Related
Hi!
As with Galaxy S2, I have ported the u-boot bootloader to the Galaxy Nexus. It can be chainloaded from samsung bootloader (loaded instead of linux kernel) safely.
It could be useful to have multiple ROMs on one device or test other OS like Ubuntu or Genode.
Detailed installation guide is available at Ksys Labs LLC wiki http://ksyslabs.org/doku.php?id=gnex_uboot .I'll just copy-paste it here
Happy hacking and don't forget to visit our wiki at http://ksyslabs.org !
===== Rationale ======
There were a couple reasons to port u-boot to Galaxy Nexus
* Security: we cannot trust the proprietary samsung bootloader
* Implementing dual-boot for original and custom firmware
* Booting Genode operating system
===== Demo =====
===== Compilation from source =====
Source code is in https://github.com/Ksys-labs/uboot-tuna
There exist two branches of interest
* master - contains the official stable releases. may be force-pushed and rebased, beware
* tuna-fosdem-hacks contains the u-boot that was used for FOSDEM 2013 to demo booting Genode
To compile, you need to have the ARM cross-compiler. I recommend codesourcery 2010q1-188 because that's what I'm using and some users reported that newer compilers produce broken binaries.
There are two ways to use the u-boot. One is flashing it instead of the Samsung SBL bootloader. The other one is chainloading it from the SBL.
Flashing instead of SBL has the following advantages
* Faster boot time than chainloading
* Ability to use the standard partitioning layout
There is a number of issues and therefore we do not recommend flashing it instead of SBL
* No Fastboot support (preliminary USB RNDIS and DHCP BOOTP support is available), you'll have to use OMAPFlash to restore the device if you flash a non-working kernel
* No display initialization. You'll have to disable the "Check for Bootloader initialization" option in kernel config
By default, the chainloaded version is compiled. It is loaded (by the SBL) to the address **0x81808000**.
If you want to build the SBL replacement version, edit the **include/configs/omap4_tuna.h** file and uncomment the **#define TUNA_SPL_BUILD** line. X-loader loads the bootloader to the address **0xa0208000**.
Code:
export PATH=/home/alexander/handhelds/armv6/codesourcery/bin:$PATH
export ARCH=arm
export CROSS_COMPILE=arm-none-eabi-
U_BOARD=omap4_tuna
make clean
make distclean
make ${U_BOARD}_config
make -j8 ${U_BOARD}
mkbootimg --kernel u-boot.bin --ramdisk /dev/null -o u-boot.aimg
===== Installation =====
==== Chainloaded Mode ====
You'll need the root access to your device.
You can take the prebuilt u-boot here. http://ksyslabs.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img
The u-boot has the support for android boot images. When flashed instead of the SBL, it boots the kernel off the "Boot" partition. When chainloaded, it looks for the kernel in **/system/boot/vmlinux.uimg** . Additionally, it first looks for the **/system/boot/boot.scr.uimg** so you can put custom commands there and override the kernel image.
It also supports booting custom images from **/sdcard/boot/vmlinux.uimg** and **/sdcard/boot/boot.scr.uimg**
If you need larger images, I suggest that you use the **tuna-fosdem-hacks** branch, format the cache partition to ext2 and put the files to **/cache/media/boot/**
push the files to your device via adb
Code:
adb push gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img /sdcard/
adb hell
now, in the device shell, do the following
Code:
su
cat /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot > /sdcard/vmlinux.uimg
mount -o remount,rw /system
mkdir /system/boot
cp /sdcard/vmlinux.uimg /system/boot/
cat /sdcard/gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img > /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot
sync
reboot
Instead of installing gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img via dd, you can use fastboot
Code:
fastboot flash:raw boot u-boot.img
===== Replacing samsung bootloader =====
OMAP4 devices cannot be bricked completely because the CPU has a firmware loader in the OTP (one-time programmable) memory. When the device is powered, it tries booting from USB.
Make sure to have an old version of x-loader (PRIMEKK14) because newer ones have the security hole which allowed booting unsigned bootloaders fixed. The installation procedure is roughly the same, but use **sbl** partition. And also install xloader from http://ksyslabs.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gnex-xloader-working.img
Code:
adb push gnex-xloader-working.img /sdcard/
Code:
cat /sdcard/gnex-xloader-working.img > /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/xloader
There exists a Samsung recovery tool which can unbrick the devices with corrupted xloader/SBL. You will need a computer running Windows XP.
Search the internet for the archive named "OMAPFlash_tuna.zip" which has md5 "ddbf07a1d36b044c40af5788a83b5395". We cannot upload it here because of the unclear license status.
===== Making images =====
You can either use Android's mkbootimg to produce ANDROID! type images (not recommended) or u-boot's mkimage (in the u-boot tools directory) to make boot images. Using ANDROID! format is discouraged because the loader code in the u-boot is buggy and may fail in some corner cases such as large images.
==== making a custom boot image ====
Code:
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x80008000 -e 0x80008000 -n linux -d zImage vmlinux.uimg
#alternatively, just do that when compiling linux
#do not forget to add mkimage to your PATH variable
make uImage
==== making a custom boot script ====
Code:
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0x84000000 -e 0x84000000 -n android -d boot.scr boot.scr.uimg
===== Booting Modes =====
The bootloader supports several boot modes. Each boot mode is indicated by the color of the LED and activated by a combination of hardware buttons. It also supports the Android "reboot to recovery" and "reboot to bootloader" features
* Normal Boot -> no keys are pressed, cyan LED
* Recovery Boot -> Volume Up key pressed, green LED
* Custom Boot -> Volume Down key pressed, blue LED
* USB RNDIS mode -> both Volume keys pressed, purple LED
===== Pitfalls =====
* No Fastboot or DFU (RNDIS BOOTP is untested) -> not a big deal if you're chainloading, right?
* Serial number is always 0123456789abcdef or sth like that. Anyone to fix that?
* UART support is quirky. The device will likely hang if booted with the UART cable. Workaround: boot without the UART cable and plug right after the purple LED flashes.
===== A sample boot script for android =====
Make a boot.scr.uimg from it and push it to the correct location.
Code:
setenv bootargs "mem=1G vmalloc=768M omap_wdt.timer_margin=30 mms_ts.panel_id=18
no_console_suspend console=ttyFIQ0";
setenv loaddaddr 0x82000000;
setenv devtype mmc;
setenv devnum 0;
setenv kernel_part 0xc;
setenv kernel_name /media/boot/vmlinux.uimg;
echo Load Address: ${loaddaddr};
echo cmdline:${bootargs};
if ext4load ${devtype} ${devnum}:${kernel_part} ${loaddaddr} ${kernel_name}; then
bootm ${loaddaddr};
exit 0;
elif ext2load ${devtype} ${devnum}:${kernel_part} ${loaddaddr} ${kernel_name}; then
bootm ${loaddaddr};
exit 0;
else
echo failed to boot custom image;
fi
Nice!
Before there actually wasn't any dual boot stuff for Nexus but now there is really much....
I will laugh if someone ports still another dual boot loader to Nexus, E.g BootiQi dual boot loader or what it is..., (for Jét it is JétQi) but I don't remember the original dual boot files names...
Any toro support?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
saber.srod said:
Any toro support?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may try it out. It is flashed instead of kernel, not overwriting the bootloader, so should be safe. As we don't have any Toro devices, we're not particularly interested in providing support for them unless someone steps up with a patch
Also, make sure to have an old version of x-loader (PRIMEKK14) because newer ones have the security hole which allowed booting unsigned bootloaders fixed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have PRIMEKK14 file?
cause I couldn't find it on this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1587498
or this one is PRIMEKK14?
http://ksyslabs.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gnex-xloader-working.img
any enlightenment please?
savantist said:
do you have PRIMEKK14 file?
cause I couldn't find it on this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1587498
or this one is PRIMEKK14?
http://ksyslabs.org/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gnex-xloader-working.img
any enlightenment please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The latter one is the one I'm using on my phone so it should work.
sp3dev said:
The latter one is the one I'm using on my phone so it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanna use the chainloaded method, so first thing I should do is fastboot-ing that .img just like another bootloader file? then chainload the u-boot file?
but it looks like I'm replacing samsung SBL (replacing SBL method) if I do that, doesn't it?
savantist said:
I wanna use the chainloaded method, so first thing I should do is fastboot-ing that .img just like another bootloader file? then chainload the u-boot file?
but it looks like I'm replacing samsung SBL (replacing SBL method) if I do that, doesn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can actually fastboot it via
"fastboot flash:raw boot u-boot.img"
and no, you don't need to mess with xloader for chainloading
sp3dev said:
Yes, you can actually fastboot it via
"fastboot flash:raw boot u-boot.img"
and no, you don't need to mess with xloader for chainloading
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so it's ok to do chainloading in PRIMELC03 bootloader? If yes, I'm success...
finally "The Great Sp3dev"
nice work like always,
playing with it now,let's see where it goes
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
sp3dev said:
The latter one is the one I'm using on my phone so it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah, I bricked my phone with your gnex-xloader-working using following script... It is only 128K. Is that right?
Code:
cat /sdcard/gnex-xloader-working.img > /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/xloader
Is PRIMEKK14 bootloader the only one to work since we only have http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1587498 this thread for bootloader and there's no flashable version of PRIMEKK14?
I use OMAPFlash to save it having PRIMEKK15 bootloader and I do not have the courage to do it again...
dlhxr said:
ah, I bricked my phone with your gnex-xloader-working using following script... It is only 128K. Is that right?
Code:
cat /sdcard/gnex-xloader-working.img > /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/xloader
Is PRIMEKK14 bootloader the only one to work since we only have http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1587498 this thread for bootloader and there's no flashable version of PRIMEKK14?
I use OMAPFlash to save it having PRIMEKK15 bootloader and I do not have the courage to do it again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well, I specially edited the post so that chainloaded users don't flash loader. You only need the xloaded if you flash u-boot instead of SBL. Otherwise, treat u-boot just as linux kernel.
As for replacing bootloader, I guess PRIMEKK15 should also work, I just didn't notice when the security check was introduced. Yeah, use OMAPFlash to recover anyway. And note that you cannot use my precompiled u-boot to replace SBL. As written in the beginning of the post, you need to change a define in config and recompile because the load address and partition layout are different for chainloading and direct booting cases.
Very nice! Keep the good work up! :good:
sp3dev said:
Oh well, I specially edited the post so that chainloaded users don't flash loader. You only need the xloaded if you flash u-boot instead of SBL. Otherwise, treat u-boot just as linux kernel.
As for replacing bootloader, I guess PRIMEKK15 should also work, I just didn't notice when the security check was introduced. Yeah, use OMAPFlash to recover anyway. And note that you cannot use my precompiled u-boot to replace SBL. As written in the beginning of the post, you need to change a define in config and recompile because the load address and partition layout are different for chainloading and direct booting cases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some feedback here. I flashed u-boot to boot partition and save the original boot image to /system/boot/vmlinux.uimg.
Without any key pressed it shows
Code:
Wrong Image Format for boot command
Error: can't get kernel image!
Not booting xxxxxxxxx
Fail to boot
The characters on the screen does not show well and some of them can't be recognized....
When I press the volume up, it boot into recovery.
When I press the volume down, it shows
Code:
File not found /media/boot/vmlinux.uimg
Unrecognized filesystem type
Fail to boot
Something is wrong with my procedure?
Another small question. I want to make a zip to flash the U-boot, but always failed. I have to use fastboot command to flash gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img to boot.img.
What is in my updater-script.
Code:
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/system", "/system");
package_extract_file("gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img", "/tmp/gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img");
package_extract_file("META-INF/com/google/android/switch_boot.sh", "/tmp/switch_boot.sh");
set_perm(0, 0, 0777, "/tmp/switch_boot.sh");
run_program("/tmp/switch_boot.sh");
set_perm(0, 0, 0777, "/system/boot/vmlinux.uimg");
unmount("/system");
What is in my switch_boot.sh
Code:
#!/sbin/sh
cat /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot > /tmp/vmlinux.uimg
mkdir /system/boot
cp /tmp/vmlinux.uimg /system/boot/
cat /tmp/gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot
It seems the last line doesn't work...
Code:
cat /tmp/gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot
If I use the following command in updater-script,
Code:
package_extract_file("gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img", "/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot");
The device enters bootloader directly showing no boot image after reboot....
dlhxr said:
If I use the following command in updater-script,
Code:
package_extract_file("gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img", "/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/boot");
The device enters bootloader directly showing no boot image after reboot....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because SBL expects the boot partition to contain the image in ANDROID! format. It creates the image itself when you flash via fastboot with the ":raw" suffix.
Try that
Code:
mkbootimg --kernel gnex-uboot-chainloaded.img --ramdisk /dev/null -o u-boot.aimg
Not sure why the original boot image didn't work for you. Are you copying the boot.img to vmlinux.uimg or the raw zImage? you should do the former, the u-boot expects either the "ANDROID!" image or the one made with mkimage.
If anything, you could try repacking the boot image yourself or try mine to see if it boots (it's for jb 4.1.1 though)
http://rghost.ru/44686398
chainloading method, in fact it works on PRIMELC03 too...
btw,
if I flash the xloader (replacing bootloader method), then how am I gonna back to original samsung bootloader/PRIMELC03 since there isn't fastboot support in your u-boot bootloader?
using odin? or omapflash? :crying:
thanks.
savantist said:
chainloading method, in fact it works on PRIMELC03 too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, I probably didn't make it clear enough. chainloading works with any bootloader and is safe.
savantist said:
btw,
if I flash the xloader (replacing bootloader method), then how am I gonna back to original samsung bootloader/PRIMELC03 since there isn't fastboot support in your u-boot bootloader?
using odin? or omapflash? :crying:
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you can boot android or recovery, thenuse dd it to /dev/block/blah-blah-blah, otherwise - omapflash.
sp3dev said:
ok, I probably didn't make it clear enough. chainloading works with any bootloader and is safe.
if you can boot android or recovery, thenuse dd it to /dev/block/blah-blah-blah, otherwise - omapflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wrote it on wrong part on first page yesterday, makes me little bit confused, but it's corrected now...
but to do "replacing bootloader method", one should flash PRIMEKK14 or PRIMEKK15 bootloader before, right?
wow... omapflash...
savantist said:
you wrote it on wrong part on first page yesterday, makes me little bit confused, but it's corrected now...
but to do "replacing bootloader method", one should flash PRIMEKK14 or PRIMEKK15 bootloader before, right?
wow... omapflash...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, some bootloaders after PRIMEKK may work, but I have not tested and we had some new phones with the recent firmware versions from stock, and u-boot failed to work there until xloader was downgraded
Located in /dev/block, may be useful
Code:
mmcblk0p1 -> /xloader
mmcblk0p2 -> /round (-empty-)
mmcblk0p3 -> /nvme
mmcblk0p4 -> /misc
mmcblk0p5 -> /splash (-empty-)
mmcblk0p6 -> /oeminfo
mmcblk0p7 -> /reserved1 (-empty-)
mmcblk0p8 -> /reserved2 (-empty-)
mmcblk0p9 -> /splash2
mmcblk0p10 -> /recovery2 (-empty-)
mmcblk0p11 -> /recovery
mmcblk0p12 -> /boot
mmcblk0p13 -> /modemimage
mmcblk0p14 -> /modemnvm
mmcblk0p15 -> /modemnvm2
mmcblk0p16 -> /system
mmcblk0p17 -> /cache
mmcblk0p18 -> /cust
mmcblk0p19 -> /userdata
I took this info opening the direct accesses in /dev/block/platform/hi_mci.1/by-name
To extract the boot or recovery img with dd:
Code:
adb shell
su
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p11 of=/sdcard/recovery.img
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p12 of=/sdcard/boot.img
TheProd said:
To extract the boot or recovery img with dd:
Code:
adb shell
su
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p11 of=/sdcard/recovery.img
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p12 of=/sdcard/boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already extracted recovery.img But i can't unpack it, i use unyaffs.exe but i get "broken image file" D:
Same with the other *.img files
Code:
BOARD_KERNEL_CMDLINE vmalloc=512M k3v2_pmem=1 mmcparts=mmcblk0:p1(xloader),p3(n
me),p4(misc),p5(splash),p6(oeminfo),p7(reserved1),p8(reserved2),p9(splash2),p10
recovery2),p11(recovery),p12(boot),p13(modemimage),p14(modemnvm1),p15(modemnvm2
,p16(system),p17(cache),p18(cust),p19(userdata);mmcblk1:p1(ext_sdcard)
BOARD_KERNEL_BASE 00000000
BOARD_PAGE_SIZE 2048
BOARD_RAMDISK_ADDR 01400000
Unpacking ramdisk to "/ramdisk/" . . .
Compression used: gzip
2085 blocks
Done!
Boot.img unpacked, K3V2 uses ARMv7 Instruction Set. Let's see if we can't get something cooking already
I unpacked recovery and boot too
Sent from my HUAWEI P6-U06 using xda app-developers app
Good show, unless your planning on beginning work on a Custom Recovery what are you going to gain by unpacking the recovery.img?
I see your working on a CM port, so wish you all the best on that. I'll be porting MIUIv5 for the Ascend P6 as I did for a few other devices, also going to have another crack at porting Flyme OS since I already ported 90% to my previous device.
Best Regards,
s89
I unpacked boot and recovery to get info for BoardConfig.mk
Ty
Sent from my HUAWEI P6-U06 using xda app-developers app
If you've already got a build environment setup you may aswel build CWM from CM sources, we have more then enough information here to proceed. Even more convenient considering you have the recovery.img unpacked. Google "Build CWM Cyanogenmod" for more info. Failing that i'll setup a build environment and do so myself tomorrow evening.
Best Regards,
s89
I'm setting up the enviroment to build CWM, i hope to get it done in a few hours, anyways, i got bad news. My laptop screen broke today, and i send it to repair tomorrow and i don't know how much time will take :/
S34Qu4K3 said:
I'm setting up the enviroment to build CWM, i hope to get it done in a few hours, anyways, i got bad news. My laptop screen broke today, and i send it to repair tomorrow and i don't know how much time will take :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aww man that's unfortunate, wishing a speedy recovery for said laptop aha. Are you continuing the build on another machine or using an external monitor for the meantime?
Best Regards,
s89
Stickman89 said:
Aww man that's unfortunate, wishing a speedy recovery for said laptop aha. Are you continuing the build on another machine or using an external monitor for the meantime?
Best Regards,
s89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got an small laptop and a pc, i have to install linux and will continue working (i think) i expect to be at least 1 week without my laptop (maybe i got it with screen broken ultil i wait the new screen)
Dam git sync, so ****ing long
Just a question, if i have in my .fstabfile the partition routes this way:
Code:
/dev/block/platform/hi_mci.1/by-name/sdcard
I have to change it to
Code:
/dev/block/mcblk....
In BoardConfig.mk or can i let it original? Looks the same for me, /dev/block/platform/hi_mci.1/by-name/ points the mcblk, i want to be sure
S34Qu4K3 said:
Just a question, if i have in my .fstabfile the partition routes this way:
Code:
/dev/block/platform/hi_mci.1/by-name/sdcard
I have to change it to
Code:
/dev/block/mcblk....
In BoardConfig.mk or can i let it original? Looks the same for me, /dev/block/platform/hi_mci.1/by-name/ points the mcblk, i want to be sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXT SDCard Mounts at:
Code:
/dev/block/mmcblk1p1
so your recovery.fstab should be setup like...
Code:
/sdcard vfat /dev/block/mmcblk1p1
So yup it needs to be changed to the second option.
I'm still syncing too... -.- ...zZzZzZzZz tired
Best Regards,
s89
Stickman89 said:
EXT SDCard Mounts at:
Code:
/dev/block/mmcblk1p1
so your recovery.fstab should be setup like...
Code:
/sdcard vfat /dev/block/mmcblk1p1
So yup it needs to be changed to the second option.
I'm still syncing too... -.- ...zZzZzZzZz tired
Best Regards,
s89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But /dev/block/platform/hi_mci.1/by-name/sdcard points to /dev/block/mmcblk1p1, so it shouldn't be necessary (i'll use /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 style, to be sure anyway)
In 4 hours, i leave my lapton in the shop, in another hour, i got it repaired (115€ D
I've built CWM from CM sources. Haven't tried it as of yet though.
Flash at your OWN risk. I will not take responsibility for any actions taken by the user in combination with the provided file... By downloading this image your accepting full liability for any issues that should arise as a result of undergoing ANY flashing/modding on YOUR device.
Removed for the time being! Do not use...
Best Regards,
s89
Stickman89 said:
I've built CWM from CM sources. Haven't tried it as of yet though.
Flash at your OWN risk. I will not take responsibility for any actions taken by the user in combination with the provided file... By downloading this image your accepting full liability for any issues that should arise as a result of undergoing ANY flashing/modding of your device.
Best Regards,
s89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My repo still 93% ;___;
Why you don't make a thread posting it??
Good job bro
We can try recoverys without flash using fastboot? Like the kernel?
S34Qu4K3 said:
My repo still 93% ;___;
Why you don't make a thread posting it??
Good job bro
We can try recoverys without flash using fastboot? Like the kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried "fastboot boot recovery.img" to no avail. The output is as follows...
Output:
Code:
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [ 0.193s]
booting...
FAILED (remote: invalid command)
finished. total time: 0.194s
As you can see... It's expecting a boot.img so this command is only available for booting ramdisk & kernel.
Stickman89 said:
I've tried "fastboot boot recovery.img" to no avail. The output is as follows...
Output:
Code:
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [ 0.193s]
booting...
FAILED (remote: invalid command)
finished. total time: 0.194s
As you can see... It's expecting a boot.img so this command is only available for booting ramdisk & kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, we have to flash it... Bad bad...D:
I tried fastboot boot recovery recovery.img but i get:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery recovery.img
cannot load 'recovery'
I don't think that command is applicable until post flash as according to cyanogenmod documentation:
Code:
Installing recovery using fastboot
You can use fastboot to install your recovery image to the device.
Installing ClockworkMod Recovery on the device
Connect the device to the computer via USB.
Make sure the fastboot binary is in your PATH or that you place the downloaded image in the same directory as fastboot.
Open a terminal on your PC and reboot the device into fastboot mode by typing adb reboot bootloader or by using the hardware key combination.
Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC sees the device by typing fastboot devices
If you don't see your device serial number, and instead see "<waiting for device>", fastboot is not configured properly on your machine. See fastboot documentation for more info.
Flash ClockworkMod Recovery onto your device by entering the following command: fastboot flash recovery your_recovery_image.img where the latter part is the name of the file you downloaded.
Once the flash completes successfully, reboot the device into recovery to verify the installation. This can be done by typing fastboot boot your_recovery_image.img.
Note: Some ROMs overwrite recovery at boot time so if you do not plan to immediately boot into recovery to install CyanogenMod, please be aware that this may overwrite your custom recovery with the stock one.
Hi all,
I'm trying to create my own system.img for the Nexus 7 2013 Wifi from the stock system.img from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images 5.0.2 LRX22G. Basically I did it the common way using the android repack tools http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2600364 and I'm also using branch android-5.0.2_r1 from the git repo.
I'm flashing with the simple:
Code:
fastboot flash system mysystem.img
The problem I'm having is, even with an unmodified tree from system.img, the image I created always get the device stuck at the boot Google logo screen. If I flash the original system.img, then it is fine, so I think my flashing part is working.
The command line I used to create the image is:
Code:
./mkuser.img.sh -s /path/to/loop_mounted_system/ mysystem.img ext4 system 880803840
which will run:
Code:
make_ext4fs -s -T -1 -l 880803840 -a system mysystem.img /path/to/loop_mounted_system/
Has anyone here actually managed to create a working system.img?
Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks!
UPDATE: Using ext2simg instead of mkuserimg.sh/make_ext4fs fixes the problem!
I wanted to create a thread so as to report any unique findings from the internet realm and my own discoveries surrounding the Vernee Apollo Phone. The aim is to bring resources together to encourage development and to release utilities and roms.
Please post your own discoveries and updates!!!
This is NOT a "Vernee Apollo Lite" nor a "Vernee Apollo X" thread even though some information maybe relevant.
Device Name and Specs
Vernee Apollo.
Device Model =K15TA_A
Official Product Website
Official Product Forum
http://www.devicespecifications.com/
Vernee Apollo - Antutu Benchmark v6.2.7.
Score 92,235.
3D: 19159
UX: 38097
CPU: 27535
RAM: 7444
Helio X25 MT6797 Family System on a Chip (SoC) Comparison
Vernee Apollo deploys a X25 MT6797T.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaTek#Octa-_and_deca-core
https://www.mediatek.com/products/smartphones/mt6797-helio-x20
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
ADB and FASTBOOT Modes
The Vernee Apollo's bootloader supports Fastboot. The Recovery mode supports the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB) . To access, perform the button sequence below. A menu will appear allowing you to cycle through option to either boot into the recovery partitio,n or to start the Fastboot service.
ADB service is also available also within the Android desktop if you enable USB Debugging in the revealed developers settings menu. You will most likely need to accept a signed key issued from the managing computer for the service to communicate!
Accessing Bootloader Menu
Buttons: [Top-Volume] + [Power-Button] for 8 Seconds.
When the phone is shutdown, hold both buttons at same time from for 8 seconds. The Bootloader menu will appear and then release buttons.
Using Bootloader Menu
Button: [Top-Volume] = Cycle selection.
Button: [Bottom-Volume] = Choose selected item.
With the high screen resolution it maybe hard to see the text-options. There should be three;
1. Recovery, (Boot into Recovery partition with ADB.)
2. Fastboot, (Start Fastboot server.)
3. Normal. (Proceed to boot normally.)
Using Recovery Mode and Menu
When you boot the Recovery partition you will be meet with a failed Android icon on the stock Vernee release rom. ADB will be accessible from here. Note: The Recover menu will cause the ADB server to fail. If you want to display the recovery menu options then perform the following during the failed Android icon screen.
Buttons: [Top-Volume] + [Power-Button] pulsing till the menu appears.
Fastboot
If you plan to develop on your Apollo or to install future community roms then it's advisable to unlock your storage partitions. Unlocking will allow you to change partitions but doing so will void software warranty clauses, and in the process scrub all your personal data from the phone so it's best to do it before installing personal content.
To unlock the phone issue the following command through Fastboot. You will be asked to confirm.
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
Engineering Mode
Enter the following phone number in Android desktop
Code:
Dial *#*#3646633#*#*
Phone Test Options
Alternatively there is a phone test mode available at low level with less options. Whilst the phone is shutdown, press the following.
Buttons: [Bottom-Volume] + [Power-Button] for 8 Seconds.
A test menu will appear and is in simplified Chinese.
SIMS
If your phone is not receiving data over 4G or 3G, Google on another computer "apn" "YOURMOBILEPHONEPROVIDER" "YOURNATION". Example;
Code:
"apn" "vodafone" "uk"
You should find links to technical settings for your data provider's access. Then enter them in by navigating to;
Settings>More>Mobile network settings>Access point names>CLICK-YOUR-LOCKED-ON-PROVIDER>THEN-CONFIRM-SETTINGS
USB
Device USB Coding
Code:
System Mode:
ID 0e8d:201d MediaTek Inc.
ADB Mode:
ID 0e8d:2008 MediaTek Inc.
Fastboot Mode
ID 0bb4:0c01 HTC (High Tech Computer Corp.) Dream / ADP1 / G1 / Magic / Tattoo
Microsoft Windows VCOM Drivers
On Microsoft systems you will need to have drivers installed so as to communicate with the Mediatek phone.
MediaTek DA USB VCOM (Android) Driver 3.0.1504.0 for Windows 7/Windows 8.1
MediaTek DA USB VCOM (Android) Driver 3.0.1504.0 for Windows 10
UART Ability?
I haven't opened the phone yet but if anyone does please capture images of the circuit board. If there are UART pins on the board it may have a root shell piped to the interface. A UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) in this sense is a device that couples serial communications port to USB to run a terminal over.
Vernee Official Rom Images & "Over The Air" Updates
Official Product Downloads/Support
VerneeX25_Recovery_OriginalStock_v1p0 (Thx to Relief66)
Download (2016-12) ROM "full_k15ta_a-ota-1482441792.zip"
Download (2017-01) ROM "full_k15ta_a-ota-1484567521.zip" (Creating .img from .dat files works!)
Download (2017-07) ROM "full_k15ta_a-ota-1499861676.zip"
Download (2017-07) OTA Patch "20170712201130-OTA.rar"
Note: "20170712201130-OTA.rar" is only designed to update "full_k15ta_a-ota-1482441792.zip" image.
Flashing Partitions
There are three main ways to flash;
1. using "Smart Phone Flash Tool",
2. Fastboot flash command,
3. via internal software like a root bash shell or routine from recovery.
Partition Table
Code:
system logical drive = 2621.44MB [= 2684354560 bytes = 5242880 x 512blocks]
recovery logical drive = 16.384MB
Scatter file from OTA
----------------------------
preloader 0x0
pgpt 0x0
recovery 0x8000
para 0x1008000
custom 0x1088000
expdb 0x13c88000
frp 0x14688000
nvcfg 0x14788000
nvdata 0x14f88000
metadata 0x16f88000
protect1 0x18f88000
protect2 0x19788000
seccfg 0x1a000000
oemkeystore 0x1a800000
proinfo 0x1aa00000
md1img 0x1ad00000
md1dsp 0x1c500000
md1arm7 0x1c900000
md3img 0x1cc00000
scp1 0x1d100000
scp2 0x1d200000
nvram 0x1d300000
lk 0x1d800000
lk2 0x1d880000
boot 0x1d900000
logo 0x1e900000
tee1 0x1f100000
tee2 0x1f600000
keystore 0x1fb00000
system 0x20800000
cache 0xc0800000
userdata 0xdb000000
flashinfo 0xFFFF0080
sgpt 0xFFFF0000
recovery.fstab
------------------
# mount point fstype device [device2]
/boot emmc boot
/cache ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p4
/data ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p5
/misc emmc misc
/recovery emmc recovery
/sdcard vfat /dev/block/mmcblk0p6
/system ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p3
live fstab via "cat /fstab.mt6797"
------------------------------------------
# 1 "vendor/mediatek/proprietary/hardware/fstab/mt6797/fstab.in"
# 1 "<built-in>"
# 1 "<命令行>"
# 1 "vendor/mediatek/proprietary/hardware/fstab/mt6797/fstab.in"
# 20 "vendor/mediatek/proprietary/hardware/fstab/mt6797/fstab.in"
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/system /system ext4 ro wait
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/userdata /data ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,noauto_da_alloc,discard wait,check,resize,encryptable=/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/metadata,
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/cache /cache ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,noauto_da_alloc,discard wait,check
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/protect1 /protect_f ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,nodelalloc wait,check,formattable
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/protect2 /protect_s ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,nodelalloc wait,check,formattable
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/nvdata /nvdata ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,noauto_da_alloc,discard wait,check,formattable
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/nvcfg /nvcfg ext4 noatime,nosuid,nodev,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,nodelalloc wait,check,formattable
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/custom /custom ext4 ro wait
/devices/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0* auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=sdcard0:auto
/devices/mtk-msdc.0/11240000.msdc1* auto auto defaults voldmanaged=sdcard1:auto,encryptable=userdata
/devices/soc/11270000.usb3_xhci* auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=usbotg:auto
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/frp /persistent emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/nvram /nvram emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/proinfo /proinfo emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/lk /bootloader emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/lk2 /bootloader2 emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/para /misc emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/boot /boot emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/recovery /recovery emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/logo /logo emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/expdb /expdb emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/seccfg /seccfg emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/tee1 /tee1 emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/tee2 /tee2 emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/scp1 /scp1 emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/scp2 /scp2 emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/md1img /md1img emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/md1dsp /md1dsp emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/md1arm7 /md1arm7 emmc defaults defaults
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/md3img /md3img emmc defaults defaults
Raw block partition label and user/group
-----------------------------------------------------
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/proinfo u:object_r:nvram_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/nvram u:object_r:nvram_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/nvdata u:object_r:nvdata_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/frp u:object_r:frp_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/expdb u:object_r:expdb_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/misc2 u:object_r:misc2_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/logo u:object_r:logo_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/para u:object_r:para_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/tee1 u:object_r:tee_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/tee2 u:object_r:tee_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/seccfg u:object_r:seccfg_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/userdata u:object_r:userdata_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/cache u:object_r:cache_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/recovery u:object_r:recovery_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/protect1 u:object_r:protect1_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/protect2 u:object_r:protect2_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/keystore u:object_r:keystore_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/oemkeystore u:object_r:oemkeystore_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/boot u:object_r:boot_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/persist u:object_r:persist_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/system u:object_r:system_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/nvcfg u:object_r:nvcfg_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/md1img u:object_r:md_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/md1dsp u:object_r:dsp_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/md1arm7 u:object_r:md_block_device:s0
/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc\.0/[0-9]+\.msdc0/by-name/md3img u:object_r:md_block_device:s0
On my rooted phone I can check the UUID of the partitions. (You may need BusyBox installed to use blkid command!).
Code:
adb shell
su
blkid
displays;
Code:
/dev/block/loop0: LABEL="iAmCdRom" TYPE="iso9660"
/dev/block/loop1: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/zram0: TYPE="swap"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p3: LABEL="custom" UUID="0f1095f4-0ece-e656-b6ac-e2ce104d5722" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p6: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p7: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p10: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p28: LABEL="system" UUID="da594c53-9beb-f85c-85c5-cedf76546f7a" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p29: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p30: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk1p1: UUID="0508-0E13" TYPE="vfat"
Modifying Partitions
Modify partitions often means Users hacking the commercial roms and that means extracting out the important files to work with. The most important blocks are the system-partition which holds the operating system, then the recovery-partition which pole vaults Users with low level tools and abilities, like startup phone root powers. Noting many modern phone root modes, deploy on the recovery-partition rather than modify the system-partition, so as to retain full compatibility and retention of abilities, when conducting "Over the Air" / OTA updates from the manufacturer.
There are two popular platforms to hack on. 1. on native Linux including the phone itself, and 2. on a Microsoft Windows platform with Linux style utilities.
To ready a partition, to then modify it, and to then save it for flashing has many steps. One should obtain the manufacturer's rom or OTA update, to seek out the latest images and files to utilise.
In this example of hacking an official rom, we will be using "full_k15ta_a-ota-1484567521.zip". Utility executables are readily available in repositories related to your Linux distribution, like AUR on Archlinux.
Linux - ACCESSING SYSTEM IMAGE TO MODIFY
1.) Extract the zip file to a new folder. The directory should be something like this structure.
Code:
.../tinysys-scp.bin
.../logo.bin
.../lk.bin
.../md1rom.img
.../system.patch.dat
.../type.txt
.../custom.new.dat
.../custom
.../custom/cip-build.prop
.../custom/app-res
.../custom/app-res/quicksearchbox-res
.../custom/app-res/quicksearchbox-res/quicksearchbox-res.apk
.../custom/app-res/android-res
.../custom/app-res/android-res/android-res.apk
.../custom/app-res/browser-res
.../custom/app-res/browser-res/browser-res.apk
.../custom/app-res/launcher3-res
.../custom/app-res/launcher3-res/launcher3-res.apk
.../custom/media
.../custom/media/audio
.../custom/media/audio/notifications
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Leaf.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Pure.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Triumph.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Vernee_n002.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/The_time_tunne.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Jump.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Whisper.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Vernee_n001.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Cuckoo.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Cleverer.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Meteor.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Bongo.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Ripples.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Whistle.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/notifications/Gift.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/ClassicAlarm.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/Waltz.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/Vernee_a001.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/GoodLuck.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/Foredawn.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/Vernee_a002.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/MorningSunShine.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/alarms/Walking_in_the_rain.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Call_of_love.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Spring.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/New_life.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Menuet.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Vernee_r004.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Heartbeat.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Vernee_r005.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Technology.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Longing.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Vernee_r002.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Vernee_r003.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Westlake.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Vernee_r001.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Progress.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Journey.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/GuitarPop.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Cloud.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/Capriccioso.ogg
.../custom/media/audio/ringtones/IceWorldPiano.ogg
.../custom/plugin
.../custom/plugin/FwkPlugin
.../custom/plugin/FwkPlugin/FwkPlugin.mpinfo
.../custom/plugin/FwkPlugin/FwkPlugin.apk
.../custom/plugin/Signatures
.../custom/plugin/Signatures/mplugin_guard.xml
.../custom/etc
.../custom/etc/resources.xml
.../custom/bootani
.../custom/bootani/shutanimation.zip
.../custom/bootani/bootanimation.zip
.../custom/customprop
.../custom/customprop/custom.prop
.../system.new.dat
.../custom.patch.dat
.../md1arm7.img
.../md3rom.img
.../preloader_k15ta_a.bin
.../md1dsp.img
.../scatter.txt
.../custom.transfer.list
.../file_contexts
.../boot.img
.../META-INF
.../META-INF/CERT.SF
.../META-INF/MANIFEST.MF
.../META-INF/CERT.RSA
.../META-INF/com
.../META-INF/com/android
.../META-INF/com/android/metadata
.../META-INF/com/android/otacert
.../META-INF/com/google
.../META-INF/com/google/android
.../META-INF/com/google/android/update-binary
.../META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script
.../trustzone.bin
.../system.transfer.list
.../sdat2img.py
2.) the images we are looking for are either the system-partition or the recovery-partition to modify. In this case there is only the system and it's held in the file "system.new.dat", a 1.6 gigabyte file. We know from the partition tables above that the system-partition is 2.6GB wide, so this image is either compressed or short. Most partitions deployed on Android for updating are compressed in what's called a sparse format.
We need to uncompress any sparse file before we can work with it or mount it, but the issue in this case is the image is also in "dat" structure, which means we need to unsparse using structured data held in "system.transfer.list". Here we use "sdat2img" executable to create the file "system_fullsize.img";
Code:
sdat2img system.transfer.list system.new.dat system_fullsize.img
Alternatively if the file was not a dat format, we could simply unsparse using;
Code:
simg2img system.img system_fullsize.img
3.) Now that we have the full image we can mount it as a file-system to tinker with it. Example of making a mount point and mounting it;
Code:
sudo mkdir /system
sudo mount -t ext4 -o loop ./system_fullsize.img /system/
You can now modify the image simply by changing the files in the directory mounted on. After changes you can save out and attempting to flash it back to the phone for your custom system.
Linux - CAPTURING THE MOUNT BACK TO AN IMAGE FILE
1.) After we have modified the mounted system-partition we need to save it back out for flashing if you want to see your changes live on the phone.
Labelling (If desired). We can name the mount to enforce block-labels. In this case the loop device was "loop0" used to mount the image. (Check which loop-device was used when performing this. eg: lsblk) Here we are going to label it "system"..
Code:
e2label /dev/loop0 system
It maybe important to set the partition UUID the same as the manufacturer uses so the the mounting process finds the correct partition to mount at boot. We know the system partitions UUID from the above discovery details;
Code:
UUID="da594c53-9beb-f85c-85c5-cedf76546f7a"
We can set the mounted image's UUID to suit the original before creating a new;
Code:
sudo tune2fs /dev/loop0 -U da594c53-9beb-f85c-85c5-cedf76546f7a
Here we capture out the device to an "ext4" format file-system image. The length option, being 2684354560 bytes. Labelling option "-a" with name "system".
Code:
sudo make_ext4fs -s -l 2684354560 -a system system_modded.img /system/
2.) To flash your image, Android's recent "fastboot" utility will allow for unsparse and sparsed images to be flashed. I have broken down the fastboot process into each step.
CAUTION: fastboot writes over your phone's partition blocks. If you are not skilled in this area of computing them research "fastboot" before use.
Note: current I have not found out why this process is incompatible with Vernee Apollo. The images I write back are not operational even though they flash properly. My hunch is that I may need to enforce an ISO/image UUID the same as the manufacturers, but I haven't tested this yet.
Code:
fastboot -w
fastboot format system
fastboot flash system ./system_modded.img
If we want to sparse the file before flashing;
Code:
img2simg system_modded.img system_modded_sparse.img
If we want to create a sparse dat structured image;
Code:
img2sdat ./system_modded.img
Linux - ACCESSING RECOVER IMAGE TO MODIFY
An Android recovery image is really three items in one image. There is a compressed kernel (zImage) used to run a recovery system, a ramdisk (initrd.img), and configuration file. The ramdisk "initrd.img" holds the operating system files used by the recovery kernel. Note the bootimage partition/image is a similar structure to a recovery-image.
If you need a similar development community then the Xiaomi Redmi Pro is a similar phone due to its Mediatek Helio x25 but it uses a different cameras, screen and sensors. Modifying and tweaking settings in their recovery images can work on your Vernee Apollo X25.
To extract the sub held files (bootimg.cfg, zImage, initrd.img);
Code:
abootimg -x recovery.img
To unpack a ramdisk "initrd.img";
Code:
mkdir initrd
cd initrd
sudo zcat ../initrd.img | cpio -idmv
To pack files whilst in your ramdisk directory ''/initrd";
Code:
find . | cpio -o -H newc | gzip > ../newramdisk.cpio.gz
To pack back up components into a recovery rom;
Code:
abootimg --create recovery_new.img -f bootimg.cfg -k zImage -r initrd.img
Alternatively;
Code:
mkbootimg --cmdline 'no_console_suspend=1 console=null' --kernel ./zImage --ramdisk ./newramdisk.cpio.gz -o recovery_new.img
Software
Chainfire SuperSU Release Announcement
F-Droid. Alternative App Store for public domain software.
.
Known Recovery Image Developers
Cleopatra Bianchi
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/vernee-apollo-helio-x25-twrp-root-t3554788
Known ROM Developers
Cleopatra Bianchi
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/vernee-apollo-helio-x25-roms-fix-t3561019
Vernee Apollo X25 General Resource Sites
http://www.needrom.com/ Vernee/ApolloX25
.
Hardware
Protective Covers
Silicone and more rigid covers are becoming available for the Vernee Apollo. Make sure you don't get a Lite version as it wont fit.
Those looking for more range and are willing to mod, the Lenovo K5 Note is very similar in dimensions to the Apollo X25, but the headphone jack, volume and power buttons are slightly off. Modding a K5 Note case will require cutting holes for the headphone jack, buttons, speaker holes, and possibly for the flash. Clear covers will allow the flash to work. Make sure the camera and finger scanner is a complete open section on any K5 cover!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ver...-Shell-Back-Cover-For-Vernee/32799796884.html
TWRP Vernee Apollo Helio X25
Cleopatra Bianchi said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://bbs.vernee.cc/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1721&extra=page%3D1
Cleopatra Bianchi said:
http://bbs.vernee.cc/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1721&extra=page%3D1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I left it up to you to post. I hope people comment on what they think. I'm working on my own images so I can't install others at the moment to give an opinion. Readers please note I can't verify the security on this share. Do not take any compromising actions.
I'm super busy so not sure when I will have my own solutions.
How I wish I had more knowledge. This piece of Hw (Raw Hw?) has a lot of potential, but lacks interest of any developer adapt/adopt it....
The conditions are there (lets hope the owners free the code, as they have done with its small brother), and let's hope there are enough and good drivers for the chosen Hw.
Just to encourage your efforts.
Regards
I agree
lots of good hardware and poor software...I hope in this community
At the moment I found these "bad" things about this phone:
1) you can't choose to view the battery percentage in the upper bar
2) you have to set the APN manually or you can't use internet
3) you can't turn volume up or down if the screen is switched off
I've kind of hit a wall with modding the system image to root it. The system images I produce are just not compatible with flashing. They flash but no desktop runs on the phone. Tried both sparse and raws. and I've got the partition size correct. Mount point is set properly to "system" and they're ext4 images.
I'm building Chainfire's version of ext4_utils, specifically the make_ext4fs util. If that doesn't work then I'll build Google's version. Long process as you need SELinux headers which takes ages to install. There maybe a bug in older versions that's causing the trouble. Other thoughts, there maybe a different padding method or bit plane for storing file system nodes. I may need SELinux builds of executables just to get the job done as I did notice in a hex.diff that the original image has SELinux stamps in it. I need more investigation to know why that's so.
It would be nice if Cleopatra Bianchi chimed in if She knows the issue or has even been down this road before, so to speak.
Hi, E8
Do not know even if this could be valuable, but the sources of the lite version are there. I suppose they are taking the same engineering approaches with the big brother... or not...
but would check
Regards
jrotaetxe said:
Hi, E8
Do not know even if this could be valuable, but the sources of the lite version are there. I suppose they are taking the same engineering approaches with the big brother... or not...
but would check
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll look into it as the scripts may indicate the process to image creation. Cheers.
TWRP and ROOT - successfully tested !
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/vernee-apollo-helio-x25-twrp-root-t3554788
Such a cool phone, but sending it back. Doesn't work with US carriers
Stock firmware in Flash Tool
Cleopatra Bianchi said:
TWRP and ROOT - successfully tested !
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/vernee-apollo-helio-x25-twrp-root-t3554788
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I look forward to flash the stock firmware in Flash Tool. I foolishly made a phone of brick, all backups lost.
stock firmware
myextasy said:
I look forward to flash the stock firmware in Flash Tool. I foolishly made a phone of brick, all backups lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A working stock firmware will be here very soon.
Please be patient, I am working on that.
Cleopatra Bianchi said:
A working stock firmware will be here very soon.
Please be patient, I am working on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway to unlock bands to get it working in US ???
myextasy said:
I look forward to flash the stock firmware in Flash Tool. I foolishly made a phone of brick, all backups lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can easily restore the phone using the official zip rom. Place it on a micro sdcard and install via the Bootloader menu. Instructions are on the forst comment on how to get to the bootloader menu and then recovery. If you're destroyed your recovery partition but still have fastboot access then you can use the system image within the official rom to flash the system partition with a bit of modifications.
I've been super busy so I haven't had the time to work on my own version of the TWRP Recovery.
How can I find the drivers ? When I google search I only find the one for Apollo lite
Do not believe you can "unlock" US bands, as they differ from EU/ASIA system.
Anyway, trying is (almost) free. The worst thing can happen is a brick
Regards
Code:
disclaimer
/*
* Your warranty is... still valid?
*
* I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards,
*/
Hello
This Guide to make Dual-Boot for P20 lite that keep Stock rom untouched and install any GSI. It allows two Android os installed at the same time and switch between them using SHRP Recovery for dual boot.
This method tested and worked on P20 lite (ANE LX1), Watch this video
Spoiler: General information
This done by creating a new system partition using Parted (shrink userdata partition and creat the new system partition)
To Boot from the new system partition: change the name of the new system partition to "system" and the name of old system partition to any name e.g. "system-b"
To Boot from the old system partition: change the name of the old system partition to "system" and the name of new system partition to any name e.g. "system-b"
Dual boot for P20 lite - demonstration video (I am using SHRP RECOVERY (like TWRP) with tweaks to change boot partition easily, instead of writing terminal commands. This a video shows the dual boot process)
Requirements
TWRP/SHRP
Parted (attached arm64, unzip the file)
Latest fastboot and ADB commands installed
Backup all your data because you will make a factory reset and format data partition
Steps:
Boot to TWRP/SHRP
Run the following commands
Code:
adb push /path/to/parted /sbin/parted
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/parted
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
p free
3- it will show the list of partition "save this you may use it later". remember the number of old system partition which is in my case "52"
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
4- remove "userdata" partition which in my case number 59 using the following command
Code:
rm 59
5- create the new system partition (partition number 59 in my case ) using the following command
Code:
mkpart name fs_type start end
name: name of new partition e.g "system-b"
fs_type: file system type e.g "ex4"
start: the end value in MB of the previous partition, in my case "7153MB"
end: equal to start + size where size will be the size of the target partition. in my case in need 4GB partition so end=7153MB + 4GB =11153MB
In my case I'll type:
Code:
mkpart system-b ext4 7153MB 11153MB
set 59 msftdata on
name 59 system-b
6- create the "userdata" partition (partition number 60 in my case, start= 11153MB )
In my case I'll type:
Code:
mkpart userdata ext4 11153MB 31.3GB
set 60 msftdata on
name 60 userdata
7- get the new partition list
Code:
p free
8- exit
Code:
quit
9- format userdata and the new system partition using "mkfs.type /dev/block/mmcblk0pxx" (in my case partition number 59 and 60). you may need to reboot to stock recovery to make factory reset
Code:
adb push /path/to/mkfs.ext4 /sbin/mkfs.ext4
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/mkfs.ext4
mkfs.ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p59
mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p60
10- You can now switch between two systems using either of these two methods
Spoiler: Using SHRP Recovery
SHRP is a beautiful TWRP-based recovery with modern UI, custom layout, useful functions, and more.
In this method you must have "System" and "System-b" partitions, other names not accepted
1- Download SHRP Recovery for DUAL Boot from here
2- Flash it on recovery_ramdisk or erecovery_ramdisk
3- from the main screen choose tweaks
A- Active new system partition and new data profile
(Important Note: Now "System partition" is the new created partition and "System-b partition" is the default system partition)
B- Active default system partition and default data profile
(Important Note: Now "System partition" is the default system partition and "System-b partition" is the new created partition)
Reboot before make any change
Spoiler: manually
A- To Boot from your new system partition > boot to twrp and run the following command
Code:
adb push /path/to/parted /sbin/parted
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/parted
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
name 52 system-b
name 59 system
or from TWRP terminal write the following
Code:
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 52 system-b
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 59 system
change the number 52 and 59 according to your partition list (in my case 59: new system partion, 52 old system partition ). Then reboot TWRP and flash your new android os
B- To Boot from your old system partition > boot to twrp and run the following command
Code:
adb push /path/to/parted /sbin/parted
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/parted
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
name 59 system-b
name 52 system
or from TWRP terminal write the following
Code:
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 59 system-b
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 52 system
change the number 52 and 59 according to your partition list (in my case 59: new system partion, 52 old system partition ). Then reboot
-------------------------------------------------------
Google Chrome may lag on the new data profile use this method to solve this problem
Abdelhay.ali said:
Code:
disclaimer
/*
* Your warranty is... still valid?
*
* I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards,
*/
Hello
This Guide to make Dual-Boot for P20 lite that keep Stock rom untouched and install any GSI. It allows two Android os installed at the same time and switch between them using SHRP Recovery for dual boot.
This method tested and worked on P20 lite (ANE LX1), Watch this video
Spoiler: General information
This done by creating a new system partition using Parted (shrink userdata partition and creat the new system partition)
To Boot from the new system partition: change the name of the new system partition to "system" and the name of old system partition to any name e.g. "system-b"
To Boot from the old system partition: change the name of the old system partition to "system" and the name of new system partition to any name e.g. "system-b"
Dual boot for P20 lite - demonstration video (I am using SHRP RECOVERY (like TWRP) with tweaks to change boot partition easily, instead of writing terminal commands. This a video shows the dual boot process)
Requirements
TWRP/SHRP
Parted (attached arm64, unzip the file)
Latest fastboot and ADB commands installed
Backup all your data because you will make a factory reset and format data partition
Steps:
Boot to TWRP/SHRP
Run the following commands
Code:
adb push /path/to/parted /sbin/parted
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/parted
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
p free
3- it will show the list of partition "save this you may use it later". remember the number of old system partition which is in my case "52"
View attachment 5781191
4- remove "userdata" partition which in my case number 59 using the following command
Code:
rm 59
5- create the new system partition (partition number 59 in my case ) using the following command
Code:
mkpart name fs_type start end
name: name of new partition e.g "system-b"
fs_type: file system type e.g "ex4"
start: the end value in MB of the previous partition, in my case "7153MB"
end: equal to start + size where size will be the size of the target partition. in my case in need 4GB partition so end=7153MB + 4GB =11153MB
In my case I'll type:
Code:
mkpart system-b ext4 7153MB 11153MB
set 59 msftdata on
name 59 system-b
6- create the "userdata" partition (partition number 60 in my case, start= 11153MB )
In my case I'll type:
Code:
mkpart userdata ext4 11153MB 31.3GB
set 60 msftdata on
name 60 userdata
7- get the new partition list
Code:
p free
View attachment 5781193
8- exit
Code:
quit
9- format userdata and the new system partition using "mkfs.type /dev/block/mmcblk0pxx" (in my case partition number 59 and 60). you may need to reboot to stock recovery to make factory reset
Code:
adb push /path/to/mkfs.ext4 /sbin/mkfs.ext4
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/mkfs.ext4
mkfs.ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p59
mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p60
10- You can now switch between two systems using either of these two methods
Spoiler: Using SHRP Recovery
SHRP is a beautiful TWRP-based recovery with modern UI, custom layout, useful functions, and more.
In this method you must have "System" and "System-b" partitions, other names not accepted
1- Download SHRP Recovery for DUAL Boot from here
2- Flash it on recovery_ramdisk or erecovery_ramdisk
3- from the main screen choose tweaks
View attachment 5781195
A- Active new system partition and new data profile
View attachment 5781197
(Important Note: Now "System partition" is the new created partition and "System-b partition" is the default system partition)
B- Active default system partition and default data profile
View attachment 5781199
(Important Note: Now "System partition" is the default system partition and "System-b partition" is the new created partition)
Reboot before make any change
Spoiler: manually
A- To Boot from your new system partition > boot to twrp and run the following command
Code:
adb push /path/to/parted /sbin/parted
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/parted
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
name 52 system-b
name 59 system
or from TWRP terminal write the following
Code:
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 52 system-b
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 59 system
change the number 52 and 59 according to your partition list (in my case 59: new system partion, 52 old system partition ). Then reboot TWRP and flash your new android os
B- To Boot from your old system partition > boot to twrp and run the following command
Code:
adb push /path/to/parted /sbin/parted
adb shell
chmod 777 /sbin/parted
parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
name 59 system-b
name 52 system
or from TWRP terminal write the following
Code:
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 59 system-b
parted -s /dev/block/mmcblk0 name 52 system
change the number 52 and 59 according to your partition list (in my case 59: new system partion, 52 old system partition ). Then reboot
-------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
I see from the video that you have riceos and evolution. How can I get these roms for the p20 lite. Also how are these roms?
ancient12 said:
Hi.
I see from the video that you have riceos and evolution. How can I get these roms for the p20 lite. Also how are these roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From here
Android 13 for P20 lite (Tested GSIs)
Here are recent A13 GSIs that booted and worked on my P20 lite Hi6250 Requirements: You can flash SHRP recovery that have all the requirements to make Android 13 boot normally (including permissive kernel, decrypt data, selinux fix, AIO fix and...
forum.xda-developers.com
Hi,
Is it possible to enable the A/B system updates feature on our devices with this method?
art0001 said:
Hi,
Is it possible to enable the A/B system updates feature on our devices with this method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have to implement it from the scratch like "OTA update" by phh. The new update should be flashed to the new system partition "system-b" then change it's name to "system"