Develop Bugs

Modifying the ROM

I've been reading the forum, and based on the information and the tools there I have been able to modify my extended ROM, which is great. Now of course I'd like to modify the main ROM as well, but despite the many hours I've spent searching the forum, I can't find the necessary information to do it. There's always something essential missing, something which probably is obvious to a programmer, but not to a normal user. As I've been able to modify the extended ROM, I guess I should be able to modify the main ROM too. Who can point me in the right direction?

from what i understand it's not even 100% possible with xda1 since people cant seem to make the extracted files back to a nbf file
and there are no tools that i know of that even extract the main rom from a xda2

As I understand it, when you upgrade the operating system, you're actually modifying the ROM. Some people here like to call it to "flash", I think, and there are a lot of messages about it in here. I just haven't found the information necessary to do it. I want to modify the ROM on my XDAII.

no the operating system is the rom which is in a eeprom in the device
when you flash the rom you replace the operating system with the new one
when you say modifying it mean more in the way of exchanging different files inside the rom
but if you just mean flashing the rom with a newer then here is a guide
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/wiki/HimalayaRomFlashing

What does EEP stand for? How many ROMs are there?
I've seen a ROM created here for the XDAI, containing more programs than what the devices normally come with. I would like to have a ROM on my XDAII containing the programs I use, so that I don't need to reinstall them every time the device is hard reset. Isn't this possible?

What does EEP stand for?
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huh what does EEP have to do with this ?
suppose it could stand for
Executive Excellence Publishing
or
European Environmental Press
how many roms there are i think there are 1.5 1.6 1.66 and 1.72
about extra programs then they are not! in the rom they are in the extended rom any CAB file you copy to the extented will install after automatic after a hardreset

you should take a look at the romkitchens ( specifically for xda1, but can be made for xda2 as well ).
and mkrom, and the other romtools
EEPROM stands for "electrically erasable programmable read only memory".
this is sort of the predecessor of flash memory.

"electrically erasable programmable read only memory" sounds like a contradiction, but thanks for that, it makes more sense than EEPROM.
What about all of us users who don't have a Unix machine? I suppose we're stuck with the original ROM then, and have to install our programs over and over again for every hard reset. Of course you can put a few of them in the extended ROM, but it becomes full too quickly and you're left with installing the rest of them manually.

well you can upgrade to a newer rom as they come out
like i have 1.66 but if i wanted 1.72 i could upgrade
about contradiction heh yeah suppose so but then if it was 100% always READ ONLY then it would be random was what in it as how the transistors randomly set when it was produced

A newer ROM wouldn't contain the programs I want.

no :/ but it could contain bug fixes for ms and radiostack and such
i suspect that extented rom was made so it would be easier for the phonecompanys' and other 3th party resellers to get programs preinstalled fast without having to mess around too much in the rom
this is at the cost of memory though
but then some programs dident like to be in the rom i believe here i mean if setting files were places in the rom aswell and the program could not write to the setting file

mkrom also works on cygwin under windows.
( now I also wrote this in the wiki page )

Isn't that just for XDA I?

it works for windows ce in general.
that doesn't mean that there is no work involved in getting it to work, but it is possible to make it work for the xda2. I use it to build custom roms for the devices we sell, that is why I wrote it in the first place.

What's cygwin?
How much space is there in the ROM to add extra programs? In the ROM that this forum developed for XDA I they added quite many programs from what I could see.

http://www.google.dk/search?hl=da&ie=UTF-8&q=cygwin&btnG=Google-søgning

Thanks for that, Rudegar.
To Itsme: I don't mind the work, but it looks like its written for programmers and that if you're not a fairly skilled programmer, you wouldn't be able to do it.

To **All Rom cookers** to avoid making Full and Lite version use PocketPC Installer

Dear Sirs and senior members and members:
At the beginning I would like to make it clear why I called the Title like that, not to make me important or to gain more readers, its because I appreciate the great efforts that have been done in this Forum to make it great and to help each other to find new ways to make your work better and better.
My Suggestion this time is to avoid the unnecessary copies of the same Rom build with all the extras or without anything “Full, Lite, Big storage etc…” and I think all of the Rom cookers faced the problem that they cant make a Rom which will make all the members satisfied, and many of them got the problem that as soon as they are finished with there ROMs a new versions appears of the same programs included in there ROMs and that way the cant be called NEW because of some old things, and the most weird thing that the Rom cookers make is to include many programs in the Rom that an be installed separately on the memory card which I can understand at all they work hard for very long time to make a fast and stable Rom as possible and they put all the extras in the Rom which make it heavy without any reason programs like “Winrar, Adobe acrobat reader, Adobe Flash lite, Real Player, etc…” puts many megabytes in the device memory and the Rom.
My SUGGESTION is very simple please use some kind of a program Like PocketPc installer (http://www.pocketpctoolkit.com/WhatIsIt1_PPCInstaller.php) which you make include all what you want of programs in it and port it with the Rom which we can copy to our memory cards to install the chosen programs that any one of us likes on the device memory or the memory card just like some modified copies of Windows XP which asks after the installation which programs to install , Please make a look at this program to get more detailed information about the idea.
Thank you for your kind Patience to read the Long post.
Ahmedkom

The foundation of XDA and its tools is built on free and open software, while windows mobile is not, the installers that are used, the build tools that are used, and the other various tools we use are built on donated time, resources, and a willing to share knowledge. We do not however want to use software that requires us to pay for to package the software that we are trying to give to the community to make better.
This is not an advertising forum, nor is this a place to try to make a false plea to our developers/packagers to buy and use software that you may own and are selling.
While your tool could be of use. If you were to release it free, I could see them using it. As for paying for something so we can give the community free roms doesn't seem very smart.
Thanks,
Andrew

exstatica said:
The foundation of XDA and its tools is built on free and open software, while windows mobile is not, the installers that are used, the build tools that are used, and the other various tools we use are built on donated time, resources, and a willing to share knowledge. We do not however want to use software that requires us to pay for to package the software that we are trying to give to the community to make better.
This is not an advertising forum, nor is this a place to try to make a false plea to our developers/packagers to buy and use software that you may own and are selling.
While your tool could be of use. If you were to release it free, I could see them using it. As for paying for something so we can give the community free roms doesn't seem very smart.
Thanks,
Andrew
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My SUGGESTION is very simple please**(Use some kind of a program Like)** PocketPc installer
Please **(Take a look at this program)** to get more detailed information about **(the idea)**.
I am not and dont have any cnnection to this site or the programm maker to push you to buy anything, and the link that i have gave is just to show you my idea with Pictures and more details .
Thank you for your replay and i would like to know your openion for this idea.
Ahmedkom

Hi ahmedkom,
I totally agree with your idea, rom chefs could make an ultra lite roms as the base rom and including an installer program to run CAB files from memory card. So that everyone could have their custom set of program and setting, and remove/updates could be apply without the process of downloading a new buly rom and take risks of flashing the device every week/few days...
CAB files could do manything from minor settings, registry, file operation to full program installation.
Beside PocketPC Installer, I suggest to use a program called CeleCommand (http://www.yonsm.net/read.php?329) for installer program. Worth try it out coz it can do many tasks..
just my 2 cents.

I totally agree ahmedkom too.

ok, i'm agree with you, but there are differences between integrating the apps and installing them after running the rom, many of apps use windows directory to install some files and that give the OS overload, otherwise if they are already integrated with the rom, they will not overload on the OS.
we have to keep this (lite and full versions) if the user doesn't need some apps integrated on the rom, he can use the lite version then he have to install whatever he wants.
the good thing from cookers is to create lite and full versions with make add ons cabs for the apps were not include on the lite version.
good thread dude for users and cookers .

Although I don't think it's a straight replacement for options, or variations I should say, in a ROM, I do think this looks like a damn useful app.

its a big honor to me to get answers from the seniors and i am very glad for you post its right but i didnt mention the programs that are installed in windows folder i am talking about the programs that we can install in the memory card just like pocket rar ,realplayer, totalcommander,gsfinder,1-calc LITE,tcpmp etc..

noob question: kitchen vs tools..same?

Newbie question. I don't understand, what is difference between a kitchen and tools like mamaich's ? At first I thought they were the same but now I'm not sure because I keep seeing references that don't make sense.

Post removed.

Post removed? That's it? Pardon me....Look, I know this is a newbie question but I am honestly confused as to what the definition of kitchen is. If I use mamaich's tools to prepare, view, etc. I end up with what seems, to me, to be a similar thing as a kitchen. Are they the same? Is there something about a "kitchen" that is fundamentally different than only using the tools? I have read many, many pages here and I'm honestly trying to understand. Please point me in the right direction. Thank you.
edit: sorry, I thought "post removed" in the earlier post meant I got my message removed from the forum by an admin, anyway, my question still stands.

Since the unhelpful member above failed to give you a decent answer, I will help you. Tools are either a program or a set of programs designed to do a task with the roms (for example, Mammich's tools are designed to help you edit the imgfs part of the rom). A kitchen is a set of tools (made by various people) designed to edit the whole rom or most of the rom and build your own custom roms.For future reference, if you ever have any other questions about rom building, let me know and I will help you out as much as I can.

Thank you very much Steven855 and I appreciate the offer to help.

I originally gave an inadequate answer - thus the removed post. Home ill with the flu, Nyquilled up and forgot which section I was in (thought I was in the Kaiser specific section and gave an answer associated with that). No ill intentions, so to speak.
What I will say is the various tools are something a newbie should probably feel comfortable using. Before using a kitchen, read, learn and flash a number of others' custom ROMs. While the great developers here have made cooking custom ROMs very easy with the kitchens, you can cause a lot of problems with your device if you don't know what you're doing.

No ill intentions taken. Like I said, at first I misunderstood and thought my post got nixed by an admin. btw notwithstanding Steven855's helpful answer, I had my question answered earlier on another thread when the same question came up.
Quote originally Posted by ramsses:
My understanding is the kitchen implies each module (with its associated registry - RGU - files and dlls etc.) is explicitly separated so it can be incrementally and selectively combined. What we are doing here is taking an existing set of ROMs and combining the dlls, exe etc. by hand - there isn't a handy gui where you can select which module you want. Also, the registry is necessarily hand crafted too. So by using the extract/rebuild tools, we are making a ROM, but it isn't a kitchen, more a roadside burger van!
Thanks again, really enjoying this site, and learning alot.

Steven855 said:
Since the unhelpful member above failed to give you a decent answer, I will help you. Tools are either a program or a set of programs designed to do a task with the roms (for example, Mammich's tools are designed to help you edit the imgfs part of the rom). A kitchen is a set of tools (made by various people) designed to edit the whole rom or most of the rom and build your own custom roms.For future reference, if you ever have any other questions about rom building, let me know and I will help you out as much as I can.
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Hi Steven. I was wondering if you knew about ROM cooking for Verizon CDMA devices..ie the i730? I was looking around to see where I would be able to find the bootloader for it but I haven't found any answers yet. Thanks.

Sorry! Unfortunately, I don't know anything about rom cooking for pocket pc phones (yet). I'm still trying to get the hang of this rom building stuff myself (after 2 failed attemps to make an updated rom for the axim X50(mid)).

Cyphol's Diamond Basic Kitchen v1.0 For Newbies Alike.

Since I got many PMs asking for the kitchen I used to cook my ROMs, I've made my decision to upload it here.
Well, the source is not completely mine, but it's also modified from KaiserKitchen and tools from many others.
I've checked it and modified it again today to make it as easy to use as I'd like it to be.
You can modified it to suit your own but remember to learn the process first.
So here it is.
The download link is here
Enjoy.
Regards,
Cyphol.

Thanks for sharing.
^.^
I'm looking forward to testing it.

It's a simple kitchen only.

You have a few repeating points in the cleaning process.
You could make :clean
del, attrib and rd procs.
AFTER it insert a set /p choice
where choice 8: ends with goto 1a, or choice 9, goto 1b.
I'm thinking about replacing the ervius package manager with buildos+package_tool
What do you think about that?
I'm also thinking about adding a rgucomp registry conversion section.

adwinp said:
You have a few repeating points in the cleaning process.
You could make :clean
del, attrib and rd procs.
AFTER it insert a set /p choice
where choice 8: ends with goto 1a, or choice 9, goto 1b.
I'm thinking about replacing the ervius package manager with buildos+package_tool
What do you think about that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah! I know but I did it on purpose. That's how to help other newbies understand the process of cooking. I have another one, clean but complexed,not to be publicize since it's not good for learning purposes. It also mean that your're not that noob.

Well, I think I still am.
^.^
I'm more of a linux user but I still remember basic windows batch syntax.
I only started learning about cooking etc not so long ago (htc cooking; what I did in the past was SE modding).
Still have a long road left ahead of me, but I'm a fast learner.
Anyways, you're right about the kitchen.
Experienced chefs will tend to have their own.

Do you think it's a good idea to add "pause" among critical sections?
Just to have time to check if everything's ok and ready to proceed with the cooking.
1 failed step and you have to analyze what and WHERE it went wrong.
But for example:
echo "Extracting imgfs content complete."
pause
--- continue script

adwinp said:
Do you think it's a good idea to add "pause" among critical sections?
Just to have time to check if everything's ok and ready to proceed with the cooking.
1 failed step and you have to analyze what and WHERE it went wrong.
But for example:
echo "Extracting imgfs content complete."
pause
--- continue script
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Click to collapse
Yeah! You're right. I give you permission to alter the batch file and upload again as yours. So, it will help many newbies understanding the process more and trap the errors before hand.
So, how are you doing with Raphael's ROM. My first impression of it is not that good since it's not for release purpose but it's running pretty good on mine. The release one will surely better than ours here.

The first repack I did worked lke a charm (apart from the internal storage driver issue), though I didn't really have the time to play extensively with it; it was only to check the hardware compatibility, speed and structure.
It really looks like a pre-release.
Like I wrote in one of my previous posts, I'm gonna TRY making a hybrid Raph+diam, though I don't know if it's worth the time investment.
Like most ppl in here, I have a private life apart from playing with tech.
Gotta find myself a doctorate. I just defended my thesis last Monday.
^.^

cyphol said:
Since I got many PMs asking for the kitchen I used to cook my ROMs, I've made my decision to upload it here.
Well, the source is not completely mine, but it's also modified from KaiserKitchen and tools from many others.
I've checked it and modified it again today to make it as easy to use as I'd like it to be.
You can modified it to suit your own but remember to learn the process first.
So here it is.
The download link is here
Enjoy.
Regards,
Cyphol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice Release BRO, SORRY FOR this late reply but beeeen busy, if you need help let me know

Many thanks for sharing! I would like to work around a new Italian ROM and it's a great source for starting!

I have yet another suggestion:
Add another option:
ROM dumping.
with lets say option
8a: list partitions
8b: save partitions
Of course, everyone wil have to input their own partition offsets (Implement something similar to read -p)

[16 FEB][APP] ModMob 0.9.6 - Tutorials, Tools and Roms [Formally RomHelper]

I'm fairly new to programming but I thought I would have a go at an app that could help people flash roms, radios, change themes, find new apps etc. The app is simple (and I meen really simple) at the moment but I am hoping to extend its functionality soon. Basically what the app does is provide you with the tools, download links and instructions that you will need to flash a rom/radio/spl etc to your device.
I have also tried to include links to the best apps, mods & tweaks that your device has to offer, this part of the app is in early development at the moment but it is quickly growing.
I am programming this in c# and I'm a bit of a nuub at it so if there are any developers out there who like the look/idea of the app then please feel free to contact me, I will glady give the source code to anyone who wants it as I would like this app to be as helpful and usefull as it can.
Feedback is much appreciated and I would love some requests or ideas?
DOWNLOAD
http://www.96edwy.com/romhelper.html
or use one of these mirrors
0.9.6 http://www.mediafire.com/?rjljuh3kw3tb9lb
0.9.5 http://www.mediafire.com/?lqx3hykb3l83fb1
0.9.0 http://www.mediafire.com/?0saelhl0th5gxif
0.8.9 http://www.mediafire.com/?hfytybnn3dvt2tl
0.8.8 http://www.mediafire.com/?bmfraxjg0bvgnwh
0.8.7 http://www.mediafire.com/?7er9f8nn59pim56
0.8.5 http://www.mediafire.com/?dti9r6jxhck9860
0.8.1 http://www.mediafire.com/?u61yzme74q485zq
0.8 http://www.mediafire.com/?hz5z5snsiky5gup
Features:
easy to use UI
provides tutorials, both written and video
direct download links to roms and tools
tools menu where the user can select a tool e.g. MAGLDR and it will be downloaded in the background
Planned features:
unzip tools automatically and open folder.
run tools directly from the program
nicer looking ui
more devices
android and winmo apps section (coming in next update)
search function
HTML:
CHANGELOG:
15/02/2011: v0.9.6
Added an apps, themes and mods section
Changed name of program to ModMob
Updated ROMs for existing devices
Added new ROMs
Clockwork Mod now in tools menu
Tool downloads now run in the background, unzip and open the directory
24/01/2011: v0.9.5
Added ROMs for the Nexus One, Desire and HD Mini
Updated ROMs for existing devices
Added General sections for WP7, WinMo & Android
Added/updated tooltips for many items
Started mirroring ROMs and tools to my mediafire account
18/01/2011: v0.9.0
Added HD2 EU + US Radios
Added Link To XDA Forum
18/01/2011: v0.8.9
Added MAGLDR 1.12 to tools menu
10/01/2011: v0.8.8
UI is now much easier to use, you can navigate via tree view or image view
More phones added (nexus one, desire hd, desire)
Tidied up some of the code
09/01/2011: v0.8.7
Added context menu (file,about,tools)
1 click download of tools via tools menu
In built downloader for tools
09/01/2011: v0.8.5
Application now checks for updates on startup
06/01/2011: V0.8.1
Added Features & Screenshots To Energy ROM section
Added Program Icon
06/01/2011: V0.8
Initial release

Will write about this tool, great work!

orb3000 said:
Will write about this tool, great work!
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Click to collapse
hey thanks man, much appreciated, im still working on it at the moment, its improving tho, another release is soon to come

Great!
Please keep 1st post updated for easy access
If you are ok I can ask moving this thread to Windows Mobile Software Development where I think you´ll have more views.

orb3000 said:
Great!
Please keep 1st post updated for easy access
If you are ok I can ask moving this thread to Windows Mobile Software Development where I think you´ll have more views.
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Click to collapse
yeah thats fine with me

Great tool man! this app is owesome!!
Thanx for your affort

What coding Language have you used? Looks like Visual Studio

Good job man this should help alot the newbies out.

Good Ass Idea Bro!!
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

A brilliant idea, which is working very well for me. Thanks a lot and keep up your work!
Makes life easier! Waiting to see first kernel onlys

Hi mate,thats a great idea
can you add please support for HTC HD Mini?

Can't wait to install. Now at work It looks promising.

Superb work!!!!! Thanks

I hope you can find more time to keep updating. This type of organisation is highly needed. Big Thanks

Thread moved to WM Software Development.

Ultimaex said:
What coding Language have you used? Looks like Visual Studio
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Click to collapse
c# so yeh visual studio

breakers said:
I hope you can find more time to keep updating. This type of organisation is highly needed. Big Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
working on it right now

anyone good with photoshop fancy making me an icon for my program or a header for my site? the one at the moment is a bit shabby

This was exactly what I was looking for.
thank you.

respect what say respect