Database Users

Debian working niceley on Desire.

Debian for Desire.
If you are able to try this on another android device, please do as I will be very interested in the results.
Download
http://www.multiupload.com/79TSI1AAF9
You will need.
-Root access.
-Busybox (included in most custom roms)
-1.4gig free on SDCARD
-VNC Client (ie. AndroidVNC)
-Terminal Emulator (ie. ConnectBot)
-7zip
Instructions
-Extract the file deSIREbian.7z on your PC using 7zip.
-Copy the contents (debian.img and deboot) to root directory of SDCARD.
-On your phone in terminal emulator type
su
sh /sdcard/deboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should get a blank screen showing "localhost:/#" after a couple of seconds.
-On your phone in your VNC client log in using these details
Password - password
Port - 5901
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nickname and Address are not needed, call it what you want though.
Changing the colour to 24bit and enabling local mouse pointer and full screen bit map are not neccesary but reccomended.
-Thats it.
Notes.
-You can log in via ssh, (gives a much better terminal, ie works properly with aptitude). Use [email protected] and password "toor"
-The version of Debian is Armel Lenny, installed using debootstrap.
-It is just the base package with LXDE on top, you only get a desktop, a file browser, an internet browser, and a pic viewer.
-If you want more packages there's tonnes of room on the image. eg apt-get install openoffice.org or apt-get install abiword or apt-get install any flipping thing u want
-You can access the SDCARD from Debian at "root/sdcard" (read-write)
-You can access Debian filesystem from Android (When Debian is running) at "sdcard/debian" (read only)
-debian.img is mounted at "sdcard/debian" using "dev/block/loop5"
-So far the only rom i have come accross that this dont work with is one of the cyanogen nightlies from last week. apart from that, working on opendesire, cyanogen, defrost, leedroid, official 2.2 with busybox...
Issues.
Debian cannot be shut down. You need to reboot the phone to do this. (You can kill the VNC server with "vncserver -kill :1" there is an icon on the festoons to do this.)
Update log.
deSIREbain.
-First release.
deSIREbain2
Fixed
-Loading a second terminal no longer breaks vnc.
-You no longer need to create the folder debian on sdcard.
Added
-ssh server (login with root and toor)
Removed.
-The image has been downsized from 2 gig to 1.4

Hey,
thank you for your work, i will test it so far and will tell you the results
got this error:
Code:
# su
su
# sh /sdcard/deboot
sh /sdcard/deboot
mount: No such file or directory
mount: No such file or directory
mount: No such file or directory
mount: No such file or directory
mount: mounting /sdcard on /sdcard/debian/root/sdcard failed: No such file or di
rectory
net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1
chroot: can't change root directory to /sdcard/debian: No such file or directory
#
If you have the same problems try out
su
mkdir /sdcard/debian
losetup /dev/block/loop3 /sdcard/debian.img
mount -t ext2 /dev/block/loop3 /sdcard/debian
ls /sdcard/debian
thx to mercianary for help
greetings

I found this guide quite helpful at getting a bootstrapped Debian setup running.
http://www.saurik.com/id/10
I didn't need to insert the ext2 module as it's already loaded for me, I guess G1s didn't have that convenience back then.

blackstoneuser5 said:
I found this guide quite helpful at getting a bootstrapped Debian setup running.
www . saurik.com/id/10
I didn't need to insert the ext2 module as it's already loaded for me, I guess G1s didn't have that convenience back then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used parts of this for reference too. Its a great guide, explains things really well.

i've just updated this. link is in the first post.
Fixed
-Loading a second terminal no longer breaks vnc.
-You no longer need to create the folder debian on sdcard.
Added
-ssh server (login with root and toor)
Removed.
-The image has been downsized from 2 gig to 1.4

debian for desire--help please
hi
I spent much time for searching debian or ubuntu for desire, but nothin worked
know i found this and i have download everything and start to install over the terminal
but the " sh /sdcard/deboot" is not workin to
there's only this answer:
# su
su
# sh /sdcard/deboot
sh /sdcard/deboot
[: not found
losetup: not found
mount: No such file or directory
mount: No such file or directory
mount: No such file or directory
mount: No such file or directory
busybox: not found
sysctl: not found
chroot: not found
may somebody help me?
i really want to have it on the desire
thanks

It looks like you had not installed busybox
Which ROM do you use ?

oh i'm sorry
i'm a newbie and don't really know what a rom is
but i had problems with busybox and there was a somebody who said i can get the app titanium and let it install the busybox

could you please show me a tut how to install busybox
maybe a german tut
thanks

Getting error at: sh /sdcard/deboot
line 5: syntax error near unexpected token `else'

Rosi1337 said:
Getting error at: sh /sdcard/deboot
line 5: syntax error near unexpected token `else'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont know why that happened.. works on mine. syntax looks ok to me.
try with this one (attatched), it's the same but without the bit that's not working for you.
what rom are you using, i shall try to replicate the error so I can try to fix properly.

thepuechen said:
could you please show me a tut how to install busybox
maybe a german tut
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be a guide on installing busybox somewhere if you want to search for it, i know i remember seeing one a while ago.
Too be honest, your better off just flashing a rom that includes busybox, it would be MUCH easier.
have a look here and see what takes your fancy, I would recomend defrost, because it is stable and easy to overclock.

Thanks mercianary,
It works fine!,
I use customised DeFroST_0.9b_uvonly with USB-host patch.
By the way I would like to add more options to kernel line.
Where can I find like a menu.lst file ? or How to add it to kernel line.
There is no /dev/graphics/* in running Debian console.
I would like to use FrameBuffer on running Debian.
thanks,

Android VNC won't connect Trying to get a handshake, but then says that VNC connection failed

please paste at that time log
jacobtc said:
Android VNC won't connect Trying to get a handshake, but then says that VNC connection failed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please paste at that time log.
Maybe vnc server does not running.

tknv said:
Thanks mercianary,
It works fine!,
I use customised DeFroST_0.9b_uvonly with USB-host patch.
By the way I would like to add more options to kernel line.
Where can I find like a menu.lst file ? or How to add it to kernel line.
There is no /dev/graphics/* in running Debian console.
I would like to use FrameBuffer on running Debian.
thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should understand that this is not a really booted native linux. Instead you are working in a chroot environment. So there is no kernel running that can get parameters. Only the the stock kernel of your DeFroST. Also there is no FrameBuffer as the graphic hardware ist not accessible. Instead this approach uses a vnc-server to which you can connect via a local viewer.
The advantage of this approach is clear:
- run almost any linux package available in the debian repository
- use your phone as before with the nice android
The disadvantage:
- no graphic output, so no 3D-games (which are rare under linux on the arm platform ;-)
- you can crash your android by eating up to much ram (not such a problem - it restarts on its own and if not you just have to reboot)

Thread is dead?
It seems this thread is dead. The problems many users seem to have come from a dirty setup. The image is broken in many terms:
- wrong file permissions on important binaries, like su
- wrong file permissions on many device files under /dev, so the ttys are only accessible by root
- wrong permissions on other places so there are always errors when installing additonal software (e.g. with the man pages)
- wrong setup that uses the root user for the desktop - instead an unprivileged user should be used
- missing packages for timezones and locales so the time is only right, if you are in a UTC region and console programs having trouble displaying anything else then plain english
I can not recommend using this setup image. It is better to use one of the instructions available online to get a clean setup.

Su doesn't work because your allready root.
Getting anything but root to work would be a real pain.
As you said its a chroot environment, its never going to be perfect.
The image was made using debootstrap just like all the other 'clean' ones.
Yep, it is broken as hell, but it works for what most people would need it for...make,gcc,python,a proper web browser,torrents, and some emergency word processing on the train to work.
The problem most people have is not being able to mount the image, this is due to fro-yo a2sd taking up all the loop devices.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.
I tried this on a MIUI rom and the scripy didnt do anything - ie i ran it using:
"# sh /sdcard/deboot"
.....and all it said was:
"#"
I entered all the lines in the shell script but the last one said it failed to launch VLC and no commands registered property (not even ls)
So i tried it on Defrost 5.1, and the script still didn't work.
But when i entered everything manually, it did work. Not too sure about the green theme though.
But thanks alot! Saves me spending a few hours trying to coax a working debootstrap out of my computer.
Thanks!
Josh.

mercianary said:
Su doesn't work because your allready root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Actually su works only for root. It's missing the setuid root flag like all other binaries that should have it set.
mercianary said:
Getting anything but root to work would be a real pain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I am always working as a normal, unprivileged user in my chroot. You just have to be in the proper groups. No need to work as root. Android works also with an unprivileged user.
mercianary said:
As you said its a chroot environment, its never going to be perfect.
The image was made using debootstrap just like all the other 'clean' ones.
Yep, it is broken as hell, but it works for what most people would need it for...make,gcc,python,a proper web browser,torrents, and some emergency word processing on the train to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I do not understand. There is no need that it is broken, as mine works without any errors. So I think something went wrong in creating yours. For sure a chroot is no running OS but you can server almost any service with it and run anything you want (if your ram does not get exhausted ;-).
mercianary said:
The problem most people have is not being able to mount the image, this is due to fro-yo a2sd taking up all the loop devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Everyone with a good rom should have a2sd+ (aka the old a2sd) which saves more space than the froyo one and leaves your loop devices for you.
jo

[Q] Help needed to dump the original rom

Hi everybody! I bought some weeks ago a Shift and my first priority is to change the language from Italian to English. But before going ahead in flashing a new rom I thought it is wise to make a back-up of the original rom.
So in my attempt to dump the original italian rom of my Shift I've come to an error status I don't know how to overcome, therefore any help would be very much appreciated:
Following pof's How to dump HTC Shift ROM at
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382609
I downloaded itsutils, unzipped on the pc and placed all the itsutils files in the c:\users\HTC User folder, (as I just did not know how to change the path in cmd to go to the c root with the itsutil folder).
Further on, with the WinMob connected to Vista with USB Tool, I introduced the first command line for pdocread
pdocread.exe -w -d FLASHDR -b 0x800 -p Part00 0 0x31f000 Part00.raw
and I got the answer
Copying c:\users\HTC User\itsutils.dll to WCE:\Windows\itsutils.dll (which I think it's OK) and then
rapi reinitializing (is it normal?)
and then
ERROR: CeProcessConfig – r=002349d0 ce=00000002 le=00000000 hr=80070005
– Access is denied
I have no idea on what the cause of the error could be, probably I must have done something wrong and I am stuck at this first dump step.
Can somebody please help me further to get unstuck?
Thank you very much!

Are you connected using activesync?
Also, try this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427507
and use pdocread -l first.

thaihugo said:
Are you connected using activesync?
Also, try this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427507
and use pdocread -l first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU THAIHUGO for taking the glove of answering me on this dead forum, I really need help! I find it fantastic that you are still so active, maybe in time some other senior members will take again the challenge to support the newcomers.
Yes, WM was connected to Vista side using the USB Tool and the Windows Mobile Device Center.
Looking back, I think I opened cmd as user and not as admin (now I know how to do it), this might have been the mistake, I will try again this afternoon.
1. So far I understood that the main reading process is running under Vista using the command lines and the itsutils, which is ok.
Does it matter where the unzipped folder <itsutilsbin-20100324> is placed? I mean should it be placed obligatory in the root of the c:\ drive?
If YES, how do I do that in the cmd line, I mean change the directory? Normally the cmd screen opens to the folder c:\users\HTC User when starting as user and to c:\Windows\system32 when doing it as administrator. Is it wise to copy all the itsutils files to system 32?
Of all those itsutils files, which are the absolutely necessary files to do the dump? Are these pdocread.exe and itsutils.dll only? This is because I'd like to handle as less files as possible to the system 32 folder.
2. If I got this right, the link that you pointed to shows for the Raphael ROM how to do the dump entirely on the WM side and should be applicable to the Shift WM as well if not managing it from Vista side, is that what you were trying to say?
3. Is this way of dumping the rom covering also the radio part and the bootloader, I mean all the 4 raw files contain the whole initial memory of the WM?
Sorry to raise such beginners question, but I did not find these things explained in any of the Shift threads and without answers I cannot progress with this dump job and furtehr proceed with flashing a custom rom in English. I did search in the Shift forums and googles for answers, but maybe I did not use the right keywords.
Looking forward to receive the enlighting answers, thanks in advance!

Admin cmd mode should help yes.
1) it doesn't matter where your zip is. Just uncompress the files somewhere in a folder (c:\itsutils if you want), open you command line in admin mode, navigate from system32 folder to the itsutils folder and try again with the pdocread -l then the command from POF post.
2) do not use raphael numbers. I linked to the post for the general procedure. Proper numbers are in the POF post.
3) you will not have the radio, nor the bootloader. But you have to jump if you want to use custom roms. Bootloader is available somwhere, and radio also I think.

Still getting errors
thaihugo said:
Admin cmd mode should help yes.
1) it doesn't matter where your zip is. Just uncompress the files somewhere in a folder (c:\itsutils if you want), open you command line in admin mode, navigate from system32 folder to the itsutils folder and try again with the pdocread -l then the command from POF post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again Thaihugo!
I gave it another try to pof's commands as you recommended this time first with pdocread -l and it doens't work, BUT I'm getting the similar error messages. While accessing cmd as administrator and running the cmd line from c:\itsutils:
pdocread.exe -l
rapi reinitializing
and then after about 35 sec
ERROR: CeProcessConfig – r=002349d0 ce=00000002 le=00000000 hr=80070005 – Access is denied
At different runs I got different addresses for r and ce, but the same for le and hr (no idea what those mean).
It doesn't change if launching as administrator or user.
I even downloaded a previous version of itsutils directly on the Vista computer and unzipped it with Total Commander and the result is the same.
Have also tried another command from pof with the same error result:
pmemdump.exe 0x8c000000 262144 SPL.nb
Of course the WM side was connected to Vista via USB Tool and I also checked if from the Vista side the WM folders were accessible.
I'm completely stuck, don't know what to do further, please help!!!
Thank you!
P.S. Have copied the itsutils.dll to the Windows folder in WM via e-mail, just like in the liberalization process in order to avoid copying it via Active sync (as recommended for Raphael). This time at the first run of the pdocread.exe I was asked to accept installing itsutils.dll on the WM side, which I did.
But I'm still getting the error messages when launching pdocread.exe -l, this time running very fast in a few seconds and after 4 turns it stops with the final message
ERROR loading itsutil.dll - probably denied by policy restrictions
Does it ring any bell to you?
My guess is that I have to relax the security policy on the WM side, but I don't know how.
I am amaized that nobody raised all these before.

I've finally done it! HowTo......
OK, I finally managed to dump the ROM thanks to the support of Thaihugo and the info in various threads on this forum (with credit to the authors), I have now the ROM and bootloader dump files, but not the radio rom.
There were several detailed steps important for beginners that were not included in POF's thread "How to dump HTC Shift ROM" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382609 that prevented me to do the dump from the first go.
In order to spare other newcomers time, here they are:
-On the WinMob side change the Security Policies setting by installing a registry editor like PHM Registry Editor, TotalCommander, etc. (I used the cab files downloaded in Vista and moved to WinMob via the Windows Mobile Device Center);
Go to HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies and change the valuename '00001001' from dword:2 to dword:1. Save the change and soft reset your WM device.
If in doubt check this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427507
Note: After finishing the dump operation do not forget to revert back to the initial dword:2 value
-Download itsutils from POF's site to Vista and unzip the package to a new folder "c:\itsutils".
-To be on the safe side disconnect all network connections (3G modem, wifi, BT, LAN) and all USB external devices.
-Connect the WinMob side of the liberated Shift to Vista using the USB Tool and check in the Windows Mobile Device Center that the folders and files of WinMob are indeed accessible from Vista
-Open the command line screen and go to the folder where you unzipped the itsutils tool by typing "cd c:\itsutils" (without the quotes).
-From within the folder itutils type the command "pdocread -l" (without the quotes).
At this point, with pdocread.exe started, go to the WinMob side and
you will find a message asking you to accept installing the itsutils.dll on the WM side, say Yes to it and wait until it is instelled.
Then go back to Vista side and carry on as described in POF's thread mentioned above by:
- using "pdocread.exe -l" to list the NAND PARTITIONS (which have to do also with the radio side as I understood from one of cmonex posts)
- using "pdocread.exe -w -d FLASHDR -b 0x800 -p Part00 0 0x31f000 Part00.raw" and the other 3 commnads to generate the 4 raw files in the same folder c:\itsutils; keep them for reconstructing the original ROM
- using "pmemdump.exe 0x8c000000 262144 SPL.nb" to dump the bootloader file to the same folder c:\itsutils; keep that too.
That's it for now.
I have to deal further with dumping the radio rom, but I don't know how to do it, I must search the forums.
A big THANK YOU to all who helped me!

I never dumped a Radio. I think the experts keep this as secret because it's quite dangerous. Isuggest you have a look at your radio version and try and fin the same radioin the forum already dumped.
Otherwise, there are roms for each radio, so you could just simply apply the one that works wth your radio. No phone call though if you don't use the right one.

thaihugo said:
I never dumped a Radio. I think the experts keep this as secret because it's quite dangerous. Isuggest you have a look at your radio version and try and fin the same radioin the forum already dumped.
Otherwise, there are roms for each radio, so you could just simply apply the one that works wth your radio. No phone call though if you don't use the right one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again Thaihugo, it seems that you are the only senior left on duty on this dead forum....yet the counter shows 238 views of this thread. Hm, strange....Anyway, thank you for all the good hints given one way or another during the past days, I wouldn't have made it without it.
I got the message, I will not bother with dumping the Radio. I know that a particular Rom is matched with a certain radio. I will flash one of your roms, most probably Age of Reasons and the associated radio. I am not looking for tens of programs on the WM side, it is enough to have the basic things in English and instant-on. I will let you know!

[UPDATE 2/12/2010] Terminal IDE - Full 'on device' Java / Android IDE

[UPDATE]
BusyBox 1.19.2
Bash 4.2
Midnight Commander 4.8
TMUX 1.5 - That's right, full terminal multiplexer..
Vim 7.3
Terminal IDE ASCII Soft keyboard first round bug fixes complete.
It's the addition of TMUX and MC that really excites..
--------------------------
Well,
As the only people I know who might even be interested in this, I would like to announce the release of Terminal IDE v1.0.
A complete Java / Android Development Environment that runs on the device itself, with a nice telnetd / sshd feature.
For Android. Of course... Eat this you IPhone Hounds..
Woo HOO!!
The application is available on Android Market.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.spartacusrex.spartacuside
As what I can only describe as 'dark days' finally draw to an end, I am very pleased with this first draft.
PLEASE give it a go, log in over telnet for a smoother ride, and let me know how it goes..
DO THE TUTORIAL! Does it work ?!
I have released the whole project GPLv2! Yeah, Who Knew!?
http://code.google.com/p/terminal-ide/
BOOOOOM!
Spartacus

a link to the app in the market would be usefull.

Interesting. Was just wondering about coding on my tablet.

Pretty freakin sweet
Thanks for putting this out!

Awesome
The full keyboard alone makes it worth downloading, but the IDE as well - wow!

this is best bro.

I randomly found this last night while looking for a decent mobile IDE for my tablet. I was looking for a simple text editor with syntax highlighting and you've taken that extra step to include other tools for ssh, telnet and compilers. Much appreciated.
One question, how do you start the ssh server? sshd doesn't seem to do it. I would like to scp files to my device from my desktop in order to work on my commute.
Thanks

The sshd app is actually called Dropbear.
You also have Dropbearkey.
You use Dropbearkey to generate the sshd certificates you need.
I really need to add a tutorial on setting the sshd keys up
For now Google has a couple of articles on it.
For file transfers you also have busybox FTP but I admit not terribley secure..
Allthough SSH is provided, and I wonder whether an SSH pipe can be created..?
And lastly you can just copy the files over to your sdcard via USB..
Will look into it & add tutorials asap.

Ok. So I now have SSHD working..
But there is a slight issue.. basically when you log in you have to start bash manually.. unless you have the file /etc/shell with the correct shell to use.. Which requires a rooted phone.
Since Terminal IDE is for non-ROOT users, I will have to recompile the code to allow a shell to be specified on the command line.. Soon..
FOR NOW - This is how to connect to the phone via SSH (There are other ways using public keys but this is one way)
So - Once in Terminal IDE
2) You need to create a couple of server ssh keys
Start in $HOME
Code:
cd ~
Create folder
Code:
mkdir .ssh
Give it some secure permissions
Code:
chmod 700 .ssh
Get in there
Code:
cd .ssh
Now create the keys
Code:
dropbearkey -t dss -f dropbear_dss_host_key
dropbearkey -t rsa -f dropbear_rsa_host_key
ok - That's almost it. Just need to start dropbear with the correct parameters now. [Probably want to keep this in a script]
Back HOME
Code:
cd ~
You need to know the UID of your app, which is different per phone - use 'id'
Code:
id
That will tell you your user ID / Group ID. Let's say its 10058.
Now to start DropBear
Code:
dropbear -A -N username -U 10058 -G 10058 -C password -d ~/.ssh/dropbear_dss_host_key -r ~/.ssh/dropbear_rsa_host_key -F -E -p 8090 -P PidFile
This will start it running in the foreground with password set to 'password' on port 8090.
Then you can connect, like telnet, and simply use 'password' for the password.
Now for the issue. It will start a simple shell session in / with no ENVIRONMENT variables or anything..
I'll fix it permanently in a future release, but for now it can be fixed with these 2 commands.
cd into your home dir - Check this is correct on your device
Code:
cd /data/data/com.spartacusrex.spartacuside/files
And start bash with an init file Terminal IDE auto-magically creates..
Code:
./system/bin/bash --init-file ./.init
Everything should now be setup as usual.
Good luck..

Very awesome and thank you sir. Works like a charm.
One thing to clarify for those "braving" this (not that it's all that insane to try)... the '-N' is setting the username (in the case of the example, setting it to 'username').
Also, it gives a permission denied for scp, I'm assuming since it doesn't init/run the shell. Should be fine since FTP is included. Haven't tried this option yet. Not too worried about security at the moment, since I'll only run it on a private network.
May I make a (maybe) small feature request? Is it possible to include a "keep screen awake" option in the options menu? I have my Xoom config'd to turn off the wifi when the screen is off for power saving (can go ~4 days on 1 charge), so it will kill my connections if I let this happen. I know not everyone has this config set, but it'd be a nice option.
NOW, if I wasn't lazy, I could probably add this myself and build since I've dl'd the source. But, lazy and working on a few projects already.
Again, much thanks.

And as if by magic..
Funnily enough I was having the exact same issue last night while using wget to transfer a big file to my device..
NEW VERSION UPLOADED v1.13
Now has 3 non-exclusive lock types available in the options :
- CPU Lock
- SCREEN Lock
- WIFI Lock
Set them as you wish...

Saw that this morning when I was on the bus (Thursday morning here in Hong Kong). Very awesome and much appreciated.
As well, thanks for open-sourcing it. +1 for you sir!

Very cool stuff
Thanks for creating this.

Great app! However I can't compile .java files. I always get an error that it can't unzip a file in /android.policy.jar. Any idea?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Do you think its possible to also support compiling C sources directly in your phone

I've been searching for this ever since I got an android.
THANK YOU.

Says that it's incompatible with my OG Droid. Any idea why?

shpen said:
Says that it's incompatible with my OG Droid. Any idea why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely seems to be due to the ROM you are using and/or the market version
can u post the build.prop here?
/system/build.prop
also, try going back to market 2.x, 3.x market(s) do loads of checks

Does anybody know why I can't compile java files? I always get the following error:
Error reading /system/framework/android_policy.jar cannot read zip file.
Any ideas? Could anyone upload there android_policy.jar because that might cause the error.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Hi Schindler33.
Can I ask, have you followed the tutorials, say the first helloworld example TO THE LETTER?
Does the helloworld example work?
The parameters have to be correct, and as always exact, and the BOOTCLASSPATH variable must be set.
If so, is it a custom ROM?
Does that policy jar file exist and is it readable by non root users?
As much info as possible good..

Hidden WindowsApps folder

Hey guyz, my query is regarding the hidden C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder which stores all the downloaded Windows Store Apps. Today as I had some issues with the Zune Videos app, I decided to uninstall it. After uninstall I usually manually check for left over files using the search utility. To my surprise I found that though windows had removed the videos app, related files were still lurking in the aforesaid foler along with files belonging to previously uninstalled apps. Now, the leftover files are taking up a lot of space around a GB of data. Is it safe to manually delete these folders and files belonging to uninstalled apps? Is there any utility that searches and removes such left over files?
Thnx!

Even if you uninstall preinstalled Microsoft apps ( and maybe other apps installed from store), they still remain in that folder, taking up a lot of space. I got the right permissions to enter the windows apps folder, but I cannot delete uninstalled apps, I need system permissions but it is hard to grant them, I read about using a boot linux distro I can do it. Anyone know how to delete those apps?
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OK, first of all, search before posting. This topic has been discussed to death.
Second, the reason for the old versions sticking around is because a new user account always has those apps pre-installed; if you delete them it breaks things.
Third, you can delete them easily by taking ownership (must be Admin to do this) and them editing the permissions. It's also possible to run a shell as TrustedInstaller, but that's a mess by comparison.

Sorry for noobishness, but what exactly are u referring to when u say a new user account? Is it a fresh windows install or creating a user from within windows? Also what things could break exactly?

Creating a user from within Windows... You may have heard of these things called multi-user operating systems? The NT family (including RT) supports multiple users. Your tablet sets up one user on initial configuration, but you can add more. Each one has its own username, password, home directory, etc. Each one also has its own Windows Store apps, but the binaries are all stored in the same place (C:\Program Files\WindowsApps).
Best case, the new user would either have a broken tile on their Start screen or would just not have access to one of the apps that is supposed to be present by default. Worst (likely) case, creating the new user would fail partway through, leading to a corrupted security configuration and registry. The real result is probably nearer the best case than the worst, but without testing - something I'm not going to do on my own hardware purely to satisfy curiosity - I can't say. It would be putting the system into an unexpected state, a condition outside what the developers likely ever planned for, and at that point the best you can hope for is a graceful failure that doesn't take anything else with it.

GoodDayToDie said:
Creating a user from within Windows... You may have heard of these things called multi-user operating systems? The NT family (including RT) supports multiple users. Your tablet sets up one user on initial configuration, but you can add more. Each one has its own username, password, home directory, etc. Each one also has its own Windows Store apps, but the binaries are all stored in the same place (C:\Program Files\WindowsApps).
Best case, the new user would either have a broken tile on their Start screen or would just not have access to one of the apps that is supposed to be present by default. Worst (likely) case, creating the new user would fail partway through, leading to a corrupted security configuration and registry. The real result is probably nearer the best case than the worst, but without testing - something I'm not going to do on my own hardware purely to satisfy curiosity - I can't say. It would be putting the system into an unexpected state, a condition outside what the developers likely ever planned for, and at that point the best you can hope for is a graceful failure that doesn't take anything else with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please, how can i delete those apps ? i have admin permission but when i try to delete i get the message: System permissions requested...

Here's your answer!

I just did that, it does no work
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gaetanolip said:
Please, how can i delete those apps ? i have admin permission but when i try to delete i get the message: System permissions requested...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So after being told it could very well break things you still want to do it?
Is your HDD really that small that a GB is a noticeable loss when it comes to the piece of mind that your system will work correctly?

Here's one way using the commandline:
Press Win-X, run "Command Prompt Admin". Enter the colored text commands into the CMD console (copy-paste if you're a CLI newbie):
C:\Windows\system32>takeown /f "c:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /r /d y (take ownership of folder)
C:\Windows\system32>icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /grant administrators:f /t (give yourself full access rights to folder)
Now you can delete stuff in the folder. Let's nuke a Zune folder. I hate those ad-ridden crap anyway.
C:\Windows\system32>cd "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" (change directory to said folder)
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps>dir/a/p (list folder content, pick a subfolder to nuke)
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps>rd /s/q Microsoft.Z<Tab>
CLI trick: Press Tab for filename completion. If more than one file fits the match, successive Tabs will cycle through the names. This shortcut is a lifesaver for CLI peeps. Anyway, so we get Microsoft.ZuneMusic_blahblah. Press Enter to kill ZuneMusic folder. (Yes, it's a dangerous command. Disclaimer of responsibility goes here.)
Suffice it to say, set a restore point beforehand.

After-action report: OK so after nuking the ZuneMusic folder, I made a new "Test" user. On the Start Screen (which I never use) I get IE, Store, File Explorer, and Desktop. This mirrored what I had on my main acct, so seems pretty normal. I then went and install the free MS Solitaire from Win Store. Works. I'll try nuking the rest of the Bing/Zune/Xbox crap and see what happens. (Yes, I backed up.)
AAR 2: OK I went and delete a bunch more stuff, including MS Solitaire folder I just installed. Went back out to the Start Screen and clicked on Solitaire tile. It went into a blank screen and bounced back out to the Start Screen. Right-click, Uninstall, and tile gone. No problemo. Went into Store again and install MS Mahjong. Works again.
Seems pretty cut-and-dried.

Ah cool, thanks for testing!

GoodDayToDie said:
Ah cool, thanks for testing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
syntax error for me
Microsoft Windows [Versione 6.2.9200]
(c) 2012 Microsoft Corporation. Tutti i diritti riservati.
C:\windows\system32>takeown /f "c:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /r /d y
ERRORE: Sintassi non valida. Il valore 'y' non è consentito per l'opzione '/d'.
Digitare "TAKEOWN /?" per informazioni sull'utilizzo.
C:\windows\system32>
translation : sintax error , y is not allowed for option /d
please help me i have a very small ssd...

It's a localization error. /r recurses on all subdirectories, and /d y (y for yes) bypasses the prompt to act on each subdir. My guess that you'd want to use /d s (for sì). Alternatively, you can leave out the /d y, and just confirm for each subdir.
To get parameter description for takeown or any command, enter at the prompt command /? > C:\command.txt, so for takeown, enter takeown /? > C:\takeown.txt. Then peruse the text file with Notepad.
If you have limited space want to minimize Win8 footprint, there are more substantive means to do so. One is to manually set a smaller pagefile with a WMIC command (subject to localization differences):
Set pagefile: wmic pagefileset where name="C:\\pagefile.sys" set initialsize=1024,maximumsize=1024
Check pagefile: wmic pagefileset
Reboot for it to take effect. The above sets pagefile to a fixed 1GB size; you can adjust to taste. You can of course adjust it via the usual GUI route.
Second is to reduce or remove the hibernate file. For a desktop, where power isn't an issue and you don't reboot often, my suggestion is to disable hibernate. When hib is disabled, fast boot is off, and booting will take slightly longer.
Disable hibernate: powercfg -h off
For laptops, you can reduce hibernate file size by up to 50%.
Set hibernate size to 50% of RAM (50% = min): powercfg -h -size 50
Personally, I also removed all the "reserved" partitions, and handle my own backup/restore with 3rd-party tools. For a tablet with SSD, this can recoup substantial space. But it's more involved, and best done during a fresh install.

Thanks very much I 'll try your tips and I 'll tell you.
I just reduced hibernate file , I can't touch recovery partition because I have a tablet that does not boot from external usb, you understand. Therefore I need a big pagefile, I have only 2 gb ram ...
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Great, it worked!
I want to add, after the first two steps, you can delete-modify every single folder via explorer . No need to use command line
Thanks
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dadad
e.mote said:
Here's one way using the commandline:
Press Win-X, run "Command Prompt Admin". Enter the colored text commands into the CMD console (copy-paste if you're a CLI newbie):
C:\Windows\system32>takeown /f "c:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /r /d y (take ownership of folder)
C:\Windows\system32>icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /grant administrators:f /t (give yourself full access rights to folder)
Now you can delete stuff in the folder. Let's nuke a Zune folder. I hate those ad-ridden crap anyway.
C:\Windows\system32>cd "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" (change directory to said folder)
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps>dir/a/p (list folder content, pick a subfolder to nuke)
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps>rd /s/q Microsoft.Z<Tab>
CLI trick: Press Tab for filename completion. If more than one file fits the match, successive Tabs will cycle through the names. This shortcut is a lifesaver for CLI peeps. Anyway, so we get Microsoft.ZuneMusic_blahblah. Press Enter to kill ZuneMusic folder. (Yes, it's a dangerous command. Disclaimer of responsibility goes here.)
Suffice it to say, set a restore point beforehand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---
i type the two first commands but it still says access denied. what should i do?

[Q] Hopefully simple Nook Touch question...

I have a Nook Simple Touch, BNRV300, and I have successfully modified uRamdisk to gain root shell access with ADB over USB (Thanks Renate!). I am currently on firmware version 1.2.1.
I know this may seem like heresy to some here, but I really do not want or need to root my NST and add a number of apps I won't use anyway. I have a fully rooted Nexus 7 for that sort of thing.
All I would like to be able to do is turn off the need to swipe to unlock when returning from sleep, and modify the text on the screensaver overlay.
I have discovered, by the way, that sqlite3 does not seem to be available on this NST, as when trying to use it via ADB shell, it says "sqlite3: not found".
SO, there we are... I would greatly appreciate any assistance offered.
MildBill
P.S. I have tried Nook Manager, and while it did what I wanted, there were many things added that I just have no need for. And, battery drain seemed to double.So, it had to go.

Regarding SQLite3.
Since the guts of it (libsqlite.so) is already in the Nook, you only need the command line executable (sqlite3).
It's here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50958855#post50958855
Unzip it, stick it in /system/bin, chmod 755 it.

Renate NST said:
Regarding SQLite3.
Since the guts of it (libsqlite.so) is already in the Nook, you only need the command line executable (sqlite3).
It's here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50958855#post50958855
Unzip it, stick it in /system/bin, chmod 755 it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, once again, thank you Renate. Now if I can get some idea on my main questions...

There are no simple questions here. Even the answers are complicated.
Many people have created solutions and packed them into these "manager" things.
I finally got around to doing my own minimal one.
It's packaged up in nook121patch.zip (in the signature).
Code:
C:\>adb pull /system/framework/android.policy.jar
C:\>apktool d android.policy.jar \AP
C:\>mergesmali /v C:\AP\smali C:\Nook121Patch\KeyguardViewMediator.smali
C:\>apktool b C:\AP android.policy.jar
C:\>adb shell stop
C:\>adb mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p5 /system
C:\>adb push android.policy.jar /system/framework/
C:\>adb shell chmod 644 /system/framework/android.policy.jar
C:\>adb shell reboot

Renate NST said:
There are no simple questions here. Even the answers are complicated.
Many people have created solutions and packed them into these "manager" things.
I finally got around to doing my own minimal one.
It's packaged up in nook121patch.zip (in the signature).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Renate, I hate to complicate your answer any more than necessary, but...
On the Temblast page that clicking on your signature takes me to, I do see mergesmali, one of the two tools I will need based on the instructions you gave. I do not see nook121patch.zip, nor apktool, however. Where can I find these?
Also, can you tell me something about what this will do for me?
I hate to be such a noob, I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous. Thanks again for all your help, sorry I have to keep asking for more.
MildBill

Well, I wasn't that clear.
mergesmali is in the signature, nook121patch.zip is on the mergesmali project page too.
Apktool is detailed and linked here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Apktool
There are many patches in the nook121patch.zip
You can apply them selectively.
.jar is easy, they don't need signing.
.apk is trickier they must be signed.
System .apk is even trickier, they must be signed with the system signature.
The KeyguardViewMediator.smali will make that your Nook just opens with a push of the power button and no swipe.

Renate NST said:
Well, I wasn't that clear.
mergesmali is in the signature, nook121patch.zip is on the mergesmali project page too.
Apktool is detailed and linked here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Apktool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh! Well, my bad, I should have tried harder. And, yet again, thanks. Nook users owe you much, Renate!
MildBill

Renate NST said:
Code:
C:\>adb pull /system/framework/android.policy.jar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK so far, and (I think) I have apktool properly installed, then realized I also needed to install the Java Development Kit as well to use it, which I managed to do. But, when I try to do
Code:
C:\>apktool d android.policy.jar \AP
I get
Code:
Input file (\AP) was not found or was not readable.
as a response.
So, I guess I need to return to the magic well of your knowledge for further assistance and/or instruction.
To which I can only add...
HELP!
EDIT: By the way, I am using an adb.exe implementation from another root kit I have installed, not the standard installation from the SDK. Is this perhaps part of my problem?

Well, something goofy is going on there.
Type just apktool and get the usage and version.
\AP in this case is the destination directory.
It should not already exist or else you get a warning.
Maybe the input file (the jar) can't be found, but the error message is wrong?
Code:
C:\>apktool
Apktool v1.5.2 - a tool for reengineering Android apk files
Copyright 2010 Ryszard Wi?niewski <[email protected]>
with smali v1.4.1, and baksmali v1.4.1
Code:
C:\>apktool d C:\nook121\system\framework\android.policy.jar \AP
I: Baksmaling...
I: Copying assets and libs...
Code:
C:\>apktool d C:\boguspath \BogusDir
Input file (C:\boguspath) was not found or was not readable.

Renate NST said:
Well, something goofy is going on there.
Type just apktool and get the usage and version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there ya go... I got apktool v2.0.0b9.
I can get 1.5.2, but will it work with Java 7? Oh well, live and learn I guess...
MildBill

Oh, well, then the 2.0 probably uses different args.
"apktool" by itself will tell you the order of arguments.
To run anything on the desktop the Java 7 runtime environment is fine.
To compile an Android application you have to use Java 6.0 SDK.

Renate NST said:
Oh, well, then the 2.0 probably uses different args.
"apktool" by itself will tell you the order of arguments.
To run anything on the desktop the Java 7 runtime environment is fine.
To compile an Android application you have to use Java 6.0 SDK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then, since it appears from the changes that 2.0 requires the Java 7 SDK, I guess I'll uninstall it all and get 1.5.2 and Java 6.

I'm running desktop applications:
Code:
C:\>java.exe -version
java version "1.7.0"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0-b147)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 21.0-b17, mixed mode, sharing)
I'm compiling Android applications with:
Code:
C:\>javac.exe -version
javac 1.6.0_38-ea
apktool runs under the JRE, version 1.7 is fine.

OK, finally got around to completing the instructions as posted, and except for having to add the command 'shell' to the mount statement, everything worked fine. And, it accomplishes exactly what I was after.
Next I may look into trying your library and reader apps.
Thanks again!
MildBill
P.S. You might consider rewriting the readme file included in nook121patch.zip to better describe what each patch does.

The readme is admittedly very old.
That's because I forgot that it's even there!
Each of the individual smali files has comments at the head saying what it does.
I'll make something to compile the individual comments into a single readme.

I can also report, at this point, that unlike an other method I have tried to accomplish this simple task, this one does NOT run thru battery life like it was going out of style.
The next most popular option, NookManager, which uses the NookModManager to do this fix, uses an average of 10% battery life every day, even when in in sleep mode the whole time. Turning the option off (I.E. reinstating the swipe to unlock) again reduces battery drain to a more normal point.
But, the fix by Renate seems to use nomorebattery than the stock reader, whether reading, sleeping, with WiFi on or off. I like it!
Once again, Renate, thank you very much for this, and for all you have done for the Nook community.
MildBill