[Tutorial] Building Your First Kernel - Android

Preface
OK a lot of people have been asking about building kernels, so here is my best shot at a tutorial. I want to preface this all by saying I AM NOT A DEVELOPER. I am a hacker and modder at best, I like doing my own thing, fiddling, and learning what I can, but I don't claim to know/understand everything about the process of building a kernel. You guys shouldn't expect my little walk through here plus another person’s source to make you a "developer", all it will prove is that you can copy/paste. Also if you follow this guide, I am not responsible for anything that you may do that results in destruction, death, or other negative side-affects. You really shouldn't be messing with this stuff unless you know what you are doing, or doing a LOT of research along the way.
However please use this guide as a springboard for knowledge, to give you some key terms to google, to turn on those lightbulbs in your head and get those gears churning.
Note: This is not a newbie's guide to Linux. Before you post your question please look at it. If it involves the syntax of the command/what a command does you need to do your own research elsewhere before attempting to continue with this guide.
​Step 1. Build Environment
A. Install Ubuntu 12.04(Not holding your hand here, if you can't do this you shouldn't be messing with kernels)
B. Required packages: git-core, gnupg, flex, bison, gperf, libsdl-dev, libesd0-dev, libwxgtk2.6-dev, build-essential, zip, curl, libncurses5-dev, zlib1g-dev, ia32-libs, lib32z1-dev, lib32ncurses5-dev, gcc-multilib, g++-multilib, and Adb.
C. Open a terminal
D. Type "mkdir android"
E. Type "cd android"
G.Type "mkdir kernel"
The above steps explained:
A. Installing a linux distro. You could really install any Linux distro(Arch = epicness ) however Ubuntu in my eyes is the easy to use and install, and widely supported.
B. Installing needed packages. I believe are these are needed(I'm sure someone will correct if they aren't), these are just the one's I was told I needed the first time I built CyanogenMod. No I can't tell you what every single package does, it is your job to research and figure that out.
C. Ummm...duh?
D-G. Building a directory structure that will help keep us organized. The "mkdir" command creates a directory, and the "cd" command moves you into that directory. You could also combine these steps using the command "mkdir -p android/kernel", however I left it broken apart up there to enforce the typing bit of this. The more you type these commands the more familiar you will become with them.
​Step 2. Your Source
A. Open your Terminal Prompt
B. Type "cd android/kernel"
C. Type "git clone git://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains.git toolchains"
D. Now comes the tricky part, you need to have some-type of source for your kernel. Check the following two sites for your device as appropriate. Once you have it download it is extracted/cloned into a folder in your kernel directory.
http://www.htcdev.com/
http://opensource.samsung.com/
http://developer.sonymobile.com/wportal/devworld/search-downloads/opensource
http://www.lg.com/global/support/opensource/opensource.jsp
The above steps explained: Ok all we are doing here is grabbing some tool chains and the kernel source.
A. Ok...you got this one!
B. Moving into our working directory
C. Grabbing DooMLoRD's very handy pre-built toolchains. What is a toolchain? Check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_toolchain. These toolchains are unstable, and as such they aren't completely endorsed yet. They are the versions I use though, and if you would like to use the stable version(4.5.3 as of 07/06/12) you can find links with Google.
D. I typically put my kernel in a directory like "~/android/kernel/<devicename>_<androidversion>_kernel" but that's just me.​
Step 3. Modifications
This is the part people are curious about, they want to make modifications to the kernel to make it "special". Start all these from the root directory of your kernel source.
Mod 1. Applying a patch
A. Download the patch you wish to apply, in this case this one should work.
B. Save that file as "kernelPatch" in your kernel directory.
C. Open a Terminal
D. Move into the root directory of the kernel you wish to patch.
E. Type "patch -p1 < ../kernelPatch"
The above steps explained:
A. Pretty simple, I mean we need a patch. The patch itself is quite simply a diff between the original kernel source tree and the source tree containing the changes. I'll post a quick tutorial on how to create a patch in the third post. The patch above contains multiple governors to be added to your kernel.
B. Self-explanatory
C. Self-explanatory
D. Self-explanatory
E. Basically we run the patch command on our source using the patch we downloaded previously. The "patch" portion is the binary itself, the "-p1" option allows you to control the number of forward slashes to remove from file paths(You'll need to look at this option more if you are using weird directory structures or applying the patches from a odd location). The "<" operator directs the content of our "../kernelPatch" file into the command.​ Mod 2. Adding a Governor Alone
A. Open "drivers/cpufreq/Kconfig"
B. Add the following lines in appropriate spot amongst the other govenor's
Code:
config CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_SMARTASS
bool "smartass"
select CPU_FREQ_GOV_SMARTASS
select CPU_FREQ_GOV_PERFORMANCE
help
Use the CPUFreq governor 'smartass' as default.
Code:
config CPU_FREQ_GOV_SMARTASS
tristate "'smartass' cpufreq governor"
depends on CPU_FREQ
help
smartass' - a "smart" optimized governor!
If in doubt, say N.
C. Open "drivers/cpufreq/Makefile"
D. Add the following line in the appropriate spot.
Code:
obj-$(CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_SMARTASS) += cpufreq_smartass.o
E. Create a file called "drivers/cpufreq/cpufreq_smartass.c"
F. Put the following code in that file.
http://pastebin.com/f0Bk9kVZ
G. open "include/linux/cpufreq.h"
H. Under the "Cpufreq Default" section add
Code:
#elif defined(CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_DEFAULT_GOV_SMARTASS)
extern struct cpufreq_governor cpufreq_gov_smartass;
#define CPUFREQ_DEFAULT_GOVERNOR (&cpufreq_gov_smartass)
Ok there is a governor added, do the exact same steps for any other one's you would like to add.
The above steps explained:
A. Just opening a file, you guys have this. The Kconfig ties into our "make menuconfig" command later, making our mod a selectable option.
B. Adding the appropriate code for our governor to get it in our .config file. The first chunk would allow us to set our governor as the default one for our kernel, the other allows us to totally remove or add it to the build as we wish.
C-D. This step tells the linker to tie our module in with the rest of the code.
E-F. Creating the actually governor itself, don't skip this step. I would suggest reading through this and trying to understand how it works, it's some pretty awesome stuff.
G-H. Open a file and add the code needed to tie our module into the rest of the source. Without this we would not be able to compile due to the rest of the source not knowing our module exists.​
Step 4. Getting a Config file
Option A. Pulling a config file from a kernel.
A. Hook up a device that is using a kernel similar to one you are using as your base.
B. Open a terminal
C. Change to your root kernel directory
D. Type "adb pull /proc/config.gz"
E. Type "gunzip config.gz"
F. Type "mv config arch/arm/configs/<your_config_name>_defconfig"
The above steps explained:
A. This will allow us to pull a base configuration file from a known working kernel. It makes it a lot easier to start out and let's us take baby steps through the whole process. As a note though not all kernel's support this, so you may have to try a few different one's to get it working. If that doesn't work, see option B.
B. Hehe, you are getting good at this step
C. Navigate to the uppermost directory of your kernel source.
D. Use adb to pull a copy of a working config file to use as your source.
E. Unzipping the config file.
F. Moving the configuration file you pulled to the config directory so we can reference it later. ​Option B. Using the manufacturers config.
Unfortunately as stated above, not all kernels support the "/proc/config.gz" method. You can typically find a manufacturer's configuration file in "arch/arm/configs". I believe the one for my HTC Flyer was called "flyer_hc_defconfig", so look for a layout similar to that one. Also read the README to get a better idea of how to modify it. I would personally make a copy of it called "<your_config_name>_defconfig" and use that as my base.​Step 5. Building
Time to start the real "build" section of this tutorial.
Part A. Pre-build Steps
A. Open terminal and change to the root of your kernel directory
B. Type "export ARCH=arm"
C. Type "export CROSS_COMPILE=~/android/kernel/toolchains/arm-eabi-linaro-4.6.2/bin/arm-eabi-"
Part B. The First Build
A. Type "make <your_config_name>_defconfig"
B. Type "make menuconfig" and make the required changes to use any modules you added or similar changes.
C. Type "make -j<maximum number of jobs>"
Part C. Re-Builds
A. Type "make clean"
B. Type "make oldconfig"
C. Type "make -j<maximum number of jobs>"
Part D. Building Modules
You have two options:
A. Type "make modules"
B. Type "make path/to/your/module.ko"​
The above steps explained:Part A.(These steps are required every time you close your terminal and re-open it to build again.)
A. Ok shouldn’t need to explain this.
B. This command sets your target architecture.
C. Defines the path to the toolchain we are going to use to compile our kernel. You can change this to point towards whatever toolchain you have downloaded or feel like using, the way it is currently configured it will use the Linaro toolchain that we downloaded above.
Part B.(These only need to be run the first time you build a kernel.)
A. Load's your configuration file from earlier.
B. Open up a menu to configure your kernel. It will use the config file you loaded in the previous step as a base.
C. Viola start the build. I typically allow 1 job per core, so on my quad core machine I put "make -j4". Just raising that number will not make your build faster, your processor needs to be able to support the number of jobs you are assigning it.
Part C. (Use the command's when you are building any-time outside of the first)
A. This command gets rid of any old/outdated binaries or modules you compiled before, and let's start fresh. I like to run it every I build unless my changes are really small and localized.
B. A very awesome command, it parses through what has changed and only prompts you about new options.
C. See the explanation for the above "Part C.".
Part D.(Use these for just building kernel modules.)
A. This will re-build all modules.
B. Will rebuild just the module you need. Very useful when you need to rebuild a WiFi module.​
Step 6. Now what
Ok we have now started our build and we are waiting for it to finish, so there are two possible outcomes:
Outcome A. Build Succeds
W00t!! You have a kernel built by your self from source. There are a couple things you need in-order to use this kernel on your device any ".ko" modules and the zImage binary. If you pay attention to the output of your compiler then you will see the location of those objects. However the following commands will make your life a bit easier(Thanks Recognized Developer Hacre):
A. Open a terminal
B. Change to your root kernel directory
C. Type "mkdir ../<your_kernel>_output"
D. Type "cp arch/arm/boot/zImage ../<your_kernel>_output/zImage"
E. Type "find . -name "*.ko" -exec cp {} ../<your_kernel>_output \;"
The above steps explained:
A-C. Self-Explanatory
D. Move our kernel binary into our output folder
E. This handy bit of magic finds all ".ko" modules and also copies them into your output file.
You will also need to assemble a kernel image containing a initramfs for your device, along with the kernel binary and such. That however is beyond the scope of this tutorial. To get started though try searching the following phrases.
Code:
building android kernel image
xda build kernel image
xda unpack boot.img
Outcome B. Build Fails
Oh dear. It failed. Well guess what...this is going to happen..a LOT. Get used to it, and get used to googling and experimenting with different solutions. The following are some tips that will help you with debugging your issues.
Running a "Clean" build
A. Backup your config file(Type "cp .config ../backupConfig")
B. Re-run the build process using just your defconfig from earlier.
Limiting Output(Thanks Hacre.)
A. Another good tip is to run "make -j1" to get the error, as it will limit the amount of text you need to scroll through.​Credits
Hacre-Feedback
cdesai-Feedback
Leedroid-Being willing to answer a noob's question's
Doomlord- Having such handy Git repo's ​
Enjoy. That's all it takes to build a kernel, it's actually rather simple. I will try to answer what questions I can in this thread, and continue to add to it.

Please Read. The GPL is VERY important.
The Rules as they apply on XDA
As XDA has no legal power to uphold the GPL (and frankly we want to stay as far away from doing so as possible), we can’t force any of our users to abide by the GPL. However it is in XDA’s interests as well as the interests of our developer-base to ensure all GPL-derived materials hosted or linked on XDA comply fully with the GPL.
GPL-derived materials that do not come with the complete sources used to compile the GPL components are considered warez, and will be treated as such under forum rule 6 and 9.
If you use GPL components, but do not make any modifications to them whatsoever, you should provide a link to the original source of your GPL code.
Sources accompanying a release should be complete, and contain all the necessary source code for any modules, scripts or definition files. Complete sources will be defined as those which compile correctly and completely against the platform for which the software is distributed, and which contain any and all modifications made to the released General Public Licenced code. The source code supplied should be the exact version for which the source code is being requested, complete with all modifications.
EXAMPLE: Here’s a bit of code that could be used as a template to post your releases
<Kernel Or Author Name> <Kernel Nr>:
<Source>|<ReadMe>|<Credits>|<Other>
The Very Quick Summary of General Public License (GPL)
The text of the GPL Licence itself will be used to reach any final conclusion regarding any disputes over GPL Licenced materials. The above is a summary of what XDA expects of members using GPL code, and the complete text can be read at the GNU website.
The GPL states that anyone who modifies GPL licenced code is required to make available the sources used to compile it. This is to further improve and encourage collaborative work, as well as to ensure that the best code possible is produced, and to encourage peer-review of all work. This benefits both developers and end users in numerous ways, including:
Allowing anyone to verify the code they are trusting with their data, and its authenticity
Encouraging community collaboration to produce faster fixes and updates, and better code
Helping bring new developments from other devices and fields to your own, letting you benefit from new code that wouldn’t have been available without this sharing.
The GPL imparts great freedom for GPL end users. It ensures innovation is never stifled and no project is dependent upon any single developer.
It is in everyone’s interest for the GPL to be adhered to, as it gives us all better ROMs, better transparency, and a better atmosphere for developers to work together to make great code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Grabbing this on the off chance that this thread takes off.
Tutorial coming on how to make a patch when I have time.(Hopefully later tonight.)

Would you mind if I use this tut to automate Build Kernel in the future for use in my tool StudioAndroid?
Credits will be given!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Go for it, let me know if you have any problems with it.
Sent from my SCH-R760 using Tapatalk 2

Would there be any interest in a tutorial on common Linux CLI tools?

thewadegeek said:
Would there be any interest in a tutorial on common Linux CLI tools?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like what/
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Oh find, grep, and sed are all one's I use on a regular basis, we could add a quick walk through on repo/git, maybe vi. And come to think of it talking about shell scripting would probably help out as well, it's pretty commonly used for tweaking around here.

thewadegeek said:
Oh find, grep, and sed are all one's I use on a regular basis, we could add a quick walk through on repo/git, maybe vi. And come to think of it talking about shell scripting would probably help out as well, it's pretty commonly used for tweaking around here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A while ago I wanted to add a BASH guide. I think that it will be greatly appreciated if you create a guide for it.
If you need any help, just PM me
Remember to post 8 "reserved" posts if you create a guide for feature expanding
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Hmm I'll start rolling with that then. And as to the 8 posts, I prefer to keep them separated by topic so that I can assume the questions in each thread can pertain to the topic at hand.

definatly want to do this!
one question though how can i get source from lets say FXP's github? i keep getting stuck there
like what directory do i need? staright to the kernel file the have or what/? if thats a yes what directory is it?
this is the git hub https://github.com/freexperia
ur help would be greatly appreciated

Well what type of device do you have? He has multiple kernels there so we need to make sure we grab the right one.

sorry it was arc or "anzu"
it is cm9 kernel im looking to make
or i could use the one from cyanogen mod if thats easier since it has the RC1 kernel

Either would work, just make sure it's for your device. Do you have a ready link to the CM9 one?

thewadegeek said:
Either would work, just make sure it's for your device. Do you have a ready link to the CM9 one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i cant tell which it is cause none of them have arc or anzu in them so i dont know which its for
https://github.com/freexperia/semc-kernel-msm7x30-ics.git maybe
idk cause the have all sony devices on this github..... is it just a couple of files that wil be replaced that are device specific?

Ok...I do not see a kernel in there with Qualcomm MSM8255 support. Is this http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_xperia_arc-3619.php your phone?

thewadegeek said:
Ok...I do not see a kernel in there with Qualcomm MSM8255 support. Is this http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_xperia_arc-3619.php your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but its ok i got everything workin i just dont understand step 3 part c....

Open that file, and then add that line. However I'm guessing this kernel has all the Govenor's you'll need for this. Also pay attention to the bit about the GPL, and make sure you ask the original creator's permission.

thewadegeek said:
Open that file, and then add that line. However I'm guessing this kernel has all the Govenor's you'll need for this. Also pay attention to the bit about the GPL, and make sure you ask the original creator's permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh sorry i meamnt the next part 3 (seems u have 2) about im talking about getting config file part C

Ah good catch, updated. Ok so you know you created a "android/kernel" folder? In your terminal type "cd ~/android/kernel" and press enter. Then type "ls" and press enter again. Tell me what it says.

Related

Google Android Development

TIME TO MOVE ON
i wil be on xperia section
i am happy that i could help this section
Best Regards, Happy Cookling and Programing!
Hy all
I started this tread because the interest to android is growing
I invite all people with linux knowledge or C programing skills to join
If you know some hardware programing is better
We need
- developpers
- testers
i will not post an guide how to setup the compiler and set variables
if you dont know this stuff please stick to Google Android thread and dont post here stupid questions as IT IS READY / WHEN WILL IT BE READY
WE DO THIS IN OUR SPARE TIME AND WE HAVE FAMILY AND LIFE
So shell we invite the penguin to our phones?
WIKI Page
(Thanks Bikor_gj)
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Niki_Android
GIT Trees
Vogue
http://git.linuxtogo.org/?p=groups/mobile-linux/kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/htc-vogue
MSM
http://git.linuxtogo.org/?p=groups/mobile-linux/kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/htc-msm-2.6.25
Reserved For Messages
Build Instructions for the ones that want to help
- Create working dir:
Code:
mkdir ~/android-kernel
- Go to the dir:
Code:
cd ~/android-kernel
- Clone the Linuxtogo GIT:
Code:
git clone git://git.linuxtogo.org/home/groups/mobile-linux/kernel.git
- Go into newly created dir:
Code:
cd ~/android-kernel/kernel
- Create a new branch, call it htc-msm and link it to the official htc-msm development branch:
Code:
- Descend into the "main" android dir:
Code:
cd ~/android-kernel
- Get toolchain:
Code:
wget http://www.codesourcery.com/gnu_too...-none-linux-gnueabi-i686-pc-linux-gnu.tar.bz2
- maybe you need to rename the just downloaded file (because after .tar.bz2 wget has added ?lite=arm). (HINT FOR LINUX-NEWBIES: USE TAB TO COMPLETE KNOWN FILENAMES!! - In this case type: mv arm(TAB) arm(TAB) -> backspace till 'bz2' is the last word)
Code:
mv arm-2008q1-126-arm-none-linux-gnueabi-i686-pc-linux-gnu.tar.bz2\?lite\=arm arm-2008q1-126-arm-none-linux-gnueabi-i686-pc-linux-gnu.tar.bz2
- unpack the toolchain:
Code:
tar -xjf arm-2008q1-126-arm-none-linux-gnueabi-i686-pc-linux-gnu.tar.bz2
- ascend again into the 'kernel' directory:
Code:
cd ~/android-kernel/kernel
- make the kernel:
Code:
git checkout -b htc-vogue origin/htc-vogue
You also have to use
Code:
make vogue_defconfig ARCH=arm
- export path so the newly downloaded toolchain will be used instead of your default compiler (which would compile for your computer instead of your phone):
Code:
export PATH=~/android-kernel/arm-2008q1/bin:$PATH
- make the zImage-file:
Code:
make zImage ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-none-linux-gnueabi-
Now the zImage file is created inside the directory kernel/arch/arm/boot.
When uploading this to your phone, remember that you only have to replace the zImage after each kernel build - the Linux environment on top of the kernel can just stay the same, so initrd (which is the ramdisk filesystem) can stay the same.
BR
Reserved For Kernel Status
Kernel status
no more power button //thanks biktor_gj
nike mtype added
audio working
call working
data working
sms unknown //due to keyboard and ts
keyboard screwed // somethings not right needs investigation
OnSreenKeyboard working
Touch screwed // SOLVED
when this kernel probelms will be solved i will release the new kernel
I have knowledge of both C and linux so I vollunteer
hi,
i can be a tester... also i have some little linux knowledge...
I have limited knowledge of both c and linux, so I possibly could help.
It seems useful however to setup an SVN or something, so even 'non-registered' developers can write patches and submit them for review. You can set up such an SVN for free at assembla.com, together with a wiki, TRAC and more. They even say you can ask for more storage space and stuff if your project is an open-source project.
If you have such an SVN developers like me can help without making any false promises of some sort.
I hope you know what I mean, it sounded better in my head
i know linux and i can do beta tester. i'm studying engineering too.
i also know linux and a bit of C...i can do testing too.
as you already know, I'm in too for development...
i will try the new kernel asap...
I tried this kernel and indeed, the keypad works on mine!
(touched the TS though, just because you said I wasn't allowed ) It froze, so reboot...
awesome! keys work all good! numbers work and also dpad and enter works!
(by the way: how will you make it possible to enter text? android is coded to enter numbers...
the_fish said:
awesome! keys work all good! numbers work and also dpad and enter works!
(by the way: how will you make it possible to enter text? android is coded to enter numbers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe by the end of this year or somewhere in the beginning of 2009 Google is making a system for creating software input methods, which would theoretically allow us to write an application that would reroute direct hardware input. I think. We'll have to see what the future will (or the talented developers here) bring.
man, awesome!!! good job, jerpelea. keys work great!!
graey said:
I believe by the end of this year or somewhere in the beginning of 2009 Google is making a system for creating software input methods, which would theoretically allow us to write an application that would reroute direct hardware input. I think. We'll have to see what the future will (or the talented developers here) bring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok... the onscreen keyboard would be ok for the time we have to wait
Jerpelea: Why do you want Ubuntu as dev os? I'm using OpenSuSE and am able to build the kernel.
I am thinking (since 2 weeks) to try Ubuntu again (used to use it), but may take while before I get to it...
Boylen said:
Jerpelea: Why do you want Ubuntu as dev os? I'm using OpenSuSE and am able to build the kernel.
I am thinking (since 2 weeks) to try Ubuntu again (used to use it), but may take while before I get to it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he is just saying that because it's easier for people to use??
works fine for me on vanilla debian
new kernel works fine screen still too responsive keys work calls work
it works! but after few minutes my nike is auto-turned off :O
garsim said:
it works! but after few minutes my nike is auto-turned off :O
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess we have turn the auto turn off in wm to unlimited or run it on usb plug...

[TUT] Building your own Xperia Play Kernel

Since We have such a fantastic tutorial on how to build your own CM9, I thought I'd add one for building a kernel.
Edit: updated kernel sources for jellybean
First off:
You NEED Linux. DO NOT TRY THIS ON WINDOWS, IT WON'T WORK.
Sources: https://github.com/CyanogenMod/semc-kernel-msm7x30
https://github.com/DarkforestGroup/sony-kernel-msm7x30-ics
https://github.com/DooMLoRD/Xperia-2011-Kernel-2.6.32.9
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1556971
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1477845
http://developer.sonymobile.com/wp/2011/05/06/how-to-build-a-linux-kernel/
DooMLoRD, KeiranFTW & Atarii.
Prepping:
1) Grab the toolchain I have here (Android NDK R5b), it's the only one I've been able to use that doesn't throw errors when compiling (stock based kernels): http://db.tt/hE3TmJJi Doom has provided a better toolchain https://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains[/QUOTE] you can get it using
Code:
git clone https://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains.git -b master <optional_folder_name_you_choose>
(thanks Doom!!)
Building a kernel from fxp sources
1) Terminal for any commands, file explorer for finding stuff & gedit for changes.
2) open up terminal, mkdir <name_you_want> (no spaces)
3) cd <name_you_want>
4) git clone https://github.com/freexperia/semc-kernel-msm-7x30-ics -b ics <optional_name_you_want_the_folder_to_be> (no spaces)
5) cd <optional_name_you_want_the_folder_to_be>/semc-kernel-msm-7x30-ics (if you didn't rename it)
6) (If this is after the first time, and lets say a week has past do this step, otherwise ignore) git pull (automatically updates any files)
7) First important step: Find the defconfig that fxp uses. They are located in arch/arm/config. fxp_zeus_defconfig is the name of theirs
8) copy fxp_zeus_defconfig & rename to <what_you_want_it_named>_zeus_defconfig (for example, mine will be pax_zeus_defconfig)
9) open up your defconfig & put it into another workspace, we'll mess with it later
10) Hop onto DooMLoRD's github, his we'll use for references.
11) Adding governors: https://github.com/DooMLoRD/Xperia-...mmit/bec19001ded34077d7776639834a1229b69e5f87
A1) Well, as I look into this, fxp has a ton of governors not used... (located in <name_of_kernel_folder>/drivers/cpufreq/
A2) Check the Kconfig file to see that they're all in there (they must just not be in the defconfig file)
A3) Edit the deconfig file you created in lines 467-474 removing "#" from any you want to add (and add in any you might've added by adding the line CONFIG_CPU_FREQ_GOV_<NAME_OF_GOVERNOR>=y
A4) If you want to add more governors, check out the Commits from DooMLoRD's build to add in when needed (anytime you see a "+" that means line added, "-" means line deleted)
12) Adding IO Schedulers: https://github.com/DooMLoRD/Xperia-...mmit/0ae625f7561c559d4933284f489733bf5eb66e96
B1) Navigate to <name_of_kernel>/block folder
B2) Once again, FXP has a ton of IO Schedulers added, but not used in Play kernel:
B3) Open up Kconfig.ioshced to make sure they're in there (and add any you want)
B4) Edit the defconfig file you created (lines 121-137) & fix it to your liking (same as above)
B5) If you want to add more, see Doom's commits to add 'em
13) Turning off ALS
C1) Navigate to <name_of_kernel>/arch/arm/mach-msm
C2) Open up board-semc_zeus.c
C3) Search for .als_connected (it on line 1349)
C4) Change the variable from 1 to 0
14) Overclocking
D1) open up arch/arm/mach-msm/acpuclock-7x30.c
D2) Lines 96 - 144 contain the PLL2 table, which is used to set clock speeds, note FXP can go all the way up to 2ghz, they just stop it short.
Continued in post 2 because all of this in one post 20% more awesome than XDA can handle
Pax
Cont'd from post 1
15) Building the Kernel
E1) Save your defconfig file, you'll need it now.
E2) naviage to <name_of_kernel> folder (in terminal)
E3) Type in "ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=<path_to_cross_compiler_i'll_use_min e_for_example>/home/paxchristos/Android_Source/doom_ndk/arm-eabi-4.4.3//bin/arm-eabi- make <what_you_put_here>_zeus_defconfig
E4) Type in "ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=<path_to_cross_compiler_from_above>/arm-eabi- make
E5) Sit back and relax (assuming it doesn't throw any errors, if it does, post here & I'll try to help you through them)
16) Getting the ramdisk
F1) Download a working copy of FXP's kernel (either through my zips or fxp zips)
F2) Goto here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1477845, download the xperiaboottools.zip that's attached.
F3) Now what I did (you don't have to) is chmod 755 mkbootimg & split_bootimg.pl & (sudo) cp to /bin for easy calling.
F4) Navagiate in terminal to where you downloaded fxp kernel
F5) mkdir <working_folder>
F6) cp <fxp_kernel> <working_folder>
F7) cd <working folder>
F8) split_bootimg.pl <fxp_kernel>
F9) mkdir ramdisk
F10) cd ramdisk
F11) gzip -dc ../<fxp_kernel>.img-ramdisk.gz | cpio -i
F12) Now you have the ramdisk, let's futz with it.
F13) First (easiest step) is to goto default.prop & change ro.secure=1 to ro.secure=0
F14) That's mainly what we want to do with it, if you want to change the boot image, go here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494076 for how to do it manually, or here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1513146 for the automatic way.
F15) now that we're done with the ramdisk, we'll go back to terminal
F16) find . | cpio -o -H newc | gzip > ../ramdisk.img
F17) cd ../
17) Putting the ramdisk & kernel together
G1) By now (hopefully) the kernel is done compiling. (time for terminal, you should still be in folder you were above)
G2) cp ~/<folder_you_put_the_kernel_source_in>/arch/arm/boot/zImage ./
G3) mkbootimg --base 0x00200000 --kernel zImage --ramdisk ramdisk.img -o <what_you_want_to_name_your_kernel>.img
18) Flashing it for testing.
H1) Keep your copy of FXP's kernel around, just in case any issues happen
H2) fastboot boot <your_kernel>.img
H3) If it boots & works, SUCCESS!! you modified your own custom kernel!
H4) If it doesn't boot (at all, just a vibrate & blank screen for 10-20 seconds) there's a problem with the ramdisk, sometimes it's bad, sometimes is needs filler, overall, it's just a pain in the butt to figure out.
H5) If it boots & bootloops the splash screen, well, that's an issue with the ramdisk again, that possibly, your ramdisk does not match you rom. Recovery, reflash rom & try again.
Courtesy of Atarii reminding me
19) Adding your wifi modules (they get built when you build the kernel) into the ramdisk
I1) Let's pretend that you haven't gotten through step F16, we're gonna add the wifi modules in.
I2) The wifi modules are located in <name_of_kernel_source_folder>/drivers/net/wireless/
I3) Copy bcm4329.ko to ~/ramdisk/working/modules/
I4) Add in the following lines to init.semc.rc
Code:
#load bcm4329 module
insmod /modules/bcm4329.ko
I5) Now your modules will autoload on boot!
Pax
Excellent guide
It may be because I'm both skeptical of us R800x users ever getting a real ICS, and the fact that going back to gingerbread sounds really tempting, but do you know / could you list the differences for compiling a gingerbread kernel for, say, CM7?
Kieran just told me to go to Sony's site. Thanks!
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Now I've read over this but I'd like to know exactly what a new Linux kernal can do for us? Does it allow us to do more stuff with any custom rom we create?
lightningdude said:
It may be because I'm both skeptical of us R800x users ever getting a real ICS, and the fact that going back to gingerbread sounds really tempting, but do you know / could you list the differences for compiling a gingerbread kernel for, say, CM7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this in place of #4 (in the guide)
4) git clone https://github.com/freexperia/semc-kernel-msm7x30 -b master <optional_name_you_want_the_folder_to_be>
& You'll get their sources for GB instead of ics
Alternatively, if you wanna do it from SEMC kernel sources,
Download them from: http://developer.sonymobile.com/cws/devworld/technology/opensource un-tar/bzip them & work from kernel/
Phryxus said:
Now I've read over this but I'd like to know exactly what a new Linux kernal can do for us? Does it allow us to do more stuff with any custom rom we create?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a better explanation than I can do
bassmadrigal said:
/cut/
The kernel is kinda like the nervous system of the body. It directly interacts with the hardware (which is how it is able to adjust CPU speed) and it is what allows the ROM to function.
The ROM is the rest of the body. Every other aspect of the phone. In fact, most ROMs include custom kernels. Various ROMs give you various features/enhancements/bugfixes. You will probably notice the biggest change in your phone if you load a custom ROM. Most people load the custom kernels to help with battery life as a lot of them allow you to lower the phones minimum processing speed from 245Mhz to 128MHz.
The ROM can change so many different aspects of how the phone works. There is CyanogenMod which is based off of stock Android with a lot of tweaks, bugfixes, and new features added. There is also MIUI, which is similar to the iOS style (not the same, but much closer than stock Android), and then there are a ton others out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an awesome guide, definitely recommend to all, if you're interested in getting into kernel development.
The only thing maybe worth mentioning is where to copy the compiled wifi drivers and modules (governors etc) from, after the kernel has compiled
I'm having a problem at the "Building the Kernel" step. I ran the command, albeit slightly different than you wrote, and got this error:
"make: *** No rule to make target `mjolnir_zeus_defconfig'. Stop."
Do I not have my NDK installed properly, or what?
Edit: Nevermind, was hit by a confusion spell. It's cured, and all is well. At least, for now.
btw, in the future you will want to clone: https://github.com/CyanogenMod/semc-kernel-msm7x30.git
ics branch
But FXP haven't updated kernel in a while, so you could use my CM9 kernel sources if you like: https://github.com/DarkforestGroup/sony-kernel-msm7x30-ics
master branch
Difference is, mine is made from pure Sony PLAY beta sources, while FXP use arc beta sources
I have successfully compiled a kernel for CM7. Thanks, pax, for this tut, and all other developers for their contributions!
Sent from my R800x using XDA
the NDK toolchain isnt good...
i have test them and they throw un-necessary errors...
best use gcc-4.4.3 toolchain from CM repo... it works with almost all device kernels i develop for...
u can also try gcc-4.6.2 toolchain (linaro)...
a working copy of both can be found at my git repo:
https://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains
DooMLoRD said:
the NDK toolchain isnt good...
i have test them and they throw un-necessary errors...
best use gcc-4.4.3 toolchain from CM repo... it works with almost all device kernels i develop for...
u can also try gcc-4.6.2 toolchain (linaro)...
a working copy of both can be found at my git repo:
https://github.com/DooMLoRD/android_prebuilt_toolchains
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to that, I use your arm-eabi-4.4.3 prebuilt
lightningdude said:
I have successfully compiled a kernel for CM7. Thanks, pax, for this tut, and all other developers for their contributions!
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently I was a little premature in my findings. Having a hell of a time with the fxp sources for CM7. For some reason, I just can't get my cpu frequencies to come down from Max. DooMLoRD, what am I missing?
Sent from my R800x using XDA
It's been a while since I gave an update here, but my ics kernel is doing fine. I just gave up on gingerbread. My new question: How would I go about changing recovery and such? I prefer DooMLoRD's recovery over Keiran's, but since I'm using Keiran's sources, I don't know what to do to get a different recovery.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
lightningdude said:
It's been a while since I gave an update here, but my ics kernel is doing fine. I just gave up on gingerbread. My new question: How would I go about changing recovery and such? I prefer DooMLoRD's recovery over Keiran's, but since I'm using Keiran's sources, I don't know what to do to get a different recovery.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try replacing the recovery executable in /sbin/ with DooMLoRDs
Sent from my Xperia Play using Tapatalk 2
KeiranFTW said:
Try replacing the recovery executable in /sbin/ with DooMLoRDs
Sent from my Xperia Play using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm at work right now, but I'll try when I get home. I plan on doing some digging for the sake of learning, but that's going to wait for the weekend.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Edit: Thanks Keiran, that worked. Like I said, I'll be poking around some more this weekend, just to see what I can mess with. Too bad I never got this far on my older phones...
looks good! so gonna try this tomorrow to build a cifs.ko module from latest Se source
watching a movies on phone, here I come
Hi great tutorial, but I'm having a problem with the wifi I have tried taking my bcm4329.ko from drivers/net/wireless and flashing it via CWM also tried moving it to system/lib/modules manually on my phone but still can't get it to work. Any idea how to fix this, its the only thing keeping me from using my own kernel
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium

[TUTORIAL][WIP] Working with GIT and GITHUB for Android Source

Working with GIT and GITHUB
for Android Source
I want to start by saying that I am no EXPERT on GIT, but I believe the best way to learn is through trial and error. Through my trials and errors, this is what I have found that works when working with Android Source Code (AOSP).
I started my Android Development basically porting and hacking Android Operating Systems for the HTC Thunderbolt. In my opinion I learned the basics plus some, and was able to create stable builds, which most users found enjoyable to operate. In my quest to further improve my Android development skills, I moved on the next step in Android Operating System development, build a custom AOSP ROM from source. I soon started browsing other developers GITHUB repositories and tried my best to figure out what was going on behind the scenes, in order to share my code with others and visa versa. This lead me to setting up a development platform, downloading the latest (at the time ICS) source and then compiling everything, to obtain, a fresh updated ROM. Obviously, the next step was editing the code to my liking and then trying to figure out how to update my code (push) to Github for version tracking and also hosting purposes. I shopped around on the net for GIT tutorials, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to make things work the way they should. After doing research on the REPO command (which I came to find was basically the same as GIT but updated to work better with Android) I became more confused. I never found an article or tutorial which explained step-by-step the processes in which I am about to explain, which is why I decided to take the time to compose this tutorial.
Finally, through many hours of research and frustration, I came up with the answers I was so diligently seeking. Here are my findings:
The following Tutorial is for an INITIAL COMMIT of your source to GITHUB. Once you accomplish sending the initial data over, sending only changes thereafter, is very similar, but doesn't require as many steps.
Prerequisites:
(1) Create an account on GITHUB.com
(2) Download the Android Source into a working directory (in my case "android").
(3) Generate your Private SSH Keys for GITHUB (this will allow you to push files without logging in every time) You will find easy to understand directions HERE
For this example I will be working with the following variables:
My default Android directory: ~/android
For this tutorial I will editing the Setting.apk source code in order to add "XYZ" functionality
The source code for the Settings.apk is located in ~/android/packages/apps/Settings
So lets BEGIN!
First Step: You want to go into the directory where you are editing the source.
Code:
cd ~/android/packages/apps/Settings
Second Step: Initialize the Settings source folder and create a git repository
(which will track all changes)
Code:
git init
Third Step: Now you want to log-in to GITHUB and create a repository for your updated Settings source to go. In my case I created a folder on GUTHUB called android_packages_apps_Settings
Forth Step: After you have created your repository on GITHUB, from your Settings source folder, you need to tell git where to push the changes you have made. When you do the initial push, it is actually going to push all of the files in the Settings source folder including the changes you have made. Do this by typing the following command:
Code:
git remote add github [email protected]:yourusername/android_packages_apps_Settings.git
Obviously, you are going to change "yourusername" to whatever username you created on GITHUB.
Fifth Step: Add the entire Settings directory to git so that it starts tracking your additions, deletions, changes, etc for the entire directory.
Code:
git add -A
Sixth Step: Commit the changes that you made to the files in order to push to GITHUB. Now for this example, I want to commit changes to ALL files in the Settings folder.
Code:
git commit -a
If I wanted to just commit changes to one specific file, I would use "git commit whateverfile.java". After you commit, a text editor is going to pop-up. This is where you add the description for the change(s) you have made. If you have detailed change-log of each file you changed, you will not want to use the "git -a" command because the description you enter there is going to be the description for all of the files you edited.
Seventh Step: Now you want to change to the branch you plan on using to push your content. In my case its "jellybean".
Code:
git branch jellybean
Eighth Step: Finally you will now push your initial Settings commit to github. In order to do this, type:
Code:
git push github jellybean
This is going to push github ("github" is the name you gave the REMOTE when you executed the "git remote add" above) to a branch on GITHUB.com called "jellybean". You can name the branch whatever you like, but obviously naming it to the current Android release name is the easiest to remember for you and others.
You should now see that your computer sent files to GUTHUB.com and if you check online, you should see that your changes have been implemented and copied for the world to access.
I hope this helps people out with Android based git commands. I wish I found somthing like this months ago and maybe I would have a few extra hairs on my head. Let me know if you have any additional questions or would like me to add to this tutorial in any fashion. I will be doing a video shortly which I will post to this thread when complete.
Saved for Questions and Answers . . .
Create repository on github called packages_apps_Settings
Clone it
Code:
git clone https://github.com/lithid/packages_apps_Settings.git
cd packages_apps_Settings
Find the aosp settings and pull that repo so all proper history is still entact. Then merge it.
Code:
git pull https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/apps/Settings refs/tags/android-4.1.1_r6
Save it
Now add it all and push to your local repo.
Code:
git push
Hello, how do you create a device tree because I want to build from source but my phone does not yet have one. Thanks
itzdarockz said:
Hello, how do you create a device tree because I want to build from source but my phone does not yet have one. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say "a device tree" are you referring to the propriety device drivers and such for a particular device?
MyComputerDoctor said:
When you say "a device tree" are you referring to the propriety device drivers and such for a particular device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean to build from source and when picking your lunch such as crespo and crespo 4G i want to add my phone into that. Is that necessary to build from source though?
itzdarockz said:
I mean to build from source and when picking your lunch such as crespo and crespo 4G i want to add my phone into that. Is that necessary to build from source though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if this helps: http://www.netmite.com/android/mydr...build_new_device.html#androidBuildNewFileTree
Thanks for this tut! I've been wanting to push out sources to my github for a while...but couldn't really find a good tut/didn't have the time to do all the research...this seems like it should get me going with my github and I will definatly be using this tut soon
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
question, Let's say I want to merge a commit from CyanogenMod's GitHub ..... I use AOKP's Source, is there a command using git that I can use to facilitate this ??
johnhany97 said:
question, Let's say I want to merge a commit from CyanogenMod's GitHub ..... I use AOKP's Source, is there a command using git that I can use to facilitate this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use git cherry-pick but first you need to add the repo
So for example you want a commit from settings first you add CM's settings as a repo with git remote add <name> <url> ....Name can be anything
So it will be $ git add remote cm https://github.com/CyanogenMod/android_packages_apps_Settings
then you can either git fetch cm which will sync all the branches out you can just sync a single branch $ git fetch cm cm-10.1
Now you can use git cherry-pick to cherry-pick the commit from CM settings
$ git cherry-pick <sha1>
e.g
$ git cherry-pick 64c377
Now you will probably need to resolve some conflicts which is hard to explain how to resolve as it varies between has been added where cherry-picked.
can some one ell me how i merge the halo from PA ?
thanks
MyComputerDoctor said:
Working with GIT and GITHUB
for Android Source
I want to start by saying that I am no EXPERT on GIT, but I believe the best way to learn is through trial and error. Through my trials and errors, this is what I have found that works when working with Android Source Code (AOSP).
I started my Android Development basically porting and hacking Android Operating Systems for the HTC Thunderbolt. In my opinion I learned the basics plus some, and was able to create stable builds, which most users found enjoyable to operate. In my quest to further improve my Android development skills, I moved on the next step in Android Operating System development, build a custom AOSP ROM from source. I soon started browsing other developers GITHUB repositories and tried my best to figure out what was going on behind the scenes, in order to share my code with others and visa versa. This lead me to setting up a development platform, downloading the latest (at the time ICS) source and then compiling everything, to obtain, a fresh updated ROM. Obviously, the next step was editing the code to my liking and then trying to figure out how to update my code (push) to Github for version tracking and also hosting purposes. I shopped around on the net for GIT tutorials, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to make things work the way they should. After doing research on the REPO command (which I came to find was basically the same as GIT but updated to work better with Android) I became more confused. I never found an article or tutorial which explained step-by-step the processes in which I am about to explain, which is why I decided to take the time to compose this tutorial.
Finally, through many hours of research and frustration, I came up with the answers I was so diligently seeking. Here are my findings:
The following Tutorial is for an INITIAL COMMIT of your source to GITHUB. Once you accomplish sending the initial data over, sending only changes thereafter, is very similar, but doesn't require as many steps.
Prerequisites:
(1) Create an account on GITHUB.com
(2) Download the Android Source into a working directory (in my case "android").
(3) Generate your Private SSH Keys for GITHUB (this will allow you to push files without logging in every time) You will find easy to understand directions HERE
For this example I will be working with the following variables:
My default Android directory: ~/android
For this tutorial I will editing the Setting.apk source code in order to add "XYZ" functionality
The source code for the Settings.apk is located in ~/android/packages/apps/Settings
So lets BEGIN!
First Step: You want to go into the directory where you are editing the source.
Code:
cd ~/android/packages/apps/Settings
Second Step: Initialize the Settings source folder and create a git repository
(which will track all changes)
Code:
git init
Third Step: Now you want to log-in to GITHUB and create a repository for your updated Settings source to go. In my case I created a folder on GUTHUB called android_packages_apps_Settings
Forth Step: After you have created your repository on GITHUB, from your Settings source folder, you need to tell git where to push the changes you have made. When you do the initial push, it is actually going to push all of the files in the Settings source folder including the changes you have made. Do this by typing the following command:
Code:
git remote add github [email protected]:yourusername/android_packages_apps_Settings.git
Obviously, you are going to change "yourusername" to whatever username you created on GITHUB.
Fifth Step: Add the entire Settings directory to git so that it starts tracking your additions, deletions, changes, etc for the entire directory.
Code:
git add -A
Sixth Step: Commit the changes that you made to the files in order to push to GITHUB. Now for this example, I want to commit changes to ALL files in the Settings folder.
Code:
git commit -a
If I wanted to just commit changes to one specific file, I would use "git commit whateverfile.java". After you commit, a text editor is going to pop-up. This is where you add the description for the change(s) you have made. If you have detailed change-log of each file you changed, you will not want to use the "git -a" command because the description you enter there is going to be the description for all of the files you edited.
Seventh Step: Now you want to change to the branch you plan on using to push your content. In my case its "jellybean".
Code:
git branch jellybean
Eighth Step: Finally you will now push your initial Settings commit to github. In order to do this, type:
Code:
git push github jellybean
This is going to push github ("github" is the name you gave the REMOTE when you executed the "git remote add" above) to a branch on GITHUB.com called "jellybean". You can name the branch whatever you like, but obviously naming it to the current Android release name is the easiest to remember for you and others.
You should now see that your computer sent files to GUTHUB.com and if you check online, you should see that your changes have been implemented and copied for the world to access.
I hope this helps people out with Android based git commands. I wish I found somthing like this months ago and maybe I would have a few extra hairs on my head. Let me know if you have any additional questions or would like me to add to this tutorial in any fashion. I will be doing a video shortly which I will post to this thread when complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you finish the video tutorial?
Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
sooo?
Does anyone have further information on how you would sync back to a master? That is, if I sync from AOSP today, make my own changes, and then a few weeks from now I want to resync to an updated AOSP, how do I do this?

[PATCH CENTRAL] The How-To and Help Thread for kernel patches

Hi guys, a couple days ago, i spent hours sifting through pages of google searches to find the EASIEST stuff about kernel patches. This guide will be updated slowly, be patient! I welcome the help and input from the community, please feel free to pm me (to make sure i get the message ). Let me start off by saying that I will not be able to fix all the problems that you get from patching, but i have no doubt that someone in this awesome community can. So enjoy!
Patching your linux kernel!
Alright guys, i am gonna cover INCREMENTAL patches, these are fairly easy and won't take much of your time. If you plan on doing a more major update, i.e. 2.x --> 3.x, i suggest you go elsewhere because this guide WILL NOT help you.
Another important note, all 3.x updates are incrimental, you cannot skip a patch. Meaning, if i want to patch a 3.0.58 kernel to 3.0.60, i have to patch .58->.59 and then .59->.60. That took me a while to figure out which is why i brought it up early .
LETS GET STARTED!
First, get a nice kernel, one that you know compiles correctly and works, for the most part. Check the makefile, it should be in the root of the directory. Open up the makefile, in my kernel, i see this:
Code:
VERSION = 3
PATCHLEVEL = 0
SUBLEVEL = 63
Ok, it looks like we have a kernel source that's on 3.0.63. Awesome, this should be simple enough. We need 2 patches, one to go up to .64 and the next to .65.
Go HERE and download the .bz2 of what you need. In this case, i am going to download patch-3.0.63-64.bz2 and patch-3.0.64-65.bz2. You'll need to "save link as" to download the files or you can you the lftp command in terminal if you know how to use that. Anyway.
Here is where the terminal fun starts, lets unpack those files so we have the patches. CD into wherever you downloaded the files and run
Code:
bzip2 -dv insertpatchname.bz2
Obviously, you change insertpatchname to your file name. You run that for as many patches you need to do.
Good, now we have the patches. Linux loves us and made it really simple to apply those patches. All you have to do is
Code:
patch -p1 > ~/path/to/the/patch
If you did it right, give you a wall of text telling you that its patching files. NICELY DONE. If you want to confirm that the patch was sucessful, go back to you makefile, you should see that your sublevel is higher. For each additional patch, just repeat the last two steps!
As always, i can't guarantee that these patches won't break compatibility but thats when the fun starts, right?
Wow, nice, you just patched your very own kernel! In the next post, we'll learn how to do the same thing, but instead, we'll cherry-pick those commits from github. PM and Post for any comments, questions, blah, blah. As always, donations are not required but they'll be paying for a new processor to replace my 1.6ghz single core crap. Thanks are appreciated!
Reserved for Github Stuff
I want this one!
Nice, just what I was looking for! Tnx
wantowan2 said:
Nice, just what I was looking for! Tnx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, i am happy it was helpful!
Ques:
Say I put the patch in the top of the kernel dir and I cd to the kernel dir, should this work?
Code:
patch -p1 > ~/patch-3.0.49-50
That will work as long as the patch is in ~/

Looking to create your own custom kernel? Start here!

INTRODUCTION
I create this guide in the hope to jump start development on our lovely Exynos devices.
I expect that before you start, you have a Linux installation in either a virtual machine or on a physical PC.
Debian Jessie, Kali Linux, Mint, or Ubuntu are excellent choices and what I'm familiar with, so if you get stuck it'll be easier for me to help you if you use these.
PREREQUISITES
WARNING: Custom kernels on the Note 7, S7, and S7 edge currently require encryption to be disabled in order to boot. They also have to disable some secure MobiCore firmware. You will have to format your entire data partition when going from stock kernel to a custom kernel! Once you're on a custom kernel with non-encrypted data, you shouldn't have to wipe it going to another custom kernel.
Be careful not to disable developer options or OEM unlock, otherwise all your data will be destroyed! Back up your data partition whenever you flash stock. (for upgrades, etc.)
First off, you'll want to download some tools necessary for building and downloading kernel sources:
git-core - you'll want git for downloading and maintaining your sources
build-essential - native gcc & tools for building (needed for build commands)
libncurses5-dev - needed to build menuconfig
diff - used to compare config changes
colordiff - used by diff to provide colorful human readable diff output
Code:
apt-get install git-core build-essential libncurses5-dev diff colordiff
PREPARING YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Once you've got that out of the way, you should create an organized environment for working. I like to use ~/build.
Code:
mkdir -p ~/build/toolchain ~/build/kernel
DOWNLOADING & INSTALLING A TOOLCHAIN
You'll want to download a toolchain for kernel building. I recommend using Linaro's optimized ARM toolchains.
The Exynos 8890 benefits from the Cortex-A53 code compiling optimizations.
GCC 4.9: https://releases.linaro.org/components/toolchain/binaries/4.9-2016.02/aarch64-linux-gnu/
GCC 5.X: https://releases.linaro.org/components/toolchain/binaries/latest-5/aarch64-linux-gnu/
The actual file that you want ends in -x86_64_aarch64-linux-gnu.tar.xz (assuming you have a 64-bit Linux install, seriously, 32-bit needs to go! )
We'll use the GCC 5.3.1 2016.5 toolchain in this example.
Let's download and extract it now:
Code:
cd ~/build/toolchain
wget "https://releases.linaro.org/components/toolchain/binaries/latest-5/aarch64-linux-gnu/gcc-linaro-5.3.1-2016.05-x86_64_aarch64-linux-gnu.tar.xz"
tar xf ./*linux-gnu.tar.xz
rm ./*linux-gnu.tar.xz
That's it for installing the toolchain, easy right?
DOWNLOADING THE KERNEL
Rather than download your kernel sources directly from Samsung full of wacky issues when you change a single configuration option, you can grab it from my GitHub!
Using this method, you have an already working stock kernel prepared to be modified and built at your leisure.
You're also able to grab updates and fixes from me should you want them. I'll be committing new kernel source updates from Samsung to the opensource branch.
The stock-6.0 branch will be rebased on top of opensource when that happens, then stock-6.0.y (stock, with Linux updates) will be rebased on top of that.
Cool concept, right?
First, you'll want to create a GitHub account if you don't have one already.
This will allow you to upload your changes and share your kernel with other interested users and developers.
Once you've got your account, and you're logged in, browse to:
https://github.com/jcadduono/android_kernel_samsung_universal8890
You want to fork the sources to your own account, to do this simply click the [Fork | ] button near the top right of the page:
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Now you've got your own copy of the Note 7 / S7 / S7 edge kernel sources on your GitHub!
The next step is to use git to download it to your PC.
Replace "your_username" with your actual GitHub username. Using [email protected] you can avoid being asked for your username each time you push new changes.
Code:
cd ~/build/kernel
git clone https://[email protected]/your_username/android_kernel_samsung_universal8890 samsung_universal8890
cd samsung_universal8890
The default branch is stock-6.0. This is what most users will want. If you wish to start on a kernel that is updated to the latest Linux minor version, then simply:
Code:
git checkout stock-6.0.y
There's a twrp-6.0 branch that's used for building the kernel inside the official TWRP for Note 7 / S7 / S7 edge.
There's also a nethunter-6.0 branch used to build the kernel used by Kali NetHunter on those devices.
You can use git log <branch> to view commits, and git cherry-pick <commit id> to copy commits from those branches into yours if you like.
CONFIGURING GIT
Before you start working on your kernel, you will need to set up your git profile.
The user values show up in commit messages to tell people who authored them.
Code:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"
git config --global push.default simple
YOUR FIRST COMMIT
We'll want to check out a new branch, and give it your own cool name. I suggest adding a -6.0 suffix to it because you'll probably want to start a new branch when Android 7.0 comes out.
We're going to use "coolname" as our example, so be sure to replace that with what you really want it to be called in the next steps.
Code:
git checkout -B coolname-6.0
Next we'll need to modify the build scripts to fit our setup.
Open build.sh, menuconfig.sh, and dtbgen.sh.
You'll want to set the TOOLCHAIN= path in all 3 scripts. If you're following this guide, then it's already correct!
In menuconfig.sh and build.sh, you'll want to set your default target config name.
See the line:
Code:
[ "$TARGET" ] || TARGET=samsung
You'll want it to look like this:
Code:
[ "$TARGET" ] || TARGET=coolname
Now you want to copy the default samsung kernel configuration so you have your own to work with:
Code:
cp arch/arm64/configs/samsung_defconfig arch/arm64/configs/coolname_defconfig
Now you'll have prepared your kernel source for starting work on your own custom kernel!
Let's turn that into a commit, but first look at the changes you've made using:
Code:
git diff
Does that look good? If not, fix what's broken before proceeding.
Next you'll want to add files that will be part of your commit.
For simplicity's sake, let's just add all of the changed files into the commit.
Code:
git add .
Now to make your commit:
Code:
git commit -m "My first commit, setting up my coolname kernel!"
You've done it!
CONFIGURING YOUR KERNEL
We'll use the menuconfig.sh script to launch the kernel menuconfig.
Code:
./menuconfig.sh
Change whatever options you're interested in, but don't change a lot all at once, otherwise when or if you run into issues, you won't know which option caused it.
Once you're done playing in the menuconfig, exit and save.
You'll be shown a colorful difference between your old configuration and your new one.
It will ask you if you want to save it, and you just have to type "y" and press enter for it to be saved.
At this point it's a good idea to make another commit to save your configuration changes.
If you need to edit the commit, you can easily use git commit --amend to fix it up.
BUILDING YOUR NEW KERNEL
Let's take your new config for a test drive.
To build your kernel, simply run:
Code:
./build.sh gracelte xx
gracelte = Note 7
herolte = S7
hero2lte = S7 edge
xx = International N930F & N930FD
kor = Korean N930K, N930L, & N930S
Yes, you can compile your kernel to all 3 of those devices using just your single config!
The power of device specific config additions.
Once your kernel is finished building, the resulting files will be located at:
Code:
build/arch/arm64/boot/Image
build/arch/arm64/boot/dtb.img
build/modules/*.ko (if modules are enabled)
INSTALLING YOUR NEW KERNEL
The LazyFlasher project comes to the rescue here. It's the swiss army knife of kernel flashing in TWRP.
There's a specific branch for the Note 7 called kernel-flasher-gracelte. (use kernel-flasher-herolte instead if building for S7/S7 edge!)
To download it (feel free to fork it so you can have a copy on your GitHub to modify instead!):
Code:
cd ~/build
git clone -b kernel-flasher-gracelte https://github.com/jcadduono/lazyflasher.git
cd lazyflasher
To use LazyFlasher, you'll probably want to take a look at the Makefile, config.sh, and META-INF/com/google/android/update-binary (a shell script).
There's a few things you can change there to personalize it to your needs.
You should also enter the patch.d folder and delete 060-f2fs-fstab if you don't have f2fs enabled in your kernel, and edit the io_scheduler in 070-kernel-settings if you don't have fiops enabled either.
(make another git commit to save your setup!)
Once the installer is set up to your liking, all you have to do to build it is copy the Image and dtb.img from your build output into the lazyflasher folder.
If you have any modules (.ko files) to install, place them in the modules folder.
Now simply run:
Code:
make
A TWRP flashable zip and sha1sum is created!
At this point, you will need to use the [Format Data] button in TWRP if your device is encrypted! There is no known way around this.
This will wipe all data from your phone, including your internal storage, essentially making it like new.
Transfer it to TWRP and flash away, you've just lost your custom kernel development virginity.
Go have a few beers to celebrate, or to drown your sorrows in the case of a boot loop.
You should consider taking a look at the patch.d scripts sometime so you know what it's actually doing.
PROBLEMS?
Post a reply here and I'll try to find a solution and add it to this post.
RESOURCES
Need a text editor for coding? I use gedit. It's pretty, light, and you can get some decent plugins for it.
It's a minimal editor, so don't expect anything really fancy. Configure it and enable plugins before you decide to trash it.
Code:
apt-get install gedit gedit-plugins
Here's an awesome git starter guide: http://rogerdudler.github.io/git-guide/
THANKS
If not for @Tkkg1994 finding out what changes are needed to get custom kernels up and running, we wouldn't have this lovely guide here!
Thanks for the amazing guide, i got it compiled successfully but the problem comes after the device boots up, it asks for my Pattern and when i enter it, it keeps saying incorrect and wont let me in, any help?
Ather said:
Thanks for the amazing guide, i got it compiled successfully but the problem comes after the device boots up, it asks for my Pattern and when i enter it, it keeps saying incorrect and wont let me in, any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I forgot to add to the guide that custom kernels don't support encryption. You should flash your stock kernel & supersu, install something like titanium backup, and back up all your things to an external SDcard.
I've added a warning in the thread and included it in the instructions now.
that's weird, I disabled lockscreen security and reinstalled the kernel, booted up fine with selinux enforcing http://i.imgur.com/IVSTfV1.png
Ather said:
that's weird, I disabled lockscreen security and reinstalled the kernel, booted up fine with selinux enforcing http://i.imgur.com/IVSTfV1.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still encrypted?
Maybe it's just one of the secure mobicore firmware that were removed that your lock screen depended on. You might be able to set up the lock screen again now, and this time it won't require that specific piece of firmware.
no i had already wiped data when i installed hydra kernel so after flashing my custom kernel i tried to setup the fingerprint and it gave an error that the fingerprint sensor isn't available try later, do you have any idea how to make a decrypted kernel like hydra?
Ather said:
no i had already wiped data when i installed hydra kernel so after flashing my custom kernel i tried to setup the fingerprint and it gave an error that the fingerprint sensor isn't available try later, do you have any idea how to make a decrypted kernel like hydra?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I'm not sure why that happened then. There shouldn't have been anything extra removed on top of what HydraKernel removes.
My device is working with both Iris and Fingerprint unlock right now.
Can you post the output of:
Code:
ls /system/app/mcRegistry
can you test out my kernel? i see hydra zip has some files that it replaces, and the lazyflasher has similar files, could that be the problem?
Ather said:
can you test out my kernel? i see hydra zip has some files that it replaces, and the lazyflasher has similar files, could that be the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try backing up your system/data to !!external sdcard!! in twrp, saving your internal storage to pc, then formatting data.
restore your stock kernel and system before flashing your custom kernel.
then see if it works from scratch.
if it's all fine, try restoring your data backup.
Ather said:
no i had already wiped data when i installed hydra kernel so after flashing my custom kernel i tried to setup the fingerprint and it gave an error that the fingerprint sensor isn't available try later, do you have any idea how to make a decrypted kernel like hydra?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds exactly like you did not patch /system/app/mcRegistry files
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA Labs
Tkkg1994 said:
This sounds exactly like you did not patch /system/app/mcRegistry files
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They shouldn't be patched though, the installer simply removes the secure ones that the device is unhappy with.
It works fine for me, so I know the offending ones are being removed, but maybe somehow it deleted all of his tlbins?
Be nice if he provided the contents of his mcRegistry :/
jcadduono said:
They shouldn't be patched though, the installer simply removes the secure ones that the device is unhappy with.
It works fine for me, so I know the offending ones are being removed, but maybe somehow it deleted all of his tlbins?
Be nice if he provided the contents of his mcRegistry :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello @jcadduono,
I am one of your "orphan" users of Idlekernel. It is the very best kernel for the Note 3.
Would you produce a blind update of it, please, please.
I would be more than happy to test it before you upload to general public.
Sorry guys for the OT.
Need help for finalisation kernel
Hello and thank you OP for the tutorial, I have done everything and no worries except when I want to flash the kernel does not boot, then I would like to know how to get a boot.img with the dtb.img files and the image create after Compilation, if someone can help I will be grateful
Thank you
Help on Kernel modules and patches
{MY QUESTIONS ARE ABOUT BOLD ITEMS BELOW}
Once your kernel is finished building, the resulting files will be located at:
Code:
build/arch/arm64/boot/Image
build/arch/arm64/boot/dtb.img
[B]build/modules/*.ko (if modules are enabled)[/B]
INSTALLING YOUR NEW KERNEL
The LazyFlasher project comes to the rescue here. It's the swiss army knife of kernel flashing in TWRP.
There's a specific branch for the Note 7 called kernel-flasher-gracelte. (use kernel-flasher-herolte instead if building for S7/S7 edge!)
To download it (feel free to fork it so you can have a copy on your GitHub to modify instead!):
Code:
cd ~/build
git clone -b kernel-flasher-gracelte https://github.com/jcadduono/lazyflasher.git
cd lazyflasher
To use LazyFlasher, you'll probably want to take a look at the Makefile, config.sh, and META-INF/com/google/android/update-binary (a shell script).
There's a few things you can change there to personalize it to your needs.
You should also enter the patch.d folder and delete 060-f2fs-fstab if you don't have f2fs enabled in your kernel, and edit the io_scheduler in 070-kernel-settings if you don't have fiops enabled either.
(make another git commit to save your setup!)
Once the installer is set up to your liking, all you have to do to build it is copy the Image and dtb.img from your build output into the lazyflasher folder.
If you have any modules (.ko files) to install, place them in the modules folder.
Now simply run:
Code:
make
Got a few question for anyone that is familiar with the exynos8890-gracelte BUILD. This in regards to files output after compilation of kernel code; specifically with editing patches and providing module support.
Where are the *.ko files located if default output is used(using your ./build.sh gracelte xx)? By the way...Your tutorial is awesome, first and foremost...but I want to be sure that I am pulling the files from the correct location (being a newbie at this android kernel building stuff). I found my modules under "~/build/kernel/samsung_universal8890/build/lib/modules/3.18.14-dee-gracelte-xx-0.1" which is the parent folder to other folders/files that seem to be of interest. After digging deeper there are even folders within the previously mentioned (named) one that have items of question as to whether they are needed in my "flasher" module folder. Such as pictured https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-3GHX6_T7lYRkRUUVVORE1OM1k
I just want to have a functioning kernel with module support/modules in there proper place. Another item is patches. Would it be possible to just change "070-kernel-settings" patch to "io_scheduler=noop" if I changed default setting to such? If so, what other, if any, items in this file would need editing? Where else can I find patch files located on the web or is this something home-brewed? Thanks for all your hard work.
I also assume that by changing to the proper package manager commands, this procedure will work for pretty much most Linux distros.
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