[Q] terminology questions.... - Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo, Pro

so, there are guides on how to do this and that but there are somethings that I don't understand....
for example what is and how do you enter:
hotboot,fastboot,recovery?

FASTBOOT : Fastboot is a command line tool used to directly flash the filesystem in Android devices from a host via USB. It allows flashing of unsigned partition images.
RECOVERY :
All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.
A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on.

Thank you!

Related

[Q] Flash Kernel Using CWM

I am posting here as there is not sub-forum for Xperia Pro.
I want to flash kernel using CWM already installed on my phone. Is it possible? If so, how do I go about it?
PS: I found a thread which is for Samsung phones here.
I don't think so
There is no way to flash a Kernel for SE phones faik
Were is our moderator!
Sent from my MT15i using Tapatalk
Can anyone tell me why kernel cannot be flashed via flash_image and the like. Is it because /boot partition is locked in Xperia phones? Or because the there is no proper flash_image made for Xperia phones?
That's something like ; doing a bypass surgery while you're awake
Something like that ^
Qwerty123 \m/ said:
That's something like ; doing a bypass surgery while you're awake
Something like that ^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not a complete nooby. flash_image can be used on (at least) Samsung phones, to flash kernels.
I have a nokia n900(linux kernel)...and i can flash kernels from the phone itself...dual boot maemo OS and android...restore the whole system image on the phone itself...but on neoV...it is not possible.
dont know about other android phones because neoV is my first android.
On PC you can update BIOS, on some motherboards you can do it from Windows, on others you can use some utility in BIOS setup program, on another motherboards you need true DOS and use BIOS flash program, same is with PC video cards, with PDAs...
ameer1234567890 said:
Can anyone tell me why kernel cannot be flashed via flash_image and the like. Is it because /boot partition is locked in Xperia phones? Or because the there is no proper flash_image made for Xperia phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because SE xperia phones DONT HAVE recovery partitsion!
taaviu said:
Because SE xperia phones DONT HAVE recovery partitsion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what does flashing a kernel with flash_image have to do with recovery partition?
ameer1234567890 said:
Exactly what does flashing a kernel with flash_image have to do with recovery partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone's internal memory (not the SD card) is solid-state (flash) memory, AKA NAND. It can be partitioned much like a normal hard drive can be partitioned. The bootloader exists in its own partition. Recovery is another partition; radio, system, cache, etc are all partitions.
Here are the standard partitions on an Android phone:
/misc - not sure what this is for.
/boot - bootloader, kernel
/recovery - holds the recovery program (either clockworkmod or RA recovery for a rooted Evo)
/system - operating system goes here: Android, Sense, boot animation, Sprint crapware, busybox, etc
/cache - cached data from OS usage
/data - user applications, data, settings, etc.
The below partitions are not android-specific. They are tied to the hardware of the phone, but the kernel may have code allowing Android to interact with said hardware.
/radio - the phone's radio firmware, controls cellular, data, GPS, bluetooth.
/wimax - firmware for Sprint's flavor of 4G, WiMax.
During the rooting process, a critical piece of the process is disabling a security system built into the bootloader that protects these partitions from accidental (or intentional) modification. This is what's referred to as "unlocking NAND." The security system can be set to active or inactive. S-ON means the security is in place (NAND locked). S-OFF means the security is off (NAND unlocked). When S-OFF, you have the ability to modify all partitions. With S-ON, you only have write access to /cache and /data. Everything else is read-only.
When you flash a custom ROM, that ROM typically includes a kernel and an OS. That means the /boot and /system partitions will be modified at a minimum. Some ROMs require a clean install, so a format of the /data and /cache partitions is sometimes built into the .zip that you flash. This is essentially doing a factory reset. See next paragraph.
When you do a factory reset (AKA: wipe, hard reset, factory wipe, etc.), you are erasing the /data and /cache partitions. Note that a factory reset does NOT put your phone back to its factory state from an OS standpoint. If you've upgraded to froyo, you will stay on froyo, because the OS lives in /system, and that is not touched during a factory reset. So "factory data reset," as it says under Settings > SD & phone storage, causes confusion. It's not a factory reset. It's a factory DATA reset. Now you know the distinction.
The SD card can also be partitioned to include a section dedicated to storing user apps. To create the partition, your SD card needs to be formatted. Typically a user will copy all the contents in the SD card to a PC hard drive, wipe the card and partition it, and then copy everything back.
Original http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...plained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/
taaviu said:
The phone's internal memory (not the SD card) is solid-state (flash) memory, AKA NAND. It can be partitioned much like a normal hard drive can be partitioned. The bootloader exists in its own partition. Recovery is another partition; radio, system, cache, etc are all partitions.
Here are the standard partitions on an Android phone:
/misc - not sure what this is for.
/boot - bootloader, kernel
/recovery - holds the recovery program (either clockworkmod or RA recovery for a rooted Evo)
/system - operating system goes here: Android, Sense, boot animation, Sprint crapware, busybox, etc
/cache - cached data from OS usage
/data - user applications, data, settings, etc.
The below partitions are not android-specific. They are tied to the hardware of the phone, but the kernel may have code allowing Android to interact with said hardware.
/radio - the phone's radio firmware, controls cellular, data, GPS, bluetooth.
/wimax - firmware for Sprint's flavor of 4G, WiMax.
During the rooting process, a critical piece of the process is disabling a security system built into the bootloader that protects these partitions from accidental (or intentional) modification. This is what's referred to as "unlocking NAND." The security system can be set to active or inactive. S-ON means the security is in place (NAND locked). S-OFF means the security is off (NAND unlocked). When S-OFF, you have the ability to modify all partitions. With S-ON, you only have write access to /cache and /data. Everything else is read-only.
When you flash a custom ROM, that ROM typically includes a kernel and an OS. That means the /boot and /system partitions will be modified at a minimum. Some ROMs require a clean install, so a format of the /data and /cache partitions is sometimes built into the .zip that you flash. This is essentially doing a factory reset. See next paragraph.
When you do a factory reset (AKA: wipe, hard reset, factory wipe, etc.), you are erasing the /data and /cache partitions. Note that a factory reset does NOT put your phone back to its factory state from an OS standpoint. If you've upgraded to froyo, you will stay on froyo, because the OS lives in /system, and that is not touched during a factory reset. So "factory data reset," as it says under Settings > SD & phone storage, causes confusion. It's not a factory reset. It's a factory DATA reset. Now you know the distinction.
The SD card can also be partitioned to include a section dedicated to storing user apps. To create the partition, your SD card needs to be formatted. Typically a user will copy all the contents in the SD card to a PC hard drive, wipe the card and partition it, and then copy everything back.
Original http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...plained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I had mentioned before, I am not a nooby.
ameer1234567890 said:
As I had mentioned before, I am not a nooby.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then show us HOW to install kernel via recovery?
Dont talk about Samsung and HTC option to install kernel via recovery. I have HTC Desire my second phone and yes i know there is option install kernel via recover(also im tested ALL desire roms and kernel already).
SE xperia have just different partitions layout and we simply cant flash kernel via recovery.....BUT i dont want tell you its IMPOSSIBLE.
Be nice and show us how to do that
PS:im tottaly noob.
Boot holds kernel and initrd not the actual bootloader, that is what should be writable. Provided the actual bootloader is not damaged it should be possible, however because there is no recovery partition it is riskier, but s1tool can restore bootloader......
Hmm
Sent from my MT11i using Tapatalk
I have S2(of course i have and xperia neo) and i dont flash with CWM i flash with odin or heimdall; CWM method is not sure.
In my opinion,and i'm NOT an expert, it easy to flash a kernel for xperia with flashtool or using fastboot from adb.
OK guys, you might have misread it. I am looking for a way to flash kernel not just using CWM (eventhough the title says so), but using any method without having to connect to a PC. One such possible method is to use flash_image in terminal, which does not work in my phone.
PS: The fact that I am not a noob doesn't make me a pro.

[Q] Custom ROMs + Encryption

Having trouble finding a firm answer on this. I have read that encryption has NO effect on Recovery mods since it only encrypts apps, data, and a few other pieces of info. (I thought that there was full disk encryption, but I guess not). So I would like to verify the following questions regarding the use of custom ROMs and Android encryption and I would like to do both, back them up, and maybe even change ROMs without issue.
I am fairly certain I can boot into a recovery mod (CWM or Twerp) without any problems while encrypted. Is this true? (I have seen conflicting answers here and on the interwebs).
If I back up a ROM and data (assuming this is done together in one backup), will I be able to recovery the backup properly and use it even when it was encrypted?
Thanks in advance.
Bakura
You can boot into recovery and flash zips but you will not be able to access your /data partition since that's what's encrypted. For flashing ROMs this doesn't matter since those don't touch /data. However if you have to wipe your user data you will have to set up the encryption all over again.
What this also means is you cannot store your zips on the internal memory of your phone because those will not be accessible to the recovery. You will have to store them on either an unencrypted microSD or sideload them with adb (easy enough to do on CWM, not sure about other recoveries).
Backing up should be fine as long as you backup to somewhere other than the internal memory for the reasons I stated above.
Will the wipe and restore options work?
Hexgore said:
You can boot into recovery and flash zips but you will not be able to access your /data partition since that's what's encrypted. For flashing ROMs this doesn't matter since those don't touch /data. However if you have to wipe your user data you will have to set up the encryption all over again.
What this also means is you cannot store your zips on the internal memory of your phone because those will not be accessible to the recovery. You will have to store them on either an unencrypted microSD or sideload them with adb (easy enough to do on CWM, not sure about other recoveries).
Backing up should be fine as long as you backup to somewhere other than the internal memory for the reasons I stated above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a full Nandroid Backup of my phone with 4ext Revovery Touch. So if I encrypt Internal Storage only and if it's screwed up, will I be able to restore the Nandroid backup from recovery (I mean, is it possible to modify (rwx) the encrypted partition from recovery?
Far_SighT said:
I have a full Nandroid Backup of my phone with 4ext Revovery Touch. So if I encrypt Internal Storage only and if it's screwed up, will I be able to restore the Nandroid backup from recovery (I mean, is it possible to modify (rwx) the encrypted partition from recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the Nandroid backup is stored on your SD card, I think so, but you might have to wipe the partition first. As far as I know (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) you can still wipe the encrypted partition, you just can't access any of the encrypted data from recovery.
Yeah, the recovery works just fine!
Hexgore said:
If the Nandroid backup is stored on your SD card, I think so, but you might have to wipe the partition first. As far as I know (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) you can still wipe the encrypted partition, you just can't access any of the encrypted data from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^+1. So I went ahead and encrypted the internal storage. The process was fairly fast (took me under 10 mins).
But entering a password was too much of a hassle. So I performed a full system wipe and restored the backup. No problems.
That actually didn't work for me on the Nexus 7.
I tried to wipe the tablet from recovery but it couldn't mount the /data partition.
I tried to wipe the tablet from the OS but it didn't like the custom recovery so it just rebooted without changing anything.
In the end I had to run "fastboot erase userdata" to wipe it. That worked.
I have now installed CM 10.1 and can report that the encryption process seems to be working fine on the N7. It's taking a while but it is the 32GB model.
Encryption on Android is very temperamental. The general pattern seems to be that if the ROM you're using is based on the stock OS for your device (as AOSP is for Nexus devices) encryption will work fine, but due to the way the memory is mounted on modern Nexus devices, recoveries may be unable to mount the /data partition at all.
However if you are using a ROM based on a non-stock OS for your device (e.g. AOSP on an HTC Sensation) encryption may not even be able to turn on, and sadly fixing this problem when it arises is not high on the list of priorities for most developers, especially if your device isn't popular.
We are lucky that CyanogenMod seems to care a lot about privacy and security recently however. That may mean they focus more on encryption compatibility in the future, and most AOSP ROMs are based on CM, so fingers crossed for that.
But basically be aware YMMV when it comes to encryption on custom ROMs.
I tried to encrypt two Moto G's with the new official CM11, but after reboot and enter pin to unlock, the devices crashes with a black screen.
Encryption with stock firmware works fine.

[Q] need to bring a file to the phone, no ROM installed

I've attempted to flash a newer version of cyanogenmod on my phone (10.1.3 to 11). I'm using TWRP 2.6.1.0
I can not boot because I've wiped the phone (dalvik, system, data, internal storage, cache), and I suspect the ROM I have is corrupted but I can't connect it to my computer and transfer the file via USB because I have no ROM installed and can not boot. I also can't take the SD card (since there's non) and put the file that way.
My phone is Oppo find 5
My root file flashing was successful, but installation of the ROM cm-11-20140204-NIGHTLY has failed. I assume the file was corrupted, but I have no way to find out what it is.
I now realize my mistakes, like wiping the system unnecessarily.
Is there any way to get another file on the device? any other suggestions?
Also, I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but I was not able to find the right place. I apologize in advance.
Eyal,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2141817
Check that thread, set up adb and push a ROM to the internal sd of your phone via adb. You can use adb in recovery mode (I could in CWM, dont know about your recovry) so if you can boot into recovery, you can push the rom. (There is info on the thread about adb pushing/pulling)
Sent from my GT-S5660
Cwm has an option to mount storage to PC in mounts & storage menu
Check if twrp has the option
You can mount it that way:good:
vneogi199 said:
Cwm has an option to mount storage to PC in mounts & storage menu
Check if twrp has the option
You can mount it that way:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesn't seem to recognize anything.

[Q] internal sd storage

Hello. I would like to install a different custom rom. I know I should erase device in the recovery, but from what I remember, that erases the internal sd storage as well. Is there any work around? coming from one custom rom and I want to install a different custom rom. I also remember having a hard time to install this custom rom since a full erase erased the rom I had in the storage so I had nothing to install. I cant remember how I got it on the storage again to flash the device, since accessing the internal memory from the recovery was impossible.
Hi @liquidzorch, use ADB side load method to copy your rom to device from recovery and flash the rom. dont wipe internal storage next time

Cant access internal storage in recovery

Hello guys,
i wanted to use a custom rom, so i unlocked the bootloader and installed a custom rom (i could access the internal memory from windows while in recovery). Now i wanted to use another rom, so i boot in orange fox, do format data, wipe and reboot to recovery. But now, i cant access the internal storage anymore. Windows explorer shows me the device, but i cant acess it. I have the global version Redmi Note 9 pro. I tried pitch black recovery as well as Mauronofrio's TWRP. I also tried to flash the Stock Rom from https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com with the official mi flash tool and followed this instruction (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/unable-to-decrypt-fbe-device.4206579/page-3#post-84370443). But then again, i could not access the internal storage from windows and the moved files from step 4 where not there anymore.
When i boot to the original stock rom, run all the setup and stuff and then boot again to recovery, i am able to access the internal storage. but then again, after format data i cant access it anymore and cant copy any custom rom on the phone. What to do?
Use adb sideload to install the ROM directly from your PC.
Not all recoveries support it though.
LineageOS recovery does so that's the reason why I use it.
elytron01 said:
Hello guys,
i wanted to use a custom rom, so i unlocked the bootloader and installed a custom rom (i could access the internal memory from windows while in recovery). Now i wanted to use another rom, so i boot in orange fox, do format data, wipe and reboot to recovery. But now, i cant access the internal storage anymore. Windows explorer shows me the device, but i cant acess it. I have the global version Redmi Note 9 pro. I tried pitch black recovery as well as Mauronofrio's TWRP. I also tried to flash the Stock Rom from https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com with the official mi flash tool and followed this instruction (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/unable-to-decrypt-fbe-device.4206579/page-3#post-84370443). But then again, i could not access the internal storage from windows and the moved files from step 4 where not there anymore.
When i boot to the original stock rom, run all the setup and stuff and then boot again to recovery, i am able to access the internal storage. but then again, after format data i cant access it anymore and cant copy any custom rom on the phone. What to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just few alternate method without adb/PC:
1. Use an sdcard to store roms, recovery backups...
2. Few days ago forget to copy the rom to sdcard (and already formatted the data), used an otg cable and installed the rom from usb-stick without any problem.
3. Flash the rom from internal storage, format data and boot to system.
Always use latest recovery (now ofox 11.0.1).
vlouis said:
Just few alternate method without adb/PC:
1. Use an sdcard to store roms, recovery backups...
2. Few days ago forget to copy the rom to sdcard (and already formatted the data), used an otg cable and installed the rom from usb-stick without any problem.
3. Flash the rom from internal storage, format data and boot to system.
Always use latest recovery (now ofox 11.0.1).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, i will try it today. Cant stand the stock miui anymore!

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