Develop Bugs

What does a kernal do exactly?

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding how this works, but I don't understand what a kernel does. I recently installed the Franco kernal Milestone 2 onto my Android Revolution 3.0 ROM. I thought it would add new options to my device or something based on the description of the kernel, but I feel as if nothing changed...
Would anyone be kind enough to explain how these things work?

To put it as simply as I can, and the way I understand it (correct me if I am wrong anyone).. A kernel is the code between the ROM and the actual phone hardware itself, so in order for your firmware to communicate with your device hardware, it uses this middleman known as a kernel.

The easiest way to explain it is to say the kernel is like the brain for Android while the ROM is it's body. It's the core part of any operating system that is responsible for the most basic tasks such as turning on and off LEDs, charging the battery, distributing processor time to different apps/processes, etc.
You can find more about their differences @
ROM-VS-Kernel

xHausx said:
The easiest way to explain it is to say the kernel is like the brain for Android while the ROM is it's body. It's the core part of any operating system that is responsible for the most basic tasks such as turning on and off LEDs, charging the battery, distributing processor time to different apps/processes, etc.
You can find more about their differences @
ROM-VS-Kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A kernel is the ECU in a car.
The rest is the OS

I should be able to answer this myself since I just took a class that covered the basics of computing last semester, but despite the dozens of pages of notes, I can't. So... Wikipedia:
In computing, the kernel is the main component of most computer operating systems; it is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. The kernel's responsibilities include managing the system's resources (the communication between hardware and software components)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(computing)
Which explains why you would flash a kernel that improves battery life (resource and power management) and/or increasing the processor's clock speed.

The Linux kernel handles the process sharing (multitasking), resource management and using device drivers abstracting the hardware from the applications.
A user program might address memory, but this is in a virtual address space. The kernel uses memory management to map this to physical memory (and maybe swap it out if other programs need to run).
(The kernel is in the middle (like the kernel of a nut). It is surrounded by the shell (like a nut!) )
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Ah, aha! Thank you! So basically I have to read the description of the kernel and what it does before I install it, because the things it changes aren't actually options? This makes more sense now. Thanks for the help everyone!

Luuthian said:
Ah, aha! Thank you! So basically I have to read the description of the kernel and what it does before I install it, because the things it changes aren't actually options? This makes more sense now. Thanks for the help everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Franco lets you change options through his app...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.franco.kernel
Or if you're running a custom rom, many of these options are changeable in the "performance" section of the rom settings.

Does the Kernal have anything to do with the radio function? Reception?

Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus via XDA Premium

ÜBER™ said:
Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus via XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

keving75 said:
Does the Kernal have anything to do with the radio function? Reception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake.
Does the Kernel affect the radio function? What about GPS lock?

Luuthian said:
Sorry if I'm misunderstanding how this works, but I don't understand what a kernel does. I recently installed the Franco kernal Milestone 2 onto my Android Revolution 3.0 ROM. I thought it would add new options to my device or something based on the description of the kernel, but I feel as if nothing changed...
Would anyone be kind enough to explain how these things work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest milestone its 3 and this speaks by itself :
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I also would have accepted colonel sorcerer.

Result from My Experiences With CyanogenMod 10 Alpha6

Hey guys.. Maybe I'm new in Android platform. But Linux is my expert as a contributor of Backtrack 5 in Indonesia. It's been 3 months, since I have an Android phone. Yes, my first Android phone is Samsung Galaxy W. So let's see what are the results of my experiences on CyanogenMod.
1st Month:
1. Successfully rooted my device.
2. Successfully install CM Alpha2.
3. Hard Brick because using Swapper2
4. Successfully Revive My Phone by brought it to Service Center (It's free, since I never mention 'brick' and 'root' words)
2nd Month:
1. So I decide to install CM Alpha2 again.
2. Set amount of ZRam Compression will allow you to gain a swap file. Swap file space depend on how much you compress it.
3. Kernel 3.0 didn't support swap file anymore, anyway, changing ZRam compression will affect on antutu benchmark score. Disabling ZRam compression will make higher score.
3rd Month
1. Finally, I choose to pick CM 10 Alpha 4.1 Kernel 2.6. On fresh install, you'll get 62XX score on antutu benchmark. It pretty cool since using stock ROM will get 32XX score on antutu bencmark!
2. Today, I try to overclock my CPU using this patch
3. And Adrenaline Engine
4. Also Unlimited Boost and Seeder.
5. I set my phone using SmartAssV2 Governor with freq between 245 MHz - 1804 MHz, Deadline I/O Scheduler, also without ZRam Compression.
The result is.... I Got 6600 on Antutu Benchmark..
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If you've got better result than mine, could you share with us?? Any question will be answered here..
:highfive:

Meh, Antutu -- and other synthetic benchmarks -- are meaningless numbers
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app

yep,, i dont believe in that too,,, i only got 5500 in benchmarking,, yet i can play nba2k13 ,, six guns by gameloft,, temple run 2,, subway surfers,, gta vice city,, NFS MW, NFS HP, nba jam,riptide gp,, pes 11/12 without lags...
and its doesnt reboot

omegahanggara said:
Hey guys.. Maybe I'm new in Android platform. But Linux is my expert as a contributor of Backtrack 5 in Indonesia. It's been 3 months, since I have an Android phone. Yes, my first Android phone is Samsung Galaxy W. So let's see what are the results of my experiences on CyanogenMod.
1st Month:
1. Successfully rooted my device.
2. Successfully install CM Alpha2.
3. Hard Brick because using Swapper2
4. Successfully Revive My Phone by brought it to Service Center (It's free, since I never mention 'brick' and 'root' words)
2nd Month:
1. So I decide to install CM Alpha2 again.
2. Set amount of ZRam Compression will allow you to gain a swap file. Swap file space depend on how much you compress it.
3. Kernel 3.0 didn't support swap file anymore, anyway, changing ZRam compression will affect on antutu benchmark score. Disabling ZRam compression will make higher score.
3rd Month
1. Finally, I choose to pick CM 10 Alpha 4.1 Kernel 2.6. On fresh install, you'll get 62XX score on antutu benchmark. It pretty cool since using stock ROM will get 32XX score on antutu bencmark!
2. Today, I try to overclock my CPU using this patch
3. And Adrenaline Engine
4. Also Unlimited Boost and Seeder.
5. I set my phone using SmartAssV2 Governor with freq between 245 MHz - 1804 MHz, Deadline I/O Scheduler, also without ZRam Compression.
The result is.... I Got 6600 on Antutu Benchmark..
If you've got better result than mine, could you share with us?? Any question will be answered here..
:highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there any other bugs for CM10,cause have a bad experience of using CM10 on my phone before..now choose to use CM9 rather than CM10.

1. Please, for the love of all things holy, DO NOT quote the whole OP, especially if it's lengthy like this one's.
2. For bugs & other discussions pertaining CM10, there's a thread for that.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app

i did used CM10 before and tested relevant with benchmarking tools,never manage to get scores that more than 4k..don't know whats wrong,mine using sandisk 32gb UHS-1 memory card..so is the version of CM10 matters or what personally matters?

great story and partially it's so funny :laugh:

[APP][GS3 Int] Trickster MOD [Kernel Settings and Tweaks]

Trickster MOD app is a tweaking tool to change various settings included in your kernel and other tweaks to your phone. It was made by me and my friend.
From now, GS3 Int (m0) is official supported
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Screenshots and more information at links below.
Links
Google Play Store
AndroidPIT
Donate
Website​If you like the app please rate it 5 stars and if you can, please donate.
Feature requests
Please post & vote features on our feedback site. So we can keep track of them
Bug Report
Please read the FAQ at our website before reporting any problem
If the FAQ does not help, use the Bug Report feature in our app & reference your ID here (the number in the mail subject).
Credits:
- Google
- Our great kernel devs
- grilledbacon for your beautiful icon
- Beta testers and translators for your contributions
- Anyone that helped us in some way
Disclaimer: This is provided with NO GUARANTY whatsoever. Use your common sense.

Awesome App.
Bought for your support the Donate Key! Keep up the good work!

Hi there, it's time for beta test. We bring many features of GS3 on TricksterMOD,
You can download here
Quick Changelog:
Add Exynos cpu temp reader (tested on i9300)
Add i9300 support for kernel backup/restore (donate)
Add i9300 screen calibration, GPU, Scoobydoo sound, Bus Freq, charging and other tweaks (tested on Siyah and Perseus kernels)
Add back busybox into the app
Add BLN/BLD support for some older Galaxy phone and Nexus S
Some refactoring and internal fixes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ability to change amount of ZRam and Swappiness level would be nice.
Brutally murdering someone I met on XDA with a sharpened iPhone and some semtex butt plugs just because they asked me to using Tapatalk 2

Downloaded and testing now. Will report any bugs found. Thank you for sharing your work!
By the way, the screen calibration settings only apply to perseus kernel or are there any other kernels that allows this feature to be adjusted via your app?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

troyjamz said:
Downloaded and testing now. Will report any bugs found. Thank you for sharing your work!
By the way, the screen calibration settings only apply to perseus kernel or are there any other kernels that allows this feature to be adjusted via your app?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work with any kernel with the same patch, in any case I have only seen Perseus that has it.

cool to see you working for s3 will test it , good luck

The latest stable version of Trickster MOD has been released with GS3 support https://plus.google.com/u/0/116709542966452959662/posts/VYrH9DRss2b

Hi. May I ask something? How do the values get aplied ? Does the app write a script to init.d or does they get aplied at startup though the app ?
I ask because I use STweaks for most of the settings and only change governor settings with this app because STweak don't give me full controll and now I ask myselfe if they interfere somehow ?
Thank you!

DirkStorck said:
Hi. May I ask something? How do the values get aplied ? Does the app write a script to init.d or does they get aplied at startup though the app ?
I ask because I use STweaks for most of the settings and only change governor settings with this app because STweak don't give me full controll and now I ask myselfe if they interfere somehow ?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's applied through the app at startup. So it will get conflicted with STweak or other apps. I will update the app for GS3 but that is until I can find time and manage to borrow a GS3 so I don't know when.

bigeyes0x0 said:
It's applied through the app at startup. So it will get conflicted with STweak or other apps. I will update the app for GS3 but that is until I can find time and manage to borrow a GS3 so I don't know when.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But isn't STweaks get applied earlier that Trickster MOD?

Trickster seems to have a problem when applying settings regarding master sequence and other screen calibration settings.

+1 chroma setting turns off by itself

We can only fix stuffs if we have a GS3 and unfortunately we can only borrow one again sometimes in September, so things will have to wait. Sorry.

Settings apply on every reboot?

We're going to close individual device thread to consolidate our app thread into one at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28659480 , please go there if you need to discuss anything related to our app.

Nokia x ram increase

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Your phone’s RAM is a very essential component which plays a vital role in the speed and the performance. if you have more RAM, it means the processor have more storage capacity to process more and more temporary functioning files, and hence it can freely work which ensures the device is fast enough. But if your RAM is low, the processing power of the device is affected. Like if you have a low RAM< you won’t be able to play high end games on your Android Smartphone, or even ti might lag while doing simple tasks such as seeing a video, typing a text etc. So if you are suffering from low RAM, and want to get rid, you are at the right place. By reading this post you will be able to know how could I increase the RAM
ROEHSOFT RAM EXPANDER :
This RAM expander app is one of the best app available in the play store which allows you to easily increase the RAM of your Android smartphone. So let’s begin with the process toincrease RAM using ROEHSOFT RAM EXPANDER. Have a look at some of the features of this app to increase RAM of your device.
Swap memory file upto 4 GB ( In simple words it can increase ram by 4 GB depending on your device and memory card too)
Widget for PNP swap
Detailed analysis of your memory and details about it
Swappiness kernel parameter already set.
Very easy to use and create swap file and really simple interface
It will work with most of the Android devices.
Pre-requisites :[/COLOR]
Here is a list of things we will need before starting the process to increase RAM.
A rooted android phone, so if you haven’t yet rooted your phone first root your device as this method only works with root access to your device.
ROEHSOFT RAM EXPANDER app, you can get this app from play store but you need to know that this is not a free app. (though you can number of apk files for this app but most of them won’t work due to license issues but you can try them, if they worked it will be your luck ).
An external memory SD card installed on your phone.
How to Use ROEHSOFT RAM Expander :
So file the steps below to increase the RAM of your Android smartphone now.
Install the app on nokia x to increase RAM
Now after installing the app choose your default language.
Now to increase RAM create a SWAP file by clicking on the SWAP Active and enabling it
After the process is finished just click on the grey colored box and activate the swap file created.
Congratulations you have successfully increased the RAM of your Android smartphone.
This increased ram will not show in the task manager but you can feel the change with the overall performance of the device which seems to be boost up. If you already have a decent ram them got might need to run some very heavy game to know the difference in performance. So I hope this post helped you in increasing the RAM of your Android smartphone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2778001&stc=1&d=1401793417
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

why is this here it should be in nokia x forum

gurram prashanth said:
why is this here it should be in nokia x forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is now....

justmpm said:
It is now....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks man

gurram prashanth said:
thanks man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed this and got my device hard bricked......please do not swap....u'll get your device bricked(hard bricked).....the one who posted this must be punished....

Why people not clarifying it as someone already bricked his device on following this thread.

Just tried this with a 512 MB swap file on a rooted Nokia X with Gapps and Google Now Launcher.
Feels a bit smoother now. Had no real issues. Only SuperSU seems not to be 100% reliable when temproary setting the app to allow root access. Changed it to be permanently root. Now works fine.

why 2 gb of ram is in use wile no app is running ?

My tab s 8.4 eat a lot or ram always 2gb in use wile their is no app is running? Why is that?

a lot of apps running on background

1 GB is also reserved for vnswap

vnswap what that mean?

It's just caching.This is a part of efficient memory management and not a problem. People who think it is don't understand usually. For common tasks, storing info in RAM is more efficient. System doesn't need to get it from SD which takes longer and uses more power.
That's a pretty simplistic way to put it but you should let your OS manage memory and use that 3GB to its fullest.

texaspledge said:
It's just caching.This is a part of efficient memory management and not a problem. People who think it is don't understand usually. For common tasks, storing info in RAM is more efficient. System doesn't need to get it from SD which takes longer and uses more power.
That's a pretty simplistic way to put it but you should let your OS manage memory and use that 3GB to its fullest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Android is and was always using "empty" RAM as a file cache. How is this different and less efficient than Samsung's approach?
UpInTheAir said:
1 GB is also reserved for vnswap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reducing the amount of VNSWAP via Synapse in your kernel to 1 doesn't seem to do anything to the amount of RAM in use. So, do I something wrong or do I still don't get it?
EDIT: Sorry if my posting reads a bit harsh, it is certainly not meant that way Language barrier and stuff...

TheGoD said:
Reducing the amount of VNSWAP via Synapse in your kernel to 1 doesn't seem to do anything to the amount of RAM in use. So, do I something wrong or do I still don't get it?
EDIT: Sorry if my posting reads a bit harsh, it is certainly not meant that way Language barrier and stuff...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not supposed to.
Reading from v1.4 Change-log
synapse: Memory: VNSWAP control (1>1024 MB - Unable to disable (reset) / set size to 0 yet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does change the size of the VNSWAP but doesn't reclaim the reserved RAM yet. Need to find a way as I quoted. I don't want to disable it fully in compile, i want to have tweakable options
Anyway, is OT from OP question and instead kernel development related.

rowihel2012 said:
My tab s 8.4 eat a lot or ram always 2gb in use wile their is no app is running? Why is that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's probably some rogue app.. Go to Settings --> Application Manager and "Running Application" to see what's running int he background. But if it does not slow down your tablet, it should be fine. Just like my Mac, it uses tons of memory but OSX have such great memory management that my Mac still runs well.
TheGoD said:
Well, Android is and was always using "empty" RAM as a file cache. How is this different and less efficient than Samsung's approach?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? That doesn't make sense at all. Android doesn't do that, it's probably more of rogue app. See https://developer.android.com/tools/debugging/debugging-memory.html

great,now my tablet plays rogue on its own...lol
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texaspledge said:
It's just caching.This is a part of efficient memory management and not a problem. People who think it is don't understand usually. For common tasks, storing info in RAM is more efficient. System doesn't need to get it from SD which takes longer and uses more power.
That's a pretty simplistic way to put it but you should let your OS manage memory and use that 3GB to its fullest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said. Every android device I get has a thread with people complain about ram usage. Android is based on Linux. Unlike Windows, Linux uses as much ram as possible all of the time to run smoother.
http://www.linuxatemyram.com/