Develop Bugs

Complete Guide To Hacking, Tweaks & Mods For PDAs

Hi
I have been on this forum for awhile since I got my first PDA (XDA II) about 2 years ago but only a few months ago did I register when I got tired of waiting for other people to ask questions for the answers that I wanted.
Now I have an XDA Orbit, and all of these new terms are popping up... such as USPL, CID, etc.
Because I took a long break from the forums I need to catch up with everything, and thats very difficult since its hard to make out what people are talking about and referring to when talking on the forums. I can't really comprehend what people are saying because they are talking about things that I dont know (lol). I have looked through the wiki and it doesnt explain everything, and the acronyms section doesnt contain much.
Although the WiKi is a fantastic place where people can share their ideas as a community, I was hoping that someone could maybe upload a guide such as a text file explaining everything, including terms, what certain things are used for, etc.
One thing that confuses me is that someone managed to get a leaked WM5 rom that 02 use to unbrick devices. From what I've heard dumped ROMs are exactly the same except they cannot bypass the bootloader.. could someone explain why this is? What would be the point of the dumped ROM if it cannot bypass the bootloader - surely you wouldn't be able to flash the ROM?
This is just one of many questions I have - but by having everything explained I hope to work out answers for myself using the knowledge gained from learning all these technical terms.
Thanks for your time.

Well, as much as I know...
CID = Country ID and is used to 'lock' the device to a certain country/vendor id so that any other ROM downloaded to the device would render it useless, sometimes this screws up the bootloader and 'bricks' the device... much like a sim-lock with other carriers, but more serious.
USPL = A program used to circumvent the CID lock by providing a temporary SuperCID, so that other ROMs can be flashed without the aforementioned bricking. It has to be flashed to the device before any 'exterior' ROM download.
These terms have all probably come about after the release of B&B4 ROM by tom coden, which I must say is brill!
Hope this helps,
Pete

Thanks for the info, CID locks I assume are being put on newer PDAs since the XDA II or XDA IIs didnt have these measures?

I would guess so, although I haven't added cooked ROMs to any other device as yet...

Sorry to scrutinise every answer (lol) but does 'cooked' mean that the extended ROM has been edited? or is that baked ROM?

Not being the expert on this I assume a cooked ROM to be one that has been put together, more likely meaning one that is not from the original vendor.
E.g. HTC cooked a ROM in the first place, then O2 edited it and cooked their own etc...
Anyone? Am I right?

well from how i have seen it used over the last few days since i joined, i was assuming "cooked" meant hand made or modified by someone other than the device vendor/manufacturer/Microsoft

Yeah pretty much!

Come on everyone to organize wiki
I agree that it is very hard to get into this... I have been studying for hours these late days...
I just read the 2 necessary steps for begginers:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=FAQ
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BlueAngel_For_Beginners
I strongly recommend them!
back to the wiki... I think that we should be writting more there and try to be more organized and cross-linked.
Some kind of tree structure would help a lot.
Besides some topics (like the one for BA above) should be generalized to give basic ideas for all devices.
I am quite new to wikis but I feel that we should exploit/collaborate more this resource.
Regards.

Thanks for those links, they are very helpful! I managed to get a read of a few useful links aswell - they were in the Himalaya section...
Also, does anyone know how I can get rid of the notification that displays your balance after making/receiving a call?
e.g. Receive a call, talk or whatever, close the call, then the message: 'Your Balance Is £283.39' (lol just an example im not really that rich hehe) comes up. I was thinking I would have to tweak the registry to remove that..it must autodial the number that displays balance automatically after making a call.
Thanks

Backing Up Everything

Apologies if this appears elsewhere but I have looked without success. If it does then a link to the solution would be great.
Basically I found this site a few weeks ago and since then have been tinkering with my phone. I've tried various roms, added different programs, played about with the settings and so on. Today I have finally got it just how I want it. It is overclocked to run quickly but safely. The today screen is perfect. It contains everything I need including my huge list of contacts. And my theme is spot-on. However usually in life when everything is right something big and hairy appears out of nowhere and dumps on you. Its got to the point where I panic every time I turn it on just in case it crashes and I need to start all over again.
My question therefore is if anyone knows of a utility (or can give detailed instructions) to completely back up the phone. Right down to the user settings, theme and contacts. If possible maybe even to create a rom image of my phone so that if it does ever crash I can reinstall the whole thing from one simple file. I assume this sort of thing must be possible because Kavana and Ricky produce such wonderful roms with various programs, etc pre-installed.
Can it be done? And if so - can it be done by an enthusiastic amateur or do you need to be a tech guru? I should add I don't mind paying if I need to buy a piece of commercial software to achieve this.
GS

Did you even bother to search google for "smartphone backup" ? The very first link that comes up, takes you right to the software you say you need. I apologize for being harsh, but I hate the lack of common sense...

An option
Not sure about the cooked 6.1 Roms. Maybe someone else might know or have tried.
http://www.spritesoftware.com/
I use this and it's well worth it.

if u just mean the saved registry values and what not u can always export the registry so that way if u have to hard reset the phone or if a new amazingly wowlike rom is released and u NEED to flash u can always import the registry values of the chomes and it'll be the way u left it (thats what I do for my myfaves and my programs)

OrganicM said:
Did you even bother to search google for "smartphone backup" ? The very first link that comes up, takes you right to the software you say you need. I apologize for being harsh, but I hate the lack of common sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, and you are entitled to your opinion. however its replies like that which stop people making posts to forums like this. Everyone has to start somewhere, and one man's obvious "common sense" answer is another man's dilemma.
As for using google... yep I could have done that but google links to hundreds of pages, some owned by people trying to sell software which obviously means they won't be objective. Others have methods which could damage a phone and because I don't know the writers how do I know which methods to trust? Ergo I decided to come to site I know, with people whose technical knowhow I trust, and to search the forum and then ask them for advice. To me, that is common sense. Isn't that one of the reasons that places like this exist? So non techheads can ask guys like you for help?
No offence intended and, for what its worth, you are one of the guys whose advice on this forum has helped me countless times. So thank you for that no matter what. Without your posts I'd never have got this far in the first place! I mean that.
As for the other replies... thanks guys. I will look into the registry stuff. And I will certainly check out the software link. If I do find some info on google, I hope you folks will help me pick the best method to use and avoid bad advice.
Thanks again.
GS

Okay the Sprite software is perfect. And now I've checked it out maybe my question was a stupid one. Still, its nice to have a recommendation from an independent source. I've been burnt in the past by bad google advice.
Sorry if I've wasted anyone's time.
GS

Just ordered, what mods etc should i get? im clueles!!

hey its being delievered on tuesday yaya
But what should i get for it?
I know youll link me to the stickies but im already readingh them and they don tell me what i need for my phone
So tell me, what mods are msuts for this phone?
Also what roms are recomended? And if i flash a rom does it affect the touch flow, aplications etc?
Cheers and any other info i should know. I hear i have to do some reg edit to use wifi at a decent speed??
thanks.

hey also is it possible to get itunes on my phone so i can sync it with my pc and play all my itunes music? As currently alot of it is in itunes format and cannot play on other players.

8igdave said:
hey also is it possible to get itunes on my phone so i can sync it with my pc and play all my itunes music? As currently alot of it is in itunes format and cannot play on other players.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Id be interested in this too

NOOOOOBBBSSSS!! You just said it yourself, you must read the threads.
ROM issues you ust test outyourself, i can recoomend a rom, but possibly i'll have other way of using my phone than you.... look, read, test for yourself and youll see that this balckstone is quite a device.
Gr. Bram
ps. read this first, this will help you on the way: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45

So basicaly this isn't actually a forum to help people who dont know anything about it find out about apps which have been created by people here. How unhelpful.

8igdave said:
So basicaly this isn't actually a forum to help people who dont know anything about it find out about apps which have been created by people here. How unhelpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, what you'll find is that all the information you most likely need is already on this forum somewhere. Take a day or two,search, read, look at the wiki, and you will be in a much better position to understand what you can do and want to do with your phone.
I did the above and have flashed custom roms, various applications, registry tweaks, edited dlls and what not and am now very happy with my phone.

Yeah i have looked through theese for days. But there is just so much, especialy when i know so little. It is very hard to pick out whats good and whats not.
I was hoping uses of HD touch could just post what they feel is the best things that they use. And from that i could work out what to use.
But it appears people would rather turn their nose up because i dont know anything about moding theese.

It's not that i dont want to help you with finding apps and mods and tweaks, or helping you understand your device better, it the way you assume that someone displays every app on a plate so you can install without breaking a sweat.
All apps that are around for the HD are fully reviewed and archived in the wiki:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442663
This is a thread that you could have found easyly, since it's a wiki page and has been stickied in this subforum.
Also on the wiki, theres much info on upgrading and modding the HD's rom, search an you will find, not ask and takeoff without understanding.
We'd like to help if you have a problem, and you searched for it, and stated out what youve done by yourself to solve it.
The first thing youll have to do is find your own answers, then ask your question.
EDIT: In fact of the itunes music issue, you can play AAC files on the HD, this info i've found in the manual, RTFM!
Gr. Bram

i ahve looked through that several times actually. Ive identifyed some things. But generaly they arnt reviewed and ther is so many aplications that do the same job on there i dont know wahts best and i presume you guys do.
Its quite simple, i dont know whats good. You guys do, i ask instead of trawling through lists installing them all and trying them my self. Its not really unreasonable tbh. Ive never been met by so much hostility to a simple question that i presume is on everyones mind who gets a touch hd and is new to it all.
:EDIT:
also, what is manilla? i see it around alot.

8igdave said:
:EDIT:
also, what is manilla? i see it around alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search my friend, whats the main word that pops off your screen whan you search for manila? Yes, Its touchflo3d! Manila what the HTC codeword when they developed the app, and it still uses manila in the registry and such.
Gr. Bram

ahh i see, so does that mean roms that dont have "manilla" in the title dont use touch flo 3d?

8igdave said:
ahh i see, so does that mean roms that dont have "manilla" in the title dont use touch flo 3d?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Due to your evident experience level with HTC products I would suggest that you refrain from playin about with roms until you are at least onto your second device.. stick to easy to install software for the moment and gain an understanding of how your device works.

i would ahve thought there would be a guide i could follow and it all be fairly simple. I have flashed bios's on my pc, overclocked etc. Im not new to learning such things. I have just never done it on a phone before.
I presume i can always reflash to the orginal if it goes wrong? But yeah i will be getting used to the phone first before i do do any flashing. But i definitly intend of flashing the rom. I got this phone with the intent on playing around with it and learning about it all.

8igdave said:
... I got this phone with the intent on playing around with it and learning about it all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... do that. Asking questions like "which apps should I install?" or "which ROM is the best?" doesn't make much more sense than asking "what is the tastiest food?" You will get as many different answers as there are people out there. In my oppinion this forum is for "how to do..." questions and not for "what to do..." - if you have any of the first kind, there is a good chance that someone will answer it.
As far as the ROMs go - every ROM more or less reflects the cooker's usage of the phone, so you WILL become 'flash-o-holic', because everyone has unique pattern of usage and you will think that the next ROM will be better suited for you, and the next one, and the next one... but the truth is that none of them is 100% tailored for you. My advice is - read carefully the sticky threads (there is a reason they are pinned above all else), always be sure you are not doing something irreversible and respect the work of others. And congratulations for the excelent choise of hardware .

Yeah i understand what your saying. Just like a direction to head at really.
Im going to try dutties first and seems to be very popular and i hear it speeds the phone up quite a bit.
And ahhh cant wait, so annoying i had to wait till friday to order it with weekend and bankholiday monday to wait! it was out of stock for weeks!

8igdave said:
I presume i can always reflash to the orginal if it goes wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you dont know what you are doing you can turn your phone into an expensive paperweight..

mmm ok, shall defo make suer i got a good guide to follow first.
Im currently trying to find out what "cabs" are exacly. I see them menchened everywhere but it doesn't appear to be given a definition in the wiki. Might have missed it though. Not really sure what to type in google as typing "cab" doesn't really give the results i want.
Anyone got any links to good guilds, how too's, how they got started etc?

8igdave said:
mmm ok, shall defo make suer i got a good guide to follow first.
Im currently trying to find out what "cabs" are exacly. I see them menchened everywhere but it doesn't appear to be given a definition in the wiki. Might have missed it though. Not really sure what to type in google as typing "cab" doesn't really give the results i want.
Anyone got any links to good guilds, how too's, how they got started etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A .cab file is an socalled "cabinet file" wich is used in windows for ages to install stuff. In desktop windows you dont see them anymore couse they are camouflaged by a .exe of .msi file, but they are used still today.
On windows mobile, all programs are installed by cab, so basically for you, a cab is an installer.
Gr. Bram

ive been searching for months and still havnt found any decent programs, the software wiki is useless as it doesnt even tell you what half the programs are or do!

8igdave said:
So basicaly this isn't actually a forum to help people who dont know anything about it find out about apps which have been created by people here. How unhelpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, if you're going to be nasty, I'll return the favour. If you're going to buy something as technically advanced as the Touch HD, and you have no clue (your word) as to what to do with it, perhaps you should stick with a less complicated device.
Second, most questions have already been answered in these forums. Do a simple search. If that, too, is beyond you, then this site, and others like it, are too advanced for you.
Stick with a basic flip-phone and you should be happy.
(shaking his head)

Is there a 'Root my Desire' wizard

Hi,
Even though I am a software developer myself and not afraid of command lines, I am rather hesitant to root, because it consists of all those little steps that need to be done. All it seems to take is only one little mistake and Pooff... bricked Desire.
So, is there already something like a 'Root my Desire' wizard?
E.g. it will tell me what to do with my phone at every step of the process; it will download the latest version of the files that it needs, perhaps after allowing me to make a selection between various ROM/kitchen versions with good explanations; it will unzip those files for which unzipping needed; it will run the proper tools and utils when the time is right; it will create a goldcard for me; perhaps it will even offer to backup my SD card before turning it into a goldcard.
And if it isn't there yet, can't someone write it? After all, that's what weekends are for

Blimey - You don't sound like much of a software developer. If you can't follow the simple guides on here I would try another profession.
I'm a painter and decorator myself and have had no trouble rooting the Desire and loading custom ROMs!

As far as I know even following the current guides 100% can result in bricking on random occasions.
I don't think anyone would be willing to develop a simpler method until there is a better way to do it.

scotch whisky said:
Blimey - You don't sound like much of a software developer. If you can't follow the simple guides on here I would try another profession.
I'm a painter and decorator myself and have had no trouble rooting the Desire and loading custom ROMs!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HAhahahaha Quality!!! And he has a very good point!, What kind of developer are you??
The "Root my Desire" Wizard is PaulObrian

now i don't really know what im talking about, but why are the processes for jailbreaking an iphone and rooting an android phone so different?
aren't they both for doing the same thing? (enabling root access?)
jailbreaking an iphone requires downloading a program on your mac or pc and clicking one button - the program will do the rest for you.
just wondering why the process is so different.

samac92 said:
now i don't really know what im talking about, but why are the processes for jailbreaking an iphone and rooting an android phone so different?
aren't they both for doing the same thing? (enabling root access?)
jailbreaking an iphone requires downloading a program on your mac or pc and clicking one button - the program will do the rest for you.
just wondering why the process is so different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe because their on completely different OS's for a start pmsl.
Made from two completely different companies, who lock different various sections in the phones software, which in turn need completely separate ways of rooting.
But im just guessing too.
Pretty much the only reason their is no one-click solution is that we don't have FULL access to the SPL yet!, which you would of read if your have read ANYTHING in this forum.

scotch whisky said:
Blimey - You don't sound like much of a software developer. If you can't follow the simple guides on here I would try another profession.
I'm a painter and decorator myself and have had no trouble rooting the Desire and loading custom ROMs!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one, had to laugh at that one.
But each to their own; now someone answer the question

sh500 said:
Nice one, had to laugh at that one.
But each to their own; now someone answer the question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question was answered in my previous post! lol.

potter1984 said:
Question was answered in my previous post! lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I was joking- did see your answer..
I was actually looking at jail breaking my wife's iPhone, did a quick google search and the latest tool to do - 'Spirit' is literally one application, double click and you're done- I couldnt believe it!
There is some what of a wizard with one of Paul's (Modaco) methods, boot the CD and execute a couple of batch files I think (?)
I'm holding off until there are far less bricked devices/other issues reported.

S20 Compromised, Hidden Odin bootloader + Cloned apps and logs

So to start,
I'm not the typical "my girlfriends watching me" security hackz0r post.
I'm no expert or even close but I do have a general idea of what and how an Android should run.
I detected the device was playing up, slowing down, screen looking blurry. Odd icons in notification tray. But before I go into the things that I don't have data for.
What I do have data for and would appreciate input on is the following.
S20 Ultra Exy
Less than two weeks old
Cloned apps
Adjust system settings
Apps being given permissions and even admin rights.
I have tried to make sense of logs but it appears that the attacker is using a mixture of Dex, Java, Bluetooth and Odin in some remote access capability.
I have tried factory resets and the cloned apps which have been given there own emulated storage that I can't touch on the device.
An unlocked Odin Bootloader! (see pic) that's when I knew I needed more advice. From what I know once the Bootloader has tripped Knox and secure folder won't work.. SECURE folder appears to work..
Ive had apps go into desktop mode randomly..
Look I don't want to sound like that crazy tin foil hat guy, but It is becoming a trend in my trade. I've just listed some of the easily proved things.
I've uploaded logs and screens to the cloud and able to share with anyone who knows this stuff well.
Basically I've got an $1400 phone security marvel that appears to have been Bootloaded and maybe rooted remotely.
I have my suspicions at the office and I would like to try and trace the attackers location.
To be clear this device is no way associated with the infected.
That Bootloader was accessed just by going into the preload process I was planning on trying to wipe the cache and then saw it the Bootloading option and realised this is pretty serious...

pasteboar d.co/J80r5Kb.jpg
pasteboar d.co/J80rL9g.jpg
This was stumbled upon as I accessed the safe load menu to try and clear the cache partion.
Who's up for a challenge?

Penetrated said:
pasteboar d.co/J80r5Kb.jpg
pasteboar d.co/J80rL9g.jpg
This was stumbled upon as I accessed the safe load menu to try and clear the cache partion.
Who's up for a challenge?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whats the challenge? all that indicates is you pressed the buttons to enter dl mode?
meaning bl recovery mode set by key = you held buttons to enter download mode aka bootloader mode.. keys in this case mean the hardware keys i.e. vol buttons, power buttons are "keys"

Lol I was afraid I'd run into your kind...
Read the first post then get back to me buddy. Yeah great job on explaining the buttons I pressed during start up.....
I'm looking for someone who can identify the initial infection which has now been only stock wiped , and then remotely identify the person(s) and location of the initial attack. That person would need knowledge with Dex, Java, SSH, VPN and Tor....
So if you want to re read the first post, take it all in and realise I only showed you a Bootloader on my s20 ultra. Has this remotely deactivated the efuse or is it a well put together series Emulated system files either on my device or locally transmitted? (Data Transfer has been very unusual, last week)
Anyway bud if you can work it out I've got crypto ready
Atleast read the first post before commenting on a picture mate because you look a bit out of your depth now...

Penetrated said:
Lol I was afraid I'd run into your kind...
Read the first post then get back to me buddy. Yeah great job on explaining the buttons I pressed during start up.....
I'm looking for someone who can identify the initial infection which has now been only stock wiped , and then remotely identify the person(s) and location of the initial attack. That person would need knowledge with Dex, Java, SSH, VPN and Tor....
So if you want to re read the first post, take it all in and realise I only showed you a Bootloader on my s20 ultra. Has this remotely deactivated the efuse or is it a well put together series Emulated system files either on my device or locally transmitted? (Data Transfer has been very unusual, last week)
Anyway bud if you can work it out I've got crypto ready
Atleast read the first post before commenting on a picture mate because you look a bit out of your depth now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With that attitude, good luck getting any advice lmao

Hey, I only matched the attitude given to me! This forum is full of skilled Developers and I was hoping I explained and provided enough information and proof to separate me from the junk.
I was just lumped into the same category of everyone else... I realise there's a lot of... non white hats in here.
From what It looks like on the outside is I have been remotely attacked and bootloader installed. Im not sure if that's common knowledge? Seems like a game breaker. I literally cannot wipe my security s20 device of the infected system apps.
This is your domain, not mine. I wasnt going to back down to the stock standard response of these posts.
I know the device has been corrupted, fact. The pics prove it. Can anyone else get that on there 2 week old stock standard s20? I am still able to open SecureFolder also.
I don't know because information is hard to find. Feel free to PM me.
Thanks

Penetrated said:
Hey, I only matched the attitude given to me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't get help by "getting back" at someone who may have misinterpreted your question/problem, or looked at it from a different perspective. There are constructive ways to interact with others, and there are destructive ways to interact. You obviously haven't learned that life lesson yet.
Considering elliwigy has been a member since 2011 and is a recognized developer and retired moderator, I'll go out on a limb and say he probably has more experience with potentially corrupted/compromised devices than someone who joined xda this month.
Good luck with your phone.

See we must have very different views, because I see us all as equals. I was spoken down to and treated like everyone else. Honestly read the response and tell me how that was helpful at all to my post.
So if we are all equal I expect the same respect I give, I think the OP was well written, descriptive and provided proof.
You went out of your way to talk to me about life as if, because we disagree, I haven't learnt what you (better than me) have.
It's OK bud I've been on forums since forums were around I know the whole God complex some people get, Never understood.... so thanks for teaching me about life in Dev forum. I know its easy looking up methods and vunrabilities and infecting devices, and that makes you feel l337.
I think it'd be more l337 explaining to people how the **** a s20 has been compromised with a Bootloader while still having access to SecureFolder. Using some sort of Dex Module and Bluetooth module that have both been edited and converted to run in the system and remain hard to get.
So here ya go mate you want to teach me about life show me your qualifications, quickly explain how that would happen. Then once you've done that I'll thank you, apologise for being hasty under the circumstances and then compensate you what your worth.
Because right now it seems no one can explain or wants to explain (more likely) what has happened...
Anyway I apologise mate if you took it to heart, but I know what its like being the noob, during my research I saw a lot of short answers like I got and then they accept it and leave, I'm after a solution and would rather freelance than corporate. If this isn't the place to find the right Hat then let me know.
Here's a question to break it up
How long would something like this take to Analyize and discover first intrusion?

sounds like you need to odin flash OEM firmware, repartition and wipe