Hi all,
In this thread, I will try to share the knowledge I have on deodexing, making custom ROMs, modifying initramfs, building kernel and much more.
Please check the below posts for each of these tutorials.
Hope this opens doors to many new ROM and Kernel developers.
NOTE: THESE TUTORIALS ARE WRITTEN FOR GT-I9100. WILL NOT WORK ON OTHER DEVICES. I DON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU MESS UP AND BRICK YOUR DEVICE OR ANYTHING ELSE. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Deodexing Stock Rom
For GINGERBREAD ROMS:
What you need to have:
xUltimate v2.3.3 - you can download it HERE (Thanks and Credits to Xeudoxus for this awesome app)
Rooted kernel with busybox
JDK installed on your Windows system
If adb is not available in your windows PC, in xUltimate folder open "jar" folder. You'll find adb there.
Extract stock app & framework folders and Deodex:
Connect your device to computer.
Start xUltimate (double-click on Main.exe)
Select option 1. (Pull /system/app)
Once option is done, select option 2. (Pull /system/framework)
In the same folder, now you'll see two new folders (origi_app, origi_frame)
Select option 3 in Main menu (Deodex /system/app)
Once its done, select option 4 in Main menu (Deodex /system/framework)
DONE!!
NOTE: If any apk/odex gives issues while deodexing, remove that corresponding apk and odex from origi_app folder and deodex again. (Mostly the apps which can be downloaded from play store might give errors.. ex: Maps, Voice search etc.)
Now you'll see two new folders done_app and done_frame.
Push deodexed app and framework to device:
Connect your device to PC in USB debugging mode.
Copy done_app and done_frame folders to root of sdcard (/sdcard).
Open Windows command prompt and type the below commands.
Code:
[LIST]
[*]adb shell
[*]su
[*]stop
[*]mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system
[*]rm /system/app/*.odex
[*]rm /system/framework/*.odex
[*]busybox cp /sdcard/done_app/* /system/app/
[*]busybox cp /sdcard/done_frame/* /system/framework/
[*]chmod 644 /system/app/*
[*]chmod 644 /system/framework/*
[*]mount -o remount,ro /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system
[*]sync
[*]reboot recovery
[/LIST]
In Recovery, Wipe Cache and Wipe Data/Factory reset.
Reboot.
Now you've deodexed app and framework.
For ICS ROMS:
For ICS Roms, the process is quite easy. (Thanks and Credits to jaydvn.)
Download the attached zip file.
Extract it on your windows PC.
Copy your /system/app to _app folder
Copy your /system/framework to _framework folder.
Run AutoDEOToolMain.bat
Follow the instructions.
deodexed jars and apks will be found in deodexed_APK and deodexed_JAR.
Push deodexed app and framework to device:
Connect your device to PC in USB debugging mode.
Copy deodexed_APK and deodexed_JAR folders to root of sdcard (/sdcard).
Open Windows command prompt and type the below commands.
Code:
[LIST]
[*]adb shell
[*]su
[*]stop
[*]mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system
[*]rm /system/app/*.odex
[*]rm /system/framework/*.odex
[*]busybox cp /sdcard/deodexed_APK/* /system/app/
[*]busybox cp /sdcard/deodexed_JAR/* /system/framework/
[*]chmod 644 /system/app/*
[*]chmod 644 /system/framework/*
[*]mount -o remount,ro /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system
[*]sync
[*]reboot recovery
[/LIST]
In Recovery, Wipe Cache and Wipe Data/Factory reset.
Reboot.
Done.
Enjoy.
Building kernel
Okay. Let's learn how to build kernel for GT-I9100. There are many ways to build. I am just presenting here the way I build and make kernel.
NOTE 1: Follow the instructions exactly.
NOTE 2: Kernel is opensource. If you make any changes to it, you're expected to share your source. (Usually people share it over github )
NOTE 3: FLASHING KERNEL IS RISKY AND DANGEROUS. BE CAREFUL. BUILD AND FLASH ON YOUR OWN RISK.
What you need to have:
Ubuntu 10.04 and above (I use 10.04 )
ARM tool chain (Download HERE. Click on IA32 GNU/Linux TAR under Advanced Packages)
Samsung's opensource kernel for GT-I9100 (Download HERE. Go to Mobile->Mobile Phone-> Select I9100 (update 3 for Gingerbread and update 4 for ICS) and download the zip)
Setting up toolchain:
Extract the tar you downloaded(Suggestion: Extract to one folder where you can have everything. In my case /home/superatmos/build_kernel).
After extracting, you'll see a folder named arm-2010q1. Inside there will be many folders (ex. bin, lib and so on.)
Folder structure will be: /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/arm-2010q1
Setting up kernel:
Extract the zip you've downloaded from samsung's opensource.
You'll find two zips.
Extract GT-I9100_Kernel.tar.gz to /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/
Folder structure: /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel
Setting up initramfs:
Samsung's zImage is divided into two parts: Opensource kernel (which you downloaded from samsung's website) and initramfs (which is root file system to boot up the device).
You can extract initramfs from your zImage using the below mentioned links (Credits and Thanks to Chenglu) Original Thread: HERE
To extract initramfs from Gingerbread zImage: HERE
To extract initramfs from ICS zImage: HERE
Folder structure: /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/initramfs
Now the entire setup is ready. Let's start modifying kernel configuration.
Setting up kernel config:
For Gingerbread:
Go to /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/arch/arm/configs folder.
Copy c1_rev02_defconfig file and paste it in kernel root folder (/home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/).
Rename c1_rev02_defconfig to .config in kernel root folder.
Now open Makefile which is in your kernel root folder(/home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/).
Modify the below lines (I guess line 195 and 196).
For ICS:
Go to /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/arch/arm/configs folder.
Copy u1_defconfig file and paste it in kernel root folder (/home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/).
Rename u1_defconfig to .config in kernel root folder.
Now open Makefile which is in your kernel root folder(/home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/).
Modify the below lines (I guess line 195 and 196).
Code:
ARCH ?= arm
CROSS_COMPILE ?= /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/arm-2010q1/bin/arm-none-linux-gnueabi-
Save and close.
Modifying kernel configuration:
Now open .config file(which you renamed). If its not seen, it might be hidden. Go to View->Show hidden files and there you go.
Do the below things:
Adding local version:
Change CONFIG_LOCALVERSION=" " to anything you like. I add this way:
CONFIG_LOCALVERSION="-I9100-superatmos"
Adding initramfs path:
You need to let kernel know the path from which it needs to take initramfs.
Change CONFIG_INITRAMFS_SOURCE=" " to ../initramfs (In this tutorial it's the path. If you had copied anywhere else, give the path properly).
Enough for now. Once you get experience, you can modify many configurations as per your liking and save. This configuration can be changed by GUI too with the command make menuconfig.
The Important part: Building the kernel:
For Gingerbread:
Open terminal.
Go to path /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/
Type make.
For ICS:
Open terminal.
Go to path /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/
Type export USE_SEC_FIPS_MODE=true
Type make.
THAT'S ALL. YOUR zImage is ready and is available in /home/<your_name>/build_kernel/GT-I9100_Kernel/arch/arm/boot/zImage.
Install the zImage on the device:
Go to the path where zImage is present and type the below line in command line.
Code:
tar cvf I9100_kernel.tar zImage
Flash the tar using odin.
DONE. CONGRATULATIONS. NOW YOU'VE YOUR OWN KERNEL.
Give me your feedback so that I can improve this tutorial. And post here about how your build went. All the best.
Making custom ROM
Let's move on to make a custom ROM.
Inputs/Feedback/Suggestions are more than welcome. Lets improve this tutorial together for the betterment of the android community.
Steps involved in making a custom ROM:
Getting the system dump from the device.
Deodexing app and framework folders.
Creating various mods by modifying framework and system files.
Modifying build.prop and adding tweaks.
Making META-INF folder and writing an updater-script (edify scripting).
Signing the ROM and making a flashable zip.
Folder Structure:
Before going forward, let's follow the below structure folder to make the tutorial more understandable.
Let our ROM name be CustomROM. The folder structure will be C:\Users\<your name>\CustomROM.
Let's move step by step. Are you ready??
Getting the system dump from the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure USB debugging is ON and connect your device to the PC.
Open command prompt on your windows PC and go to CustomROM folder path.
Type adb devices. You should be able to see the device detected. (If not check environmental variables whether adb is in system path or not. If not present, add the adb path.)
Type the below command to get the dump of system folder.
Code:
adb pull /system system/
Now inside the folder CustomROM, you should be able to see system folder with many folders like app, etc, framework etc inside.
Done with first step.
Deodexing app and framework folders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look HERE how to deodex app and framework folders. Copy the app and framework folders to xUltimate folder, rename them to origi_app and origi_frame and follow the given link to deodex.
NOTE: After deodexing, merge origi_app folder with app folder under C:\Users\<your name>\CustomROM\system\app and origi_frame with framework folder under C:\Users\<your name>\CustomROM\system\framework.
Creating various mods by modifying framework and system files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay. This the section where your hardwork, innovation and talent comes in. You can use the mods available already, create your own mods, port various mods from other devices and so on.
Below is a list of various mods which can be ported on to GT-I9100. All the credits go these respective thread owners. Thanks to them.
Lidroid 14 toggle mod
Extended power menu with/without header
CRT Off Animation & SIP Over LTE/HSPA
Swipe to remove notifications
NOTE: Let me know more mods with links so that I can add here.
Modifying build.prop and adding tweaks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay. This is one of those files where you name your ROM(to be visible in settings. ) and add many tweaks.
To name your ROM (to be visible in settings), change the below code.
Code:
ro.build.display.id=CustomROM v1.0
Check the below links for many other tweaks. All credits go to respective thread owners. Thanks to them.
build.prop tweaks by TheFrankenstain
build.prop tweaks by dhlalit11
Making META-INF folder and writing an updater-script (edify scripting)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you're done with all the modifications, mods and additions, its time to create META-INF folder and make the updater script. Once the user flashes the ROM zip, this is the script that runs and does everything written inside the script. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THIS. TAKE REFERENCE FROM OTHER (SAME DEVICE) ROMS' UPDATER-SCRIPT. (In this case, take reference from other GT-I9100 roms.)
Check the below links for tutorial and how-to on writing edify script and making updater script. All credits go to respective owners of the threads. Thanks to them.
Edify Scripting, Making Flashable ZIPs, ZIP Signing & Key Creation
Edify Scripting Notes
How to Write an Updater-Script with Edify Code
Edify Installation Script Syntax's
NOTE: system folders path, boot/kernel partition path, modem partition path and so on are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT for DIFFERENT DEVICES. Check the partitions for your device properly, carefully and then work on updater-script. TAKE HELP OR REFERENCE FROM OTHER ROM DEVELOPERS FOR YOUR DEVICE.
Lets move on to last step. Making a signing and making a flashable zip.
Signing the ROM and making a flashable zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure, now you should be able to find two folders (META-INF and system) inside C:\Users\<your name>\CustomROM.
Check in THIS thread for test signing your ROM. It WORKS with GT-I9100.
or Check THIS thread to create your own signing key and certificate.
Now you're done with making a custom ROM. Hope to see more custom ROMs from many users.
Give me your feedback so that I can improve this tutorial. And post here about how your custom ROM making went. All the best.
last one
i don't see any tutorials just links to a diff thread and a rom that won't work on i9100
buster041284 said:
i don't see any tutorials just links to a diff thread and a rom that won't work on i9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're quite fast Updated Deodexing and Building kernel section..
Great thread Superatmos. I'll definately have a go at this.
Quick question ? Am i right in assuming that although your tutorial says to connect your device this line from xUltimate seperceeds that ?
"Alright xUltimate has been updated to v2 What this means is that you do not need your phone connect to your computer to deodex. So you can just manually place the .odex files in (\origi_frame\) and (\origi_app\) and it will deodex. You can also transfer the .odex files from your phone like the last version."
where do I get the zImage to extract the initramfs from? I can't seem to find the zImage on my phone or in the source anywhere.
Great
Very useful.. Added to my favorite.
Thank's man, i'll read that
puccini said:
Great thread Superatmos. I'll definately have a go at this.
Quick question ? Am i right in assuming that although your tutorial says to connect your device this line from xUltimate seperceeds that ?
"Alright xUltimate has been updated to v2 What this means is that you do not need your phone connect to your computer to deodex. So you can just manually place the .odex files in (\origi_frame\) and (\origi_app\) and it will deodex. You can also transfer the .odex files from your phone like the last version."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Connect your device to the PC and double click Main.exe inside xUltimate folder. Follow the instructions you see from then. Its quite self explanatory.
If you already have origi_app and origi_frame folders, then just double click on Main Skip.bat.
dmp450 said:
where do I get the zImage to extract the initramfs from? I can't seem to find the zImage on my phone or in the source anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use ktool (available on market.. compatible with I9100) and click on Dump current kernel. You'll find it on sdcard.
One more way is when you download firmware from sammobile.com, just extract the file and you'll find zImage inside it.
Nice thread,
I m waiting from long time.
Thanks for your work.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Making custom ROM section updated
Hi all,
Please find updated custom rom section HERE.
Feedback and suggestions welcome.
Thanks for the kernel part, will come in handy
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk 2
Good tutorial, thanks.
How do you guys sign the rom if you are on Linux (ubuntu for me)
hi superatmos
thanks for this handy thread...may i ask your for a help here?why in my every deodexing always gives error result?
I attach the screenshots.
Many thanks in advance
tks mate will try to pack my own kernel following this method
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Hi all.
First of all, and dont know if this a kitchen bug or my problem, but here it goes.
I passed last days trying to get DSIXDA Kitchen working properly with HTC ONE X device, but i got some problems with updater-script.
I dont know if the problem comes from updater-script to update-script conversion when extracting rom, or from update-script to updater-script conversion when building the rom.
But the problem is, that the kitchen doesnt convert correctly the final updater-script, ill try to give some information about this to see if anyone can give me a clue.
PC Specs:
Windows 7 Professional X64
Java Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.6.0_20\bin
Cygwin and Java packages installed according the DSIXDA 1) Windows (2000, XP, Vista, 7) tutorial in his kitchen topic.
Rom that im using is MIUI ENG Sense based. (but i tryed with other roms like AOKP and the output updater-script keeps with the same problem.
Preparing Kitchen and testing stuff:
I setted up kitchen according DSIXDA tutorial, and it works ok.
Then to make kitchen compatible with HTC ONE X i used edify_defs file provided by theintelligent in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1885139
Extrated rom with all kitchen defaults, (updater to update conversion, etc)
Didnt made any changes to rom (just to test this) and build the rom with kitchen defaults again (zipalign,update to updater,sign, etc)
And the problem is in here:
Original updater-script:
Code:
format("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p12", "0");
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p12", "/system");
(full updater-script: http://pastebin.com/GKHJCThk)
Kitchen converted updater-script:
Code:
format("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p12");
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p12", "/system"); 0
(full updater-script: http://pastebin.com/vUdzKcm1)
The kitchen adds that '0' right there in front of mount line and doesnt add the complete string for format line.
If i flash the rom with the Kitchen updater-script i got this error:
Code:
-- Installing: /sdcard/Arquivo/roms/MIUI_X/endeavoru_signed_092512_200944.zip
Finding update package...
I:Update location: /sdcard/Arquivo/roms/MIUI_X/endeavoru_signed_092512_200944.zip
Opening update package...
Installing update...
line 4 col 20: syntax error, unexpected STRING, expecting $end
1 parse errors
E:Error in /sdcard/Arquivo/roms/MIUI_X/endeavoru_signed_092512_200944.zip
(Status 6)
Installation aborted.
So i removed that '0' that is in front of format line but it keeps giving my an error
Code:
-- Installing: /sdcard/Arquivo/roms/MIUI_X/endeavoru_signed_092612_125439_C1.zip
Finding update package...
I:Update location: /sdcard/Arquivo/roms/MIUI_X/endeavoru_signed_092612_125439_C1.zip
Opening update package...
Installing update...
script aborted: format() expects 4 args, got 3
format() expects 4 args, got 3
E:Error in /sdcard/Arquivo/roms/MIUI_X/endeavoru_signed_092612_125439_C1.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
(full recovery.log: http://pastebin.com/La8d1U6h)
So my solution was to replace that 2 lines from the kitchen updater-script to the original updater-script.
Now everything works ok, and no problems flashing.
So this is a kitchen problem ? edify_defs problem ? my pc problem ? my phone problem ?
I know i can solve my problem editing the updater-script before i build the rom, but this isnt supposed to happen, i think, the kitchen should convert it correctly, and automatically.
So im confused, its a kitchen problem or its my system problem ? I say this because i saw other people report cooking with sucess for HTC ONE X with DSIXDA Kitchen with no problems, so why i have this problem ? My HTC ONE X is different ?
I know i can round the problem editing mannualy the file, but my intention is to make things right, and make the kitchen work 100% to HTC ONE X.
If annyone can give me some clues and help, ill appreciate and maybe some users with my problem will appreciate to.
Thanks all
Ok!
Problem solved thanks to "backfromthestorm" hint!!
The problem is the Kitchen update to updater conversion.
The kitchen doesnt make correctly the conversion.
So the solution is:
not give any script to kitchen for conversion, remove META-INF folder from original zip and let kitchen create a fresh updater..
ruizit0 said:
Ok!
Problem solved thanks to "backfromthestorm" hint!!
The problem is the Kitchen update to updater conversion.
The kitchen doesnt make correctly the conversion.
So the solution is:
not give any script to kitchen for conversion, remove META-INF folder from original zip and let kitchen create a fresh updater..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
delete META-INF Folder from rom.zip in original Update FOlder and then create working folder?
-Happy Feet- said:
delete META-INF Folder from rom.zip in original Update FOlder and then create working folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really old bump here, but Im still having issues with this. Did you figure out how to make kitchen generate the proper updater script? I still get errors and have tried a million different ways, but end up with Status 0 every time in recovery.
Any luck getting it working?
hey huys just cooked a rom for my mt6575... but everytime i try to flash through cwm it gave me status 0..try to edit update-script with notepad++ gave status 7 error again try to edit then gaves status 6 error plese help...meta-inf folder is attached
touseefiqbal said:
hey huys just cooked a rom for my mt6575... but everytime i try to flash through cwm it gave me status 0..try to edit update-script with notepad++ gave status 7 error again try to edit then gaves status 6 error plese help...meta-inf folder is attached
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the original updater script works fine ???
Just recompile the rom in dsixda's kitchen (assuming that you are using it because "updater-script.orig" states that you use it )
And note : You have enabled the option of "Keep the rom rooted"
Just check if you need updater-script or updater-edify(i dun remember what its exact name is) .. while compiling dsixda's kitchen does ask if you want to keep updater script or the edify script.. just select which one is compatible with your recovery of the device .
When done compiling ,
Go to the updater-script/edify that is generated and then add the code to mount the /system partition
for updater-script the code is :
Code:
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/mmcblk0p16", "/system");
(thats what you had written in the edited updater-script)
and in the end write
Code:
"unmount("/system");
and no need for any asserts on your part.. if it is generated by the kitchen then its ok .. but you dun need to put any asserts..
And i doubt that the updater-script.orig is edify script.. cuz it doesnt looks like updater-script but i m not sure..
hello
i want to create custom boot image.i am using cygwin bash shell and android kitchen.
i extract boot.img with Android Kitchen 0.194 Tools for boot images <unpack/re-pack/etc.>
it show like this
Working folder found
Kernal found at offset 2048 in boot.img
Making folder BOOT-EXTRACTED ....
Extracting kernal ...
Extracting ramdisk ...
Error : NO ramdisk folder found!
Press Enter to counting
How i solve Error:NO ramdisk folder found.
Are you have trouble extracting from the phone or extracting the .img file into something editable? I see at the top of the first page here that there is an update to the Kitchen. Maybe the newer version supports your phone better?
Hello, I have a problem with my update.zip created, good'm a new member here, sorry if I posted in the wrong place, please do not fight me I'm beginner "-" I am Brazilian and I'm using Google translator, finally let the problem:
Well, I made a backup of my rom s4 clone MTK6575 by recovery, put the system.ext4.tar file, extracts with the kitchen, ok, so far so good, I edited several things, zipalign etc, things got bad when I I did build the rom, is not got the Meta-Inf unique because it does not exist for clones, I have update-binary and updater-script nor was it created automatically by the Kitchen, installing the rom was created and gave the following error:
Installing: /emmc/rom.zip
Finding update package...
I:Update location: /emmc/rom.zip
Opening update package...
Installing Update...
E:Error in /emmc/rom.zip
(Status 0)
Installation aborted.
I:Can't format unknown volume: /external_sd
I:Can't partition unsafe device: /dev/block/mmcblk0p4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please help me, any help is welcome, do what you ask, files, logs, etc..
Detail: My device is EMMC, I do not use external sd card.
Under the Meta-inf created by the kitchen.