Develop Bugs

How to Theme JFv1.51 CRB43-US using Ubuntu

One may think that it was nearly imposible to theme or modify a Us cupcake rom from JesusFreke because of his method of saving space on the system partition. In fact we have extra room for bigger sized themes. Here I will explain to you how to easily open and close the Cramfs files to modify /system/framework folder.
Cramfs can be opened and closed only through a Linux based shell.
To do this in windows, you should download Virtualbox.
After you finish installing it go and download Ubuntu.
Open Virtualbox and click on new. Follow directions to create your new Virtualbox Ubuntu OS.
Make sure you enable usb sharing. So that you can transfer files back and forth to both OS's.
Once you got Ubuntu running, open the terminal.
Type:
Code:
sudo -s
enter your password
apt-get install cramfsprogs
This command loads the Cramfs program files to your (Virtualbox Ubuntu OS).
Once the package installs, your ready to go.
-Opening Cramfs files:
Open terminal on your Virtualbox Ubuntu OS.
Type:
Code:
cramfsck -x /home/username/Desktop/opened 'framework.cramfs'
Cramfsck -x /home/username/Desktop/opened= Where the un cramfs-ed folder will be placed and what the folder is called.
Replace username above, with your user name.
framework.cramfs= the cramfs file you want to open.(Drag and drop in terminal)
The system will create a folder called "opened" on your desktop. (Feel free the change the name of folder from /opened to your liking)
That folder contains the /system/framework files un Cramfs-ed.
-Closing Cramfs files
You MUST be logged on to ROOT before closing Cramfs!!!
You MUST use the ORIGINAL files from the framework and app's folders of CRB43-US to prevent problems!!!
Open terminal on your Virtualbox Ubuntu OS.
Type:
Code:
sudo -s
enter password
mkcramfs '/home/username/Desktop/opened' framework.cramfs
mkcramfs '/home/username/Desktop/opened'= Location of the cramfs file.(Drag and drop in terminal)
Replace username above, with your user name.
framework.cramfs=The name of the cramfs file.
The system will create a cramfs file, located in the /home folder.(Click Places)
I have uploaded a CRB43-US Theme template to make it easier for you.
CRB43_US_Theme_Template.zip
Edit the template's framework and apps files to prevent forcloser!
I hope that you find this information useful in any way.
Here's some helpfull links:
How to manuals for creating themes
How to edit XML's
How to edit .9.png

Great technique. I've not tried it yet however I tried it with Cygwin. Unfortunately I don't think I was able to get it to work with it. Any thoughts?

From the other thread:
You need linux to do this! I mean come on, Android is not a Microsoft product, it's Linux based....Time to get your hands dirty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try it on SUSE Linux soon.

blackknightavalon said:
I'm going to try it on SUSE Linux soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well ****. I did the sudo -s and password instructions and when I typed in the "apt-get install cramfsprogs" one I got "bash: apt-get: command not found" error message. HALP!!!1!
/SUSE Linux 10

blackknightavalon said:
Well ****. I did the sudo -s and password instructions and when I typed in the "apt-get install cramfsprogs" one I got "bash: apt-get: command not found" error message. HALP!!!1!
/SUSE Linux 10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apt-get is for Ubuntu and (i think) other Debian based Linux system. You'll need to use Redhat Package Manager (rpm) or some similar package manager.
http://en.opensuse.org/Libzypp/Package_Management
-Andy in Indy

Binary100100 said:
Great technique. I've not tried it yet however I tried it with Cygwin. Unfortunately I don't think I was able to get it to work with it. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it through Cygwin and I gave up because of the long process. I had to download a mirror site to download the cramfs program. Then I had to relocate most of the folders I wanted to modify because of that shell. Then I got more errors, so I said ...... that!!! And did it the way I posted it. I'll try to get it running on Cygwin and I'll let you know if I'm successful. FYI- you have alot more options on Ubuntu to Open ,see, and modify files on the Android packages, then you would on Cygwin.

So this maybe a newb question for some of you but I installed VirtualBox and Ubuntu 9.04 and followed the instructions. But I've hit a bump.
When I opened Terminal and entered sudo -s it will not let me enter my password. It just stays as a black box that doesn't move. I can type everywhere else... just not there for some reason. What am I missing?

Binary100100 said:
So this maybe a newb question for some of you but I installed VirtualBox and Ubuntu 9.04 and followed the instructions. But I've hit a bump.
When I opened Terminal and entered sudo -s it will not let me enter my password. It just stays as a black box that doesn't move. I can type everywhere else... just not there for some reason. What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't show **** or anything, but its entering. Type password and press enter!

RichieDaze said:
It doesn't show **** or anything, but its entering. Type password and press enter!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh. I was hoping it was that easy. Thanks. I'm playing with it now.

Andy_in_Indy said:
apt-get is for Ubuntu and (i think) other Debian based Linux system. You'll need to use Redhat Package Manager (rpm) or some similar package manager.
http://en.opensuse.org/Libzypp/Package_Management
-Andy in Indy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I checked with my laptop's bin folder and I have rpm installed already. Today's n00b question is "now what?"

Wubi
Why don't you guys just use the wubi installer for ubuntu?
Its pretty mind numbingly easy to set up... and i haven't had any issues with it for the last month I've been using it.
http://wubi-installer.org/
then you can just use apt

jonnybueno said:
Why don't you guys just use the wubi installer for ubuntu?
Its pretty mind numbingly easy to set up... and i haven't had any issues with it for the last month I've been using it.
http://wubi-installer.org/
then you can just use apt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I didn't like about that installation was that I had to reboot to use either OS. With Virtual Box I can run my Os + 1,2, or 3 other OS's at the same time. That how I had it installed before I started using the Live cd to do the work. Thanks for giving us an other option. I guess its up to the users preference. I do recommend its use if you don't mind to reboot.

n00b question time: Would I be able to use the mkfs.cramfs program using SUSE? If so, what are the terminal codes?
/seriously stuck on this

its not working wat am i doing wrong
[email protected]:~$ sudo -s
[email protected]:~# ******
bash: ******: command not found
[email protected]:~# apt-get install cramfsprogs
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
cramfsprogs is already the newest version.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
[email protected]:~# cramfsck -x /home/ubuntu/Desktop/opened 'framework.cramfs'
cramfsck: stat failed: framework.cramfs: No such file or directory
[email protected]:~#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the ****** is the password.
i have the framework.cramfs
i also have the CRB43_US_Theme_Template.zip file on the ubuntu dektop
i tried this also
[email protected]:~# cramfsck -x C:\Documents and Settings\******\Desktop 'framework.cramfs'
usage: cramfsck [-hv] [-x dir] file
-h print this help
-x dir extract into dir
-v be more verbose
file file to test
[email protected]:~#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can someone help

bboy_201 said:
its not working wat am i doing wrong
can someone help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you pull the cramfs file from the zip onto your desktop before you dragged it onto the terminal?

yes i did..
its on my destop for my windows n my ubuntu desktop

Finally, progress!
Just to update you guys on one thing: After roughly 3 weeks of blindly thrashing about SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 and its buggy BIOS screen like a n00b, I FINALLY got installed Debian on my laptop! Next step: Figure out how to make a cramfs image and test-port my personal modded Moon Dust theme (with the Firefox logo on the browser and Carbon Black trashcan) before I actually start porting other devs (and them submitting the ports to the original devs for their approval).
Am I the only one actually working on this?

Progress Part The Second
blackknightavalon said:
Just to update you guys on one thing: After roughly 3 weeks of blindly thrashing about SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 and its buggy BIOS screen like a n00b, I FINALLY got installed Debian on my laptop! Next step: Figure out how to make a cramfs image and test-port my personal modded Moon Dust theme (with the Firefox logo on the browser and Carbon Black trashcan) before I actually start porting other devs (and them submitting the ports to the original devs for their approval).
Am I the only one actually working on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a few bugs to work out, but now Debian is working as good as I can hope to get it working on my laptop. Now I need to compare the differences between the CRB43 framework-res images and RC33's. After that, it'll simply be a matter of a one-for-one swap with the instructions courtesy of OP.
The main thing is that I got the "apt-get install cramfsprogs" part working!

G-Slate root

There's no G-Slate forum yet, so this goes here.
How to root your T-Mobile G-Slate
This process works under Linux. The hard part under Windows would be mounting a file as an ext4 filesystem, but if you can do that you win.
You need:
The four files in the gslate_root.zip archive attached to this post.
To root:
Put those four files in a directory and open a terminal to there.
Shut down your G-Slate and plug it into your computer via USB.
Hold down both volume buttons and press the power button. The G-Slate will not appear to turn on, but it'll go into APX mode.
Running "lsusb" should show an entry "0955:7820 NVidia Corp."
Run the command "sudo su" to get a root shell. Running "ls" should still show the four files.
./nvflash --bl bootloader.bin --getpartitiontable ptable.txt
./nvflash -r --read 8 system-orig.img
Wait while 400 meg of data copies.
cp system-orig.img system.img
mkdir system
mount -o loop system.img system
cp su system/bin
chmod 4755 system/bin/su
cp Superuser.apk system/app
umount system
./nvflash -r --download 8 system.img
Wait while it copies back.
./nvflash -r --sync
Press the reset button under the sim cover to reboot.
There's your rooted G-Slate. Making that process "one click" is going to suck.
Troubleshooting:
You may need to install the package libstdc++6 or lib32stdc++6 to get nvflash to run.
You may need to use "sudo" on the nvflash commands.
If you want to try to make this work on Windows, the nvflash.exe binary and the APX USB drivers are are available from nvidia.com

This is unbelievable! Can't wait to give it a shot.

EDIT: For future reference, DO NOT use Virtual Box to try and root your device. There are issues getting the drivers to work properly. Lsusb will not work. The following methods have been tested and work:
1. Wubi install of Ubuntu Linux
2. VMware install of Ubuntu Linux
3. Dual-boot install of ""
4. Dedicated Linux box (duh)
And remember: If at first you don't succeed, try try again. Then visit our IRC channel.
Trying this on Windows 7 is gonna be a trip. Never workt with ext4 before.

Install Ubuntu and you can dual boot into Windows or Ubuntu. That's what I do.
Sent from my LG-V909 using XDA Premium App

This method is confirmed working. Thank you so much for the hard work Chandon. It wasn't very hard to complete on Linux. I can't believe my G-Slate is rooted!!!! Hell yes! Oh and the device is not wiped during the process either just to let everyone know!

Some More Help
Would it be possible to pull the recovery partition off now?
Why I ask. I am in a bit of a pickle. My slate will get to the first LG boot screen and then freeze. It does not even go to the boot animation. I can still get into fastboot and APX mode and it is seen by my computer.
How did i get here. While poking around in fastboot I am pretty sure i wiped they recovery partition D'OH.
I was able to complete the steps listed (for root) with out issue but still cannot get past the boot screen since this is only modifying the system partition.
I am thinking that if that could be pulled from the device i could flash it to mine and bring my slate back to life?
Am I way off on this one?

SmellyTunic -
Attached are all the reasonably small partitions that I could pull off my device with nvflash. This should be everything except /system, /cache, and /data.
I suggest backing everything up before flashing any of these, on the off chance that there's some difference between devices.

Thanks so much for this! Is there a good linux live cd(or bootable usb flash drive) someone could suggest where this could be accomplished easily? Not ready to take the plunge actually installing linux on my system yet >.>

Here you go
shinkinrui
Info and steps can be found here http://www.ubuntu.com/download
Pretty easy to set up a dual boot machine.
Chandon,
Any chance you know off hand which one of those partitions is the recovery?

I suggest doing a Wubi install [1], where Ubuntu pretends to be a Windows app (which you can then uninstall like any other app later). Alternatively you could try using VirtualBox [2], but that's less guaranteed to work.
The only reason I wouldn't do this with a Live CD is that you'd risk losing your backup of the stock /system partition when you reboot. It would also make losing power in the middle of the flash really annoying.
[1] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide
[2] (edit: virtual box doesn't easily see the USB device)

Thanks guys, reading about that Wubi solution looks like the simplest way to have a dual-boot system. I like it! I'll be getting my root on later tonight

i prefer Ubuntu just cause you can install it in windows then simply restart and boot into Linux or Windows. This way you don't need to worry about not having Linux again.

SmellyTunic said:
Any chance you know off hand which one of those partitions is the recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure that /system is 8 and the kernel is 13, but don't know about anything else. You might be able to figure it out by reading the ptable.txt file generated by the --getpartitiontable command - it's pretty clear except for the part where it uses 3 letter partition names.

Thanks. I will take a look when i get home from work.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

While we are on the topic of development, we really need a forum over here at XDA for the G-Slate!

deez1234 said:
While we are on the topic of development, we really need a forum over here at XDA for the G-Slate!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely concur.

thengkiu so much
works like a charm

I have no idea why I'd ever need/want to root my G Slate, I'm fairly simple in my desires for my device - but I have to say I'm delighted to see it is possible and am ever so grateful for folks who figure this stuff out because it keeps moving G Slate towards legitimacy.
Thank you!!

The hard part under Windows would be mounting a file as an ext4 filesystem, but if you can do that you win.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No kidding. Since the linux method failed miserably for me, I've decided to press forward with trying to do it on Windows. Problem is, I have yet to find any way to mount an ext4 filesystem on Windows. There are several options out there that will allow you to read ext4 filesystems on Windows, but not write. Any suggestions?

my friend will be happy to see that this is possible.

[Q] Cyanogenmod 7 and Linux

Hi all,
I have just received my Defy and I'd like to flash Cyanogenmod 7, I've flashed numerous roms to numerous phones in the past but I was always using Windows. I now use Linux (latest ubuntu derivative).
Is there a guide anywhere for flashing from a linux machine? My google-fu is pretty much pulling up a blank on the subject!
Thanks very much

Follow steps from FAQ for CM7, and just use this : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1076138 for flashing SBF and rooting,
It's my second post for the same question today

There's just two things to know:
1) You don't use RSD Lite to flash sbf files, you use this instead: http://blog.opticaldelusion.org/2011/02/sbfflash-updates.html
2) To root the phone you don't use SuperOneClick. Instead, get this DefyRoot pack: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1076138. Extract the pack, run the script using sudo.
And that's that. With the above differences in mind, you can follow the usual instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1065798
Edit: Damn, bikerabhinav was faster

Thank you guys for the quick replies! time to give it a go
Sorry but you don't happen to know the link for installing adb on linux do you? presumably I need it hehe

I got the SDK and extracted to a directory of my choice, how on earth do I use it though, executing android in a terminal does not work, the rest is simple, can't believe I'm stuck on this part lol
I sorted that, I ran android and downloaded the development tools, I now have adb. I need to research more now, ran adb via terminal, then tried to run the rootdefy.sh but it told me adb wasn't started! see this is going to be a learning curve in Linux

You don't need the SDK, the RootDefy pack has everything necessary. I never installed the SDK.
ADB starts automatically if it isn't running yet. Did you run the script as sudo, like I told you? If not, there can be various problems. It's not necessary to run it with sudo if there's an udev rule for the phone. The script attempts to write one, but I'm not sure if it still works with the latest udev versions.
So let's do it manually:
- unplug the phone
- create a /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules file containing this:
Code:
ATTRS{idVendor}=="22b8", MODE="0666"
- now reload udev:
Code:
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
- just to be sure, kill all previous adb instances:
Code:
sudo pkill adb
- now plug the phone in and run the script again; with or without sudo, it shouldn't make a difference anymore

Thanks very much, all done and dusted now

Galaxy Nexus MTP and Ubuntu or Mint Linux solved

I didn't have a GN until this week so my only LIMITED experience was with my nephew's GN and I was not able to connect it to my Ubuntu 11.10, 11.04, 10.10 or Mint 12. I got my own this week and started the search. Here is how you do it courtesy of Shannon VanWagner
and his website Humans Enabled
Shannon's info:
https://plus.google.com/115207567016362184954/about
Thanks Shannon. Here is the what you should do: again all credit goes to Shannon VanWagner. Fire up a terminal session:
1-
Code:
sudo apt-get install libusb-dev
2- download libmtp tar.gz from http://sourceforge.net/projects/libmtp/files/libmtp/
3-cd to the directory you downloaded to: Download in this case, case sensitive
Code:
cd Downloads
4- extract the tar package
Code:
tar xvf libmtp-1.1.1.tar.gz
please make sure you check the file version, this file changes as it is updated and change it accordingly per the above website
5- cd to the newly created folder that has the extracted file:
Code:
cd libmtp-1.1.1
again don't forget to change the name if the version has changed
6- compile and install: do each step separately
Code:
./configure --prefix=/usr
Code:
make
Code:
sudo make install
7- while in the same directory in the terminal, copy the rules from there to the udev folder:
Code:
sudo cp 69-libmtp.rules /etc/udev/rules.d
8- install gMTP:
Code:
sudo apt-get install gmtp
9- open up gMTP, go to edit/prefrences and check the box for Always Show Download Path. This way when you are downloading from the phone to your computer, you are asked to choose a location. Use the Add button to upload from your Linux Box to the phone. Delete does, well, Delete a file.

Thanks so much for this. I was having all kinds of problems! Worked flawlessly!

I'm just wondering, why people still using USB cable for file transfers? There's gazillion threads here about broken USB ports and all of them are reall. I had my self that problem on SGS2 and since then i started to use Wifi Explorer. It's just safer and easier.
Don't take this as thread spoiling, i'm really thankful to everyone who shares info. l'm just trying to warn you, because USB port problem does exist even if you're extremely careful as i am.
Sent from my super Galaxy Nexus plus®

I love Wifi Explorer as well but you do run a much greater risk of a corrupted file over wifi as opposed to usb.

I didn't have to do step 2. All I did was install libusb-dev and install gMTP and it worked.
That said I hate what google did here! I can no longer play music via usb on my car deck because of this

MS. said:
I'm just wondering, why people still using USB cable for file transfers? There's gazillion threads here about broken USB ports and all of them are reall. I had my self that problem on SGS2 and since then i started to use Wifi Explorer. It's just safer and easier.
Don't take this as thread spoiling, i'm really thankful to everyone who shares info. l'm just trying to warn you, because USB port problem does exist even if you're extremely careful as i am.
Sent from my super Galaxy Nexus plus®
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. I do use that especially since Amazon App store had it as the Free Paid app of the day a few months back. But you still need your wired connection for important files like radios, kernels, and roms. hate corrupted radios

Then i must be lucky, had no corrupted transfers yet (or at least i didn't notice that)

apt-get install gmtp fails.... I get the following::
Reading package list... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package gmtp
What now? I'm running 64bit Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Hello, I wonder if can I expect a Fedora solution?

DAG425 said:
apt-get install gmtp fails.... I get the following::
Reading package list... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package gmtp
What now? I'm running 64bit Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure you did sudo apt-get, right?
gMTP is in the Ubuntu software center. I guess you can get it that way too.

Yes, any time i know im gonna need sudo multiple times i just run root terminal.... Got it from package manager! Thanx!!

Anyone else noticing massive slow ups when transferring files? The only things that happens quick is to download something from the device, uploading, and deleting take forever.

Thanks man for the guide.
its working but its supposed to be so slow(connect takes so long)??

Hi I've followed your guide down to the letter but my Nexus won't mount gMTP hangs and refuses to respond. What do you suggest?

emmib said:
Hi I've followed your guide down to the letter but my Nexus won't mount gMTP hangs and refuses to respond. What do you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a little info may help. What version of Ubuntu are you running? Any errors?

You may also want to look in to mtpfs which is a FUSE filesystem providing access to MTP devices. It's easy to use and with correct permissions you can mount the device as a user.
I've been using it and there is a long pause mounting the device for some reason but read / write speeds are very good. When the phone is connected you simply mount it with:
mtpfs [mount point]

Lost Dog said:
You may also want to look in to mtpfs which is a FUSE filesystem providing access to MTP devices. It's easy to use and with correct permissions you can mount the device as a user.
I've been using it and there is a long pause mounting the device for some reason but read / write speeds are very good. When the phone is connected you simply mount it with:
mtpfs [mount point]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you just connect the point and type the above? Do you have to specify the mount point? What do you use?

loveubuntu said:
so you just connect the point and type the above? Do you have to specify the mount point? What do you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a directory to mount it at (~/phone or something). Connect your phone in MTP mode then type:
mtpfs ~/phone
It's user space so you don't need to use su or sudo. You do however need to have FUSE support in your kernel. You may need some of the other dependencies but if you install mtpfs in mint it should pull those in (I'm using Mint 12).

loveubuntu said:
a little info may help. What version of Ubuntu are you running? Any errors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm terribly sorry about that, how rude of me XD I'm not running Ubuntu, I'm running Linux Mint 12, 32-bit. My Nexus is completely stock, GSM, running 4.0.2.

I finally can transfer files between ubuntu and my galaxy Nexus. Dumb google.
It took me days to find this thread. Wow you are amazing. I have tried different tutorial that would freeze my pc. Thanks for for sharing.

[GUIDE] ADB & Fastboot not working under Windows? UBUNTU WILL DO!

The keystone of this guide: make ADB & fastboot working in Ubuntu, when nothing else helps with with Windows. Resent Windows OS versions are getting less flashing-friendly and some brands (like Samsung) release new devices on the market without compatible USB drivers. Before losing countless hours trying to solve the problems, try this, possibly very easy solution.
Compatible devices: ADB will work on nearly all devices, fastboot should be also usable for very most of the devices with bootloader mode: Nexus, HTC, Sony etc.
The guide is posted here in Nexus 7 (2013) thread for high amount of reported bootloops right after unlocking the bootloader- or problems with executing fastboot commands in Windows, which must work to unbrick the device.
DISCLAIMER:
Code:
* [I]I am not responsible for bricked devices or PCs, personal crisis, depressions[/I]
* [I]sleeples nights, termonuclear wars, electricity blackouts, short circuits,[/I]
* [I]or for bad weather in your region that will brick your Android device or your PC.[/I]
* [I]I try to help here, but it may not work for you. You do all on your own risk.[/I]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
INSTALL ONLY FASTBOOT :
Windows can cause so many problems, that sometimes ADB & Fastboot simply won't work.
Run therefore ADB or fastboot in Ubuntu if Windows fails.
Installing ONLY fastboot in Ubuntu (should work with 10.x, 11.x and 12.x)
(internet connection required)
Run in the Terminal:
Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
Reboot isn't required.
Save all the flashing files on home folder, or navigate with "cd" to your files.
Happy flashing!
For the case it doesn't work after this, try THIS method which is little bit more complicated, but should work in actually all Linux OS variants.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
INSTALL ADB AND FASTBOOT :
To fix a bootloop, for unbricking, to root, to unlock/relock the bootloader, for flashing of a stock firmware, kernel, or recovery: for all those things fastboot must work reliably. And in Windows, it sometimes simply won't work at all, whatever you try.
Windows OS is complicated. And needs drivers at all times. Successful use of ADB or Fastboot with Windows is totally dependent on perfectly installed drivers. And there we have the source of many problems. As way around all those in fact Windows related promblems, we will use here Linux instead of Windows. Linux needs no drivers. Linux is free. Linux needs no antivirus software. Linux gets optimized day by day. Your Android device is Linux based.
After reading how many users encounter day by day countless issues by attempt to run fastboot and ADB commands (especially here in Nexus threads), I've decided to make this guide. There are some longer and complicated guides here around. I like fast, easy and secure way- so I hope this will help.
STEP 1: how to run Linux on Windows PC
There are many variants of Linux OS, but to keep the things really simple I will refer here entirely to the most popular variant of Linux: Ubuntu.
Windows users have three common ways to run Ubuntu on their Windows PC:
OPTION 1: installing Ubuntu permanently (my personal preference)
Pros: you will gain Ubuntu OS besides Windows and possibility for dual-boot. Reboot between Windows and Ubuntu takes about 1 minute. Full functionality of both operating systems.
Cons: in very seldom cases the installation of Ubuntu doesn't work flawless and if Ubuntu gets installed on the same HDD, Windows OS can get partly damaged or unusable, or has to be re-installed. Part of HDD memory space has to be permanently reserved for Ubuntu (min. 10GB recommended) and won't be accessible from Windows anymore.
OPTION 2: running Ubuntu from bootable live-CD
Pros: Ubuntu won't get physically installed, it runs 100% virtually from bootable live-CD and uses only RAM of the PC. People who don't desire to install Ubuntu permanently will have no changes on their PSs. No potential risks due to unsuccessful installation. In general, works with most of the computers.
Cons: No data or settings can get permanently saved in Ubuntu, especially Linux novices will have to learn quickly about setting the permissions: each time again after restarting Ubuntu session from the live-CD. Ubuntu is considerably slower this way.
OPTION 3: running Ubuntu from VirtualBox (in your Windows OS)
Pros: easy way to run Ubuntu directly from Windows in kind of "sandbox"
Cons: doesn't work well with some PCs
STEP 2: INSTALLING FASTBOOT & ADB IN UBUNTU
Now when your Linux OS is working, we can finally go for it!
Make sure to have internet connection
open the Software Center in Ubuntu
install openjdk-7-jdk
install Eclipse
download adt-bundle for your respective OS (32-bit or 64-bit version) from http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
extract the folder and paste the extracted folder to prefered folder and rename it to your prefered folder name
run the Terminal and navigate (cd) to the unzipped folder into "platform-tools"
Example for novices: I have pasted my extracted adt-bundle folder under "Home" and renamed it to "SDK", so I have to navigate to my platform-tools this way:
Code:
cd /home/tetakpatak/SDK/sdk/platform-tools
After this, you should be able to execute all the ADB and fastboot commands
Now just mind to paste all the files you desire to flash or push or sideload into your "platform-tools" folder!
Happy flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DOWNLOAD LINKS
Ubuntu OS: DOWNLOAD HERE
Virtual Box: DOWNLOAD HERE
Warning: VirtualBox supports only the 32-bit version of Ubuntu, so also owners of 64-bit PC-systems should make sure to download the 32-bit version of Ubuntu, and not the 64-bit version!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND USEFUL LINKS
Checklist for ADB:
for using in Android OS make sure to enable USB debugging under "developer options"
ADB works in Android OS and in the recovery mode, but not in the bootloader mode
make always sure at the very beginning that your ADB connection works by typing "adb devices" (the response must include a serial number on the left and "device" right after it!)
Basics about ADB: check for example this excellent ADB guide
Checklist for fastboot:
fastboot commands can be executed only in bootloader mode
fastboot commands will work also if USB debugging was disabled
make always sure at the very beginning that your fastboot connection works by typing "fastboot devices" (the response must include a serial number on the left and "fastboot" right after it!)
by using fastboot for the first time on a PC or Android device, never start with bootloader flashing! Missmatched bootloader flashing can hard-brick the device. Rather first execute "fastboot reboot-bootloader" and try to flash a kernel or recovery to make sure flashing commands are working and the connection is established.
Flashing with fastboot (example Nexus 7 v2012): check this excellent guide by @comminus
My self made video of flashing a full factory image with manually done fastboot commands in real time (example Nexus 7 v2012):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please use "thanks" button beyond my posts if you find this guide useful. I've spent my time to help you, who read this.

TROUBLESHOOTING:
Occasionally, the device's storage doesn't get recognized in Ubuntu (something like MTP Camera error, can't mount camera, or so). The source of this problem is, that Ubuntu 12.04 doesn't support MTP natively yet, hopefully 13.04 will do.
This is the solution that should work with Ubuntu 12.04, enter in Ubuntu Terminal following:
Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:langdalepl/gvfs-mtp
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gvfs
restart your PC, now everything should work (enable USB debugging if it doesn't)
If this method wasn't successful, you can try alternatively to do the same thing with these two repos:
Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/unstable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install go-mtpfs
After the last command just reboot the PC
Also this repo could work:
Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:langdalepl/gvfs-mtp
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
If none of both repos works and you want to uninstall both of them, just enter:
Code:
sudo ppa-purge ppa:webupd8team/unstable
sudo ppa-purge ppa:langdalepl/gvfs-mtp

great tutorial!
tetakpatak said:
reserved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey brother, great tutorial...
I know this will help so many people in the future and i love to see anything linux based! I have been using linux/bsd based operating systems for years and i love the way linux and android work together!
Take care my friend and thanks again for all of the hard work.
-droidshadow

You can also put your computer in test mode which bypasses msm kernel mode code signing policy. This will enable the ability to install the drivers needed. From the administration profile on your PC open a command prompt and type
Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
Then restart your computer.
Edit: This is for Windows 7 X64 and Windows 8 users alike.
Sent from my Nexus 7 Flo running CM 11 4.4.2 with ElementalX Kernel using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I keep getting a keyserver error when entering first command.

Got it to install the problem I see now is with java

Steve One said:
I keep getting a keyserver error when entering first command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which Linux version do you use?
tetakpatalked from Nexus 7 flo

tetakpatak said:
Which Linux version do you use?
tetakpatalked from Nexus 7 flo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mint15

Here's another shot

Steve One said:
Here's another shot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please google a bit, I think you need another repo for Mint 15, I think I saw it somewhere in www last week. Sorry, I can't research right now until end of week.
tetakpatalked from P5110

tetakpatak said:
Please google a bit, I think you need another repo for Mint 15, I think I saw it somewhere in www last week. Sorry, I can't research right now until end of week.
tetakpatalked from P5110
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm truly stumped went from Windows Vista to all Linux to be able to use adb and still can't get it to recognize my device.
I installed the java 7 sdk but it still doesn't recognize my device..........guess I will try to get a Petra CD don't know what else to do ha ha and I thought this was the easy way to get adb to work. Thank you for your help kind Sir.

Steve One said:
I'm truly stumped went from Windows Vista to all Linux to be able to use adb and still can't get it to recognize my device.
I installed the java 7 sdk but it still doesn't recognize my device..........guess I will try to get a Petra CD don't know what else to do ha ha and I thought this was the easy way to get adb to work. Thank you for your help kind Sir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should definitely work with Ubuntu versions 10. 11. and 12.04 even without extra installing Java. I didn't try it with other Linux versions.
Which Linux did you install? Did you enable USB debugging?
Check in www as there are different repos available for ADB and fastboot.

Opening post updated: added procedure for enabling all ADB and fastboot functions in Ubuntu, for the short way with enabling fastboot only doesn't work with every Ubuntu version.
tetakpatalked from the legendary i9000