Gentlemen,
There is a wonderful amount of kitchens available for people to use however; the instructions are varied and confusing, especially if you are new. I have read many manuals on cooking ROMs and they all seem to be for a more experienced cook, and not a n00b. I have unlocked, and flash my HTC wiz200 myself by reading the threads, but I cannot wrap my head around a lot of the instructions poster by the great chefs we have on this site.
Is it possible for an experienced cook to produce a well put together manual for all to understand? The instructions I have read are based a lot on the assumption that the reader is well versed in the understanding and mechanics of a ROM. That is to say they have experienced extracting files, creating CAB files and, most importantly, the way a ROM needs to be structured with HKEYs and the like.
I truly believe that the community has an opportunity to expand the quality and diversity of the ROMs in the world by putting together a concise instruction manual.
I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’m not a box of rocks.
Actually, most of the ROM kitchens are not near as complicated as you think they are. In most of the kitchens (can't say all since I haven't tried all of them) you don't have to do any of those things that you mentioned. I have my own cooked ROM and I don't know how to do any of those things either. The only time you do have to do that kind of stuff is if you decide to add something that doesn't already exist in the kitchen and since most of them have pretty much anything you'd want in them, if there actually is something else you really want it's a lot easier to install it after you've already cooked your rom and flashed it to your phone.
Personally, this is my favorite kitchen and the one I cooked my most recent ROM with - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=311144.
You'll need to pick a ROM and an OEM version and then download and extract them to the same folder and then click on the exe that says Build OS and it will let you pick and choose what you want to add to your ROM.
That will get you started, but there is a little more to it (nothing difficult at all), but the instructions are on the kitchen page anyway. I'd detail more, but I just realised I'm going to be late for work if I do. PLay with that for now if you want and if you have any more ?'s I'll try to answer them for you after work if someone else hasn't already answered them.
xeno1 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=311144.
PLay with that for now if you want and if you have any more ?'s I'll try to answer them for you after work if someone else hasn't already answered them.
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Click to collapse
LOL that's one of the kitchens that i have tried. And the reason i want to know more is because i do want to add programs into the ROM saving so space.
It seems that there are other people interested in clear instructions as this thread has been viewed quite a bit in the short time i have posted it.
If you've come to this thread looking for clear instructions, please make a post of "instruct me" so the cooks will know how much of a need there really is.
And thanks for adding your assistance, should i need it.
xeno1 said:
Personally, this is my favorite kitchen and the one I cooked my most recent ROM with - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=311144.
You'll need to pick a ROM and an OEM version and then download and extract them to the same folder and then click on the exe that says Build OS and it will let you pick and choose what you want to add to your ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the kitchen i was looking at i downloaded all the files it says to download and i clicked on build rom.. but theres a lot of things on there that i can choose to have and not.. but theres a lot of this i dnt know wat they are or wat they do.. and than ive been trying to get ride of Arcesoft SMS and i cant.. and i downloaded the tmobile applications from the post.. but i dnt know wat to do with that either.. that's y i need good instrutions...
ps. instruct me
Give me a little time to see if I can't remember how to add apps into the kitchen. It's been a few months since I've done that kind of thing and I don't quite remember exactly how to do it. If I remember right it wasn't too excessively difficult. It's a whole lot easier just to use what's already included in the kitchen and then add other things by cab file afterwards though.
I'm not really sure why it would save that much space cooking it in to the ROM rather than adding it by cab, especially if you delete the cab file afterwards or move it to your SD card. The ROM I just cooked ended up having more than 44 Mb of program storage left afterwards and even after adding everything else that I wanted, it still has more than 32 Mb left.
I know what you mean when you said that there were some things in the kitchen that you didn't know what they were to know if you wanted to add them or not smileyaj2005. The things that I wasn't sure what they were I just googled for and found out what they were and whether or not I wanted to add them.
BuildOS.exe
xeno1,
here's another reason to have a clear manual:
Is anyone getting the following applicaion error, or know how to solve the following:
BuildOS.exe - Application Error
The Application faild to initalize properly (0x0000135). Click on OK to terminate the application
This is from the kitchen you recomended.
I too have been tinkering with cooking for several devices (the wonderful Hermes, the useful Herald, the workhorse Wizard and the good old Prophet) and while I've been successful in creating ROMs, there is a lot that I would like to understand better... I've searched but I've not found sufficient info in the time I've had to gain a full understanding.
I'm keen to first understand and then write a wiki guide to the structure of ROMs, the steps in going from an image to the individual files and back, how packages are built, etc. While much of this info exists, it's scattered all over this site and very difficult for people with limited time to find.
Also, this works needs much help from the chefs here. Would one or two of them volunteer to help me write all this up in a manner that makes everything clear to the tech savvy beginner?
I've gained much from this community and want to do something useful in return. And since my forte is technology and I can write well (I think!), I hope that I can make a Wiki Guide that will be useful to all.
Oh great chefs! Do we have some volunteers who can help us in this task?
SayMobile said:
I too have been tinkering with cooking for several devices (the wonderful Hermes, the useful Herald, the workhorse Wizard and the good old Prophet) and while I've been successful in creating ROMs, there is a lot that I would like to understand better... I've searched but I've not found sufficient info in the time I've had to gain a full understanding.
I'm keen to first understand and then write a wiki guide to the structure of ROMs, the steps in going from an image to the individual files and back, how packages are built, etc. While much of this info exists, it's scattered all over this site and very difficult for people with limited time to find.
Also, this works needs much help from the chefs here. Would one or two of them volunteer to help me write all this up in a manner that makes everything clear to the tech savvy beginner?
I've gained much from this community and want to do something useful in return. And since my forte is technology and I can write well (I think!), I hope that I can make a Wiki Guide that will be useful to all.
Oh great chefs! Do we have some volunteers who can help us in this task?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm right there with you. At my job i'm currently macking training guides that are easy to understand, even if you've never heard of them before. It's quite the task but, it benifets everyone.
evangelious8152 said:
BuildOS.exe - Application Error
The Application faild to initalize properly (0x0000135). Click on OK to terminate the application
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to update your .NET framework. Just run windows update or download the newest version from Microsoft.
I'm still working on how to add software to your kitchen. I'll figure it out sooner or later though. It might actually be faster if you just ask mfrazzz, mattk_r, or farria themselves in one of their kitchen threads. I'm in no way claiming to be a great chef of any kind, I've only cooked a few ROM's and those were from kitchens one of those "great chefs" built. I will still do my best to figure out how to add apps to the kitchen though and let you know.
Notice: this information is for Wizard kitchens only as I don't know if it will work in any other type of kitchen. This thread should actually be in the Wizard forum, but I didn't start the thread. All those following it, if it disappears from this forum, which it probably will, try to find it there.
Ok, here's what I've got so far on how to add your own apps to the kitchen:
First, you have to install the app on your phone in whatever OS you're using now.
Second, you then have to extract every file from your phone that it just installed and put it in a folder on your computer.
Third, extract all of the registry keys that it installed. For now, just put them in a txt file in the same folder. Later you will need those keys to create a .rgu file.
Thanks to meschle (and BenThon, the creator of this app) you can download this app - http://www.codeppc.com/telechargemen...nf/msceinf.htm and it will extract any .cab file into a file on your computer that you can use instead of having to install it to your ppc and then finding all of the files as in the first 2 steps. It will also show you the registry keys so you can copy them in to the .rgu file instead of having to go through your registry and finding them as in the third step.
Now, go to http://www.famkruithof.net/uuid/uuidgen and get a GUID. As soon as you go to the page one will be generated for you at the top of the page. Here's one that was generated for me 04987fe2-31a8-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66. You might want to copy that in to a txt file for your use later. You will need to get a new GUID for each app that you want to add to your kitchen.
Next, create an empty txt document and name it (your GUID) 04987fe2-31a8-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66.dsm (note that that is my GUID, replace it with your own). When saving that file, choose Save file type as All Files.
Then create another txt document. In it you will type in it REGEDIT4 then [enter] and then copy and paste the registry keys in to it that I told you to save earlier. After the last line of the registry keys there needs to be a blank line so at the end of the last line of registry keys hit [enter] and then [enter] again. Save that txt file (your GUID) 04987fe2-31a8-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66.rgu and save it as file type UNICODE. (Note) If your app doesn't have any registry keys, which some apps don't, you can skip this entire step completely.
Almost there.
Now, you need to create a link to the app so that it shows up under the programs menu. More than likely if you extracted all the files from your phone that the app installed there will already be one so you wont need to. If you do though, create another txt document and type in it #"\Windows\yourappsnamehere.exe" and save that as yourappsname.lnk and save as file type All Files.
In another new txt document copy and paste this:
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-File("yourappsname.lnk","\Windows\yourappsname.lnk")
Save this one as initflashfiles.txt and save as file type UNICODE
Last step, create one last txt file and copy and paste this in it:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16" standalone="yes"?>
<Items>
<Item name="yourappsname" group="My Apps" checked="false">
<Tip></Tip>
<Guid type="p">04987fe2-31a8-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66</Guid>
</Item>
</Items>
Make sure you put your GUID in instead of mine that's in there now, and put your apps name where I put yourappsname and make sure you leave the "" in there. Save this file as option.xml and save as file type All files. If you want to add a tool tip description, just type it in between the <tip></tip> and when you move your mouse over it in the BuildOS app it will show up.
I forgot, one last thing, put this entire folder in to the OEM folder in the kitchen and you're done.
Run BuildOS and there should now be a new categorie called My Apps for you to select the apps you just worked so hard to put in there.
I don't think I missed anything, but if any kitchen builders or cooks see anything wrong, feel free to let me know. Also, if anyone knows how to extract the files and registry keys straight from the cab file itself I'd be more than happy to learn how to do it.
P.S. I told you that it was easier to just add it as a cab file afterwards.
The whole point in cooking built-in apps is to preserve the limited persistent storage. If storage is not a problem with you, then you are better off installing cabs...
cheers,
Jiggs
kitchens sux
xeno1,
i've been playing with 4 different kitchens, and i'm lucky if i get the core rom to flash. most of these kitches come up with one error or another in the ms-dos shell. it is nuts trying to figure out how these "tools" work because no one wants to produce a good manual.
we are all here because what we get from resellers doesn't fit out needs and we don't want to be stuck with their crappy branding. however, my experinces with these kitchens is no diffrent. these kitchens are "locked" to only work (sorta and sometimes) with whatever their creator puts out. i guess we will soon see websites on how to "unlock" these kitches.
Did the instructions that I spent hours going through everything to find and then explain not work? They worked in both Farria's kitchen and doubleofours kitchen when I tried them.
xeno1 said:
Did the instructions that I spent hours going through everything to find and then explain not work? They worked in both Farria's kitchen and doubleofours kitchen when I tried them.
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Click to collapse
i'm talking about the kitchens not knowing where to look for files that are in placed. sorry for the confusion.
As long as you put them in the OEM folder and and you create the option.xml document it should find them and add the option to the kitchen. If I remember right, if you don't create the option.xml document it won't show up in the kitchen, but it will still add that file to your cooked ROM automatically.
Hi xeno1 - I find using MSCEInf by BenThon http://www.codeppc.com/telechargements/msceinf/msceinf.htm very good for extracting files and inf and _setup.xml files from cabs. I add the registry info from here into default.rgu and away you go.
One thing you forgot to mention concerning initflashfiles.dat - if you edit it using notepad you must delete the first 2 entries with a hex editor or U will get errors. (actually phone will not boot at all ) Use Editpad lite (or others) and you dont need to do this step.
Thanks meschle, MSCEInf will come in really handy.
I just have one question though, you mentioned the initfiles.dat, I've never seen this file in any of the folders in any OEM package and none of the cooks mentioned it in any of their posts on how to create new packages. Where is it located, so I can take a look at it? I s it possible that this isn't part of cooking a wizard ROM? Like I put at the top of my post that has the steps, this thread really should be in the wizard forum.
Opps my mistake i was in a hurry.
I meant initflashfiles.dat lol
That's ok, that's not a big deal. I did however go back and re-read farias post and noticed that I did make a mistake in the initflashfiles. Faria said to save it as UNICODE, so I changed that part. He says to save it as initflashfiles.txt though, not .dat. I also went through a bunch of initflashfiles and realized that most of that stuff that I copied and pasted there was just comments, and that all you really need is -
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-File("yourappsname.lnk","\Windows\yourappsname.lnk")
Does that still need to be edited in a hex editor?
I greatly appreciate your help.
xeno1 said:
That's ok, that's not a big deal. I did however go back and re-read farias post and noticed that I did make a mistake in the initflashfiles. Faria said to save it as UNICODE, so I changed that part. He says to save it as initflashfiles.txt though, not .dat. I also went through a bunch of initflashfiles and realized that most of that stuff that I copied and pasted there was just comments, and that all you really need is -
Directory("\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"):-File("yourappsname.lnk","\Windows\yourappsname.lnk")
Does that still need to be edited in a hex editor?
I greatly appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if you do the initflashfiles.txt method (in unicode of course) FF FE are placed infront of 3B which is what the first entry should be on the hex editor so FF and FE need to be deleted. Best way i find is use editpad lite - enclosed.
Try it you'll see.
Hi guys, ive had my touch hd 3 days now and ive been riducled by everyone that i didnt go for a iphone, however ive spent alot of time on here and its plain to see that so much can be done and be added!
Now i gotta confess i dont know what a CAB file is, i dont know what ROM is, i dont know what this manilla is, so i hope you can see my probs!
During my 3 days ive managed to download the blackpad dialler and the hd tweak(altho they took me ages), but i wanna change the theme, the wallpapers, i wanna add apps like google maps etc..
I hope this thread will attract people who can help people like myself out and explain how to do stuff and where to go etc..
Btw how do i choose a downloaded song(synced via windows media) to be my ringtone? haha such a amateur!
Thank you for any help in advance!
have you read the wiki? that will help allot, helped me 2.
the wiki??? lol
a .cab is an install file you copy to your phone and then tap it to execute from like file explorer. most installs if they are exe you run them on you PC and they send a cab file to you phone through activesync. but if its a cab file just copy to you phone and execute. If you dont like it yoou can uninstall from eith the phone in Settings/System/Remove Program.. or from you PC on activesynce or mobile device center.
Where on the phone is file explorer? but thanx for the rest, actually makes sense, god im blonde!
where can i read about this wiki?
Its in programs.
Honestly, I would reccomend you go through your phone. Go into programs and see whats there. Then go into each of the settings options and see whats there.
Then learn the hierarchy of your phone memory.
You will see that it is similar to Windows.
The top directory will be"My Device" and under it will be "Storage Card" which is your memory card (similar to an external hard drive analogy for a desktop) and then you will see Program Files where programs are installed and My Documents contains the following folders and more:
My Videos where you videos you record will be saved
My Pictures
This is the wiki page - it's VERY helpful: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Blackstone
And, the software wiki is here: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Software
You chose well. The Blackstone is an amazing bit of kit!
Keep in mind that it's basically a small computer with an aerial. Unlike the iPhone its not just a fancy phone.
Any computer needs a way for the user to tell it what to do... thats the operating system in the blackstone that's windows mobile (or winmo). You also need a user interface (ui) so you can tell it what to do. The HD uses touchflo 3d (tf3d). That's the front screen with all the tabs and clocks and stuff.
Like any computer... programs are installed to do different things. The dialers, sms, camera are all programs. This means you can install new programs to do things or overwrite programs to change what you already have.
These programs come in two main forms the cab file and the exe. The cab runs only on the phone and the exe will only run on the phone or your computer. There are lots of cabs to do lots of things. Download one that's interesting and run it.
Everything is stored in files on your blackstone. You can look through these files using file explorer... you will find that in your programs tab on tf3d. files are stored in folders. that means you can organise them the way you like.
The secret to the blackstone is to think about what you'd like to be able to do with it then search here or google to find a way... there usually is one.
I have tried to find some things on how to, tutorials and so on but i cant find anything that has given me success, some of my must have apps are installed from the computer, and id want to see if i can just make them into a cab instead and just have them on the memory card for comfort and when flashing on the go from sd it is annoying not being able to have the "must have" app.
any help would be deeply appreciated and i would be most grateful.
if this is done in ten sec to a minute i added one of the desktop installers if some one would be so very kind to help me
http://www.e-sword.net/pocketpc/files/ppc2005setup301.exe
Thank you very much.
ps: another noob question, the program named ppc2005setup301 it runs in vga, and since most rom are qvga if i understand it right the program buttons are shrinked? it is usable but you got to be exakt with the stylys to hit them, kinda hard on the bus or subway if anyone could help me with that one id kiss ya!
Peace and a lot of love to you all!
Can you not just extract the cab using win rar?
Easiest way is to run the installer with your phone disconnected. Then go into the microsoft active sync folder in program files and you should be able to find the cab in a folder in there. I've done this several times to set up a back up folder on my sd card (just in case)
Hey ya'll, I have a simple question.
I want to know if I can flash the ext rom from another HTC device onto my BA ext rom?
I just installed the 142 Tmo Uk rom, and was curious if I can grab the ext rom off of another Tmo USA device, so I have all the right settings and stuff?
TIA!
i wouldn't think so. may be able to do it, i wouldn't attempt it. i stripped my extrom, they don't actually have anything useful in them. just horrible themes and bad software.
you however could probably extract the extended rom from another device and copy the files and manually install them. that'd be easy enough i think.
yeah, flashing a rom from another device is not such a good idea, but since you are using wm2003, you can visit -=this tutorial=- and gain another 16mb of storage space and then just copy cabs that you want to the device or maybe even build you own extrom, to be copied to the sd card and installed automatically. to find out how that is done (actually pretty easy!) just use forum search and look for "cfg.txt" and Chef_Tony. i wrote some pretty long tutorials about that.
basicly it is just making an automated install routine for your most commonly used programs, so whenever you hard reset your device, the programs YOU want are installed, not those ridiculous t-mobile customizations, their pink dialer skin and things like that.
EDIT: btw. you should never take an entire extrom of another device. you never know, if maybe some of the things installed by the extrom are dependant of the display resolution or use device specific interfaces or mess around with device specific hardware buttons or drivers, you should extract the cabs and google their names, if you are not sure, what that actually does, so you can be sure, it will work on your blueangel!
have fun with that.
and @cerjam: don't be offended, your answer is completely right, i agree, just wanted to add a few little things
Perfect answers!
So, chef_tony, your telling me that it's ok to merge my extrom and storage in wm2003se? and then copy my cabs and write a cfg.txt of my own for an sd card?
I realize that I should do all the reading, but I'm the kinda guy who needs a generalized big picture before I start ripping apart all the details, so I'm looking for **** and jane/oversimplified answers.
Thanks, guys (and gals, if you are one)
Firstly let me say, Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
I don't know about y'all, but, i kinda get a little fed up of re-entering all my settings after each flash, wouldn't it be nice if someone developed either a script or app that backed up email, sound, wallpaper, visual style's and just about everything else into a cab or xml file?
Well i have searched the forums and have come up with nothing so far!!!
Now... I haven't looked into this in great detail, but, i have written many a script and such for Desktop Windows that when run create a backup copy of documents and certain registry settings then reboot into PE (in a separate partition) format, reinstall windows and applications and then re-apply settings and files (see http://www.msfn.org/board/forum.html search for my username for confirmation)
I know that Windows Mobile and Desktop are very different, but, i feel confident that i can accomplish the same results (with the help of ROM Chefs and other apps already written)
My Goal... To write an app/script that when run, backs up various registry keys/values and/or files and saves to either a .cab or .xml file in a UC folder stored on a memory card and if a RHODIMG.nbh file is present then will reboot the phone into bootloader mode and install the new ROM (this is where ROM Chefs need to come together and become uniform) if it isn't present and is connected to a pc asks for the location of a ROM and copies it to the memory card (renaming if needed)
Problems... Unlike Windows Desktop there are so many different things that i have to account for EG: Each Chef has their own style and preference, i CANNOT create an automated backup for every chef (nor can i be biased) so to start i will choose my own way and if chefs/developers want to jump in and help then perhaps we can create something with template files to suit, i don't want to sway anyone or anything and I have tried many, many ROM's (have never created a ROM so i dare not criticize, but, more often than not, my preference has been NRG's and that's where i will start...) as such i will have to look into the main core of ROM's to see what is available on MOST ROMS, IE: Facebook, twitter, email, sound...
This is likely to be a long project and very unlikely to be a one man band. And like i said, i have not looked into this all that much, and may be a little more difficult than i first thought (please remember i have to learn a whole new environment and depending on the complexity AND the amount of free time i have "kids!!! who'd have'em...lol..." depends on the timeframe of this potential project)
So if you can bare with me and/or share a little knowledge to speed up the process of this, then please do... It will be greatly appreciated
Happy Flashing
Lee
You might check Sashimi and XDA_UC.
Also commercial apps, spb backup & spb clone...
PimBackup does the same thing...
Well minus the reg entries.
You could also script using the beta form of AutoHotkeyCE (version of Autohotkey being ported to PPC), I know you could write a script to backup the reg entries and automate the restore of stuff in that too.