bet your rom is effin huge, and you could make it a lot leaner by cleaning your packages up. The cab-to-ext makers all more or less suck; it's better to do things manually (or with kheb 1.1).
Edit: you've got the tachan black theme in there twice, too. You really, really don't need those files copied elsewhere. I'm guessing there's a reg file with all the file locations (in HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Today). Fix it!!! All you need to do is do a 'replace all' and replace \\My Documents\\Themes\\tacchan23black with \\windows. Then delete that gawdawful app.dat file (both occurrences). That will remove 101 redundant files.
Do you remember this from your 1st post?
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-Directory("System")
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Tools\Tweaks"):-File("Flip_IT.lnk","\Windows\_Flip_IT.lnk")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is (marked in red) your System folder (empty) in startmenu.
madnish30 said:
Then in the startmenu it seems fine.
but one problem there i see in the start menu i see a system folder which is empty AFAIK i did not create and such path why is that there ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ted & af974.
i will try to do things you suggested.
But Ted, what does the attachment mscr do ?
I attached and EXT package from Chucky's Rom thanks to birkoffsjunk, i guess you will understand what mscr does looking at it.
madnish30 said:
Thanks ted & af974.
i will try to do things you suggested.
But Ted, what does the attachment mscr do ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Learning to cook a rom

I've been reading up on cooking ROM's and with the help of leeston i managed to create a basic ROM earlier in the week. After searching for guides / tutorials on this stuff im really not that much the wiser, i cant seem to find anything that explains it well enough, there always missing details. The actual cooking process seems fairly straightforward but its those extra bits im missing ie
how do i add my own packages - am i right in just copying them to the SYS folder or is there more to it ?
how do i edit the registry - I know how to edit the registry once the ROM is loaded onto my phone but how do i do it from the ROM without the phone ?
how do i add things to the start menu - When i add packages to the SYS folder and load the ROM into my phone the shortcuts dont seem to be in my start menu
how do i add sense - i've loaded the packages but it never starts and theres no sense option in today settings
im new to this so as you'd imagine the questions i have are endless ...
Im sure most of this info is on XDA already somewhere but i just cant find it, maybe im searching for the wrong term or something.
Any help from the chef's would be great, perhaps you could provide links to tutorials / info you've used when learning to cook. Im sure this stuff would be useful to everyone and may even encourage more to have a go at cooking .
drkdeath5000 said:
1.how do i add my own packages - am i right in just copying them to the SYS folder or is there more to it ?
2.how do i edit the registry - I know how to edit the registry once the ROM is loaded onto my phone but how do i do it from the ROM without the phone ?
3.how do i add things to the start menu - When i add packages to the SYS folder and load the ROM into my phone the shortcuts dont seem to be in my start menu
4.how do i add sense - i've loaded the packages but it never starts and theres no sense option in today settings
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am still new to cooking but I'll tell you what i believe to be correct.
1.Yes. To add a package to a rom you put the package into the SYS folder.
However be aware that the kitchen used for the TG01 cannot handle EXT (visual) packages, only OEM (old) packages can be used. Use Totalfires package converter to convert between the 2 types.
The above info is not strictly true but is what you need to know when cooking for the TG and i don't have the time or knowledge to write a complete tutorial.
2. Editing the registry is all to do with .RGU files, you can create a package with a new one in or edit the existing ones within the packages in the SYS folder. You can edit them with notepad but i suggest using Notepad2.
Once you open an .RGU file you should recognize the reg key text in the file and edit it accordingly. As far as i am aware the file MUST have REGEDIT4 in the first line and an empty line at the bottom in order to work. Another way is to edit the regkey on your device then export the regkey using resco or something similar, then rename the resulting file from .reg to .rgu then open it in note pad and copy and paste it into another packages .rgu file, or create a custom package for that .rgu file.
The registry can also be modified using cab files during autorun, but this can be a little messy as the cab can be uninstalled by the end user causing problems.
3. To do this you need to edit the initflashs.txt file within the . This can be done manually or with one of the many package tools available on this site. The one i use is below, it does the hardwork for you, you click a few options and it edits the required files as needed.
4. Sense is a funny one. You should just need to add all the required packages to the SYS folder and away it goes. Unfortunately this is rarely the case. It should just a case of making sure all the sense packages are there, including its many dependencies. Sense is one of my weaker areas so maybe some one else has better advice.
Hope this is useful.
do you have a loooong far way, but read the forumposts an try, try and shortPin and try. that was my way, or is my way. i have don´t helping, all found with google and in xda forum.
unfortunately, my English knowledge is terrible. otherwise I would write more.
best to dump a officiels ROM or miROM5 , then you have an example
related post here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=750261
PC Software Reg-editor
http://ceregeditor.mdsoft.pl/index.php?id=1〈=en
CAB to OEM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3942000&postcount=1
EXT to OEM
http://www.ppckitchen.org/forums/re...e666.ppckitchen.org/Tools/EXT%20to%20PPCk.exe
All folder to cooking need a .dsm (and/or) .rgu file
RGU name Generator (such as Reg- file) , dsm become automatically
http://www.famkruithof.net/uuid/uuidgen (Fetch UUIDs of another type to Version 4)
do you have a loooong far way!
... Or make a good donation to nokser or ffboy, they teach you
Hi my friend, I have a problem to cook a ROM with cab which required a reboot or witch have a information message ( SWYPE or GPSMOdDriver for example)
Do you know a solution for this please?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the info leeston and miro ;-). I havent had time to try it yet but will be over weekend and im almost sure now i know where to find the registry files ill be able to cook something decent up since that was my main problem. Thanks again for the help.
EVEALEX62 said:
Hi my friend, I have a problem to cook a ROM with cab which required a reboot or witch have a information message ( SWYPE or GPSMOdDriver for example)
Do you know a solution for this please?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may be wrong but when the cab files are first installed doesnt it automatically reboot ? If not you can always do a manual reboot ;-).
I've tried everything to get sense working but im just having no luck ... copied the packages to the sys folder, flashes fine, boots fine but no sense and now theres no setting shortcut in the start menu ?
Could i ask for the exact procedure for installing sense please ? Im getting my packages from here but replacing the 2017 home with 2016. Could i perhaps be missing something ?
Thanks again
drkdeath5000 said:
I may be wrong but when the cab files are first installed doesnt it automatically reboot ? If not you can always do a manual reboot ;-).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have try to delete the line "Reboot" after autocabinstall but nothing change the phone always reboot ... I think the only thing is to do OEM package...
I have test with many cabs but nothing works same as you with Sense ...
Have you found solutions ?
EVEALEX62 said:
Hi my friend, I have a problem to cook a ROM with cab which required a reboot or witch have a information message ( SWYPE or GPSMOdDriver for example)
Do you know a solution for this please?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The solutoin is to use autorun instead of cabinstl, you can then write a custom script to handle the input required by the cab.
However this is above my head, and i couldn't get autorun to work. FFBOY knows how but i doubt you will get his help as he doesn't seem to check any threads other than his own rom threads, and if he does his responces are few and far between.
drkdeath5000 said:
I've tried everything to get sense working but im just having no luck ... copied the packages to the sys folder, flashes fine, boots fine but no sense and now theres no setting shortcut in the start menu ?
Could i ask for the exact procedure for installing sense please ? Im getting my packages from here but replacing the 2017 home with 2016. Could i perhaps be missing something ?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are the packages i used and they work so it's not the packages, but i cheated and dumped a sense rom then modified it. I don't have time to try and work out how to do it properly unfortunatley.
leeston2379 said:
Those are the packages i used and they work so it's not the packages, but i cheated and dumped a sense rom then modified it. I don't have time to try and work out how to do it properly unfortunatley.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well atleast i know the packages are fine, i was starting to wonder if that was the problem . Theres some satisfaction in doing it yourself but like miro said i think its just too much for me, ill give it another go later in the week and if that fails ill just dump a sense rom like you did ... if there was just a tutorial on installing sense packages etc id be fine, with sense being so popular you'd think there to be loads of tuts.

[Solved] how to speedup the first boot?

Hi,
I've been cooking my own Roms for a few months and I'm happy with the results.
One big difference I've noted compared with shipped and other master cooks' roms is the first boot time. My last Rom (21683 + Sense) takes over 10min to boot the first time. After the fist boot, the booting time is normal.
Would you have some tips of how to improve it?
Can it be related to the order that the packages are cooked?
or just related to the size of the Rom (about 195 Mb for a Blackstone using LZX compression and CFC manila)?
what compresion do you normally use? LZX, XPR or none?
Anyway to 'slim' my packages more? (I'll try manual PNG compression on my next cook as OSkitchen PNG compression does not work for me)
Thanks in advance.
[Edit]: Thanks for your good advices. now my Blackstone Rom boots in less than 2 min. What I did was:
- Get ride off some provxml and change them for normal reg files.
- Reduce the size of the rom under 180 Mb.
- Manually reduce png and in some case replace by jpgs.
- S2U2 delay start 120 secs.
If someone have additional ideas, pls advise! I'll try!
Well, 195 mb for any LZX rom is a bit too much but this depends of what are you cooking into your rom.
Main things that slow down the boot up are:
provxml files, basically .reg files are much fastets.
Check your Config.txt file , as many files are you trying to install after first boot as ,many time it gets to boot up , these are cabs,mortscripts,provxml.
Dont use png compression if you dont want your theme ruined.
In my Leo i use both LZX and XPR and i have 134 and 158 mb roms.
Leave al the unecessary such default pictures in Album folder,some ringtones and wallpapers, these files are a lot bigs .
ypsmav said:
Hi,
I've been cooking my own Roms for a few months and I'm happy with the results.
One big difference I've noted compared with shipped and other master cooks' roms is the first boot time. My last Rom (21683 + Sense) takes over 10min to boot the first time. After the fist boot, the booting time is normal.
Would you have some tips of how to improve it?
Can it be related to the order that the packages are cooked?
or just related to the size of the Rom (about 195 Mb for a Blackstone using LZX compression and CFC manila)?
what compresion do you normally use? LZX, XPR or none?
Anyway to 'slim' my packages more? (I'll try manual PNG compression on my next cook as OSkitchen PNG compression does not work for me)
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, provxml's slow things down a ton.
What not to do:
So, you have a reg setting that you put in an .rgu, but it never 'sticks', and you can't figure out why. Someone tells you to put it in a provxml named zzz-BandAid.provxml. Awesome, now the reg setting sticks.
Not so awesome. Now you have two provxml's that run during first boot, one that sets the reg setting to a default value, and a second that corrects the reg setting. XML's are slow (try running one during customization, and you can see just how slow they are).
What to do: Look through all of your provxmls; it's easy to do, just pull them out of the build dump. Find the ones that install reg keys-there are many, and some are huge (mostly the OEM provxml's). Just export the reg keys with a reg editor from your device and put them in an .rgu that gets compiled at the end of your build. Make whatever tweaks you want in that .rgu as well. Make sure you don't eff up the provxml's that install certificates and databases (there are a few that look like reg keys, but it's crap for the databases, so be careful of them). If you use Autorun during customization, there may be an oemprovxml with autorun reg keys in it. Leave that sucker alone; in my experience, it needs to run or else autorun didn't work (I don't use autorun anymore, so I've since deleted it). Put blank or editted (reduced) copies of the provxml's in a package that runs at the end of your build, so that the stock copies are over-written.
You should also look at the apps that run during startup. This slows down first boot a little bit. For instance, you really don't need to have MSVC to run at first boot. So, remove the line in initflashfiles.dat that sends the msvc shortcut into the startup folder. Figure out a way to get it into startup during second boot, like running a cab during customization (slow, though), or better, using a mortscript (fast). There's a lot of other crap that doesn't need to run, like tmail and poutlook (those never need to run at startup, imo). But you need to figure out how to get them to run after first boot, if that's what you want.
Finally, reduce the amount of crap that gets copied into \Program Files. Most apps run fine out of \windows, and using initflashfiles.dat to copy a ton of files is slow and it wastes memory. Just figure out how to make leaner packages. And don't use cab-2-oem converters. They always create packages that copy files out of rom into other directories, which is almost always unnecessary. It's much better to make packages manually (use kheb to find all the files and reg keys, if you can't do it on your own).
My first boot takes ~85 seconds to get to the alignment screen. Removing all the crap from provxml's saved around a minute on the first boot time. 10 minutes is crazy long, you should be able to drop it to 2 min, easy.
WOW
Farmer Ted said:
Yup, provxml's slow things down a ton.
What not to do:
So, you have a reg setting that you put in an .rgu, but it never 'sticks', and you can't figure out why. Someone tells you to put it in a provxml named zzz-BandAid.provxml. Awesome, now the reg setting sticks.
Not so awesome. Now you have two provxml's that run during first boot, one that sets the reg setting to a default value, and a second that corrects the reg setting. XML's are slow (try running one during customization, and you can see just how slow they are).
What to do: Look through all of your provxmls; it's easy to do, just pull them out of the build dump. Find the ones that install reg keys-there are many, and some are huge (mostly the OEM provxml's). Just export the reg keys with a reg editor from your device and put them in an .rgu that gets compiled at the end of your build. Make whatever tweaks you want in that .rgu as well. Make sure you don't eff up the provxml's that install certificates and databases (there are a few that look like reg keys, but it's crap for the databases, so be careful of them). If you use Autorun during customization, there may be an oemprovxml with autorun reg keys in it. Leave that sucker alone; in my experience, it needs to run or else autorun didn't work (I don't use autorun anymore, so I've since deleted it). Put blank or editted (reduced) copies of the provxml's in a package that runs at the end of your build, so that the stock copies are over-written.
You should also look at the apps that run during startup. This slows down first boot a little bit. For instance, you really don't need to have MSVC to run at first boot. So, remove the line in initflashfiles.dat that sends the msvc shortcut into the startup folder. Figure out a way to get it into startup during second boot, like running a cab during customization (slow, though), or better, using a mortscript (fast). There's a lot of other crap that doesn't need to run, like tmail and poutlook (those never need to run at startup, imo). But you need to figure out how to get them to run after first boot, if that's what you want.
Finally, reduce the amount of crap that gets copied into \Program Files. Most apps run fine out of \windows, and using initflashfiles.dat to copy a ton of files is slow and it wastes memory. Just figure out how to make leaner packages. And don't use cab-2-oem converters. They always create packages that copy files out of rom into other directories, which is almost always unnecessary. It's much better to make packages manually (use kheb to find all the files and reg keys, if you can't do it on your own).
My first boot takes ~85 seconds to get to the alignment screen. Removing all the crap from provxml's saved around a minute on the first boot time. 10 minutes is crazy long, you should be able to drop it to 2 min, easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx for this tut Farmer Ted.
Seems like I also have a lot to do to speed up my first boot
Thanx
Grumps said:
Thanx for this tut Farmer Ted.
Seems like I also have a lot to do to speed up my first boot
Thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also check the OEMLang directory for the initflashfiles.dat. Normally, this is 200kb... Mine is 40Kb, and first bootup on my HD2 is 20-30 seconds...
Later bootups are so fast that the HTC Quietly Brilliant animation stops at Brilli and boots the OS...
gotta love farmer teds his reps
i learn from almost every post he makes
think i need some things to be done in my rom to get a even faster boot time
edit: one question though
i just updated ervius kitchen to the latest and it has the future to make provxml files from reg files
if provxml makes the bootup slow wouldnt it be better to make it the other way arround?
all the provxml to reg(just asking as it could be handy for ervius to make it the other eay arround in the kitchen)
miniterror said:
all the provxml to reg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I don't know if this helps, but there is a tool that you could use for converting some provxml to reg here. It was made for xml --> reg conversion but it is also useful for provxml files that contain "pure" registry settings.
Regards!
Sometimes I have taken the provxml and convert the registry portion to rgu file and delete it from the provxml. Now the provxml only has the file operation and certificate stuff in it.
The thing you have to be careful about is rgu happens early in the boot and provxml happens latter. I learned the hard way by not figuring out why my rgu tweak did not happen. It was another provxml that overwrote the reg settings. Once I found it and deleted those lines everything worked the way I wanted.
RoryB said:
Sometimes I have taken the provxml and convert the registry portion to rgu file and delete it from the provxml. Now the provxml only has the file operation and certificate stuff in it.
The thing you have to be careful about is rgu happens early in the boot and provxml happens latter. I learned the hard way by not figuring out why my rgu tweak did not happen. It was another provxml that overwrote the reg settings. Once I found it and deleted those lines everything worked the way I wanted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this, OSBuilder is the best. You can see the whole registry before you compile, and you can look up what file causes the changes. It really makes cooking a whole lot easier...
Great thread, thanks for the tips.
What I'm gowing to try is search all provxmls in my kitchen and convert them to one big reg.
Make a new EXT package and name it 'zzzSample' so I'm sure it overwrites all other regs.
If an error exist in the reg created by provxmltoreg the new integrity check in Oskitchen will point me to it so I can easy locate and fix.
After that I delete all provxmls.
But first a backup.
Cheers,
Leo
Edit; btw I think you need to take in consideration that some provxml's contain path which are language depended.
So here's my next tip, create a package which contain these regs in separate files.
zzzSample/
0409/app.reg
0413/app.reg
etc...
Farmer Ted said:
Yup, provxml's slow things down a ton.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info, just wondering should it be possible to build a rom and make a backup of the registry, once you have that backup, edit the backup and place it at the end of the kitchen and delete all the provxml-files.
I've recently tried to make a little application for converting provxml files to reg files.
Thanks to AlexVallat's XmlToReg this was possible and I'd like to share it with you guys. Still all the credits go to Alex!
It is supposed to handle all provxml files, meaning even those which have other entries along with registry entries.
The most important feature that I tried to implement is recursive conversion of provxml files in order to automatically do in a few seconds what Laurentius described here:
Laurentius26 said:
What I'm going to try is search all provxmls in my kitchen and convert them to one big reg.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Example :
To parse all provxml files inside OEM folder(and all included sub-folders) type in cmd prompt:
Code:
xml-2-reg_gui.exe r:OEM
When it's done, you'll get all the converted reg files in a subfolder where the application is placed.
If the provxml files had other entries along with registry entries, they will be left where they were but "reduced"(the registry entries will be removed).
If the provxml files didn't have any registry entries, they will be left where they were untouched.
If the provxml files had only registry entries they will be deleted after convertion.
Backing up of provxml files is done automatically.
So try it and see for yourself if it makes things easier or not...
Regards!
EDIT :
I've made a revised version of the tool which isn't based on AlexVallat's XmlToReg but does the same job plus the reverse here.

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