Develop Bugs

Backing Up Everything

Apologies if this appears elsewhere but I have looked without success. If it does then a link to the solution would be great.
Basically I found this site a few weeks ago and since then have been tinkering with my phone. I've tried various roms, added different programs, played about with the settings and so on. Today I have finally got it just how I want it. It is overclocked to run quickly but safely. The today screen is perfect. It contains everything I need including my huge list of contacts. And my theme is spot-on. However usually in life when everything is right something big and hairy appears out of nowhere and dumps on you. Its got to the point where I panic every time I turn it on just in case it crashes and I need to start all over again.
My question therefore is if anyone knows of a utility (or can give detailed instructions) to completely back up the phone. Right down to the user settings, theme and contacts. If possible maybe even to create a rom image of my phone so that if it does ever crash I can reinstall the whole thing from one simple file. I assume this sort of thing must be possible because Kavana and Ricky produce such wonderful roms with various programs, etc pre-installed.
Can it be done? And if so - can it be done by an enthusiastic amateur or do you need to be a tech guru? I should add I don't mind paying if I need to buy a piece of commercial software to achieve this.
GS

Did you even bother to search google for "smartphone backup" ? The very first link that comes up, takes you right to the software you say you need. I apologize for being harsh, but I hate the lack of common sense...

An option
Not sure about the cooked 6.1 Roms. Maybe someone else might know or have tried.
http://www.spritesoftware.com/
I use this and it's well worth it.

if u just mean the saved registry values and what not u can always export the registry so that way if u have to hard reset the phone or if a new amazingly wowlike rom is released and u NEED to flash u can always import the registry values of the chomes and it'll be the way u left it (thats what I do for my myfaves and my programs)

OrganicM said:
Did you even bother to search google for "smartphone backup" ? The very first link that comes up, takes you right to the software you say you need. I apologize for being harsh, but I hate the lack of common sense...
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No problem, and you are entitled to your opinion. however its replies like that which stop people making posts to forums like this. Everyone has to start somewhere, and one man's obvious "common sense" answer is another man's dilemma.
As for using google... yep I could have done that but google links to hundreds of pages, some owned by people trying to sell software which obviously means they won't be objective. Others have methods which could damage a phone and because I don't know the writers how do I know which methods to trust? Ergo I decided to come to site I know, with people whose technical knowhow I trust, and to search the forum and then ask them for advice. To me, that is common sense. Isn't that one of the reasons that places like this exist? So non techheads can ask guys like you for help?
No offence intended and, for what its worth, you are one of the guys whose advice on this forum has helped me countless times. So thank you for that no matter what. Without your posts I'd never have got this far in the first place! I mean that.
As for the other replies... thanks guys. I will look into the registry stuff. And I will certainly check out the software link. If I do find some info on google, I hope you folks will help me pick the best method to use and avoid bad advice.
Thanks again.
GS

Okay the Sprite software is perfect. And now I've checked it out maybe my question was a stupid one. Still, its nice to have a recommendation from an independent source. I've been burnt in the past by bad google advice.
Sorry if I've wasted anyone's time.
GS

Key Files Chart

A few changes:
Alright so first off after seeing that this actually got some response, I'm opening it up for other people to edit as well. Hopefully we can figure out a way to do this responsibly... But I figure a community effort on this is much more valuable (especially because my theming is a bit rusty)
Key Files Chart
I am also gonna start modelling this off of a Cyanogen build because those builds seem to be the most poplar now. Keep in mind that much of what works in one theme translates well to most others.
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Original Post:
Hey guys so here is what I've been working on.
(Use new Link Above)
Its pretty much a simple list of locations of files that are essential to theming and what they control. This is definitely meant to be simple and geared more towards beginners. I think the thing that was hardest thing for me to learn theming was finding out where specific files were. So hopefully this might help bring down the learning curve.
Plan is to keep on updating this as long as there is interest and questions that people raise. Most of this is from my, relatively, limited knowledge of theming so if anyone else wants to jump in on this, I would be more than happy to add you as a collaborator (thats right, YOU!).
Also, I have this written according to how I know Haykuro's Builds work (because thats the version I use). If things are similar enough to other builds, it shouldn't be too hard to compile a master list across all three 1.5 builds. Let me know. : )

what a great idea! I wish this would have been available to me when I started my first theme! good work

Haha thanks. I been lax bout it lately cuz it really doesnt seem to be catching on at all. Ill wait and see if anymore interest builds up before continuing to update.

Hi!
I would be interested in an update I have been wading through a ton of information, I want to make a theme myself and I have just finished setting everything up properly on my system. I have seen how many image files there are to sort through and the names would be a great help, and I think, a good idea for others too

RainCrow said:
Hey guys so here is what I've been working on.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=r_ua-t_U23ci5_oxwQ4mGrg
Its pretty much a simple list of locations of files that are essential to theming and what they control. This is definitely meant to be simple and geared more towards beginners. I think the thing that was hardest thing for me to learn theming was finding out where specific files were. So hopefully this might help bring down the learning curve.
Plan is to keep on updating this as long as there is interest and questions that people raise. Most of this is from my, relatively, limited knowledge of theming so if anyone else wants to jump in on this, I would be more than happy to add you as a collaborator (thats right, YOU!).
Also, I have this written according to how I know Haykuro's Builds work (because thats the version I use). If things are similar enough to other builds, it shouldn't be too hard to compile a master list across all three 1.5 builds. Let me know. : )
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This is great; although I am new to Android themes, I have extensive experience with BB themes, although that is the "apples to oranges" scenario. Plazmic of course does the grunt work in those, but I have written svg's for animation, hidden docks etc. Hopefully that will help me catch on at a faster rate compared to never having done that sort of thing. So any info you can pass along is much appreciated!- Chris aka riffman

TY
Awesome work. You just simplified SO much of what I was not looking forward to.

I would like an update as well. I am lost sometimes. lol

I'm good on what most of the .png files control, but if you could make one for the .xml files in framework-res.apk/res/layout that would be killer.

Haha wow. Five months later I'm seeing this thread actually got some feedback (And linked on the "Helpful Threads" sticky to boot). I was considering making the document an open project and just working on maintaining the structure if that sounds helpful to people because there are plenty of things that I would like to know as well (like .xmls)
EDIT: Alright I just changed it to open system so that anyone can edit it. I should probably also change the name off from Haykuro seeing as how hes out of the running now...

[Q] Virtual Phone Help

Just ordered my HDH and over the past couple of days, viewing the themes and screenshots on the forum, I've become seriously insterested in creating something 'more for myself' if you like. However, like I said, my phone has only just been ordered. I'm really anxious to get the ball rolling, anyone have any idea the easiest way to go about this?
Any kind of virtual HDH or some kind of theme viewer I can use to assist me in getting what I want done that little bit easier?
Thanks in advance.

install the android sdk, and when set up correctly you have yourselve a virtual android device, i hasten to say i've never gone this far into it, where you can install apps etc etc

Thanks for the reply, I actually installed this prior to my post, haven't got the foggiest on how to use it, I've 'created' the virtual phone, loaded it up to the point where I've got the screen on the left and the buttons on the right but that's as far as it goes. I can't seem to gain any more control over it...

have you read the instructions here?

Think I'll leave it, after reading a couple paragraphs I decided enough was enough. Thanks very much all the same ghostofcain!

[Q] Adding phone functionality to "inactive phone rom"

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions. First off as you can see from my post count I'm a lurker. I can remove/install ROMs, the basics, but never have I tried to add/remove apps or functions to one. So I've found a ROM I love, but it was designed with inactive phones in mind, to make them into second life usable music/video players. It has no phone functionality because of this. The one I'm interested in is by frickinjerms - Ubersonic - I hope I can modify others work for my personal use. Guess that should be a question too.
Would it be ok to add in phone functionality or would it be easier to find one with that already and just remove the fluff I don't want and add what I do?
As I understand it, I can just add it back in, but I'm unsure what files go back in. Is there a resource that outlines that anywhere, or can anyone throw me a bone?
Is it ok to modify the work of others for your personal use without asking, or should you seek approval first out of proper etiquette?
I've been searching through XDA and other sites looking for some basic beginners stuff for cooking up ROMs, but have only come across limited collections. I'm toying with dsixda's Android Kitchen right now, but would love to find other resources. So any pointers to learning resources would be great too.
Thanks!

For the last one, I personally believe that its not necessary to ask before modifying a rom thats for your personal use because only you will know about it anyway, and people do it all the time
You only need to ask for permission if you're reposting your personal version of someone elses rom
Sent from my PG06100

CNexus said:
For the last one, I personally believe that its not necessary to ask before modifying a rom thats for your personal use because only you will know about it anyway, and people do it all the time
You only need to ask for permission if you're reposting your personal version of someone elses rom
Sent from my PG06100
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I figured that was likely the case I just wanted to clarify it for myself. I know people put in a lot of work on some of their ROMs and don't want to step on toes.
Thanks for the response.

You know you could use a rom that does have phone functionality. Just throwing that out there.

PlatinumPenguin said:
You know you could use a rom that does have phone functionality. Just throwing that out there.
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Whats the point of flavors if you're forced to pick the one you don't like? Just throwing that out there.
I don't think my questions were unreasonable either. I'm not asking for someone to build me something, I'm asking for the fishing pole, not the fish.

How to create roms

I'm interested in learning what tools I need and any guides to teach me how to create roms for my LG G3. Can anyone here help me out with this?

jimmydee62 said:
I'm interested in learning what tools I need and any guides to teach me how to create roms for my LG G3. Can anyone here help me out with this?
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If you can't even search Google to find your answers, I'm sorry to say I think you might fail at creating ROMs

jimmydee62 said:
I'm interested in learning what tools I need and any guides to teach me how to create roms for my LG G3. Can anyone here help me out with this?
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This is a good place to start. A lot of good information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...mctr=(not provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=193504046
shook187 said:
If you can't even search Google to find your answers, I'm sorry to say I think you might fail at creating ROMs
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Useless post, just delete it, don't be another **** on XDA for no good reason.

You dont know me
shook187 said:
If you can't even search Google to find your answers, I'm sorry to say I think you might fail at creating ROMs
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Please do me a favor keep your opinions about me to your self you don't know the first thing about me In the past I was a programmer using Pascal and basic which I created programs to test PCB's So I do know how to program just not android. I did google but I probably didn't phrase it right so didn't find the exact info I was looking for. As far as I'm concerned you are being rude and judgemental so the way I see it is in your best interest to keep your opinions to your self.

Thanks for the info Semantics am looking at it now.

I wish you the best, hoping to see a creation by you in the near future ?

@Semantics @IXChicharitoXI way to have a supportive attitude. We need more of that around here :good:

Thanks for the support it will be awhile since I have to learn everything from the bottom up.

jimmydee62 said:
Thanks for the support it will be awhile since I have to learn everything from the bottom up.
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Best way to start it by cooking your own personalized stock ROM. Learning as you go is a great way to retain that knowledge. After you get the hang of that move on to aosp. A lot of the same principles will carry over. Don't let haters get you down, I saw a guy post in the hacking and development section asking how to do something. He got lit up with insults but went on to do some really cool stuff. I didn't see this in actual time I was just curious about his othere projects and ran into it. One tip I would say is do not depend on kitchens. They work for a quick shortcut to get your stock ROM started but that's about all they are good for (they don't even work with this phone). Good luck!

ThePagel said:
Best way to start it by cooking your own personalized stock ROM. Learning as you go is a great way to retain that knowledge. After you get the hang of that move on to aosp. A lot of the same principles will carry over. Don't let haters get you down, I saw a guy post in the hacking and development section asking how to do something. He got lit up with insults but went on to do some really cool stuff. I didn't see this in actual time I was just curious about his othere projects and ran into it. One tip I would say is do not depend on kitchens. They work for a quick shortcut to get your stock ROM started but that's about all they are good for (they don't even work with this phone). Good luck!
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Yes I want to do it right but everywhere I look I see people doing work with the kitchen software which I have tried on one of the stock rooted deodexed roms I found here and your right very limited. I will keep looking and reading hopefully I will find some guides on the net which will show me how to do what I want to do. When I programmed before one of my friends helped me learn how to do it and I did learn from the bottom up with his help. So I know it is possible just need assistance getting there.