[Q] Permanently locked out of my T-Prime!? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So my friend was playing around with my T-Prime awhile back when he shows me he has entered the incorrect pattern so many times that it will only allow me to sign in with my Google account to regain access to it. Im like okay, no big deal, ill just sign in change the password and no problem.. Well, I have tried that and it will not accept my log in information.. I know the username (email) and password is right. I can log in from my computer just fine and I haven't changed the password for that account since I've had the tablet. I do not know what else to do..? I have tried putting just the first part of my username, tried entering null into the password box. didn't work.. I believe it might have something to do with the wifi not being on, but i cant turn it on because my tablet is locked! Is there anyway i can use ADB or something to turn wifi on or to let me reset the lock screen so i can enter my unlock pattern? I do know what the unlock pattern is. I would really like to not have to factory reset and wipe all the data and loose everything.. Thanks in advance!

You can use adb if you had usb debugging e.nabled and then you can remove some file which keeps the lockscreen info.I can't remember the file name but you can google it.If uou can't find anything the only thing you can do is hard reset.
Sent from my Optimus Me using xda premium

yup
but rember if you try to whipe data/cash in recovery mode u still have to enter your lockscreen password
as mentioned try hardreset via buttons at startup
hope u get done fast =)

nerot said:
You can use adb if you had usb debugging e.nabled and then you can remove some file which keeps the lockscreen info.I can't remember the file name but you can google it.If uou can't find anything the only thing you can do is hard reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have debugging enabled and I'm not really good with ADB, but I have tried accessing the file in: data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
Now on my OG Droid, when I navigate to this file using Root Explorer, it allows me to open and view the settings.db file with its internal viewer, where I can see an entry called "secure". When you open that, the most notable entry is the one called "lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently" and its value is of course 0 being "false", because this is on my Droid. but its likely the value of 1 means "true", which is what i assume to be the case on my T-Prime. This all seems like a promising lead, meaning, in theory, all I would have to do is be able to get that file from the tablet and change the value to 0.. however, using ADB when I navigate to that folder, I cannot pull the settings.db file because it says permission denied. Any ideas on what might cause that? I might not be using ADB correctly, or its because it's a system file. I found some instructions awhile ago saying you could use ADB and call a program called sqlite3 to edit the file that way and return the value to 0, but when I tried that it could not locate a program called sqlite3.. Also, I have tried hard resetting with volume down and power multiple times.. no luck.. So I'm out of knowledge and ideas..

Ryco26 said:
I do have debugging enabled and I'm not really good with ADB, but I have tried accessing the file in: data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
Now on my OG Droid, when I navigate to this file using Root Explorer, it allows me to open and view the settings.db file with its internal viewer, where I can see an entry called "secure". When you open that, the most notable entry is the one called "lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently" and its value is of course 0 being "false", because this is on my Droid. but its likely the value of 1 means "true", which is what i assume to be the case on my T-Prime. This all seems like a promising lead, meaning, in theory, all I would have to do is be able to get that file from the tablet and change the value to 0.. however, using ADB when I navigate to that folder, I cannot pull the settings.db file because it says permission denied. Any ideas on what might cause that? I might not be using ADB correctly, or its because it's a system file. I found some instructions awhile ago saying you could use ADB and call a program called sqlite3 to edit the file that way and return the value to 0, but when I tried that it could not locate a program called sqlite3.. Also, I have tried hard resetting with volume down and power multiple times.. no luck.. So I'm out of knowledge and ideas..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm try typing
su
*adb pull command*
if it doesn't work download Qt ADB and use that its a windows software.Afte lr you download it get the file and upload it here.I might be able to help you then,edit it reupload it so that you can push it back and see.
Sent from my Optimus Me using xda premium

nerot said:
Hmm try typing
su
*adb pull command*
if it doesn't work download Qt ADB and use that its a windows software.Afte lr you download it get the file and upload it here.I might be able to help you then,edit it reupload it so that you can push it back and see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I have tried doing so far:
using ADB and typing:
adb shell
[email protected]:/ $ su
[email protected]:/ # adb pull data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db C:\Users\Ryan\Desktop
and it returns "error device not found"
I have tried:
adb pull data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db C:\Users\Ryan\Desktop
and it returns "failed to copy 'data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db' to 'C:\Users\Ryan\Desktop/settings.db': Permission denied"
here's what it shows:
{
"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"
}
If i just try to pull the whole data folder, it returns:
"pull: building file list... 0 files pulled. 0 files skipped."
I dont know whats wrong here.. it does not want me to have access to the data folder in any way I try to pull from there.. maybe I'm missing something.. like I said I'm not very good with ADB.
So then I tried using QtADB like you recommended, which looked really promising! and it does work great for a lot of things. I'm happy to now have it if I need it.. except when I try to use it to navigate into the data folder it shows nothing!
See the screen shots:
and
Any ideas what to do?

Dude. Go on your comp. Go to the play store and look for no luck screen. There's an app that disables your lock screen in instances like this. It tells you to download it to your phone, then to find another app to download. Do that from your comp and you're golden
Sent from my 8-Core LG Galaxy S7

Alphaneus said:
Dude. Go on your comp. Go to the play store and look for no luck screen. There's an app that disables your lock screen in instances like this. It tells you to download it to your phone, then to find another app to download. Do that from your comp and you're golden
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize I wont be able to set the app up, or even download it to the tablet..? The tablet is locked, I cannot unlock it to set the app up, and the wifi is not on, so no internet connection.
I may be missing something here, but I am honestly open to any ideas.

Ryco26 said:
This is what I have tried doing so far:
using ADB and typing:
adb shell
[email protected]:/ $ su
[email protected]:/ # adb pull data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db C:\Users\Ryan\Desktop
and it returns "error device not found"
I have tried:
adb pull data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db C:\Users\Ryan\Desktop
and it returns "failed to copy 'data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db' to 'C:\Users\Ryan\Desktop/settings.db': Permission denied"
here's what it shows: http://oi47.tinypic.com/mcum8z.jpg
If i just try to pull the whole data folder, it returns:
"pull: building file list... 0 files pulled. 0 files skipped."
I dont know whats wrong here.. it does not want me to have access to the data folder in any way I try to pull from there.. maybe I'm missing something.. like I said I'm not very good with ADB.
So then I tried using QtADB like you recommended, which looked really promising! and it does work great for a lot of things. I'm happy to now have it if I need it.. except when I try to use it to navigate into the data folder it shows nothing!
See the screen shots:
http://oi47.tinypic.com/9sc7c8.jpg
and
http://oi49.tinypic.com/f1hycw.jpg
Any ideas what to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm there must be some sort of protection.Are you rooted? If not thwn I really don't know what else you could do.The only thing that you can do is go to the place where you bought it and explain the situation and hope they will take it for repair.
Sent from my Optimus Me using xda premium

nerot said:
Hmm there must be some sort of protection.Are you rooted? If not thwn I really don't know what else you could do.The only thing that you can do is go to the place where you bought it and explain the situation and hope they will take it for repair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am rooted.. and I did figure out what was wrong! I had to change the permissions of each folder and the settings.db file to allow "other" to read, write and execute.
I used ls -l to see what was there and what permissions they currently had and took note. So here's what I had to do.
> adb shell
$ ls -l
gives you this:
(This is after I had already changed the permissions)
So I then took note of all the permissions of the folders that were in the path of data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
I then read up on changing permissions and came across this site: http://ss64.com/bash/chmod.html
Very useful.
So I then did:
$ su
# chmod 777 data/
and it worked. I could now see the data/ folder in QtADB
So, finally some progress!
I did the same thing for the remaining folders using chmod and changed whatever the existing permissions were by adding only read, write and execute to the "other" category. This works perfectly on my Droid. and after all that I can use adb and pull the settings.db file right to my desktop or wherever. I then found an SQLite program to open and edit the file on my computer. http://sourceforge.net/projects/sqlitebrowser/
This all works perfectly and now I'm thinking all I have to do is do all of this to my T-Prime, pull the file, edit the database file, push back to device, go back and change permissions back to the way they were, reboot and I'm good to go.
However, I make it into the databases/ folder and discover there are 3 files in there.
1) settings.db
2) settings.db-shm
3) settings.db-wal
There was only one on my droid. And the main database file seems to kind of depend on the others. So I pull it and try to open it with the program I mentioned earlier and it is empty. there is nothing in it to edit. the file size is 39Kb, which is slightly larger than the 34Kb file I pulled from my Droid, yet its empty. I don't know how to edit it at this point. I believe it uses the other 2 files somehow.
I would like someone else, preferably with a Transformer Prime, to try this, pull the file and upload and link it so I can see if it will open for me and contain anything. They don't seem to contain any personal or device specific information in them, just settings. if it's from another Prime and opens for me, what the heck, i'll push it onto mine and give it a shot. All I have now is a $630 paperweight and headache.

You could try using your phone to edit it using an editor from the market, then push the file back to your tab.

I had something like this happen to me once when trying to import contacts to a freshly reset device.
What worked for me was disabling 2 step verification in Gmail.

Theonew said:
You could try using your phone to edit it using an editor from the market, then push the file back to your tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought of that too and I tried doing that. It says: "An error occurred while opening the database. database disk image is malformed: , while compiling: SELECT * FROM sqlite_master WHERE type in('table','view') ORDER BY name"
Whatever that means.. I don't know.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

Try using SQLite Editor from the market.

Theonew said:
Try using SQLite Editor from the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I'm using in the previous post. I navigate to it through Root Explorer and it opens it with that. it opens all the other ones just fine though..

Ryco26 said:
That is what I'm using in the previous post. I navigate to it through Root Explorer and it opens it with that. it opens all the other ones just fine though..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is weird. I tried it with the one from my tab and it opened it perfectly. Have you tried another editor in that case?

Theonew said:
That is weird. I tried it with the one from my tab and it opened it perfectly. Have you tried another editor in that case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have tried the one on my computer, SQLite Editor, like you had mentioned and another from the market, i forget which one, but all with no luck. It's like because its locked, the file is blank.. but i think it could also be because of the other 2 files. The ones called settings.db-shm and settings.db-wal. What do you think? Do you have a T-Prime?

Ryco26 said:
Yeah, I have tried the one on my computer, SQLite Editor, like you had mentioned and another from the market, i forget which one, but all with no luck. It's like because its locked, the file is blank.. but i think it could also be because of the other 2 files. The ones called settings.db-shm and settings.db-wal. What do you think? Do you have a T-Prime?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I do not have a Prime (waiting for something else to come along ). You could try pulling all files and placing them in a folder, then using an editor to see if that works.

Theonew said:
No, I do not have a Prime (waiting for something else to come along ). You could try pulling all files and placing them in a folder, then using an editor to see if that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ha okay. I shoulda waited for the TF700t.. anyway thats what i have done, is pull all files and put them into a folder.. it doesn't seem to make a difference because the -shm and -wal make them unreadable to average editors as database files. I can zip them and link them to you if you think you can figure something out?

Ryco26 said:
Oh ha okay. I shoulda waited for the TF700t.. anyway thats what i have done, is pull all files and put them into a folder.. it doesn't seem to make a difference because the -shm and -wal make them unreadable to average editors as database files. I can zip them and link them to you if you think you can figure something out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go ahead .

Related

Help with small problem, password protect.

While playing (a bit too much), I must have deleted the password setup icon/file from settings and cannot change or disable the password screen. Anyone knows what the file name is and can post it here or email me the file. I know the password and can get in but I really don't need it and would like to disable it.
The shortcut is exactly like this:
"ctlpnl.exe cplmain.cpl,1"
>> without "" quotes
ezzkht said:
The shortcut is exactly like this:
"ctlpnl.exe cplmain.cpl,1"
>> without "" quotes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ezzkht, but how do I create the shortcut?
Try to copy any shortcut from \windows\start menu\programs\
and paste it to the location you want, rename it & edit it using Total Commander (right-click on it & choose Properties, then go to Shortcut tab and change the TARGET parameter to "ctlpnl.exe cplmain.cpl,1" without quotes.
The icon will automatically change to the password icon
ezzkht said:
Try to copy any shortcut from \windows\start menu\programs\
and paste it to the location you want, rename it & edit it using Total Commander (right-click on it & choose Properties, then go to Shortcut tab and change the TARGET parameter to "ctlpnl.exe cplmain.cpl,1" without quotes.
The icon will automatically change to the password icon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry ezzkht, I did exactly what you said but it did not work. Tried with and without quotes, tried 0 instead of 1 but the icon never changes to the password icon just an executable icon but nothing happens when I click on it.
OH yes you are right!! sorry!
Ok here's the shortcut, I just get it from my device..
I opened it with a HEX editor & found the following line inside it:
51#ctlpnl.exe cplmain.cpl,1?\Windows\cplmain.cpl,-6000
plz tell me if it worked with you
Hi ezzkht, I tried but this also does not seem to work.
I checked the registery and their is a mention of a Password.cpl in the Windows directory which is not in mine. I installed logologin and picturepassword and have recently removed them, don't know if they might have also removed this file. It may be the the problem, do you have this file.
Neither me, I don't have password.cpl file in \windows directory!!
I have cplmain.cpl only!
I noticed that the password link points to cplmain.cpl with a parameter of : password.cpl
I guess that cplmain.cpl is a composite file which contains alot of programs, one of them is the password program!
Do u have the cplmain.cpl in windows directory??
check this out:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnppc2k/html/ppc_tcuts2.asp
ezzkht said:
check this out:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnppc2k/html/ppc_tcuts2.asp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ezzkht, this was good but it still did'nt work. I think somewhere their is a file missing. I will try emailing MS and see if they have an answer.
You welcome, but I did nothing!!
A hard reset could help, unless you are not willing to install your programs all over again!
ezzkht said:
You welcome, but I did nothing!!
A hard reset could help, unless you are not willing to install your programs all over again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got that right, finally got all the programs and the look I want. I am going to do a backup via Activsync and a clone backup tonight at home then if all else fails I will do a HR, copy any missing files from the windows directory and reinstall my backups.
Seems a great idea :wink:
Compare the two WINDOWS directories, and copy only the missing files..
Good luck dude

carrier name changer

K so I've been trying to figure out how to change the annoying "verizon wireless" carrier name off my lock screen and notification bar...and heres how to do it..
as for the file... download the zip file in post #8 and extract it to your "C:\android-sdk-windows\tools\" directory.
Then open it up in notepad and edit the part that says "Verizon Wireless" to anything you want.
for those that aren't too familiar with adb: (you must install android SDK, you'll find links to do this in the Droid Eris Android Development and Hacking section)
1. connect your phone to compter, enable usb debugging and open up command prompt. (don't mount SD card)
2. in command prompt, type "cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools\" then enter...(now you have moved to working within your "tools" folder, where your adb program resides...
3. Type "adb remount"
4. Any file you want to push to your phone, you must put into the "tools" folder on your computer...then use the following command...
"adb push "filename" "directory on your phone"
(example... adb push YouTube.apk /system/apps)
5. To push the edited carrier file, use the following command..
adb push eri.xml /data/
6. To finish the process, reboot by using this command...
adb reboot
Now when you pull your notification bar down, your carrier name will be changed..
to do this, you need to edit eri.xml in framework-res.apk
Use google
can u do that for at&t?
Framework43 said:
to do this, you need to edit eri.xml in framework-res.apk
Use google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Googled and found which file to edit. When I search it in hex, I dont see Verizon Wireless in it. Am I missing something?
EDIT: I dont think this applies for the Eris but it does for the Droid. Just looking around a lil bit and a few others have said this. Anyone know the exact file for Eris?
after speaking with Jamezelle on IRC, this seems to NOT be possible to change, as it is set by radio.
ugh Eris has to be tough. doesn't it...I was hoping to change Verizon wireless to like Subway
Sent from my Eris using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Could we flash the radio with a custom firmware to allow us to change the carrier name?
I would like to change the carrier name to "xda" or "HTC Eris"
Carrier logo change!!!!
Check post #1 for the fix...
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I totally crashed my phone and wasted a couple hourse trying to edit framework-res.apk. Had to go back to a Nandroid. Sure wish I'd found this first. But, at least I got some good experience editing apks.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the fix. It worked.
vash8806 said:
K so I've been trying to figure out how to change the annoying "verizon wireless" carrier name off my lock screen and notification bar...and heres how to do it..
as for the file... download the zip file in post #8 and extract it to your "C:\android-sdk-windows\tools\" directory.
Then open it up in notepad and edit the part that says "Verizon Wireless" to anything you want.
for those that aren't too familiar with adb: (you must install android SDK, you'll find links to do this in the Droid Eris Android Development and Hacking section)
1. connect your phone to compter, enable usb debugging and open up command prompt. (don't mount SD card)
2. in command prompt, type "cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools\" then enter...(now you have moved to working within your "tools" folder, where your adb program resides...
3. Type "adb remount"
4. Any file you want to push to your phone, you must put into the "tools" folder on your computer...then use the following command...
"adb push "filename" "directory on your phone"
(example... adb push YouTube.apk /system/apps)
5. To push the edited carrier file, use the following command..
adb push eri.xml /data/
6. To finish the process, reboot by using this command...
adb reboot
Now when you pull your notification bar down, your carrier name will be changed..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't one move the edited eri.zip file to the right folder via terminal on the phone?
meanm50 said:
Couldn't one move the edited eri.zip file to the right folder via terminal on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well..for 1... your eri.xml file exists on the phone as ".xml"...so if you unzip first, then move to phone via terminal...go for it!
gohamstergo said:
after speaking with Jamezelle on IRC, this seems to NOT be possible to change, as it is set by radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you high? I'm sorry..but I've tried this on Froyo..as well as 2.1 roms... I have never had a problem with changing it... as I keep mine as "username: vash"
Hmmmm, I pushed, pushed and re-pushed and I can't change that diabolical 'VZW' text. Just trying to change it to a simple 'My Android' for now...
Followed the instructions in the OP to the letter (and spaces!) I managed to root my phone the 'hard' way by myself and have tinkered with some ROMs although I'm back at 'stock' 2.1 now, but my build number has 'test keys.'
Any ideas?
bill
Worked like a charm. Thanks!
Works great, was a great guide. Thanks a lot!
I just open eri.xml in root explorer (must select r/w in the app so you can modify system settings) and changed the carrier name with the keypad on my phone. Changes are displayed after the next reboot.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
Use root explorer. Mount r/w data then long press eri.XML. Edit with keyboard, save and reboot.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
xtrSENSE
I have tried this approach on xtrSENSE and it does not work. I have used this method on cyogenmods and it works great but on this rom does not work. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I am working on something to help people out.
You should be able to change it in the phone itself with QPST or EPST.

[Q] status bar icon changin

had some help with this eariler
thought i had it fixed
just needed to change battery icon ..
where do i go
i have the new pics that i neede to put in the framework-res but where do i put them
which folder
jager987 said:
had some help with this eariler
thought i had it fixed
just needed to change battery icon ..
where do i go
i have the new pics that i neede to put in the framework-res but where do i put them
which folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
drawable-hdpi....?
under stat_sys_battery_
i know that but i dont know how to get to it...when i do the pull it doesnt pull it to the platform tools like it suppose to
and then how do i push it back
just not working
jager987 said:
i know that but i dont know how to get to it...when i do the pull it doesnt pull it to the platform tools like it suppose to
and then how do i push it back
just not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. When you're in command prompt, make sure you're in your platform-tools folder.
2. Type "adb devices" and make sure that the screen is not blank underneath 'list of attached devices'
3. Type "adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk"
4. The file will now be in your platform-tools folder, and ready for you to make your batter edits.
5. When you're done with everything go back to the same location in command prompt and type "adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
exactly i know
devices list my device and i do the pull exactly like that
but nothing in my platform-tools
you can specify where the file will pull to, ex. adb pull /system/app/APK_NAME.apk C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop\APK_NAME.apk
just replace USERNAME with your Account name for your computer. And replace APK_NAME.apk with the name of the apk you are pulling. FYI this will put the file on your desktop.
do your edits, then compile and reverse the command to push it back.
if it's on your desktop do: adb push C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop\APK_NAME.apk /system/app/APK_NAME.apk
This is of course if you are using Windows 7. Hope this helps.
Before you push your file back to your phone, run "adb remount" to remount the system, just in case.
thanks ill give that a try
any thoughts as to y this isnt working tho
jager987 said:
thanks ill give that a try
any thoughts as to y this isnt working tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be a couple of things... what directory is your command window showing?
showing the path to my platform-tools
and as far as the other part goes
igot it to pull to desktop but when i go to push it back
it just gives me alot of help options
post your full push command you are using.
netwokz said:
you can specify where the file will pull to, ex. adb pull /system/app/APK_NAME.apk C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop\APK_NAME.apk
just replace USERNAME with your Account name for your computer. And replace APK_NAME.apk with the name of the apk you are pulling. FYI this will put the file on your desktop.
do your edits, then compile and reverse the command to push it back.
if it's on your desktop do: adb push C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop\APK_NAME.apk /system/app/APK_NAME.apk
This is of course if you are using Windows 7. Hope this helps.
Before you push your file back to your phone, run "adb remount" to remount the system, just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah, I forgot about that one. Important if you're not in recovery
adb push C:\Users\JROCK\Desktop\system/framework/framework-res.apk /system/app/system/framework/framework-res.apk
now it pushes it but doesnt do anything
suppose to make status bar go away
jager987 said:
adb push C:\Users\JROCK\Desktop\system/framework/framework-res.apk /system/app/system/framework/framework-res.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks to me you added extra stuff. try this:
adb push C:\Users\JROCK\Desktop\framework-res.apk /system/framework/
says cannot stat then lists what you put...there is not such file or directory
for some reason i have to put the /system/framework/framework-res.apk for it to work
but now its pushing it and nothing happening
Stupid question, but are you rebooting your phone after you push?
i was told to so yea
Yeah you should be. What exactly are the changes your making? I really haven't messed with changing the icons to much, so I don't know how much more help I can be.
Sent from another Dimension!
just changing the battery icon to a gears of war one a friend of mine was using
did you ever get everything pulled and the icons replaced

[GUIDE] Correctly using Root Explorer to manually replace modded/stock system files

Here is the correct way to use root explorer for manually replacing system files:
1. Mount the system as r/w (read/write) per the top right corner. Navigate to the file that you plan to replace (e.g., system/framework/framework.jar).
2. Copy (not move) the file and paste it somewhere on your SD card (internal or external, doesn't matter - as long as you can locate it in case you need to put it back). Rename the file you just pasted, but very subtly. For example, when renaming framework.jar, I would only throw something in front of the file name, such as "Backup - framework.jar", so I can easily distinguish it from the new file if I put them in the same spot.
3. NANDROID BACKUP!
4. Download/put on your sd card (whatever you do) the new file that you want to replace the old one with.
5. Move the new file to /system (not in a subfolder yet). Here you will change the permissions, which is crucial to avoid FCs and problems. In root explorer, you would long press the file, press permissions, and set them to whatever the old file's permissions are. This may require going to verify what they are before starting this step. For example, in a lot of cases, the permissions will be RW-R-R. In Root Explorer, this would mean checking the first two boxes on the first line and only the first box on the next two lines. In any situation, confirm that the permissions you see after you've changed them (right below the file name) match exactly what you're replacing.
6. Ensure that your new file is correctly named to exactly what it is replacing (case actually matters) and double check the permissions.
7. Move your new file to the folder, root explorer will ask if you want to replace the file. Confirm.
8. Back out of root explorer and immediately reboot.
No force closes, no problems .
It may seem like a lot to someone who doesn't do it often but for me, I actually do this method faster than any other and fly through it every time. I got tired of seeing people explain ways to use Root Explorer which result in bootloops, FCs, etc. without fail. So, I decided to put an end to it.
Great post Simba501! Thank you for this...
Obviously a "noob" thing I'm over-looking but when I try and paste the file I'm moving into /system it's prompting me that it's "read-only"?
Audiochild said:
Obviously a "noob" thing I'm over-looking but when I try and paste the file I'm moving into /system it's prompting me that it's "read-only"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Toggle "Mount R/W" button at the top.
Audiochild said:
Great post Simba501! Thank you for this...
Obviously a "noob" thing I'm over-looking but when I try and paste the file I'm moving into /system it's prompting me that it's "read-only"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you need to mount \system as read-write. There is a button in the upper right corner of root explorer to mount
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
Thanks wonner and kbilly70! That was the issue
Awsome. Bookmarked!
thanks for the awesome guide. worked great for me!
Thanks, that clears things up.
I'm still wondering, though, how does one handle certificate files etc? For example, the ones found in this fix provided by zdzihu, in the META-INF folder.
kZard said:
Thanks, that clears things up.
I'm still wondering, though, how does one handle certificate files etc? For example, the ones found in this fix provided by zdzihu, in the META-INF folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are only for flashing purposes. Not needed if you're not flashing it. You only need to pull everything besides that folder and place them appropriately.
Using this method resulted in "app not installed" tried it with black Google search box, and just now with Mms.apk rw-r--r-- backed up old one, but method didn't work... had to nandroid last time because phone wouldn't let me install backup or market version. Looks like I'm in for it again. fudge. what went wrong?
System folder was r/w and moved apk into system/app said OK to overwrite and used hard key back button to exit root explorer. Hard key power button and selected reboot within 1-4 seconds of moving apk over system app.
Edgarhighman said:
Using this method resulted in "app not installed" tried it with black Google search box, and just now with Mms.apk rw-r--r-- backed up old one, but method didn't work... had to nandroid last time because phone wouldn't let me install backup or market version. Looks like I'm in for it again. fudge. what went wrong?
System folder was r/w and moved apk into system/app said OK to overwrite and used hard key back button to exit root explorer. Hard key power button and selected reboot within 1-4 seconds of moving apk over system app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't install it after placing it. Placing it in the folder does install it. If you put it there, ensure the permissions are correct, and reboot, it should work.
EDIT: I don't see any mention of setting the permissions, so that was probably the issue. Again, no need to "install" it; just put it in the appropriate folder and set the permissions.
Simba501 said:
You don't install it after placing it. Placing it in the folder does install it. If you put it there, ensure the permissions are correct, and reboot, it should work.
EDIT: I don't see any mention of setting the permissions, so that was probably the issue. Again, no need to "install" it; just put it in the appropriate folder and set the permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did state the permissions. It's in your quote lol. Your method caused my phone to say app not installed. I had trouble getting the default app back after your method failed. Why didn't it work? I'm telling you I followed it to a T.
Sgs2, android 2.3.6, unnamed rom, December 2011 entropy kernel
Edgarhighman said:
I did state the permissions. It's in your quote lol. Your method caused my phone to say app not installed. I had trouble getting the default app back after your method failed. Why didn't it work? I'm telling you I followed it to a T.
Sgs2, android 2.3.6, unnamed rom, December 2011 entropy kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the apk is compatible, it will work. At no point should you get an "application not installed" prompt, unless you attempted to manually install it at some point. If it wouldn't work, it just wouldn't appear in the app drawer: no prompt.
I guess this should be mentioned in the OP, but some times, clearing data of the application may be necessary after finishing. Usually a force stop at the most will allow you to see changes (which is why the steps include a reboot). You've piqued my interest. Post the files of question and I'll see if they work on my device. There was a similar issue someone else was having; I told him to redownload the apk and that was the problem. Some kind of botched file/download.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
can you edit or create new folders in the /sys directory?
mikoal said:
can you edit or create new folders in the /sys directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Why would you want to?
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1
Simba501 said:
No. Why would you want to?
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just wondering what the limitations of root explorer are.
is it only that folder? and why that folder?
mikoal said:
just wondering what the limitations of root explorer are.
is it only that folder? and why that folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can edit and create new folders in that directory, but there's just no need to, unless you want to break the functionality of your phone.
mikoal said:
just wondering what the limitations of root explorer are.
is it only that folder? and why that folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk: that's the only one I've seen. I've created folders in other directories. At any rate, virtually every modification you'll ever make will be in /data or /system.
dsmboost said:
You can edit and create new folders in that directory, but there's just no need to, unless you want to break the functionality of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It fails if attempting to create it within Root Explorer. You could use other means though (on a PC, an edited ROM zip, or potentially another root file manager). But again, no real reason to: other than for development purposes, perhaps. I'm no developer though, so I can't say.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1
Simba501 said:
Idk: that's the only one I've seen. I've created folders in other directories. At any rate, virtually every modification you'll ever make will be in /data or /system.
It fails if attempting to create it within Root Explorer. You could use other means though (on a PC, an edited ROM zip, or potentially another root file manager). But again, no real reason to: other than for development purposes, perhaps. I'm no developer though, so I can't say.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah okay, I was referring to ES file explorer, which can modify other files in that directory.
thanks to you both!

[Resolved] Strange directory I can't remove from SD Card

Okay, I don't know how this happened, but I have a strange directory on my external SD card called "D/cuments".
Here is the strange thing. It doesn't show up in root explorer. However, if I adb shell in, I can see it. Also, in Windows explorer, I can see it. But I can't delete it.
If I set my USB connect to PC Mode, I can rename it and delete it from Windows explorer, but it reality, it doesn't happen. If I adb shell in, I'll still see the "D/cuments" folder when I do an ls. If I do an ls -l in adb shell, it not there.
If I set USB connection to USB Mass Storage mode, I can still see the "D/cuments" folder in Windows explorer, but I cannot delete it or rename it as I get the following error:
Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk.
I have no idea how this file showed up on my SD card.
Any ideas? I really want to avoid having to reformat the card, but I guess my only recourse is to copy everything over, reformat the SD card, and then copy everything back.
Thanks!
Haha...sorry I was about to suggest u format the card before I read the last part of ur post
Had u installed any new apps recently? Or been messing around with ur sdcard?
ashclepdia said:
Haha...sorry I was about to suggest u format the card before I read the last part of ur post
Had u installed any new apps recently? Or been messing around with ur sdcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had been restoring some nandroid backups, but that's about it.
I'm in the process of backing up the SD card and getting ready to reformat it. <sigh> Since it's 32gb and I have my music on it, it's going to take some time. Yuck!
I wonder if it has just been there for a long time but u just never noticed it b before lol
But I was gonna say if it ain't a big file and it isn't hurting anything u might as well just leave it there instead of screwing with it and possibly killing your card some how
ashclepdia said:
I wonder if it has just been there for a long time but u just never noticed it b before lol
But I was gonna say if it ain't a big file and it isn't hurting anything u might as well just leave it there instead of screwing with it and possibly killing your card some how
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's empty and takes up zero storage. It's just kind of annoying seeing it there.
What's really strange is, if I use the default ls command in ADB, it shows up. If I do an ls -l, it doesn't show up.
Code:
# ls
ls
...
Documents
com.espn.score_center
Cut the Rope
data
[B][COLOR="Red"]D/cuments[/COLOR][/B]
download
ezPDFReader
...
#
#
#
# ls D*
ls D*
D/cuments: No such file or directory
#
Then, if I use the ls command in BusyBox, it still doesn't show up. It's really strange.
I don't know if it could have been malware, but I don't run any suspicious applications. All my apps are purchased from the Market or Amazon Market, other than of course, various flash zip files from XDA, but even then, the only things I've flashed/installed that are not from the market are as follows:
Eclipse 1.3
2.3.4 build.prop Mashup
DX2 Battery Fix
BSR
All of these I downloaded from XDA and have used for months, so I've never seen this before.
I did have other directories show up that I was able to delete that looked like the wonderful Windows short-hand for long file names. You know, those stupid filenames with tildes (~) in them to fit the 8.3 filename format? Really strange.
The only thing I can think of that might have caused this, now that I think of it, was when I was connected via PC Mode and was copying files from my SD card to my hard drive. It hung and wouldn't stop and I had to go, so I tried cancelling the copy and it wouldn't cancel. I then tried to eject the phone via the windows "remove hardware" quick access icon and that didn't work, so I had to just pull the USB cable from the PC. Not sure if that could have caused this or not, but I wasn't copying anything TO the SD Card. I was copying FROM the SD card.
Oh well.
That could easily cause problems like you're seeing. If you haven't formatted the card yet, try running chkdsk on it from Windows. chkdsk (drive letter) /f
Might have info on it for plug and play and thats why you cant delete it. Flash drives have files on them for that even if they are formatted. That may be it. I do not know for sure.
Before doing anything drastic, try something easy: reconnect it to your windows install and try safely removing. Sometimes it'll lock a file if it is unmounted uncleanly.
If that doesn't work, I'd head back to the terminal and try a few more things. Android will have problems with a file containing a slash because slashes indicate separate directories. It's probably getting confused. I'd try doing ls -la followed by the filename (cap sensitive!) in quotation marks. That should tell the shell to interpret the name as a single entity instead of trying to split it into a directory called D containing a file called cuments, which it might be doing. If it shows the file that way, run rm the same way. If it sees the file at that point but can't operate on it, su to root first and then maybe try using rm -rf.
Edit: Actually, after further consideration, there's going to be no way to remove the file from within Android. Any utility that you use to try to remove it will interpret it as a file within a directory instead of a single directory. There's no way to create such a file from within the system, so it shouldn't exist, period. There's no way to get to it from within your phone since forward slashes are hardcoded into the kernel as indicators for directories, so the usual tricks, like escaping the slash with a backslash or using quotation marks won't work. You're going to have to deal with the file from within Windows by mounting your sd card. That's the only way you'll ever get rid of it short of a reformat.
robocuff said:
That could easily cause problems like you're seeing. If you haven't formatted the card yet, try running chkdsk on it from Windows. chkdsk (drive letter) /f
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That fixed it! I ran the Error-checking tool from Local Disk Properties in Windows Explorer, had it automatically fix file system errors and scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. Once that happened, the "D/cuments" folder became "DOCUME~1" and I could see the files inside of it.
Thanks again for the simple, yet effective, tip!
Sooooo
What was in the folder? Lol.....
You know, "Documents"
RyanThaDude said:
You know, "Documents"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must have been a NOClist lol
ashclepdia said:
Must have been a NOClist lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it was a Mission that was Impossible trying to delete it before I ran check disk on it.
Glad to hear that fixed it for ya. Anytime odd things like that start happening, chkdsk is always my first resort. It's not always the answer but it's one of the easiest things you can do and, well, I don't know about you but I've always been one to take the easy way out if I could.
Have you tried to solve this with specialized software?
When I receive this kind of messages, or messages like path too long, Could not find this item, Error Copying File or Folder, etc.
dan_lee_01 said:
When I receive this kind of messages, or messages like path too long, Could not find this item, Error Copying File or Folder, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this I don't even
the run on sentences are driving me
ashclepdia said:
the run on sentences are driving me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is wrong with run on sentences they seem to work find and the get the point across too and they aren't that hard to read and follow and they are easier to type atleast I thinks so don't you?
Sent from my Cyanocrack using Xparent Blue Tapatalk
motcher41 said:
What is wrong with run on sentences they seem to work find and the get the point across too and they aren't that hard to read and follow and they are easier to type atleast I thinks so don't you?
Sent from my Cyanocrack using Xparent Blue Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
sorry I meant the incomplete are driving me

Categories

Resources