Hello,
In this thread I will teach you every method I had to use to root any Spreadtrum devices, Starting with the riskless ones to the reckless ones.
I have to warn you that the last root method (using ResearchDownload to load a modified system.img) may be dangerous ! (because of possible partition table changes)
The others methods are pretty safe, don't be afraid by them if you do exactly what I wrote.
Theses processors are also named SP6820 and SP8810, it's exactly the same processor, it's just some misnaming from Chinese sellers.
Theses methods do work on the newest Spreadtrum CPUs, like the SC7710 (the 3G WCDMA model), and the more powerful SC8825/SC6825 (dual core).
Why buying a Spreadtrum based phone ?
They are really cheap, and they work amazingly well ! They can play some games and emulators very well, that's unexpected for such low end devices (50$ or less)
They usually only have 256MB of RAM but despite that, they still runs well ! (I tested a lot of games and some 3D games are working flawlessly, pretty amazing) - I discovered that they are using zram (or other swap methods) to provide more RAM by compressing it when needed. That's pretty neat and really helps with such a small amount of RAM !
They are very good as a portable multimedia device, to read mails, browsing the web, play some games, mp3, videos.
As a 2G phone they are competent, but the 2G modem is not as good as the one in MTK processors. (It takes longer to load something in the same conditions)
Boot very fast, and have decent battery life. (3-4 hours of video out of a 1200 mAh battery - 5-6 hours out of a 1800 mAh)
Why you should not ?
Not true anymore, but they were extremely difficult to root in some cases.
They don't seem to be well tested ... You can have a microphone so quiet nobody will be able to ear you. But it's easy to fix as you can see here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38731407
They don't have any form of usable 3G support. (except the SC7710 who have WCDMA 850/2100 compatibility)
They usually have only 256MB of RAM again. So that can be a problem when you are, for example, using Opera Mobile Classic with more than 3 tabs. And make the transition between apps longer.
SC6820 and SC8810 model are all using Android 2.x, even if some are marketed as Android 4.0 phone (very big and blatant lie !)
They usually use android 2.3, but some are only Android 2.2 phones ! (The fake Android 4.0.3 for instance is usually only android 2.2)
SC6825 and SC8825 seems to only have a (real this time) Android 4.0.3 firmware. 4.1 are better is often advertised, but it's again ... lies ... Android 4.0 is not really suitable for phones with only 256 MB of RAM, so SC6825/8825 phones are pretty rough on the edges. Using more than one tab on the default web browser is asking for troubles for example.
They all use the MocorDroid Firmware. It's some kind of fork of Android that use NON-Standards and sometime buggy Launchers and they often use alternative keyboards like Go Keyboard which is kind of a bad choice considering the RAM and ROM constraints on theses devices ...
The only difference between the SC6820 and the SC8810 is the support for the Chinese form of 3G.
If you don't live in china, that means this two processors are essentially the same. (Don't trust sellers, the 8810 is NOT WCDMA "3G" compatible)
Some phones with the fake Android 4.0.3 based on 2.3.5 will brick themselves nearly 2 months after you first used it. It's a really weird behavior of this early Spreadtrum firmware. So if you have this firmware, just do whatever it takes to root it, make a backup and install CWM as soon as possible to be able to recover from this possible breakage. It's only a problem with a fraction of Spreadtrum phones, but you will be very happy if you have installed CWM before encountering it ^^ (applicable only if you bought one in 2012)
A lot of fakery in the Spreadtrum scene. For example fake MTK6515/MTK6572 phones that are in fact just SC6820/SC6825 phones with a firmware modified to lie its processor ID to populars android benchmarking tools like Antutu Benchmark.
If you are searching for a 512MB RAM phone, you'd better go for an MTK(6575/6572 or better) Phone. As you will never find a real 512MB Spreadtrum phone in the jungle of lies you are looking at ...
On all model with 2.3.5 based firmware (SC6820 and SC8810 essentially), you can have a lot of problems with the SIM card detection on some sim cards. For example I can't call somebody with mine, but I can answer a call or send/receive SMS ... Very weird bug ...
This bug seems to be related on the type a sim card you have. With some their is no problem at all.
I can confirm that it's working flawlessly on SC6825 and 8825 based phones with the real 4.0.3 based firmware.
Why rooting it ?
Because a lot of them come with a lot of sh*tty softwares, including the bad launcher and keyboard.
Because they can come with a "Virus" that can send SMS messages to china (so you have to pay for unwanted international SMS cost)
I myself have this Virus on one of my phones, as of now, I haven't noticed anything unusual. Just the useless, unkillable com.android.caivs.app process eating 15 MB of RAM doing nothing. (It is a significant waste of ram on such devices)
(As of now I only seen this malware on Feiteng devices - You can share your experience with this thing down bellow)
More about CAIVS here: http://web.archive.org/web/20110812021151/http://www.cseed.cn/chinese/news/portfolio2.htm
That virus was on most of the earliest Spreadtrum phones but don't seem to be a worry nowadays. But I haven't tried any new Feiteng devices. They were so poor in quality that I will never buy feiteng again so find it by yourselves if you feel adventurous xD
How-to do that ?!
If you are lucky you will be able to root your phone by traditional means.
If you are not, you can root them by manually adding the root utilities to the ROM.
I will describe every methods that you should try in order of difficulty and risks.
Before doing any of that, go to the android setting -> applications -> Development -> Check USB Debugging.
Universal Root utilities
Theses methods are safe, and the second one is, as of now, working on every Spreadtrum phones flawlessly !
1.1 - Z4Root
Just try z4root !
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833953
z4root is a little tool to root Android 2.2 and sometime work on 2.3
It's known to work on devices with the fake Android 4.0.3 based on 2.2 and MocorDroid 2.2.2
It may work on more of them, just try, there is no risks at all.
Make sure you have at least 50 MB of available space on the /data partition before trying this. (not the SDCard, the Applications Space)
Try a temporary root to see if it works, then you can do the permanent root.
You will maybe have to try it 2 or 3 times before it works.
Even if it doesn't work, reboot the phone after this. Because it can eat your battery while running in the backgroung if it fails.
1.2 - vRoot
vRoot is a chinese tool to root many devices !
It's proved to work very well with Spreadtrum (and MTK) devices. I used it successfully on a lot of Spreadtrum devices, even the most recent ones (SC8825).
You only need a Windows Computer (I personally use it on Windows 7 32bits).
Then download it from here: http://www.mgyun.com/en/getvroot
Install it and then open it.
As of now you only need to plug your USB cable to your computer, and then click on the Root button. (you don't need to do anything else, don't touch your phone)
Once it's done and the phone rebooted you will be rooted !
The root app is some kind of custom chinese one, but it's working properly.
Don't try to replace it with SuperSU as SuperSU don't seem to work properly on Spreadtrum devices.
If you want to understand what the root app is saying, try to set the language on your device to English.
2 - Custom Firmware Flash
Please never use any custom firmware available in .pac file format ! Or at least, don't use them before doing a full backup of your current firmware !
Feiteng A7100 (only if you have the mt6515_c910_ht_en_4.0_v01 rom/firmware on it !!! If not, don't touch it, you will end up with a brick ! Or screen reversed, or other strange bugs): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2149396
If you have a Feiteng A7100 I really recommend NOT TO USE this rom ! Why ? Because it only works on a fraction of A7100, newer releases of the same phone don't use the same firmware. With this tutorial here, you can root your A7100 easily and way safer. Please go to "4-" on this tutorial to know how to root your A7100.
If you append to find some others Custom roms for spreadtrum devices, or are making one, please send me a PM, I will link them here.
3 - Fastboot to the rescue !
If every fast, simple and secure methods are not working, then this will be difficult my friend !
3.1 - Find Fasboot
First, let check if we have fastboot in your phone !
Fastboot is a little tool inside the bootloader. It's here to help you flash the firmware.
Not every Spreatrum phones have it, so let's check if you are lucky !
You can access it by powering on the phone up while holding a key.
First power off your phone.
Then hold some button like volume+
while pressing this button, press and hold down the power button.
Keep holding the two buttons until the screen light up.
You should now have something on your screen. Maybe a system diagnostic tool (a menu with a set of system tests, that's totally useless) or maybe the recovery mode (a screen with a warning sign, and now your phone is stuck here until you pull out the battery) or, and that means victory, a screen that says "Fastboot".
If you are not on fastboot, but are on the Recovery or the System Test, turn the phone off again and try another button press at boot time exactly like I said before.
This time, try the Home button if you have one, or the Volume-.
You should also try buttons combinations. Like volume up and down at the same time. Home + vol Up, etc and maybe the 3 at the same time ...
(if you just boot as if nothing was pressed, you maybe have to unplug the battery, wait for a while and put it back before powering the phone on. Theses things are also not working when the usb/charging cable is plugged in - if some keys combinations are not doing anything, it's perfectly fine, it means they don't trigger any hidden boot mode)
If nothing bring fastboot up, you have to use the Spreadtrum Debug tool "ResearchDownload" ...
So Skip to "4-" ! ^^
3.2 - Install the drivers
If you append to find Fastboot, we will have to install the PC part of it !
Like every android phone, you have to install adb and his drivers to access the Android Debug Bridge.
You can find them and learn how they work here: http://dottech.org/21534/how-to-ins...ows-computer-for-use-with-your-android-phone/
On Ubuntu or Debian Linux you just have to install them that way:
Code:
sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
You also have to install the phone drivers if you are using Windows:
ADB Drivers: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?c5nf3rlhxmxhu4x
Debug Drivers: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2tyg0k2xp3ejgyg
Mirror: http://www.mediafire.com/?o9km8vl287ev24j
Then you will have to tell adb what phone to use. By that I mean adding the PCI ID to a text file to tell adb that this peripheral is compatible.
The Spreadtrum PCI ID is 0x1782
add this line to "Your user directory/.android/adb_usb.ini"
Code:
0x1782
3.3 - Using fastboot to load CWM (Clockwork Mod)
CWM work on some of theses Spreadtrum devices, most of the time, the screen is reversed, but it works !
On some phone, you will be presented with a blank screen, but CWM will work ... That will just be very difficult to navigate ... (don't bother and use another method if you append to be in this boat)
Here are the recovery images available for Spreadtrum device to my knowledge:
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?u6uyignmdcpillt - extracted from a random SC6820 that I don't remember
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?bosnfcq9n65mtc5 - i9270+
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?xem49dy5dh99ml0 - 5830, S5830, Q5830, Q206 and GT-N9300 (maybe more)
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?adfwq6b5268qb58 - S9300 (SC6820A S3 Clone)
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?y2f7aaan4b00l1m - Feiteng GT-A7100 and probably more Feiteng devices.
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?lg7m6v49efzpnjk - 6500-TV or S560
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6xn977jjsuusjan - N9300 (I9300 Clone)
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?d68wc334qn47tdd - S930 or N8820
If your device is not listed or the one for your device doesn't work, try them all, even if your phone is SC6820 and the recovery was made for SC8810, if none are working, we will have to flash the entire system partition, which is a lot more difficult and dangerous ...
Flashing CWM to the phone:
Linux Only: Initialize ADB:
Code:
sudo adb kill-server
sudo adb start-server
Boot your phone in fastboot mode.
Be sure your device shows up:
Code:
fastboot devices
if your device show up, it's time to flash
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
It's flashed ! Let's reboot now.
Code:
fastboot reboot
Start on CWM, if it works, you can start to root the phone !
Download this patch: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?131nsw87afzwb5v
Put it on the root of your SD Card.
Now you will have to boot on CWM, he is on the same key combination than the old useless recovery was. (Most of the time Volume- and Power)
You can also try this command with adb:
Code:
adb reboot recovery
Now it's the perfect time to do a full backup of your firmware with CWM, so please do so, that can come in handy. (please go to the end of this tutorial after rooting your phone to know how to make a FULL backup. CWM will only make a partial one.)
choose apply update.zip
Choose the file you have put on your sd card before
Apply it then reboot.
This update.zip have pushed everything needed to root your phone in the right place, you should be rooted now !
If you have an error like:"Can't mount /sdcard" you may have to try with another SD Card and be sure your SD Card if formated as Fat32.
3.4 - Using Fastboot to load a modified system partition image
Please follow the instructions down bellow on how to "5 - Create a rooted system partition image"
When you have done your Rooted system partition image, flash it like that:
Code:
sudo fastboot devices
#if your device show up, it's time to flash
Code:
sudo fastboot flash system system.img
#It's flashed ... Now let's reboot with all the apprehension of the world
Code:
sudo fastboot reboot
If it boots (should boot), you will be up and rooting !
4 - Spreadtrum ResearchDownload tool to the rescue !
First, if you have fastboot, use fastboot ! It's simple, more reliable, faster. It's bottomline better !
If you don't have fastboot or can't figure out how to bring him up on your phone despite trying for about an hour. This tool will most likely work.
First, you should use Windows XP 32bits. Even real XP or in virtualbox.
It might work on windows 7 32 bits and 64 bits but you will have to tweak the system to allow installation of non signed devices drivers ...
ResearchDownload work as this:
First you start the Channelserver - This thing is here to make a bridge between the tools and the driver.
Then you start ResearchDownload.
Now you can make a full firmware flash (you should not !! It's a terrible idea !) or flash a single partition. But to do that, unfortunately, you should have a compatible set of fdl files.
Finding them on google is impossible, you have to extract them from your full firmware .pac file.
If you can't find your firmware on the Internet, you will have to try every single one you can find from others firmwares. I gathered all the fdl files I could find in a single package, so it won't be that difficult.
It's highly probable that you will find one that will work with your phone. This thing have to boot the phone and flash the Nand Flash chip. I'm pretty sure there is not a lot of different ways to do this on a single processor.
I really don't know the risks of using a wrong fdl set. But we haven't seen any risks at all yet. Some will work on your phone, others will just do nothing. You will just have to try every single one until one work.
I named the folders with the names of the phones I know working with theses. So it will be easier to find the good one. (A7100, 6500-TV, 5830, Q206 and S930 users will feel very lucky ^^)
4.1 - Learn how ResearchDownload Work
First you have to install the drivers, you can find them here:
ADB Drivers: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?c5nf3rlhxmxhu4x
Debug Drivers: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2tyg0k2xp3ejgyg
Then you have to plug your phone to your computer with your micro usb cable. Your phone have to be powered on.
Be sure every pieces of hardware are detected and installed correctly.
As you can see, this phone is not just detected as an ADB device, or as a mass storage device.
It actually have an internal serial port to usb adapter !
In other words that means this processor provide a way to flash his nand very easily even if it is fully bricked. It's a rare and pretty good feature you don't see that often. In fact, most of the time you have to solder a real serial port yourself on the phone motherboard, then have to use a Serial to USB adapter to have this level of access to the hardware.
So yes, back to tutorial.
Now you will have to unplug your phone and turn it off.
You have to download the debug tools, you can download them here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?rngukh111vqfr8h
First you have to start the channel server, you will have to disable your firewall for this app, it's because this tool use a network protocol to communicate with the other tools.
Then open ResearchDownload.
ResearchDownload is a weird flashing utility, it can open a .pac firmware file and can make a .pac out of .img files. You also can flash .img files and that's what we will do. But unfortunately it can't make a full backup ... So be careful !
The cog logo is here to let you open a .pac file. We don't need that as we probably don't have it.
The "two cogs logo" let you configure the flash utility.
Click on this to bring a new window.
On the download settings window, click on select product then choose your type of phone. (SC8810 or SC6820, it doesn't really matters if you take the wrong one out of those two.)
Then uncheck "Select All Files" as you don't have any of theses.
You can see FDL1 and FDL2 are still checked, and you don't have those files ...
As they are needed to start the Flash utility, we will have to find them.
I came across only 3 different FDL1 files, but for theses FDL1 it seems every phone have his own FDL2.
You will have to find the ones that work for you.
Here is an archive of nearly every FDLs available: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?c6q2gxobccv32oj
Choose one FDL1, and one FDL2 located in the same folder. (you can choose a File with a right click on the FileName blank space in front of FDL1)
Click on OK.
Then click on the "Play button" saying start download.
It may show some warning, it's not a problem.
Now, press Volume Down on your phone, then you have to plug it on the USB Port, still holding the button.
You can release the button when the flash begins.
You may have to press an other button than Volume-. Some phones are reported to use the Home Button instead.
You may also have to remove, wait a while, and reinsert the battery before holding volume- or after the flashing procedure to be able to start the phone.
If ResearchDownload shows you an error or timeout, try another set of FDLs Files. Keep trying until you find one pair that work !
If it works the flashing process should start right away. Just a millisecond after Windows have detected and initialized the device when you plugged it.
When you have the right FDLs, you can go to the next step, flashing something useful ^^ (we haven't flashed anything as of now, just been searching for a compatible flashing bios)
If your working FDLs folder does not have the name of your phone, please tell me what phone you have and what FDLs you used so I can rename them.
4.2 - Using ResearchDownload to load CWM (Clockwork Mod)
Do exactly as said before, but check the "Recovery" checkbox on Download Settings. and choose one of theses CWM images:
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?y2f7aaan4b00l1m - Feiteng GT-A7100 and probably more Feiteng devices.
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?lg7m6v49efzpnjk - 6500-TV or S560
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6xn977jjsuusjan - N9300 (I9300 Clone)
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?d68wc334qn47tdd - S930 or N8820
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?xem49dy5dh99ml0 - 5830, S5830, Q5830, Q206 and GT-N9300 (maybe more)
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?bdl1qr7orsj4ebr - extracted from a random SC6820 that I don't remember
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6g1t6057p6c8wpt - i9720+
* http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?adfwq6b5268qb58 - S9300 (SC6820A S3 Clone)
When you flashed one successfully, try to boot on recovery (Usually by holding Volume- while holding the power button until the screen light up).
If your device is not listed or the one for your device doesn't work, try them all, even if your phone is SC6820 and the recovery was made for SC8810, if none are working, we will have to flash the entire system partition, which is a lot more difficult and dangerous ...
Download this patch: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?131nsw87afzwb5v
Put it on the root of your SD Card.
Now you will have to boot on CWM, remember, he is on the same key combination than the old useless recovery was.
You can also try this command with adb:
Code:
adb reboot recovery
Now it's the perfect time to do a full backup of your firmware with CWM, so please do so, that can come in handy. (please go to the end of this tutorial after rooting your phone to know how to make a FULL backup. CWM will only make a partial one.)
choose apply update.zip
Choose the file you have put on your sd card before
Apply it then reboot.
This update.zip have pushed everything needed to root your phone in the right place, you should be rooted now !
If you have an error like:"Can't mount /sdcard" you may have to try with another SD Card and be sure your SD Card if formated as Fat32.
4.3 - Using ResearchDownload to load a modified system partition image
Now we are in deep **** ! This can be tedious ... You will need to drink a lot of coffee, then you will probably pull your hair off, but it's possible to root every single Spreadtrum devices this way !
Please follow the instructions down bellow on how to "5 - Create a rooted system partition image"
When you have done your Rooted system partition image, reboot on Windows, then flash it like that:
Do exactly as said on the paragraph on how ResearchDownload works, but check the "System" checkbox on Download Settings, and choose your modified system.img file to flash it on the device.
As it is still not tested at all, you will have to pray some kind of Spreadtrum God and hope it will be successful ...
The first boot after the flash can be very VERY long. It's perfectly normal.
After the flash is done, please make a full backup (see bellow how you can do that), so I can make a Clockwork recovery partition working with your phone.
You may need to flush your data partition with CWM to avoid some crazy bugs after the flash. You will have theses bugs because of the partitions realignment that might occurs as a result of using a slightly different FDL set as the manufacturer.
Don't even try to do a factory settings reset before installing CWM, as I don't know what monster can lie ahead if you do a factory reset without any working recovery installed
(If your phone doesn't boot after the flash, it is possible to flush the data and cache partition with ResearchDownload. I will explain it, if needed !)
5 - Create a rooted system partition image
Please always try the CWM method first ! There is no risks at all to destroy your phone if the recovery is not working. Here we are making a new system image to flash on the system partition, this partition contain the Android operating system. I will try to explain everything as good as I can, but if you make a mistake, if you don't read my warnings, you can brick your phone very easily !
That will be difficult ... And you will have to use a Linux computer, or Linux in Virtualbox, or in a Live CD, basically you will need Linux somewhere on your computer ^^
Why ? Because we will have to preserve unix permissions on an extracted tar archive ! Trust me, you will probably brick your phone if you do that on windows ...
#Install ADB
Code:
sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
#Configure ADB
Code:
mkdir ~/.android
Code:
echo 0x1782 > ~/.android/adb_usb.ini
#Start the ADB server
Code:
sudo adb kill-server
sudo adb start-server
#Just let's check just in case if your device is already rooted
Code:
adb shell su -c id
Possible answers:
uid = 0 (root) gid = 0 (root) - your phone is already rooted ! (if you haven't noticed it, it's because superuser.apk is not installed, so just push it and install it via ADB and you are rooted !)
SU: Permission denied - You are not rooted ... Good luck then !
#Now we will backup the system partition !
Code:
adb shell tar -cf /mnt/sdcard/system.tar system
Please pay attention to the errors !
There will be missing files, and we will have to add theses by ourselves after the backup to pretend to have a full backup.
Here is the archive for the known missing files: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?fm1z5ujc75bg268
If you have more than theses:
Code:
tar: can not open 'system/etc/dbus.conf': Permission denied
tar: can not open 'system/etc/bluetooth/audio.conf': Permission denied
tar: can not open 'system/etc/bluetooth/auto_pairing.conf': Permission denied
tar: can not open 'system/etc/bluetooth/input.conf': Permission denied
tar: can not open 'system/etc/bluetooth/main.conf': Permission denied
tar: system/lost+found: Permission denied
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors
Then you should just give up, or tell me so I can send you the missing files.
Note: Lost+found is not important, it's just a folder automatically created by Linux to collect any corrupt files.
#Now we will pull this nearly full backup to our computer. Please keep it preciously somewhere secure.
Code:
adb pull /mnt/sdcard/system.tar
#Warning, theses next steps have to be made ONLY on Linux on an ext2/3/4 partition ! Please never attempts to do this on Windows or On Linux on a FAT32 partition.
#untar the archive
Code:
sudo tar -xvpf system.tar
#now we will restore the files we have not been able to backup.
#Download this archive if you haven't done this before: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?fm1z5ujc75bg268
#Then extract it on the same folder as you extracted your system.tar file with this command:
Code:
sudo tar -xvpf btdbus.tar
#Now it's time to add the root utilities, you can download them from here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?v69nm172heos17o
Code:
sudo tar -xvpf root.tar
sudo cp Superuser.apk system/app/Superuser.apk
sudo install -m 06755 su system/xbin/su
#Now we will get rid of this virus ! (the file name can be something else. Like caivs.apk, or some random numbers at the end)
Code:
sudo rm system/app/eyuSales_20121116.apk
#And now you will have to make a flashable system image with this tool, included in the root.tar archive
Code:
sudo ./mkyaffs system system.img
#Now you can reboot your phone in fastboot or use researchdownload to flash your new System image.
6 - Do a full nand backup
Here is how to do a full nand backup of your beloved Spreadtrum: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39270468
7 - Don't forget to remove to caivs Virus
When you are rooted, you can remove the Virus or any preinstalled apps using Link2SD.
I suggest you to remove everything you have preinstalled if it is available on the Google Play Store (except the keyboard or the launcher !!!). For example if you have an old version of ES File Explorer on your phone preventing you from updating it, you can remove it safely, then install the updated version from the the Play Store.
Never try to remove something that you don't know what it is !
For the Launcher or keyboard. You can remove them only if you installed a new one on the System partition and tested it successfully !
-----
I want to thanks every peoples at http://forum.china-iphone.ru and Yekdall for being one of the first to type something in English about spreadtrum firmware modding !
Data missing?
First of all, thanks a lot for tutorial! Unluckily there is missing the data that i should copy back into the tar and then the img-file. Could you upload the btdbus.tar and the root.tar?
Thanks again, have a nice day!
keulepeter said:
First of all, thanks a lot for tutorial! Unluckily there is missing the data that i should copy back into the tar and then the img-file. Could you upload the btdbus.tar and the root.tar?
Thanks again, have a nice day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm uploading them right now ^^
By the way, what phone are you rooting ? I will try to make a "compatibility list", so I need the model number, and the brand name if any.
Good luck !
EDIT: I added the missing links
Are the sc8810 and sp8810 the same processors?
lynnox said:
Are the sc8810 and sp8810 the same processors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes exactly the same, just a different way to name it.
ElectronikHeart said:
3 recovery images are available for Spreadtrum device to my knowledge:
1 http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?u6uyignmdcpillt
2 http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?bosnfcq9n65mtc5
3 http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?xem49dy5dh99ml0
Try them all, if none are working, we will have to do that the other way ...
Download this patch: """"""Link missing as of now, I have to upload it"""""""
Put it on the root of your SD Card.
Now you will have to boot on CWM, he is on the same key combination than the old useless recovery was.
choose apply a update.zip
Choose the file you have put on your sd card before
Apply it then reboot.
This update.zip have pushed everything needed to root your phone in the right place, you should be rooted now !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
patch pls. (update.zip)
I'll try to load CWM even though at the moment I can only get into recovery. I have the exact same model as H_Bler's which is why I've been focusing more on his thread. From your description on how to access fastboot, I assume that it's the diagnostic mode when UpVol + Pwr is pressed. I never saw anything that said fastboot. The only thing unusual when I was going through the menus was I always got an error when I try the 4th or 5th option. Unfortunately, I can't really try it again because I can't access it anymore. That goes without saying the I can't work with IMG files as well.
5 - Spreadtrum ResearchDownload tool to the rescue !
Now we are in deep **** ! This is not tested as of now ... So come help me ! You will need to drink a lot of coffee, then you will probably pull your hair off, but we will know if it's possible to root every single Spreadtrum devices !
5.1 - Using ResearchDownload to load CWM (Clockwork Mod)
5.2 - Using ResearchDownload to load a modified system partition image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something to look forward too.
I want to thanks every peoples at http://forum.china-iphone.ru and Yekdall for being one of the first to type something in English about spreadtrum firmware modding !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also been going here. I even tried 3 of the ROMs but I always get the verification failed message. I know it might be too much, but exact links for the thread would really be much appreciated (to be honest, I can't even remember exactly where I got the ROMs. All I remember is that the thread had a lot of collapsible trees.
ElectronikHeart said:
I'm uploading them right now ^^
By the way, what phone are you rooting ? I will try to make a "compatibility list", so I need the model number, and the brand name if any.
Good luck !
EDIT: I added the missing links
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If and when I get my phone fixed/replaced. I'll try your method first. =P
jvrey5 said:
[Lot of things ...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the thing you have when you push up and power is the system test menu. It's located on the android system partition. It's not fastboot.
Fastboot should be something that says "Fastboot" in red letter, or something else unusual.
If you have not fastboot you should use Spreadtrum Researchdownload to flash your phone, I will write the tutorial about it soon.
I really can't link you the thread on the russian forum, first because it will probably confuse you, and also because it's spread everywhere on so many threads it's unbelievable ... That's why I'm doing this centralization work for you ^^
I will post a list of ROMS for recovery purpose. Your phone seem to be bricked. I don't know how you've done it (I really want to know what you phone is and how you've bricked it, that will help me to write the warnings necessary to avoid such cases).
I have 14 roms for Spreadtrum devices, maybe one will work for your phone.
I just want to know what your phone is ^^ Please tell the name of your phone on your posts everyone and if you know how to find it, the exact name of your firmware.
PS: I will upload the patch soon, I'm just searching for a file hosting service that will keep it up and not erasing it 2 hours after I uploaded it ^^
EDIT: Link to the update.zip for rooting you device via CWM added.
Tutorial updated: Spreadtrum debug tools method added.
It may now be possible to root even Spreadtrum devices without Fastboot mode available.
Please feel free to tell me if it works !
ElectronikHeart said:
Tutorial updated: Spreadtrum debug tools method added.
It may now be possible to root even Spreadtrum devices without Fastboot mode available.
Please feel free to tell me if it works !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
need help
Question
Dear Spreadtrum Master!
Please, can you help me with this problem:
I have a Star I8160 phone with Spreadtrum 6820 and 256 MB ROM. It seems, that everything is working fine, the ROM and the phone is fast, and cool. But when i try to use the phone as a phone, i talk to the phone, and the others just only hearing pieces of my sentences. Sometimes the phone is very-very silent, i need to shout for the others to hear. I thought, that this is a microphone problem, so i replaced the microphone. But nothing changed. I had 2 phones from this type, and both produces the same fault, so i think maybe the problem will be with the ROM. What do you think, is it possible? If so, can i replace my normal rom, which is DM_BASE_12A_w12.43 (sc6820_modem) 11-02-2012?
question
Hi ElectronikHeart, i need help
I have a feiteng a7100, and i flash a rom with ResearchDownload.exe, in the flash operations tab i choose the option to erase all flash. Now i have a brick phone. Do you have a copy of nv.bin? Do you know how to recover from it? how can i reflash nand?
thanks
gtxphoenix said:
Dear Spreadtrum Master!
But when i try to use the phone as a phone, i talk to the phone, and the others just only hearing pieces of my sentences. Sometimes the phone is very-very silent, i need to shout for the others to hear. I thought, that this is a microphone problem, so i replaced the microphone. But nothing changed. I had 2 phones from this type, and both produces the same fault,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Master hasn't been in the past few days so I'll try to answer your issue as best I can.
Usually, the phones are designed for a specific region/country. It's possible that your ROM was built for a different one. How sure are you that the ROM which you are replacing it with will work for you? (I assume that you have a backup and you know how to load ROMs) Also, you might want to try editing the build.prop it increase/maximize reception.
To be honest, this is actually a complicated approach. From what you said, it seems that you've made other troubleshooting steps on your own. Since you really did not mention all of them I'm basing my response on what you said.
Let's try to stick to the basics first. Why did you replace the microphone in the first place? If the same issue happens with 2 other phones from this type, I don't think the mic is the problem. Also, does this mean that you can hear them fine, but they have a hard time hearing you? Have you tried using the stock sound recorder on your phone? Is it also choppy? Have you tried using Skype? You don't really have to call anyone, you just need to make a test call.
When using the device as a phone (eg. making calls, sending SMS, MMS, or connecting to the internet using EDGE or 3G), you're actually relying mostly on your carrier/service provider. How many signal bars do you get? The easiest way to test signal related issues would be by using a different SIM or using a different phone. (When you try a different phone, I suggest using a GSM one - the ones that can only make calls or do SMS.) It's highly possible that there's already something wrong with your SIM.
---------- Post added at 01:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 AM ----------
jmss said:
Hi ElectronikHeart, i need help
I have a feiteng a7100, and i flash a rom with ResearchDownload.exe, in the flash operations tab i choose the option to erase all flash. Now i have a brick phone. Do you have a copy of nv.bin? Do you know how to recover from it? how can i reflash nand?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ElectronikHeart hasn't checked in the past few days, so I hope you don't mind me butting in.
When you say brick, does it mean that you don't even have recovery mode? If you don't, try to see if you can put CWM. Once successful, you can try to use the A7100 ROM if your original one was a mt6515_c910_ht_en_4.0_v01 rom using the update.zip
jvrey5 said:
The Master hasn't been in the past few days so I'll try to answer your issue as best I can.
Usually, the phones are designed for a specific region/country. It's possible that your ROM was built for a different one. How sure are you that the ROM which you are replacing it with will work for you? (I assume that you have a backup and you know how to load ROMs) Also, you might want to try editing the build.prop it increase/maximize reception.
To be honest, this is actually a complicated approach. From what you said, it seems that you've made other troubleshooting steps on your own. Since you really did not mention all of them I'm basing my response on what you said.
Let's try to stick to the basics first. Why did you replace the microphone in the first place? If the same issue happens with 2 other phones from this type, I don't think the mic is the problem. Also, does this mean that you can hear them fine, but they have a hard time hearing you? Have you tried using the stock sound recorder on your phone? Is it also choppy? Have you tried using Skype? You don't really have to call anyone, you just need to make a test call.
When using the device as a phone (eg. making calls, sending SMS, MMS, or connecting to the internet using EDGE or 3G), you're actually relying mostly on your carrier/service provider. How many signal bars do you get? The easiest way to test signal related issues would be by using a different SIM or using a different phone. (When you try a different phone, I suggest using a GSM one - the ones that can only make calls or do SMS.) It's highly possible that there's already something wrong with your SIM.
---------- Post added at 01:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 AM ----------
ElectronikHeart hasn't checked in the past few days, so I hope you don't mind me butting in.
When you say brick, does it mean that you don't even have recovery mode? If you don't, try to see if you can put CWM. Once successful, you can try to use the A7100 ROM if your original one was a mt6515_c910_ht_en_4.0_v01 rom using the update.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont have recovery mode, the phone doesnt turn on. I already try to put CWN but it doesnt work. I need nv.bin file for sc6820a for rewrite nand flash.
jmss said:
I dont have recovery mode, the phone doesnt turn on. I already try to put CWN but it doesnt work. I need nv.bin file for sc6820a for rewrite nand flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now we really need the Master
gtxphoenix said:
Dear Spreadtrum Master!
Please, can you help me with this problem:
I have a Star I8160 phone with Spreadtrum 6820 and 256 MB ROM. It seems, that everything is working fine, the ROM and the phone is fast, and cool. But when i try to use the phone as a phone, i talk to the phone, and the others just only hearing pieces of my sentences. Sometimes the phone is very-very silent, i need to shout for the others to hear. I thought, that this is a microphone problem, so i replaced the microphone. But nothing changed. I had 2 phones from this type, and both produces the same fault, so i think maybe the problem will be with the ROM. What do you think, is it possible? If so, can i replace my normal rom, which is DM_BASE_12A_w12.43 (sc6820_modem) 11-02-2012?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I had the same problem with one of mine. You just have to use a diagnostic tool from Spreadtrum and adjust the microphone amplification level. I will start a thread on that subject and link it there.
It seems to be a very common problem with Spreadtrum phones, but it is, most of the time, very easy to fix.
edit: here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=38731407
WARNING: Don't ever flash if you don't have a working copy of the original firmware somewhere (a complete backup that you have tested your ability to flash back) The first step to do a complete backup, if the manufacturer don't want to send you the firmware, is to successfully root your firmware)
Don't flash if you have a microphone problem, nothing good will happen, this problem is not firmware related AT ALL.
jmss said:
Hi ElectronikHeart, i need help
I have a feiteng a7100, and i flash a rom with ResearchDownload.exe, in the flash operations tab i choose the option to erase all flash. Now i have a brick phone. Do you have a copy of nv.bin? Do you know how to recover from it? how can i reflash nand?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh god ! Why have you checked that option ^^
I may be able to dump my nv.bin file from the a7100 I just bought. (If I recall correctly, the nv.bin contain the imei so I will have to edit it to use your imei instead, imei are written in the battery compartment)
Can you try flashing it a second time entirely, It's possible that your uboot partition (what manage the early time boot operations), is not flashed properly.
Even without the nv partition you phone should be able to boot android, you will just not be able to use the phone as a phone. (make a call and everything)
Try with a better micro usb cable, Chinese ones can be very cheap and corrupt data on the way to the phone.
If your phone is still able to flash using ReasearchDownload that is.
Re: 4.5 - Do a full nand backup and help me make you a new CWM recovery
ElectronikHeart said:
4.5 - Do a full nand backup and help me make you a new CWM recovery
Please if you have rooted your phone using this method, and can't use the CWM method, that mean I can do a CWM that work on your device !
Now that you are rooted, you can make a full backup of your phone with ADB !
#open adb shell:
Code:
adb shell
Code:
I still have to explain this if someone needs it
Then send me you boot.img file and I will send you a recovery.img that you can flash to your recovery partition.
That will help new users to root a lot faster the same phone as you, and will make your life easier is you have to restore a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
>>>
I have also the same kind of chinese android phone, having a model # S930 with the same cpu chipset SP8810 (aka. samsung galaxy s3 clone), i've successfully rooted my chinese android phone, and installed some very usable apps like link2sd & titanium backup pro, i want also to have a full backup of my phone using your methods & ideas, can you help me? where can i find my boot.img so that you can make me my recovery image for my phone? my phone don't have any compatible clockworkmod recovery, but it have a native recovery mode option which work on an update.zip or fastboot....i hope you can help me make my phone recovery image with a rooted features... Thanks!
earl22online said:
where can i find my boot.img so that you can make me my recovery image for my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, you already have tested every recovery already posted ?
To make a backup of your boot.img, you will have to do a full backup manually using the Android shell. I will make a tutorial about this, and link it here.
It's pretty easy as you already rooted your phone.
When you have your backup I will, post a recovery.img file suitable to your phone.
Please keep an eye to this post. I will post the tutorial very soon.
ElectronikHeart said:
Oh god ! Why have you checked that option ^^
I may be able to dump my nv.bin file from the a7100 I just bought. (If I recall correctly, the nv.bin contain the imei so I will have to edit it to use your imei instead, imei are written in the battery compartment)
Can you try flashing it a second time entirely, It's possible that your uboot partition (what manage the early time boot operations), is not flashed properly.
Even without the nv partition you phone should be able to boot android, you will just not be able to use the phone as a phone. (make a call and everything)
Try with a better micro usb cable, Chinese ones can be very cheap and corrupt data on the way to the phone.
If your phone is still able to flash using ReasearchDownload that is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already try with tree micro usb cables. when i try to flash with researchDownload it failed at nvitem (after FDL2).
can you post a link to your nv.bin to test it ?
jmss said:
I already try with tree micro usb cables. when i try to flash with researchDownload it failed at nvitem (after FDL2).
can you post a link to your nv.bin to test it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought my A7100, so you will need to wait 2 weeks for me to dump it. Maybe you should try asking to the guy who have made the rooted rom for the A7100 ?
I will, none the less, make a full backup of my phone as soon as I receive it.
Related
So, I decided to write this guide here as I couldn't find a complete one and had to jump from thread to thread (and sometimes even the sub-forum) for finding the answer.
First I wrote it in my blog and I decided to post it here. Maybe some steps are vague in details but I'm planning to detail it even more (remember, I wrote it in my personal blog first). So, here it is:
AIO LG Optimus Me P350 Guide
Some Personal History
My experience with Android. UF! Where to start? So, I got my phone from the United States. You have no idea how wonderful it was to have the phone in my hands. Anxiety and curiosity. For some reason I always read that the first thing anyone does is root the phone and then continue doing everyday activities that do not require root, so I tried to live without rooting the phone, but I couldn’t wait for the week to go by. I had to get the best! Small problems, fixes and updates. And since I have my phone on sale, I publish this step by step guide to modify it and not die trying.
Tech Specs
Let’s start from the beginning, know the phone. Mid/low-range phone created by LG for those in a short budget but want to have a good Android experience. It has a 600 MHz processor, 256 MB RAM and ROM capacity of 512 (140 MB available for applications and data). 2.8 inch capacitive screen, 240 × 320 screen resolution. Wi-Fi b/g wireless connection, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, and USB 2.0 up to 480 Mbit/s. 3.1 MP camera (no flash) and FM Radio. Not bad for a basic device. Complete specifications can be found here. Enough for a casual user. But if you’re not a casual user (hence a XDA member), read on.
First of all, everything you do on the phone number is on your own. You yourself are responsible for what you do, not do, stop doing, fail, fail to read and/or shortcut you may have taken. These steps are the ones that worked for me. I am not responsible if the phone dies in the process, the cat bites the cable in the middle process, the heavens begins to fall, the 3rd world war starts or if the neighbor has a heart attack … You’ll be calling 911 afterwards… You’ve been warned!
USB Debugging
The first thing you have to learn is to turn on USB debugging. Here is a guide how to do it (If you wanna see a pictorial guide). But essentially you have to go to Settings > Application > Development and check where it says USB Debugging. Pretty easy. What is this good for? Well, for starters. modify the phone however we see fit. But most important USB Debugging allows the phone to communicate verbosely with PC with the Android SDK installed. More on this later.
KDZ Updater
KDZ Updater is an application used by LG for flashing official operating systems themselves. How did this application saw daylight outside the company, I don’t know very well, but apparently a leak appeared on LG India, but not sure. In any case, this application is our last line of salvation and the main tool for our little friend.
To install official KDZs must follow these steps:
Install the updated drivers by following the steps listed on this page.
Connect the phone with USB Debugging activated
IMPORTANT: Disable the Virtual USB Modem device from Windows Device Manager. Omit this step and the device may brick in the upgrade process.
Run the application in Administrator mode (only required on Windows Vista / 7).
In the Type drop-down list select 3GQCT and in PhoneMode, DIAG. Where it says Version, will appear the version that is installed on the phone.
Select the KDZ file to install by clicking on the button with the folder icon. Preferably save the file KDZ in the root of the hard drive as there will be little chance for error when reading the file.
Press the button “Launch Software Update”. The phone will reboot into Emergency Mode. This is normal.
Pray all you know and go for a cup of tea. The process takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
If all went well, the phone will turn off and the program displays a line that says = FINISHED =.
To start, first go into recovery mode by pressing the following buttons: Vol- & Power. This will make any old or unnecessary information to be removed. The phone will reboot into the system normally.
Original Thread
Root (Gingerbreak and SuperOneClick)
Ok, what we came here for. Rooting the phone. How do I do? It’s scary! Says who?! Lets start with the choices we have. Ok, we have the phone, but we have not updated anything, How do I get root? Gingerbreak comes on the scene. Pretty simple process: download, Enable USB Debugging, run, press Root, wait for the restart, confirm. Simple, right? Also read the instructions and warning on the link above in case something I overlooked, but that basically is the process. By the way, install Busybox, very important for future processes.
Stop, stop, stop … And if I upgraded the phone? Gingerbreak seems not to work! What do I do?! Mainly, DO NOT PANIC! First things first. Go to “About phone” and see that version it says; something different than 2.2? Cool, no problem. SuperOneClick comes on scene. Download the application, unzip. I assume you already installed the drivers, right? Otherwise, do it and come back when you have done so. Ready? Continue. Turn on USB Debugging and connect the phone to the computer. Execute the application and press the button that says “Root”. Need more information? Here is a video explaining step by step (its in spanish, but graphics needs no language) and if the antivirus gets all paranoid, read the explanation here.
Recovery (Amon-RA and CWM)
Ok, moving on. Just as clarification: From this step on, the phone should already be rooted. Otherwise, you will mourn at the very end because the phone will brick and you’ll end with a very good and expensive paperweight. What is a Recovery? Here the answer.
This is essential before changing the insides of the phone and a step that I believe needs to be forever linked to rooting process. Why? Simple! Installing a Recovery allows full system backup and restore if something goes wrong. That linking to rooting process? Because if you install a root application, modify the system, and damage the system, it can be restored to a previous time and we’re all happy campers. See?
So this is where we get our hands dirty. Initially, I ask again, have you installed the drivers? (From this point on I shouldn’t ask) Have you rooted the phone? Responded twice yes? Perfect. Now, download the Android SDK or only the .zip attached here (unzip preferably in C:\ADB\) to continue this process. Also download the Recovery that you will install, we have Amon-RA and ClockworkMod (CWM) v5, v5 touch, and v6, extract the recovery.img file to the folder where adb.exe is (If you used the SDK installer, should be at C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools\; if you used the .zip, and extracted as recommended, C:\ADB\). Which to choose? My recommendation, CWM v5 (either one). Connect the phone to the computer in with USB Debugging activated. By the way, how do you feel using command line in Windows? Moving on…
Open a command window, go to where adb.exe is and run the following commands:
Code:
adb push recovery.img /sdcard/
adb push flash_image /sdcard/
With this we have copied what we need into the phone’s SD card. Just to clarify: 1) the flash_image file can only be found in the recovery Amon-RA zip (not sure if it is generic or modified exclusively for the P350, then I’d rather play it safe) and 2) CWM recovery v5 and v5 touch files come in zip-installable, but you can open the file and use recovery.img in it. In CWM v6 there is an installable zip and another to follow this same process. Lets continue…
Code:
adb shell
$ su
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock1 /system
# cat /sdcard/flash_image > /system/bin/flash_image
# chmod 755 /system/bin/flash_image
# sync
Up to this we have only prepared the area to install the Recovery. It it recommended to reboot the phone in this step, in case you run out of virtual memory but is not really so necessary (If you see an error message, then reboot). That’s yours decision. Continue…
Code:
adb shell
$ su
# flash_image recovery /sdcard/recovery.img
# sync
To confirm that everything is installed without issues it must happen one thing and do another thing. What must happen is when you execute the flash_image command, no errors should appear, if otherwise reboot and repeat the last block of commands. What must be done is execute the command reboot recovery and if everything is alright, you should go into Recovery menu, if not then all the information has been erased and back to square 1 (it happened to me the first time).
Kernel
Just for safety: are drivers installed? Root acquired? Recovery installed? Already made a backup of the ROM in use at the moment (so far should be the LG ROM)? Do it!!
So, what’s a kernel? Here’s the answer. What choices do we have? Well not too many, it depends. Are we still on the LG Stock ROM or a Froyo-based ROM (oh, getting ahead aren’t we?!)? Well, the truth, with this ROMs there are not many: Team Pecan Kernel would be my recommendation, RoQ Kernel which also works quite well. CM7 ROM or any other Gingerbread-based? Ron's RM CAF Kernel (updated weekly), pax0r kernel (discontinued), Vivek Kernel (also discontinued but higher than pax0r). Read how to use Recovery for the installation of installable zip files from Recovery. This is also applicable for the installation of ROMs.
ROM
Still with me? Still no cardiac arrest? Relax, breathe! As we reach the last modification process of the phone. After surviving this, you will have the full capacity to recover the phone from any eventuality. Dictionary, which is a ROM? Here the answer.
ROM, What options do we have? Well, although it may seems, there are many options to choose from! We have some created from source code, based-on and others that have been “ported” to work with the device. Among those created from the source we have: CyanogenMod 7.2, Pure CM Invasion and CyanogenMod 9 (Work in Progress, not quite stable), based-on: Androm x4.2 (CM7) Arc XP (CM7), Gingerbread Optimus UI (CM7) Gingerblur (CM7) and MIUI v4 (based on CM7, Arc XP with a theme very close to the real MIUI, Japanese ROM). Ports: JoyOS, ICS (Discontinued unstable), BeautySense (Decent and functional).
Further Development/Tweaks
At the moment a new tool has been released called LG P350 Pecan Toolkit, developed by antdking. Its in early development and so far it roots, unroots and installs recovery. Saves some the hassle of the command line but if we haven’t gone through all the problems and commands, what have we learned? Anyways, here’s the original thread where you can follow the development and post ideas or bugs.
If you wanna go all-in into ROM cracking and research, we have also the LGExtract tool, which unpacks the KDZ file into bits and pieces. DZ Extract Tool extracts the files within a DZ package very much into source code. I've used these tools but as my experience with coding and android development is very close to none all I've done is extract the files and read them. Antdking reminded me of a simple yet powerful tool to continue decompiling the LG filesystem called unyaffsmbn. I came across it when we were trying to decompile baseband (amss.mbn) for CM9 without success, just lo later know that the tool just decompiled system.mbn. Oh well. Antdking compiled unyaffsmbn into a nice little tool ready to work, here it is.
The volume on this phone, as many may know, is low. But there is a way to elevate it. Execute the phone app and press: 3845#*350#. This will bring up a Hidden Menu. Go to: Device Test > Sound Test > Audio CAL Tool > Subsystem Calibration. In the Gain Type dropdown list, select Speaker Gain. Set Data textbox gets focus, input the number 90 and press OK button. In Gain Type, select Input1 Gain, and we press Ok button again. Exit the Hidden Menu. This will elevate the speaker volume but just temporary, it will be restored to default values when rebooted. So either don't reboot or repeat this process everytime you reboot.
And that would be all. Happy hacking!
Great kudos to the real developers here:
drapalyuk: For the first ever recovery for P350, Amon-RA
pax0r: Started it all, Kernel, ROM
ron gokhle: ROMs, Kernel and Recovery builds
vivekkalady: Kernel, Touch Recovery, first ICS port, and some other fix work
nikhil4186: For the KDZ Guide (although written originally for LG P500
antdking: For a great-to-be toolkit
great guide good job
Nicely written.Its a really good guide for all those who are new to P-350 and I believe that it will help them to learn some of the basic stuff.Well done!
to go on the end of this guide, how to extract the files out of the system.mbn to get the system files
http://db.tt/7VruqEzr
it returns similar files to what you find in a rom
I did not make unyaffsmbn
I made the tool that uses unyaffsmbn
enjoy
antdking said:
to go on the end of this guide, how to extract the files out of the system.mbn to get the system files
http://db.tt/7VruqEzr
it returns similar files to what you find in a rom
I did not make unyaffsmbn
I made the tool that uses unyaffsmbn
enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got the PM and you reminded me of that tool (I remembder I came across it when we were trying to crack amss.mbn for CM9)... I'll post the original thread and the tool you just mentioned...
Updated adding unyaffsmbn tool... Thanks antdking!
Added Volume tweak for speaker to sound harder.
Added P350 (and guide) to XDA wiki. http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/LG_Optimus_Me
dbarrera said:
Added P350 (and guide) to XDA wiki. http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/LG_Optimus_Me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks man :good::good::good::good::good::good::good::good:
Guys We have got Official Support From XDA Please Move This Thread To Our Device Section
Very good!!!
I placed some problem I am having, just in case you have time an patience for this case.
Tks
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2461183
Great Guide Man! Thanks a lot.
Warning:I am not responisible for any damage to your phone and rooting usually nullifies the warranty. so please procede with your own risk
I tried to root my karbonn A2 for 2 weeks and finally i got it. so im gonna share the steps involved in rooting and also provoide the tools for it.
NOTE: I do not take credit for any tool since all the tools were already available online, so credit goes to whoever programmed them. only thing i did was to alter the method slightly to get my phone rooted.
Lets begin. Before we start rooting our phone, most important thing is the drivers. so u need two types of drivers one is ADB (android debugging bridge) drivers and the other is preloader drivers. i have attached both of these drivers in the attachments u can download it.
Step1[only for beginners]: Go to setting>applications>development>enable USB debugging in the phone, then connect your phone to ur pc (remove all previous drivers if u have installed) then go to device manager>devices, right click on the usb device and click update driver and browse to folder containing the SPdrvers (u need to extract the folder from the attachment first).If driver is successfully installed then u should see "android phone" in ur device manager. to confirm it just run adb devices from the command line by chagning the directory to where adb.exe is, u should see the list of devices attached to ur pc. (usually adb.exe will be in android sdk tools folder or if u dont have one then check in ADB folder from superoneclick in the attachment).
Step2: ok, now that u have installed adb drivers, u need to install preloader driver (also known as downloading mode in some devices). to do this, disconnect ur phone from the pc, then switch off the phone, remove the battery and then connect ur phone to pc again (without the battery). then u should see windows trying to install drivers and fails. then go to device manager again and browse to folder containing USB VCOM drivers (see attachment). after it successfully installs procede to step 3.
Step3:: download, extract the files MTKROM and SPflash tool to ur pc. then put the battery inside ur phone then switch it on, connect it to pc (enable debugging all the time). then open command line then go to adb folder then type :adb devices- u should see the list of device attached (u will get some long numbers so dont worry). then type "adb shell" (without the quotes). u will get a $ sign, then type "cat proc/mtd > /sdcard/firmware.info" if its successful then a file named firmware.info will be created in ur sdcard root. then copy that file to ur pc.
Step 4: Now open that firmware.info in MTKROM.exe u should see a list tables and address like in the image below. then click save scatter and rename the filename to MT6575 instead of MT6573 (and leave everthing else as it is). so a file named "MT6575_Android_scatter.txt" will be created.
Step 5: Now open Spflash tool and load the scatter file in that. u should see something like this in the image below.
STEPS TO BACKUP ORIGINAL BOOT AND RECOVERY
Step 6: Before we actually begin to root its important to make a backup of current images. so to do that, go to READ BACK tab in sp flash tool. click on Add>double click on the page file and save as "Boot.img" somewhere safe. then click on "Read Page only", this is very important. then look at the address side by side from MTKROM and enter into sptool. the start address is the address in which the boot.img begins and length is the length of boot.img. so final address will be startaddress+length =start address of next image (recovery.img). In MTKROM the start address is given as "PART ADDRESS". after entering those carefully click ok. if u want to be sure then use programmer calculator and add the address.
Note :the address will be in hexadecimal format not decimal.
Step7: In order to read the firmware from the phone, disconnect the phone from your pc, remove the battery, dont connect it yet. now click on "Read back" button in the sptool (its after Add,remove button). now the software starts searching for the device. now connect the device to the pc (without battery ofcourse). now if have installed USB VCOM drivers correctly then the sp tool should detect ur device and start reading from it. u will see Red colour in the
task bar when it detects then blue colour while the tool is reading the phone. wait untill the reading is complete. A green circle will pop up after it successfully reads from the device. (refer the images below)
Step 8: repeat step seven as described above for recovery.img (save the file as recovery.img) then select "read page only" option, enter start address as 0x0980000 and length as 0x0500000. (please enter the address carefully cross check with MTKROM image addresses.)
Note: You have to disconnect the device first then click read back button after entering the addresses then connect the device, otherwise the sptool wont detect your device!.
Actual Rooting Procedure
Step 9: Now that you have backed up both boot and recovery images its time to start the actual rooting. download the boot.img file from the attachment and save to your pc (dont replace it with your backup image that you saved earlier). go to download tab in the sp tool and tick only boot.img and uncheck all others (if any of them has been checked already) and click on Bootimg and browse for the folder where u downloaded boot.img from the attachment and NOT THE BACKUP! after that disconnect your device, then click download button above( after format->upgrade button) or f9 from keyboard. the tool will start searching the usb com ports. now connect your device and wait till it downloads fully. Note: In downloading your will get RED colour first, then YELLOW colour while flashing, and finally a GREEN circle after flashing is complete).
Step 10: The most important and complicates steps are over. now all you have to do is put your battery to your phone and switch it on. now after it sucessfully boots up, open superonclick.exe (you will get this software online and its very popular tool for rooting) and connect the device to your pc (enable debugging of course), then click Root button in superoneclick and Voila! your phone is rooted. enjoy and dont forget to press thanks button if ive helped
Note: u will need .NET framework 3.5 to run superoneclick.
Method To Unroot
For unrooting your mobile all you have to do is flash the original, backup boot image back to your phone. just open sptool and load the scatter file, then click on bootimg then browse to wherever u have stored backup boot.img then click download button then connect your device without the battery and thats it. you will get back original firmware without the root!.
Clockwork mod recovery for A2
There is no official cwm recovery for A2, but i ported cwm for other MT65xx devices to A2. so here are the steps to flash.
step 1: download recovery.img from the attachment.
step 2: open sp flash tool and load scatter.txt (for detailed description refer rooting steps). then tick recoveryimg and browse and set the path of the recovery.img you just downloaded from attachment.
step3: click on download button at the top or press f9. then take out the battery from the phone and connect it to the pc. the tool will detect your phone and start flashing cwm recovery.wait untill the green circle pops up.
step 4: now put in the battery and press power button+volume up and hold it for few seconds and voila!! cwm recovery boots up. And to revert back to original recovery just flash the recovery.img that you backed up during rooting process using the above steps.
Note: Do Not factory reset your phone without backing up the IMEI number. After rooting your device please backup your phones IMEI number which is stored in data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001 to a safe place. or there is an application called mobileuncletools (a chinese app) which helps to backup your IMEI to sdcard and restore it back. if u loose your IMEI and reset your phone then you cannot call or recieve sms etc
No service and invalid IMEI solution
explanation:
In case u did factory reset of the phone, then all your data will be wiped including the imei number. it will be reverted to factory imei number, hence you cannot connect to any mobile networks in india or anywhere else because most network operators wont allow to use the network with dupicate or invalid imei numbers. every device has a specific imei number. in this device your original imei numbers (15 digits) will be on the back of your battery.
Restoring is tough very simple procedure, creating the required files is a major headache. At first i thought it was impossible to restore the imei back (trust me i tried all the available solutions that u get in the internet, infact there are 5 different types of solutions, none of which worked for this device). luckily one day i found a chinese software which actually did create a imei file that is compatible with this device (phew !, yeah i know) and so i did successully restored my imei back and i can once again connect to mobile network and make calls..:victory: so here it goes.
How to restore IMEI number? (MUST BE A ROOTED PHONE)
1) if u have made the backup of MP0B_001 file in /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001 , then install root explorer and simply replace your current file with the backed up MP0B_001 and set the permissions to rw-rw---- and restart.
2) if u havent backed it up (too bad), then download the chinese software sn_gen.zip from the attachments and enter both imei numbers that is found in the back of your battery (enter the numbers correctly and cross check it again, its 15 digit number). then the software generates a new MP0B_001 file, copy and paste in the above mentioned directory and set the permissions to rw-rw---- and restart.:fingers-crossed:
dont forget to press thanks button if ive helped you :good:
Download Links:
Drivers: http://www.4shared.com/rar/XLiLMsG3/sp_drivers_v14.html?
SP flsah tool: http://www.4shared.com/archive/bjTXvBtd/sp_flash_tool_v3122401.html?
scatter txt: http://www.4shared.com/office/W7Fk6VOm/MT6575_Android_scatter.html?
I need to root my A2 too,can you tell me how?
thanks but I want to put ICS in my device karbonn a2 can u help more
thanx in advance
Sent from my Karbonn A2 using xda app-developers app
vickykeeth said:
thanks but I want to put ICS in my device karbonn a2 can u help more
thanx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not possible to put ICS in A2 (since its officially not supported to our device), although cyanogenmod 9 can be installed but its very difficult to build it since most of the drivers are properitery and they wont release the sources. so its almost impossible to run cm9 and even if someone did build cm9 it wont run smoothly because of very low amount ram in our device (<256MB and ICS needs more than that to work smoothly). however im working to build cm7 (based on gingerbread) for our device and even that is really difficult since there is no device tree in github for this device. so i need build cm7 from scratch and that is not an easy job. so if any developers are working on building cm7 for A2 please pm me so that we can work together..
cm10
abhiatreyas said:
its not possible to put ICS in A2 (since its officially not supported to our device), although cyanogenmod 9 can be installed but its very difficult to build it since most of the drivers are properitery and they wont release the sources. so its almost impossible to run cm9 and even if someone did build cm9 it wont run smoothly because of very low amount ram in our device (<256MB and ICS needs more than that to work smoothly). however im working to build cm7 (based on gingerbread) for our device and even that is really difficult since there is no device tree in github for this device. so i need build cm7 from scratch and that is not an easy job. so if any developers are working on building cm7 for A2 please pm me so that we can work together..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if we create any partion sd memory for our internal memory can it run cm10 b'cuz galaxy ace can run cm10 it has just 256MB ram and some wat 800MHZ speed only but our device has 256MD ram with 1GHZ processor speed so i think it can also run cm10 if we create a partition memory from ous sd card thats wat i think so........
waiting for reply from ur side thanks in advance.......
urgent help
i tried to reset my karbonn a2 and done it after reboot it shows no service and also no network wat to do pls tell me thanx in advance..........
vickykeeth said:
if we create any partion sd memory for our internal memory can it run cm10 b'cuz galaxy ace can run cm10 it has just 256MB ram and some wat 800MHZ speed only but our device has 256MD ram with 1GHZ processor speed so i think it can also run cm10 if we create a partition memory from ous sd card thats wat i think so........
waiting for reply from ur side thanks in advance.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol i was a galaxy ace user untill last dec. (its touch digitizer got broke, so i temporarily bought karbonn). anyway i do know ace can run cm10 and pretty much any device can, even ours can run it. i did not say our device doesnt run at all. i said it wont run smoothly and developing cm other than stock os version is very very difficult since our device is a local device and threre is no lot of support for it. so if anything goes wrong we may permanently brick our devices and may not find solution at all.
on the other hand, since i was a former ace user, i know that even though ace can run cm9 and cm10 there were a lot of problem in getting camera, video recording, and other applications because of unavialablity of their sources. so furthermore most of extra features that arent available in gingerbread cannot be used ex: face recognition, google now,otg usb etc( they are built for high end devices). u wont notice the difference in optimizations and performance of jelly bean in low end devices because they need sufficient hardware to utilize the os to full extent. so only thing u get out of installing cm is user interface (which u can change using of launchers, oh yes there are big bunches of launchers out there) and some features of cm (deodexd rom,custom kernel with overclocking features and some tweaks.)
coming back to our device, ive been trying to build cm7 for our device and its really difficult without a device tree and some good prior experience in building cm for atleast 2 devices. so my advice is that first we will build a fully working cm7 for our device and later if possible we will port cm10.
vickykeeth said:
i tried to reset my karbonn a2 and done it after reboot it shows no service and also no network wat to do pls tell me thanx in advance..........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do u mean by reset? did u do factory reset from recovery or did u clear flash from by holding power+down? (oh btw recovery is power+up in our device).
either way ur imei number has been erased and it will be reset to factory number . i spent 1 week day and night searching for a solution and that is exactly why i told u to backup your MB0P_001 file.
in order to repair it u need to root ur phone. follow above steps and paste ur imei number (dial *#06#).
Nothing in SuperOneClick
I am successful in doing everything, but when I open SuperOneClick, it does not show any device, and clicking "Root" greys off the button for a few seconds, and everything is back to normal again. Nothing happens to the phone.
What is wrong?
shyamsn00 said:
I am successful in doing everything, but when I open SuperOneClick, it does not show any device, and clicking "Root" greys off the button for a few seconds, and everything is back to normal again. Nothing happens to the phone.
What is wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ru sure u replaced boot.img which was attached in attachments to your phone? if it was successful then u have unlocked the bootloader. the problem here seems to be like superonclick isnt detecting ur phone when connected to pc. In case if the usb debugging is turned off enable it and check if ur device is listed in adb devices command as explained above. if it does and still rooting doesnt work, then maybe you are using wrong version of superoneclick. because some of the loopholes which is used to root your phone (by gaining temporary access to shell) is not available in older versions. the version must be compatible with gingerbread. try downloading superonclick 2.3.3 version.
also, after u root with superonclick, restart it and please check if u have superuser app in ur phone(it will be automatically installed by superoneclick, dont install it manually since the app should be in /system/app and su command should be in /system/bin directory, which u cannot do by installing it manually). if its installed then u have root access, if u still want to confirm just download root checker app from google play and run it.
CM10 means Jelly Bean Which has minimum Requirement of 512MB ram... device cant even Support Cm9(ics)...And generally cynogenmods are not developed for local Indian Brands.....Instead Try this making your phone look like XPERIA:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2095956
abhiatreyas said:
ru sure u replaced boot.img which was attached in attachments to your phone? if it was successful then u have unlocked the bootloader. the problem here seems to be like superonclick isnt detecting ur phone when connected to pc. In case if the usb debugging is turned off enable it and check if ur device is listed in adb devices command as explained above. if it does and still rooting doesnt work, then maybe you are using wrong version of superoneclick. because some of the loopholes which is used to root your phone (by gaining temporary access to shell) is not available in older versions. the version must be compatible with gingerbread. try downloading superonclick 2.3.3 version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have indeed replaced the boot.img file and am using the latest version of S1C [ 2.3.3, I guess ]. Can the problem be because of Win8? Should I try doing this in W7?
hi there thanks for sharing that
But i can't find the way to do anythings that u said .....
i cant updated my phone driver, when i do it says up to date ....
can u please help me
thanks
Mr1010ass said:
hi there thanks for sharing that
But i can't find the way to do anythings that u said .....
i cant updated my phone driver, when i do it says up to date ....
can u please help me
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im sorry, im not able to understand your problem. please give more information about your issue.
shyamsn00 said:
I have indeed replaced the boot.img file and am using the latest version of S1C [ 2.3.3, I guess ]. Can the problem be because of Win8? Should I try doing this in W7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok try it once in win7 and check if the issue is resolved, if not please explain clearly what is the problem and what error message you are getting.
need ua help
hey with your help i rooted my phone successfully.. Thanxx alot,,
Bt please invent custom for karbonn A2.. please
Waiting for your reply..
First 3 steps problem
I already downloaded everything and it seems like even before I started I already encountered a problem. When I try step 2 my KArbonn A2 device cannot be found on the list of devices on the cmd.... No "Android Phone" is found on my device manager but only "Karbonn - A2MS USB Device". When I update the driver it says that it is already the best driver for my device.... I need help pls.....:crying:
BOOTLOOP????????
I cannot boot up after flashing the boot.img,you provides...I've been able to flash cwm recovery successfully and make backups of my recoveries and boot.img...But when I flash the provided boot.img,My phone goess inot a bootloop It shows Karbonn A2 splash and shuts down and restarts,doing the same thing over and over again...Please tell me whether it is a problem with the boot.img or have I done something wrong in the flashing procedure???
Thank you..... finally found out where I went wrong... now my phone is rooted..... A hundred thanks....:victory:
Greetings!
First of all, I am sorry if this is on the wrong section of the forum. Nevertheless i've tried few rooting applications which are stated to be compatible with this ME103K model, but with no results.. Also many fake sites trying to lure you to purchase something.
Is there anyone who could provide me information on how to root my ASUS ME103K tablet? Should I also try every rooting application available out there or is this useless? Can I verify if they are compatible without all the way installing and running them on the device? (Sorry don't know much about this stuff =)! )
Thank you very much in advance
I rooted ME103K on my own - by compiling a custom kernel
Executive summary: Go to youtube and watch video with ID "gqubgQjqfHw" (I can't post links yet, sorry! ) - or search Youtube for "Rooting MemoPAD10 (ME103K) with my custom compiled kernel"
Analysis:
I hated the fact that my recently purchased MemoPAD10 (ME103K) tablet had no open process to allow me to become root. I don't trust the closed-source one-click root apps that use various exploits, and require communicating with servers in.... China. Why would they need to do that? I wonder...
I therefore decided this was a good opportunity for me to study the relevant documentation and follow the steps necessary to build an Android kernel for my tablet. I then packaged my custom-compiled kernel into my custom boot image, and the video shows how I boot from it and become root in the process.
Note that I didn't burn anything in my tablet - it's a 'tethered' root, it has no side-effects.
If you are a developer, you can read in detail about the steps I had to take to modify the kernel (and su.c) and become root - by reading the questions (and answers!) that I posted in the Android StackExchange forum ( can't post links yet, see the video description in Youtube ).
If you are not a developer, you can download my custom boot image from the link below - but note that this means you are trusting me to not do evil things to your tablet as my kernel boots and my /sbin/su is run
Honestly, I haven't done anything weird - I just wanted to run a debootstrapped Debian in my tablet, and succeeded in doing so. But I am also worried about the cavalier attitude I see on the web about rooting your devices - if you want to be truly safe, you must either do what I did (and recompile the kernel yourself) or absolutely trust the person that gives it to you. I do wish Google had forced a UI-accessible "become root" option in Android, just as Cyanogen does (sigh).
The image I created and used in the video to boot in rooted mode, is available from the link show in the Youtube video details.
Enjoy!
ttsiodras said:
Executive summary: Go to youtube and watch video with ID "gqubgQjqfHw" (I can't post links yet, sorry! ) - or search Youtube for "Rooting MemoPAD10 (ME103K) with my custom compiled kernel"
Analysis:
I hated the fact that my recently purchased MemoPAD10 (ME103K) tablet had no open process to allow me to become root. I don't trust the closed-source one-click root apps that use various exploits, and require communicating with servers in.... China. Why would they need to do that? I wonder...
I therefore decided this was a good opportunity for me to study the relevant documentation and follow the steps necessary to build an Android kernel for my tablet. I then packaged my custom-compiled kernel into my custom boot image, and the video shows how I boot from it and become root in the process.
Note that I didn't burn anything in my tablet - it's a 'tethered' root, it has no side-effects.
If you are a developer, you can read in detail about the steps I had to take to modify the kernel (and su.c) and become root - by reading the questions (and answers!) that I posted in the Android StackExchange forum ( can't post links yet, see the video description in Youtube ).
If you are not a developer, you can download my custom boot image from the link below - but note that this means you are trusting me to not do evil things to your tablet as my kernel boots and my /sbin/su is run
Honestly, I haven't done anything - I just wanted to run a deboot-strapped Debian in my tablet. But I am also worried about the cavalier attitude I see on the web about rooting your devices - if you want to be truly safe, you must either do what I did (and recompile the kernel yourself) or absolutely trust the person that gives it to you. I do wish Google had forced a UI-accessible "become root" option in Android, just as Cyanogen does (sigh).
The image I created and used in the video to boot in rooted mode, is available from the link show in the Youtube video details.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello ttsiodras,
I had the same problem as OP and didn't want to go the "chinese route" either, especially since there seem to be conflicting reports on whether it works on the ME103k or not so I tried your solution - with mixed results...
Disclaimer: I'm totally new to Android (colour me unpleasantly surprised) and have little experience in Linux, so for further reference I would consider myself an advanced noob. Please keep this in mind when evaluating my claims or judging what I have done so far or am capable of doing by myself in the future.
What I did:
- become developer in the ME103k by tapping the system build repeatedly, then allowing debugging via USB
- use ADB to boot into the bootloader
- use fastboot to boot your boot.rooted.img
What happened:
- I did get root access
- the tab now always boots into the bootloader, even when told via ADB or fastboot to boot normally or into recovery. Pushing buttons etc doesn't seem to work either
- my attempts to do a recovery via the vanilla Asus method has failed due to the same fact that boot never gets past fastboot
Since you claimed in your description that there would be no side-effects since it is a tethered root I am somewhat puzzled as to what exactly happened. From what I understand - which admittedly isn't a lot - what should have happened is that your boot image is loaded, giving me root access until the next reboot without changing anything about the default boot process or image. I read somewhere else that this is how people test out different kernels with fastboot before deciding on which one they want to use on their devices. The whole boot process being changed and corrupted in a way that makes the tablet non-rebootable without having the cable and an adb- and fastboot-capable machine nearby is not really what I would have expected going by your description.
Of course it is entirely possible (and probably even rather likely) that I got something wrong along the way or there is a simple fix to my problem I am not aware of.
As for possible steps maybe you or someone else in the forum could point me to a way to return my tablet to factory settings before risking damaging it beyond repair. I'm assuming that it should be possible and rather straightforward to recover the original setup with the firmware provided by Asus (downloaded the newest version from the homepage) but to be honest I'm a bit scared to go ahead with it before knowing for sure how to do this safely.
One thing seems certain: I won't be able to do it the way Asus says I should unless I can somehow get into normal or recovery boot modes again. I do however still have root access and am able to run fastboot and ADB including shell on the tablet, so it should be possible.
I would certainly appreciate any help very much
Thanks
drsiegberterne said:
. . . From what I understand - which admittedly isn't a lot - what should have happened is that your boot image is loaded, giving me root access until the next reboot without changing anything about the default boot process or image. I read somewhere else that this is how people test out different kernels with fastboot before deciding on which one they want to use on their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your understanding is correct - that's exactly what should have happened.
I can assure you that the kernel I compiled is formed from the Asus sources with the 2 patches I made that have *nothing* to do with the bootloader - they patch the way that the kernel allows dropping privileges and thus allowing root level access.
Something else must have happened - did you by any chance "burn" the image? i.e. `(DONT DO THIS) fastboot flash boot boot.rooted.img` instead of `fastboot boot boot.rooted.img`?
I did not advocate for burning precisely because it is unpredictable - manufactures sometimes require signing images with their private keys before allowing a boot image to boot (AKA "locked bootloaders") which means that any attempt to burn may lead to weird configurations. . .
If you did burn it, maybe you can try burning the original "boot.img" from the Asus OTA (Over the Air) update .zip file (avaible as a big download at the ASUS site - "UL-K01E-WW-12.16.1.12-user.zip" )
I know of no way to help you with the current state of your tablet, except to "ease the pain" by saying that rebooting to fastboot is always "recoverable" - you can always boot into my own (rooted) kernel or the original (from the ASUS .zip file) with `fastboot boot <whatever_image>`. No "harm" can happen from this - as you correctly said, it's the way to try new kernels and images.
UPDATE - after more reverse engineering:
I had a look into the contents of the boot loader running inside the ME103K, and I am pretty sure that if you execute this at fastboot...
# fastboot oem reset-dev_info
# fastboot reboot
... you will get back to normal, un-tethered bootings of your ME103K.
Thanassis.
ttsiodras said:
Your understanding is correct - that's exactly what should have happened.
I can assure you that the kernel I compiled is formed from the Asus sources with the 2 patches I made that have *nothing* to do with the bootloader - they patch the way that the kernel allows dropping privileges and thus allowing root level access.
Something else must have happened - did you by any chance "burn" the image? i.e. `(DONT DO THIS) fastboot flash boot boot.rooted.img` instead of `fastboot boot boot.rooted.img`?
I did not advocate for burning precisely because it is unpredictable - manufactures sometimes require signing images with their private keys before allowing a boot image to boot (AKA "locked bootloaders") which means that any attempt to burn may lead to weird configurations. . .
If you did burn it, maybe you can try burning the original "boot.img" from the Asus OTA (Over the Air) update .zip file (avaible as a big download at the ASUS site - "UL-K01E-WW-12.16.1.12-user.zip" )
I know of no way to help you with the current state of your tablet, except to "ease the pain" by saying that rebooting to fastboot is always "recoverable" - you can always boot into my own (rooted) kernel or the original (from the ASUS .zip file) with `fastboot boot <whatever_image>`. No "harm" can happen from this - as you correctly said, it's the way to try new kernels and images.
Thanassis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Thanassis,
thanks for your quick reply and your efforts. I'm actually around 85% sure I did not flash the image but since I had no Linux on my computer at the time (I know shame on me) I used a Mac and the command line was a bit different. Since I had never used ADB or fastboot I relied on some guide that explained how to even get into the bootloader and might have gotten something wrong.
On the other hand I later read out the commands I used in the Mac shell and couldn't find anything other than the things I should have done and described earlier, so as far as I can tell this all should never have happened. It may be interesting to point out here that the "stuck in fastboot" mode happened immediately after the first time I loaded your kernel and I most definitely just wrote fastboot boot boot.rooted.img at that point.
As for fixing the problem now it's not only about the inconvenience of the whole thing. I also later (after I was already stuck in fastboot mode) installed some apps for helping me manage privileges of different apps (xposed framework and xprivacy) which turned out to not be compatible in some way or another. So now not only is my tablet not booteable in a normal way but its also cluttered with even more useless stuff than before and I would really like to just reset it before thinking about any other possibilities.
If I flash boot the original ASUS boot image found in the file you described and which i dowloaded already, shouldn't that fix the problem if I accidentally did flash your boot image? Or will there be even more trouble?
Alternatively isn't there a manual way to flash the whole zipped recovery image or am I misunderstanding what this ASUS file actually contains?
And which of the two options is safer to try first or in other words - which one might break the tablet once and for all?
Thanks again and sorry for my incompetence
drsiegberterne said:
Hi Thanassis,
If I flash boot the original ASUS boot image found in the file you described and which i dowloaded already, shouldn't that fix the problem if I accidentally did flash your boot image? Or will there be even more trouble?
. . .
Alternatively isn't there a manual way to flash the whole zipped recovery image or am I misunderstanding what this ASUS file actually contains?
. . .
Thanks again and sorry for my incompetence
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, don't be sorry We are all either choosing to learn in this world (i.e. make mistakes and learn from them), or choose to remain stuck in ignorance. I applaud your efforts in properly rooting the tablet. . .
To the point - remember, you are root now ; whatever apps you installed, you can definitely uninstall them. You don't necessarily need to wipe it.
If you do want to, I'd suggest booting in recovery and doing it the normal way that Asus recommends. Since you said "buttons don't work", you may want to try using the original recovery .img - i.e. "fastboot boot recovery.img". I'd love to suggest a link from ASUS, but they don't host it (which is bad - they really should) - so instead go to "goo" dot "gl" slash "noegkY" - this will point you to a discussion where a kind soul is sharing his ME103K recovery.img.
Booting from the recovery will allow you to install the ASUS OTA update - and probably try cleaning cache partition, etc
Good luck!
ttsiodras said:
No, don't be sorry We are all either choosing to learn in this world (i.e. make mistakes and learn from them), or choose to remain stuck in ignorance. I applaud your efforts in properly rooting the tablet. . .
To the point - remember, you are root now ; whatever apps you installed, you can definitely uninstall them. You don't necessarily need to wipe it.
If you do want to, I'd suggest booting in recovery and doing it the normal way that Asus recommends. Since you said "buttons don't work", you may want to try using the original recovery .img - i.e. "fastboot boot recovery.img". I'd love to suggest a link from ASUS, but they don't host it (which is bad - they really should) - so instead go to "goo" dot "gl" slash "noegkY" - this will point you to a discussion where a kind soul is sharing his ME103K recovery.img.
Booting from the recovery will allow you to install the ASUS OTA update - and probably try cleaning cache partition, etc
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem here is that he doesn't seem to have the same version as on my tablet. I have the newest version with Lollipop while this seems to be at least a couple of patches earlier with a completely different version of Android. Won't I risk breaking things even more if I try to apply this - as in trying to recover a recovery that is not on my tablet since certainly the recovery.img doesn't contain all the information needed since it's only 10 MB.
As you can probably guess the whole discussion in your link about what part of the system is broken and how to fix it goes right over my head. It also seems like they did not find a satisfactory solution in the end (short of sending the tablet to ASUS). As you can imagine I'm at quite a loss what to try and what not out of fear to make things worse. At least for now I can still use the tablet to do the things I need it to do.
Thanks for your help anyway, I will try to read up more on the topic and decide what to do next.
drsiegberterne said:
The problem here is that he doesn't seem to have the same version as on my tablet. I have the newest version with Lollipop while this seems to be at least a couple of patches earlier with a completely different version of Android. Won't I risk breaking things even more if I try to apply this - as in trying to recover a recovery that is not on my tablet since certainly the recovery.img doesn't contain all the information needed since it's only 10 MB.
Thanks for your help anyway, I will try to read up more on the topic and decide what to do next.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand how you feel - your tablet is operational now (OK, with the annoyance that you need to boot it in "tethered mode") - so you rightfully fear that you may mess things up with further steps.
Just to clarify something - the recovery img is something that works on its own ; it has no dependency on what kind of Android image is installed in the /system partition.
If you do decide to do it, "fastboot boot recovery.img" will bring you to a spartan menu, showing options that allow you to apply an update (i.e. the ASUS update you downloaded!), clean the /cache partition, etc.
Choose "install update from SD card" (use volume up/down to choose, power btn to select), and navigate to your SD card, where you will have placed the big .zip file from ASUS.
The recovery process will begin, and your tablet will be "wiped" with the image from ASUS. Reboot, and be patient while the tablet boots up - it will be just like the first time you started it (i.e. install from scratch).
Whatever you decide - good luck!
ttsiodras said:
I understand how you feel - your tablet is operational now (OK, with the annoyance that you need to boot it in "tethered mode") - so you rightfully fear that you may mess things up with further steps.
Just to clarify something - the recovery img is something that works on its own ; it has no dependency on what kind of Android image is installed in the /system partition.
If you do decide to do it, "fastboot boot recovery.img" will bring you to a spartan menu, showing options that allow you to apply an update (i.e. the ASUS update you downloaded!), clean the /cache partition, etc.
Choose "install update from SD card" (use volume up/down to choose, power btn to select), and navigate to your SD card, where you will have placed the big .zip file from ASUS.
The recovery process will begin, and your tablet will be "wiped" with the image from ASUS. Reboot, and be patient while the tablet boots up - it will be just like the first time you started it (i.e. install from scratch).
Whatever you decide - good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, a little update from the battlefront:
I tried the recovery image and did get into the menu, however the recovery failed with the same two error messages as in your earlier link ("footer is wrong" and "signature verification failed"). My output from fastboot getvar all is also very similar to the one from that guy except I have a different bootloader version than him (3.03).
Another thing I noticed is that if I boot the standard boot.img found in the ASUS zip it will recognize the internal sdcard normally, however when I boot your rooted image the internal memory doesn't seem to be recognized, at least not through the pre-installed file manager. Downloading a file to the internal storage also failed while rooted but all the apps and the OS itself so far seem totally unaffected otherwise.
My last resort at the moment is the fastboot flash boot boot.img but I have little hope it would change anything since in the thread you linked they proposed just that and if it had worked they probably would have mentioned it.
Can it theoretically break the tablet even more? I would hate to have to send it in because I completely bricked it...
drsiegberterne said:
Okay, a little update from the battlefront:
Another thing I noticed is that if I boot the standard boot.img found in the ASUS zip it will recognize the internal sdcard normally, however when I boot your rooted image the internal memory doesn't seem to be recognized.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the case for me - everything works fine (including internal and external sdcard), so it's definitely not my kernel causing this.
drsiegberterne said:
My last resort at the moment is the fastboot flash boot boot.img but I have little hope it would change anything since in the thread you linked they proposed just that and if it had worked they probably would have mentioned it.
Can it theoretically break the tablet even more? I would hate to have to send it in because I completely bricked it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing is always dangerous (from what you've said, I actually theorize that you did, actually, flash already...)
I doubt this will solve the boot issue, to be honest - if I were you, I'd continue to boot tethered (with my image when you need root access, and (maybe) the Asus image when you don't). Myself, I always boot my own bootimage, since I have zero problems with it, and it allows me to run a complete Debian distro in a chroot (thus making my tablet a full-blown UNIX server - e.g. I run privoxy on it to filter all stupid ads in all apps on the tablet, etc).
No matter what you decide, good luck!
Thanassis.
ttsiodras said:
Not the case for me - everything works fine (including internal and external sdcard), so it's definitely not my kernel causing this.
Flashing is always dangerous (from what you've said, I actually theorize that you did, actually, flash already...)
I doubt this will solve the boot issue, to be honest - if I were you, I'd continue to boot tethered (with my image when I need root access, and (maybe) the Asus image when I don't). Myself, I always boot my own bootimage, since I have zero problems with it, and it allows me to run a complete Debian distro in a chroot (thus making my tablet a full-blown UNIX server - e.g. I run privoxy on it to filter all stupid ads in all apps on the tablet, etc).
No matter what you decide, good luck!
Thanassis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already tried to flash the original boot.img yesterday but it didn't change anything as you correctly assumed so I guess for now there is nothing more to do. I might write to the Asus support and maybe send the tablet in if it is free of charge for me (which I doubt). The only other option is to spend the next months to get sufficiently versed in Android to actually fix the problems myself but even for that I would probably need some files or source code from Asus. I find it rather disappointing the way these "closed" systems work nowadays, with the advancement of Linux and Open Source I really would have expected the opposite to be true but apparently people care more about convenience than actually being able to use the tools they buy in the way they want to.
Getting these Android devices like buying a hammer that can't hammer things in on Sundays.
drsiegberterne said:
I find it rather disappointing the way these "closed" systems work nowadays, with the advancement of Linux and Open Source I really would have expected the opposite to be true but apparently people care more about convenience than actually being able to use the tools they buy in the way they want to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I share the sentiment - it's really sad.
Undoing the tethered root
drsiegberterne said:
I already tried to flash the original boot.img yesterday but it didn't change anything as you correctly assumed so I guess for now there is nothing more to do. I might write to the Asus support and maybe send the tablet in if it is free of charge for me (which I doubt). The only other option is to spend the next months to get sufficiently versed in Android to actually fix the problems myself but even for that I would probably need some files or source code from Asus. I find it rather disappointing the way these "closed" systems work nowadays, with the advancement of Linux and Open Source I really would have expected the opposite to be true but apparently people care more about convenience than actually being able to use the tools they buy in the way they want to.
Getting these Android devices like buying a hammer that can't hammer things in on Sundays.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi drsiegberterne - I had a look into the contents of the boot loader running inside the ME103K, and I am pretty sure that if you execute this at fastboot...
# fastboot oem reset-dev_info
# fastboot reboot
... you will get back to normal, un-tethered bootings of your ME103K.
Hope this solves your problem!
Kind regards,
Thanassis.
Today, my phone got bricked after I installed Magisk, am i am looking for a way of sorting it out. The phone was running Android 9 DP3 when rooted, and I was following HighOnAndroids root guide on Youtube for reference,
I unlocked my bootloader and successfully installed TWRP. After this, I installed Magisk, which went throuygh perfectly fine. However, after rebooting the phone, I am stuck on the google splash screen, with a small progress bar that stays for the duration of the time on this screen. After about 2 minutes, the phone reboots into TWRP again.
Does anyone know how I could return to stock Android or at least escape this issue?
Many thanks
James
Jameswebb97 said:
Today, my phone got bricked after I installed Magisk, am i am looking for a way of sorting it out. The phone was running Android 9 DP3 when rooted, and I was following HighOnAndroids root guide on Youtube for reference,
I unlocked my bootloader and successfully installed TWRP. After this, I installed Magisk, which went throuygh perfectly fine. However, after rebooting the phone, I am stuck on the google splash screen, with a small progress bar that stays for the duration of the time on this screen. After about 2 minutes, the phone reboots into TWRP again.
Does anyone know how I could return to stock Android or at least escape this issue?
Many thanks
James
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use duces script to flash June google factory image.
jlokos said:
Use duces script to flash June google factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the guide on the DeucesScript XDA page but the command window keeps saying "'fastboot' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file."
Jameswebb97 said:
I followed the guide on the DeucesScript XDA page but the command window keeps saying "'fastboot' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need this information (the stuff I made bold + the hyperlink):
Code:
If you are having issues with this script:
Download the latest fastboot and adb Platform Tools UPDATED Dec. 22, 2017!!! This is the most common problem!!!
Download/Update Google USB Drivers
Video: Force-Installing the Android USB Drivers Fastboot & ADB
[B]Verify you have the [URL="https://wiki.lineageos.org/adb_fastboot_guide.html"]environment variable (path)[/URL] set for adb and fastboot[/B]
Try a different USB port
Try a different cable
Format Userdata in Stock Recovery
Try to boot stock before doing mods like Locking Bootloader / Kernel / TWRP / Magisk
Jameswebb97 said:
I followed the guide on the DeucesScript XDA page but the command window keeps saying "'fastboot' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
umph....hate to tell you, but you have a long way to go...
so before going on this "journey", I would suggest you booting into TWRP again, and try installing (not adb sideloading, just in case you're doing that) Magisk again. Also, be sure you are using the latest (might be considered "beta") 16.4 for taimen... I'm thinking your boot.img or dtbo.img simply may have gotten glitchy and repatching (by installing Magisk again) might fix it...
Also, if you want to go a step further, you might want to consider using the official Magisk uninstaller. Since Magisk makes a copy of your stock boot and dtbo image, it may put that back so you can get it in working order to get into the system (although without root), and then figure things out and/or reinstall Magisk (through TWRP is best) while all things Magisk was removed...
Good luck and hope this helps....
Make sure you are trying to open from the correct location, and put .\fastboot
EvilDobe said:
You need this information (the stuff I made bold + the hyperlink):
Code:
If you are having issues with this script:
Download the latest fastboot and adb Platform Tools UPDATED Dec. 22, 2017!!! This is the most common problem!!!
Download/Update Google USB Drivers
Video: Force-Installing the Android USB Drivers Fastboot & ADB
[B]Verify you have the [URL="https://wiki.lineageos.org/adb_fastboot_guide.html"]environment variable (path)[/URL] set for adb and fastboot[/B]
Try a different USB port
Try a different cable
Format Userdata in Stock Recovery
Try to boot stock before doing mods like Locking Bootloader / Kernel / TWRP / Magisk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive tried all of this now, i got the script working, but now the phne says it is corrupt and i cannot get into recovery. Is this game over do you think?
simplepinoi177 said:
umph....hate to tell you, but you have a long way to go...
so before going on this "journey", I would suggest you booting into TWRP again, and try installing (not adb sideloading, just in case you're doing that) Magisk again. Also, be sure you are using the latest (might be considered "beta") 16.4 for taimen... I'm thinking your boot.img or dtbo.img simply may have gotten glitchy and repatching (by installing Magisk again) might fix it...
Also, if you want to go a step further, you might want to consider using the official Magisk uninstaller. Since Magisk makes a copy of your stock boot and dtbo image, it may put that back so you can get it in working order to get into the system (although without root), and then figure things out and/or reinstall Magisk (through TWRP is best) while all things Magisk was removed...
Good luck and hope this helps....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is good advice, thanks. i have a new problem (ugh), where i got the script working through changing the paths, but now the phone says that it is corrupt and i cannot access TWRP. Game over?
Jameswebb97 said:
Ive tried all of this now, i got the script working, but now the phne says it is corrupt and i cannot get into recovery. Is this game over do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the unlocked bootloader it'll always say the device is corrupt. Manually put the device into the bootloader & flash the DeucesScript. You're basically starting over at this point but it is possible to get up & going again.
Jameswebb97 said:
This is good advice, thanks. i have a new problem (ugh), where i got the script working through changing the paths, but now the phone says that it is corrupt and i cannot access TWRP. Game over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EvilDobe said:
With the unlocked bootloader it'll always say the device is corrupt. Manually put the device into the bootloader & flash the DeucesScript. You're basically starting over at this point but it is possible to get up & going again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EvilDobe might be right...but I have a bit to offer before maybe starting all over...
I doubt you needed to edit the script and "change the paths." Most likely you merely did not have the images (you extracted from the .zip of the Full Factory image you got from the Google Developers site) inside the "platform-tools" folder with the adb & fastboot .exe and all the other files and folders.
In any case, I suggest you get the TWRP image file [.img] (NOT the installer .zip necessarily), put the .img file "... inside the "platform-tools" folder with the adb & fastboot .exe and all the other files and folders." (I've seen some users simply cut and paste those 2 .exe files only to the extracted folder -- this is why I state it this way) Then, power down your device. After it's off, hold down the Volume Down button and press & hold the Power button (this is the manual way to get into the Bootloader Mode). Once there, plug your phone into your computer (USB-A to USB-C would be best) and open a command prompt/powershell ("run as administrator" or with administrative priveleges) and direct it to the platform-tools folder (i.e. if I put it on my desktop, it would be "C:\Users\MyName\Desktop\platform-tools"), you can temporarily boot into TWRP via command
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-2-taimen.img
When in TWRP (hopefully), I suggest trying to do what I advised before -- try either Magisk installer to repatch the boot and dtbo image, or Magisk Uninstaller to attempt to replace your boot and dtbo to stock.
*NOTE: Of course, this is assuming you are running Microsoft Windows (if not, you will need to input .\ as @naiku suggested) and also the whole "device is corrupt" is due to "funky" boot image issues. If not, I/we can guide you to flashing the Full Factory back onto the phone (hopefully without losing data and settings)...
Good luck and hope this helps...
simplepinoi177 said:
EvilDobe might be right...but I have a bit to offer before maybe starting all over...
I doubt you needed to edit the script and "change the paths." Most likely you merely did not have the images (you extracted from the .zip of the Full Factory image you got from the Google Developers site) inside the "platform-tools" folder with the adb & fastboot .exe and all the other files and folders.
In any case, I suggest you get the TWRP image file [.img] (NOT the installer .zip necessarily), put the .img file "... inside the "platform-tools" folder with the adb & fastboot .exe and all the other files and folders." (I've seen some users simply cut and paste those 2 .exe files only to the extracted folder -- this is why I state it this way) Then, power down your device. After it's off, hold down the Volume Down button and press & hold the Power button (this is the manual way to get into the Bootloader Mode). Once there, plug your phone into your computer (USB-A to USB-C would be best) and open a command prompt/powershell ("run as administrator" or with administrative priveleges) and direct it to the platform-tools folder (i.e. if I put it on my desktop, it would be "C:\Users\MyName\Desktop\platform-tools"), you can temporarily boot into TWRP via command
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-2-taimen.img
When in TWRP (hopefully), I suggest trying to do what I advised before -- try either Magisk installer to repatch the boot and dtbo image, or Magisk Uninstaller to attempt to replace your boot and dtbo to stock.
*NOTE: Of course, this is assuming you are running Microsoft Windows (if not, you will need to input .\ as @naiku suggested) and also the whole "device is corrupt" is due to "funky" boot image issues. If not, I/we can guide you to flashing the Full Factory back onto the phone (hopefully without losing data and settings)...
Good luck and hope this helps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pleased to be editing this comment; managed to get it working following your step by step. Think i'm going to stay away from rooting something this expensive in the future! Thanks so much!
Jameswebb97 said:
Pleased to be editing this comment; managed to get it working following your step by step. Think i'm going to stay away from rooting something this expensive in the future! Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't go that far with staying away. When I come across people IRL that want to start doing this stuff I always tell them to read the instructions, step through them, read the instructions again, ask questions (as you did here) BEFORE you get started, read the instructions again, and only when you're confident start messing with your device. This is a fun, and at times stressful, hobby. It's great when everything goes according to plan but it's an omg omg omg omg omg omg moment when you mess something up.
Start with baby steps. The straight upgrade to P is fairly simple provided your device is unlocked. Get that working & you'll be set. I have root on my DP3 & the only thing I've done so far is delete some apps from system that I know I don't want/need. If your main goal is to just enjoy your phone, test out Android P, and maybe go back... root isn't needed. Once everything is squared away & you're running for a day or so you can always fastboot to recovery, make a backup, and then try to add root. I hope you don't shy away & get deeper into the hobby. It truly starts to get fun when you begin to understand more of what is going on.
Jameswebb97 said:
Pleased to be editing this comment; managed to get it working following your step by step. Think i'm going to stay away from rooting something this expensive in the future! Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I'm so glad you got it working! Leave me a "Thanks!" would make it up to me ... I'm always happy to help out and get things figured out...yet I don't get the satisfaction of knowing if it does end up helping a lot of the time because a good number don't come back with their experience...so thanks for that! Glad you got it going...
EvilDobe said:
I wouldn't go that far with staying away. When I come across people IRL that want to start doing this stuff I always tell them to read the instructions, step through them, read the instructions again, ask questions (as you did here) BEFORE you get started, read the instructions again, and only when you're confident start messing with your device. This is a fun, and at times stressful, hobby. It's great when everything goes according to plan but it's an omg omg omg omg omg omg moment when you mess something up.
Start with baby steps. The straight upgrade to P is fairly simple provided your device is unlocked. Get that working & you'll be set. I have root on my DP3 & the only thing I've done so far is delete some apps from system that I know I don't want/need. If your main goal is to just enjoy your phone, test out Android P, and maybe go back... root isn't needed. Once everything is squared away & you're running for a day or so you can always fastboot to recovery, make a backup, and then try to add root. I hope you don't shy away & get deeper into the hobby. It truly starts to get fun when you begin to understand more of what is going on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it's as @EvilDobe means.....
I remember back in the days of the Motorola Droids (OG Droid1, Droid 3, & Droid 4) where you could really mess things up and come out with a big ol' "brick" "paperweight" as there were many instances where you could not come back from (i.e. updating to a certain point, then attempting to downgrade when Google/Motorola/Verizon put blocks that breaks it). But this isn't the case these days. @Jameswebb97, at least with the Pixel 2's, Oreo and/or P(Android OS 9), it's actually more difficult than easy to get that too far gone. The only reason why I can help so many troubleshooting their issues is because I, myself, have wrecked my current device in some serious ways! So I can relate and have experience in helping in the same situations. I've gotten it to where it says "device is corrupt," (which isn't all that uncommon), BUT with the added desperate troubleshooting where I had to wipe/erase, changing partition types, format several partitions, even go about "resizing" the partition to match the "target extraction size" of the Full Factory flash, and even as far as learning to manually flash the various system partitions and that there are two (system_a & system_b) but, in Google's infinite wisdom(?), one flashes to system_a and the other to system_other!!! And I haven't even started on reading others' issues when going after the Slot A and Slot B complications -- I didn't even attempt to touch this in that troubleshooting story.
My point is: I think I've broken my device farther than most people and got it so close to the brink, and yet I was able to bring it back and am still using that same device today (most people would usually, at that point, go and get a RMA replacement). Honestly, as long as you have access to Bootloader Mode (which Google, in their infinite wisdom, seems to have placed it in the main board memory or separate memory rather than storage as to make it always accessible which makes it hard to "lose"), you have a really good (seemingly perfect) "safety net" in which you can always flash back to a working, stock state -- which is why it's the best policy to just make good backups before experimenting so, if anything, you get back to this state and restore all your data. I'm not trying to convince you to root or to try custom ROMs or anything -- even though there are many great reasons and capabilities of rooting -- I am simply appealingl to your sense of curiosity and reassure you so you aren't held back and you don't restrict and limit yourself if you don't want to, but are to fearful to experiment.
I hope you don't take this post as "lecturing" or anything, just some thoughts I hope you consider...
Glad it worked out in the end for you!
The phone must be installed TWRP Recovery. Use at your own risk, I'm not responsible for bricking your device.
Installation Instructions:
1. Enter TWRP Recovery Mode: Turn power off; Press and hold Volume Up key + Power key, when samsung logo appears release power key only, keep pressing volume up until TWRP recovery appears
2. Select Wipe - Format Data - type "yes" and confirm
3. Copy GSI ROM to your phone
4. Install - Install Image - select lineage-17.1-20200413-UNOFFICIAL-treble_arm64_bvN.img - select System Image and Confirm to flash.
5. Select Reboot - System ( boot without magisk )
6. Setup the Phone
7. INSTALL GAPPS: Enter TWRP Recovery Mode
8. Copy GAPPS zip file from PC to Phone
9. Select Wipe - Advanced Wipe - select "System" - Repair or Change File System - Resize File System - Confirm to Resize.
10. Select Install - select open_gapps-arm64-10.0-nano-20200408.zip and Confirm Flash
11. Reboot - System
12. ROOTING: Enter TWRP Recovery Mode
13. Copy magisk manager apk from pc to phone
14. Reboot to Recovery ( boot with magisk )
15. Connect the phone to internet
16. Install magisk manager
Done!
Download:
LineageOS 17.1 ROM
Open Gapps
WATCH VIDEO HOW TO INSTALL IT: https://youtu.be/u9gDx6VEORo
Thanks. So this is GSI? Bugs?
Youtube comments mention:
Fingerprint not working.
MTP not working.
Face lock also not working.
but also he say's; "This is Generic GSI ROM, it means. it has some basic feature and limitations"
---
Edit: I couldnt get this to install, followed the how-to and when i tried to reboot i got "no OS installed" in twrp. tried 3 times, but no joy, A505FN
Hello everyone
iam in the Process of considering to put LOS on my device.
But the i saw the remarks from InFam0us-1985
Is it therefor not adviceable to use this on a Samsung Galaxy A505FN because this is exactly what i have
Saludos from Spain
DId i Brick my Samsung Galaxy A505FN?
Hello one Question:
"did i Brick my device if for some reason after Trying to flash TWRP it fell back in to OEM-locked and i’ am now in a Boot Loop, ore is the any Hope?
I used Heimdal and at first it did the Job but then it would not start again as expected.
After some attempts to flash it Properly it suddenly fell back in to OEM-Locked!
Pleas if you now some advice it be greatly aprichiatet
My device is a Samsung Galaxy A505FN (Spain)
I found a way to Unbrick my device
Just to let anyone that pass her know i finally found a way to unbrick my device here it is:
After it falls back in to OEM-Lock i found you can unlock it again by doing whats explained in the Video.
Have fun be Careful when messing around with rooting
Saludos Hans
hans2020 said:
Just to let anyone that pass her know i finally found a way to unbrick my device here it is:
After it falls back in to OEM-Lock i found you can unlock it again by doing whats explained in the Video.
Have fun be Careful when messing around with rooting
Saludos Hans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIA, OEM locked you can always flash stock?
I’ am not sure if thats True
InFam0us-1985 said:
AFAIA, OEM locked you can always flash stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All i know in case of my Samsung Galaxy A50 it is Possible!
To lift the OEM-Lock mode again.
i do not know if that is true for every Device.
Ultimately i was successful to install full Root-access!
I had great difficulty tho to use Heimdall ore any tool on Linux so i ended up using Odin in a VirtuelBox with WinXPpro
but do to no support of Long file names i had to trick there, to to make it work.
I just shorten the Names of every .tar to the first 2 letters.
I was able to successfully flash TWRP with Heimdall but not the Android ROM for my Phone.
I still wonder how to make it work!
There was one Thing i Noticed when Using Odin it seams in the Process he flashes vbmeta.img twice.
That impossible with Heimdall it creates a error message.
Well if anyone - that passes here - knows how to flash a Android 10 ROM of a Samsung Galaxy A50 using Heimdall let me know i tried very very hard to no avail.
I was surprised to learn there is no Good Tool for Linux-user doing this Task.
i only found Old Tutorials!
Is it truly possible that Heimdall dose not support modern Phone-flashing anymore properly?
As of now if a Linux-user ask me about Rooting i would advice him/her to do it in a VritualBox with windows installed.
If you have a License of a Windows Version Higher then XP good otherwise you have to Shorten File names if the very long to make it work.
I scarcely use windows anymore that why i only have a old WinXPpro legally in my Possession.
Unbelievable that the Linux-Community should not have a modern Flash Tool!???
Saludos
Hans
---------- Post added at 12:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 PM ----------
Hello to @everyone
I had great difficulty to do this as a Linux User using Heimdall and eventually had to give up (after trying for 3 full days)!
I ended up doing it using Windows out of a VirtualBox!
It was Possible tho to successfully flash TWRP using Heimdall!
It also showed Success when Flashing Android 10 Version for my Phone but would not work.
Using the same Firmware with Odin it worked just fine.
When i compared the Flash-Protocol of Odin with what i did i only Noticed that Odin would flash vbmeta.img twice in the Process something that cant be done with Heimdall as it produces the duplicate error.
I wonder if this is the Reason it would not work.
I was also surprised to Learn, that there is virtual now Tutorial out there using Heimdall on a Modern Phone (last 12 Month ore less).
Is it truly Possible that There is now good solution for Linux Users?
I also Looked in to Fastboot and ADB and other Tools for Linux Platform and they all seam to be outdated!
Also all this Tools could not accomplish the task at hand.
Now if its me and anyone knows how to make it Work on Heimdall let me know as it is a Pretty good tool after all and by now i know it well. I would gladly start to make a tutorial and provide it here for free if i know how to make it work.
I have a txt file where i made a complete Protocol of all i tried if someone is curious ill send it to you.
Saludos Hans
##################################################################
I send some more Details of my Challenge in hope someone my know what it is i have to change!
My Device:
Samsung Galaxy A505FN
I created a .txt file protocol of all i did, i gladly provide it if someone ants to see it.
I analyzed the Whole Firmware-archive and the Pit file of my Phone to eventually find the Problem.
Note:
The Firmware was the correct one as it worked just fine using Odin!!
Analyzing all this, i only noticed two things:
First:
There are 3 seemingly identical files in the Archive and two so called
fota.zip files witch are not Identical
(one in the AP-Packet and one in the CSC-Packet)
Those where:
– cache.img one in the AP-Packet and one in the BL-Packet
– vbmeta.img one in the AP-Packet and one in the BL-Packet
– product.img one in the AP-Packet and one in the BL-Packet
Second:
Once i used Odin to finally flash successfully i noticed that in the Flash-protocol of Odin it seams Odin flashes the vbmeta.img twice in the process!?
Heimdall would not allow me to do so giving me the “Duplicate Error message”
Furthermore i tried one more thing in my desperation to make it work:
i thort: “maybe the order in wish the files a flashed chronologically matters”
So i did exactly that, trying to flash in the same chronological sequence as Odin did.
Note:
Every time i flashed, Heimdall would successfully finish the process but the Phone would not start with android
no matter what i tried.
ALSO i did successfully flash TWRP to my Phone using Heimdall
SO Heimdall works just fine on my system!
I spend a Long Time searching the Internet for a workable Tutorial or glue’s as to what is missing and how i could make it work.
I really want to succeed doing this, as i want to provide my folks offer her in Germany and also English and Spanish speaking Linux-Community with a Tutorial to do this!
I did also drop this Question and Challenge i face in some other Forums no useful answer returned so far
The latest Governmental Abuses and infringement on Peoples Privacy using Corona as excuse, makes it abundantly clear how important this kind a work is!
As for now i think, the only true option for a Linux-User is to run Odin from a Virtual-Box Windows installation, given
you have a legal copy in you're possession and have higher then Windows XP
(else you must change the Filenames of the .tar archives as WIndows XP and lower did not support excessively long filenames.)
Also you have to Install you're Phone USB drivers and have them up and running properly!
Internet access to you're VB makes it all more comfortable, but you can also use Shared folders with the Host-System to do the job.
Note:
I did indeed tried the "WINE-plugin-environment" (Windows 10) under Linux. i could not get it to work.
It was to much messing around make it recognize the USB-connection to the Phone!
I could not get it to work, I don't know if you can?
I guess that would be a nice way for Linux-users if it could be made to work!
What do you guys think, can this be solved?
Pleas let me know if you know the answer to my Challenge!
You're help is not only needed but would be greatly appreciated
Sincerely yours
Hans from Germany
well I Found this from 2017;
Yes you can do fastboot and adb cmd in Linux but you have to install adb and fastboot drivers to Linux by using
1) sudo add-apt-repository ppahablet-team/tools && sudo apt-get update
2) sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
That's it you get your fastboot and adb cmd’s all the cmds are same just as windows just you need to add sudo in front if not in root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
source: https://www.quora.com/Can-I-flash-Android-devices-using-Linux
so maybe have a read of this too; https://android.gadgethacks.com/how...actory-images-android-using-fastboot-0175277/
Well i do know
Of course i know how to Install a Software on Linux and i did indeed installed those Two
But both of them would not even Detect my device jet Heimdall and Odin had no problem doing that.
Anyhow i might go about and try those Two harder.
And no Iam not confused
thank you anyway
Saludos Hans
InFam0us-1985 said:
well I Found this from 2017;
source: https://www.quora.com/Can-I-flash-Android-devices-using-Linux
so maybe have a read of this too; https://android.gadgethacks.com/how...actory-images-android-using-fastboot-0175277/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant call or receive call and send and receive messages via sim
Please help
I cannot call and receive calls
Cannot send and receive messages ,one time passwords, through message
Cannot login through whatssapp .
volte is not enabled
And no option for it to enable
I am from India using jio sim card .
Please help.
If any custom rom is used in my SM-A505F i cant do calls or receive calls nor send or receive messages.
country id : INS
Original firmware of A50 : Atb6
Will this image work with the SM-A505G version?
USB File Transfer Does Not Work
After flashing the ROM, when I connect my phone to my PC with the USB cable to transfer files, it does not work. No errors on my PC. I tries switching between modes and back to File Transfer as some suggested, but no luck.
Has anyone experienced this and if so, any solution?
OmariCelestine said:
After flashing the ROM, when I connect my phone to my PC with the USB cable to transfer files, it does not work. No errors on my PC. I tries switching between modes and back to File Transfer as some suggested, but no luck.
Has anyone experienced this and if so, any solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what you get with a GSI, finger print wont work either.
InFam0us-1985 said:
This is what you get with a GSI, finger print wont work either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it's the only Custom ROM where the finger print works. My only problem was with the USB File Transfer.
OmariCelestine said:
Actually it's the only Custom ROM where the finger print works. My only problem was with the USB File Transfer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try with a custom kernel
the project is down? Because I love LineageOs, but the A50 is abandoned :/
---------- Post added at 06:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:57 AM ----------
OmariCelestine said:
Actually it's the only Custom ROM where the finger print works. My only problem was with the USB File Transfer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to run into Twrp and it work. But only in TWRP
hey man, the project is being upgraded? Tanks for your time
InFam0us-1985 said:
Youtube comments mention:
Fingerprint not working.
MTP not working.
Face lock also not working.
but also he say's; "This is Generic GSI ROM, it means. it has some basic feature and limitations"
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Edit: I couldnt get this to install, followed the how-to and when i tried to reboot i got "no OS installed" in twrp. tried 3 times, but no joy, A505FN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the same problem here. i guess i'm staying on the stock firmware
I have installed lineage-17.1-20210212-UNOFFICIAL-treble_arm64_bvS.
Fingerprint and MTP working.