[Q] Q: Modding and Flashing a Custom ROM - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I wanted to try to make a ROM that was customized just for me.
I just downloaded the most recent frost rom, unzipped it, modified the apps and framework.apk, resigned it using the signing utility available on XDA and then tried to flash it.
I did not make a folder, then tried to ZIP the folder then resigned. I took the contents of my ROM, zipped the contents into a folder, then put it through the resigning utility.
However, when I flash the ROM, it says that it can't find the update.script.
I haven't ever tried to do this, but I am guessing I am missing a step -- either that or I am in over my head.
Any help would be appreciated.

Related

Metamorph and the Incredible Help thread

Figured we might need a help thread for metamorph and since I need help here goes the first question
So I took part of my theme and made it Metamorph compatible with the guide here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=591329
Now MM opens the zip fine, starts to install it, asks permission to edit framework-res.apk then after about 1 minute it asks for a reboot and then before I can answer it just reboots. At this point it gets stuck in a boot loop and I have to nandroid.
Never really messed with MM so it could be something I am doing wrong or I did read this:
Depending on the device you have you may need a different SPL to be able to apply themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyways I attached my test theme (no where complete, just wanted to test it). Is the issue with me, the phones spl or metamorph not ready for the incredible yet?
ps: If your going to test my theme uploaded here, be smart, do a backup, this is just a test and not a full theme and I just told you it is causing boot loops
test file download
I wonder if the SPL will be the roadblock until Froyo is officially released. Of course I know nothing of these things...
*Sent via Tapatalk on my Incredible
running latest leak 8/1/10 new radio 2.15 busybox all set up. tried to installed metamorph and ninjamorph, gives /system error about space and then my root is broken ?!? any ideas folks, so lost on this one. thank god for nandroid restore
icedmayhem said:
running latest leak 8/1/10 new radio 2.15 busybox all set up. tried to installed metamorph and ninjamorph, gives /system error about space and then my root is broken ?!? any ideas folks, so lost on this one. thank god for nandroid restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you run the unrevoked forever to unlock the nand
I'm having mixed results with metamorph. I was able to do everything I wanted on CM6. I actually ported this over for us and it works great on metamorph not problems, check it out: http://androidforums.com/roms-incredible/149055-theme-vatsense-cm6port.html
now I tried porting one of my themes over to skyraider2.2 and I can get framework-res and com.htc.resources to work fine, but when i tried to add in my themed apps, I get a f/c and have to pull battery. http://androidforums.com/roms-incredible/148221-theme-do-bluev1.html
Ran the unrevoked tool so give me s off as well...
I had somebody in the nexus forum metamorph the weather channel widget but I cant get it to install, anyone game to take a look? I would love this to be transparent.
I have ran unrevoked forever and installe the latest metamorph.
Thanks
Im running (latest) stock 2.2 leak, and i cant get metamorph or NinjaMorph to make ANYthing stick. (YES I HAVE S-OFF) Both run as if they are making the changes, No diff than they did with the Moto Droid. MM reboots after ANY package, not just framework, with out asking to reboot. Ninja will usually break the app (app is no longer installed)
ANY IDEAS?
EDIT: just for kicks i installed a Deodexed Stock ROM, and still the same results... It says its doing it, but i the end it makes NO changes to the APK files.
see if you can manually (adb) replace the files and see if it sticks..... if not then the issue is not metemporph.... it's a rooting/nand issue.
R1lover said:
see if you can manually (adb) replace the files and see if it sticks..... if not then the issue is not metemporph.... it's a rooting/nand issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Manually replacing the entire APK... work just like it did when we needed recovery. Just now you type ADB remount, then push it.
If you mean manually replacing the edited files within the apk, thats not directly possible via adb. you have to PULL, EDIT,PUSH.
The problem here is metaMorph is supposed to open the apk replace just the edited files then close it up right on the phone, and its just not doing that!
what i did that fixed all my issues was install busybox from market. its odd but it all works perfect now even though i though it had been prebuilt into the rom. strange but ill take it
icedmayhem said:
what i did that fixed all my issues was install busybox from market. its odd but it all works perfect now even though i though it had been prebuilt into the rom. strange but ill take it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I just did what you said, before Metamorph would say not enough free space in /system/
I was using the 8/1/10 Froyo leak and I guess that one didn't have busybox, weird I was able to use Titanium Backup and I though that required busybox as well...
everytime you switch a rom, you should download busybox and let it update, it changes per rom.
Welp , Im still at a loss... I updated busybox, using the market app... and it still gives me the same results...
It takes 2-3 min to "apply theme" then reboots... and NO changes !
My theme contains ONLY the folders and files that need to be replaced, and my xml is copied from an existing theme, then edited. So i dont know wtf is goin on with this ****.
try making it into a file that can be flashed from recovery, then ull know for sure u made it correct....
Not sure this will help but I just installed Metamorph today and was getting the "system memory" error. To fix the problem I just used Root Explorer to mount /system as rw. Could the problems be related to write permissions?
I'm new to this...
I'm running SkyRaider's 2.5.2. Sense ROM. Just downloaded MM & BusyBox via market. When I start MM I select "Start Checks" or whatever. It then either forces my phone into reboot or gives me the "not enough memory in /system" error.
I did not install unrevoked forever. Is that my problem?
ksidirt said:
I'm new to this...
I'm running SkyRaider's 2.5.2. Sense ROM. Just downloaded MM & BusyBox via market. When I start MM I select "Start Checks" or whatever. It then either forces my phone into reboot or gives me the "not enough memory in /system" error.
I did not install unrevoked forever. Is that my problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh yea, it needs to write to system, you need S-off to use it.
I'm reviving this thread so as to not clutter up the Metamorph Themes Master List thread
This quote is from the other thread, I just thought it would be more appropriate to answer here instead.
mikesincredible said:
Wow. What you just told me is like trying to learn chinese...lol I see there's more involved...any good articles to point out so I can learn. I just know rom manager and adb push code... ::
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure there are some guides floating around XDA, but I mostly learned MM just by messing with it and learning from trial and error.
Basically, metamorph just opens up an .apk file, replaces any of the files it finds in the folders specified by a theme's .xml file, then closes/re-signs the apk.
This is much better than flashing themes from the recovery menu or rom manager because doing so replaces the entire framework-res.apk, overwriting any themes you had previously installed. Since metamorph only replaces the files you want, any theme you already had will be preserved.
Here's an example to get a quick overview of how it works. Say you've already applied my black rotary lockscreen mod (found here) and you want to use some of the elements from SoCalMiles' Incredible rEVOlution theme.
First you should download his file, and inside the .zip find "\Incredible_Revolution_Original_Theme.zip\system\framework\framework-res.apk" and extract it somewhere.
Then rename "framework-res.apk" to "framework-res.apk.zip" or something similar. Now you can browse/unzip the files just like you would any other folder.
In your new .zip navigate to \framework-res.apk.zip\res\drawable-hdpi-v4, most of a rom's theme will be in that folder.
Now, if you've applied my theme through metamorph (or any theme, for that matter) you should have the directory "\sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\" on your sdcard.
Choose any of the files you want to apply to your phone from the extracted Incredible rEVOlution drawable-hdpi-v4 folder and copy them from to the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\ folder. Now when you run the metamorph it should copy the files you added as well as the ones that were previously there.
If you want to copy files that are not in the drawable-hdpi-v4 folder, simply make a new folder for the containing folder. Basically just make sure the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\whatevs\framework-res\ directories match the directories in the framework-res.apk file you're pulling from.
That's the easiest way to combine two themes, if you're looking to make you're own metamorph theme to post on xda you'll need to learn to edit the .xml file which directs metamorph to which files to modify, but that isn't too hard either, and there's no need to do this if you're just making metamorphs for your own personal use.
mixedlemon said:
I'm reviving this thread so as to not clutter up the Metamorph Themes Master List thread
This quote is from the other thread, I just thought it would be more appropriate to answer here instead.
I'm sure there are some guides floating around XDA, but I mostly learned MM just by messing with it and learning from trial and error.
Basically, metamorph just opens up an .apk file, replaces any of the files it finds in the folders specified by a theme's .xml file, then closes/re-signs the apk.
This is much better than flashing themes from the recovery menu or rom manager because doing so replaces the entire framework-res.apk, overwriting any themes you had previously installed. Since metamorph only replaces the files you want, any theme you already had will be preserved.
Here's an example to get a quick overview of how it works. Say you've already applied my black rotary lockscreen mod (found here) and you want to use some of the elements from SoCalMiles' Incredible rEVOlution theme.
First you should download his file, and inside the .zip find "\Incredible_Revolution_Original_Theme.zip\system\framework\framework-res.apk" and extract it somewhere.
Then rename "framework-res.apk" to "framework-res.apk.zip" or something similar. Now you can browse/unzip the files just like you would any other folder.
In your new .zip navigate to \framework-res.apk.zip\res\drawable-hdpi-v4, most of a rom's theme will be in that folder.
Now, if you've applied my theme through metamorph (or any theme, for that matter) you should have the directory "\sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\" on your sdcard.
Choose any of the files you want to apply to your phone from the extracted Incredible rEVOlution drawable-hdpi-v4 folder and copy them from to the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\BlackRotary-hdpi-v4\framework-res\res\drawable-hdpi-v4\ folder. Now when you run the metamorph it should copy the files you added as well as the ones that were previously there.
If you want to copy files that are not in the drawable-hdpi-v4 folder, simply make a new folder for the containing folder. Basically just make sure the \sdcard\AndroidThemes\whatevs\framework-res\ directories match the directories in the framework-res.apk file you're pulling from.
That's the easiest way to combine two themes, if you're looking to make you're own metamorph theme to post on xda you'll need to learn to edit the .xml file which directs metamorph to which files to modify, but that isn't too hard either, and there's no need to do this if you're just making metamorphs for your own personal use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What other folders contain the status icons? I'm looking to restore the circle battery and alarm from the incredible revolution theme, I found the battery.pngs..but no alarm..so if I copy and paste them to the blackrotary folder in androidthemes and metamorph, I should have the battery back

How to add apk files into a rom

hey i want to add some files like htc clock.apk and calculator.apk to N.S.A rom, so how do i go about it. Any help
Thank you.
unzip the ROM, add them to the app folder and rezip it and then flash the ROM (making sure the recovery utility you're using allows non-signed ROMs)
i am using clockworkmod recovery, does it allow flashing unsigned rom??
Thanks
unquestioning
shoemeistah said:
unquestioning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, what does that means.
Yes, you have to remove the signing checking option in it (under advanced or something, have a play about)
hey use Android kitchen to Modify the Rom as want
>you can add and remove apps
>you can create your own custom rom if want..!!
>And you can sign the modified ROM
READ THE INSTRUCTION YOU'LL GET TO KNOW
try it out works great here is the link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
harish.awe said:
hey use Android kitchen to Modify the Rom as want
>you can add and remove apps
>you can create your own custom rom if want..!!
>And you can sign the modified ROM
READ THE INSTRUCTION YOU'LL GET TO KNOW
try it out works great here is the link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a LOT easier to just do it yourself...
?
does this work for the captivate
Don't know, go ask in the captivate forum and not the Desire one
Hi all, i'm a new user and i have some trouble adding .apk's into cooked roms.
In particular, i'm trying to add some .apk into /system/app of InsertCoin Gingerbread 1.0.5
I have unzipped the rom, add those apk's, zipped again but when i flash it from recovery it says "Can't Find Update Script".
Iryon said:
Hi all, i'm a new user and i have some trouble adding .apk's into cooked roms.
In particular, i'm trying to add some .apk into /system/app of InsertCoin Gingerbread 1.0.5
I have unzipped the rom, add those apk's, zipped again but when i flash it from recovery it says "Can't Find Update Script".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't(!) unzip the rom. Just open the archive using 7zip or winzip (or something like that; right-click zip and choose 'open archive'). Then just move apk to correct folder. If you're taking apk's from another rom, open that using 7zip as well. Then, drag the program from one rom to the other. When you're finished and want to flash the rom, make sure you've disabled 'signature verification' in recovery (it is an option in recovery).
Thank you, i was able to flash my first "modded" version with different boot/down animation, Teeter game (i love it) and Titanium Backup
The only thing i was not able to do was Root Explorer, i tried to put it in system/app and in data/app but when i flash rom it doesn't appear in the drawer.
Any suggestion?
Iryon said:
Thank you, i was able to flash my first "modded" version with different boot/down animation, Teeter game (i love it) and Titanium Backup
The only thing i was not able to do was Root Explorer, i tried to put it in system/app and in data/app but when i flash rom it doesn't appear in the drawer.
Any suggestion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been learning how to do this in the last few days and have had similar issues as you. I can get some to install fine and appear in the drawer but not all.
I have only been adding the apk's to system/app and not data/app. Should the apk's be added to one of these, both of them or another folder completely?
Can anyone help the two of us out?
I used apk swapper but all the apps are not working

[Q] help with DSIXDA Kitchen

can I extract the contents of a mod.zip and take the .jar or .apk and copy and paste them into the framework dir of the working working folder? i tried copying a custom .apk file into the framework dir of the working folder and it went into a boot loop.
alucke
There could be several reasons for a boot loop. If I understand you correctly, you are working on a ROM using dsixda's kitchen, and you want to add an apk before flashing? Could you provide more information like what apk and what folder you are trying to add it to? I suspect it might have something to do with the signature of the apk. I'm not 100% sure but I believe that the system apks all need the same signature when flashing a new ROM.
alucke said:
can I extract the contents of a mod.zip and take the .jar or .apk and copy and paste them into the framework dir of the working working folder? i tried copying a custom .apk file into the framework dir of the working folder and it went into a boot loop.
alucke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are changing things within the framework you also need to edit the .xml files within the framework. The best way to learn is to take the stock rom and load it into a working folder. then take a custom rom that you can find all the differences to stock on when loaded on your phone and load that into the kitchen. Compare the stock roms working folder with the custom rom working folder and take note of all the differences and figure out how they were achieved. Dont just look at apk files. Look at the update script as well as the xml files in all the folders too. Repeat with another ROM and you will start to see how to change things around yourself.

[Q] My modified custom ROM

Being a newbie that is learning A LOT, my most recent question is:
If I have flashed a BYOR (midnight rom) then added the apk files that I wanted, is there a way of saving my modified ROM so that if I try something else and need to flash back, I can without reloading all of the apps from the zip files?
Make a backup in CWM before wiping, then restore it later when you want to switch back. That's all you can do as far as I know.
notmyepic said:
Being a newbie that is learning A LOT, my most recent question is:
If I have flashed a BYOR (midnight rom) then added the apk files that I wanted, is there a way of saving my modified ROM so that if I try something else and need to flash back, I can without reloading all of the apps from the zip files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st download Titanium Backup and save all your files on your and window information email etc etc . u hit menu then BATCH then back up all files and data ......
CWM ... got to restore n backup then select back up and let it work ..........
now after u check out the other Rom u go back into CWM .... RESTORE UR OLD FILE .... then download TITANIUM BACKUP and restore everything or just choose what you want NOTE: YOU CAN DO TITANIUM w the ROm IF U CHOOSE TO KEEP IT
Also, you can take applications from say the midNight v5 upgrade zip(use 7zip to open the zip file) navigate to system/app folder. Copy the apks from the upgrade zip to the same folder in the BYOR zip file; same for files in system/lib.
You can repeat that step for other apps you like from the midNight Extras folder.
If you ever have to flash fresh; then you'll have a rom zip pre-built with your apps and you wont have to flash each zip.
Absolutely utilize the backup in CWM .. that can save you butt ... before any theme, kernel or ROM install. That way if you hit a boot loop or freeze .. simply boot to recovery and restore your phone back to before that flash attempt.
Thanks everyone. When I get a chance I may try something different
I would download and install 7zip. make a backup copy of your midnight 5.0 byor zip incase you mess something up but not likely. right click on one of the rom zips and 7zip open archive. in that archive you opened there should be an sd card folder. open that and extract the midnight extras folder to your desktop (drag it to the desktop). open that archive up again and navigate to system/app. go into your midnight extras folder and copy all the apk's you want on your phone and paste them in the system/app folder. After this any time you flash this zip you will have all the apps you put in the system/apps folder and wont have to flash multiple zips for apps. this can be done for themes, boot animations, shutdown animations, fonts, pretty much anything you can flash as long as you know where to put them. ps always backup before flashing
I thought I read somewhere installing zip file with CWM, it needed the apk and another file (believe it was meta file)
Is this the case, or is the zip files with meta also for something bigger than just apks?

Designing My ROM Problem HELP?!?!?

Hey guys! I am having some problems with my SpaceROM update! I am currently trying to get the Titanium.apk on there (I know where to put it). This is what I did.
Extracted my ROM
Went into system
Then went into apps
I copied and pasted the app in there
I archived the ROM back into a zip file
I tried to open it in Android Kitchen (Do to some extra tweaks)
But it said "No system folder found"
So then I googled it and it said you need to resign the ROM after you tweak it
So I download and use a ROM signer (I'm not sure if it worked or not)
Then I tried to open the ROM in Android Kitchen again
And it gave me that same message!
What I am wanting to do is change apps and possible the bootanimation.zip
Any help is greatly appreciated

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