Question on extracting and customizing Roms - XPERIA X1 ROM Development

How do you extract a custom Rom so that I can tweak it around and take/add a few programs to fit my own needs? I've read the countless number of pages on how to cook a Rom, and my head is about to explode from all the information I'm trying to take in, but nothing explains how to extract and dissect a custom rom.
I understand this is probably something people may not wish to explain so that others don't modify custom ROMs and name it their own, but this is something I wish not to do. I simply wish to take some programs out I never use and add a few that I always use into the ROM so that when I do a hard-reset I don't have to go through the time consuming process of copying and loading cabs all the time.
I've used the search function, but nothing truly explains how to do what I want.

Most chefs protect their ROMs, so you won't be able to extract them.
Here is an excellent guide about customizing an official ROM.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=494793

I figured so. Thank you for the link. I guess it's time for me to learn to cook my own ROMs now...hopefully they don't get burnt.

Some chefs upload their entire kitchens along with the finished ROM, so you can customize it to your taste.

I tried to extract R1A UK (the only rom that can play video without lag), but get an error during the extraction.
mah...

Related

Custom ROM creation issues..

Hi everyone,
I've been reading up and creating a custom ROM for a while now, and I think my eyes were bleeding for quite some time trying to figure out this issue. I've had no luck, so I'm hoping someone can help.
I'm using mamaich's tools, and I can get the ROM extracted and dumped just fine. Specifically I'm just doing the OS portion of the ROM.
I've gone in and added and edited files where I think they need to be, and modified the reg files and such. So I think I'm good there. I want to test it out though, so I need to create the nk.nbf. That's the part I'm having troubles with..
I run buildimgfs, and it seems to do something, but the date and time on the bin files don't change. So, for ****s and giggles I run make_imgfs, and I get a strange error that I can't read, as it looks like perhaps it may be in a different language.
Anyone else run into this, perhaps have any ideas?
THanks!

Need to delete some pre installed programs

Hi I don't want to install some programs like calculator,clearvue, file explorer etc( i have other alt progs). These comes pre installed with rom. What i need to do so that i can save some memory. Do i need to customize the ROM? Thanks in advance for your help.
even if you cook a rom to remove those file you aren't freeing up memory that you can use unless you add files into the Rom.
Rom is seperate from the Program and Storage Memory.
So does that mean ...
I have done quite a bit of research, but I am still a newbie. So forgive me if this is a stupid question. Does that mean that I could cook a ROM that excluded Pocket IE but included Opera (which I legally own)? It seemed like most of what I have read about cooking ROMs related to what someone chose to include or exclude from the Extended ROM.
Thanks for any light you can shed. I have been wondering if it was possible to redo the ROM with certain programs replaced.
newtomda said:
I have done quite a bit of research, but I am still a newbie. So forgive me if this is a stupid question. Does that mean that I could cook a ROM that excluded Pocket IE but included Opera (which I legally own)? It seemed like most of what I have read about cooking ROMs related to what someone chose to include or exclude from the Extended ROM.
Thanks for any light you can shed. I have been wondering if it was possible to redo the ROM with certain programs replaced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible. You will need to do a lot of reading and be ready for many failed flashes (just remember to never include the IPL/SPL in your cooked roms so be sure that you can't brick your phone).

Have no idea what your doing? Read this!

Now I'll begin by stating that I know very little about flashing and as much as the great people have tried to explain things. Its all a bit cryptic! especically when you see/read updates here and there. I did try to use the tutorial at the start of this thread (seemed easy enough) but hit a wall when I couldn't work out what I was supported to run RUU? Anyway I did find what I'd have to say is the perfect (read easiest) way to do these flashes. Its all based on the stuff the very smart people here have put together but is presented in a more 'user friendly' manner.
Visit: http://thewingster.com/roms.aspx
Choose your ROM (Wing or Touch Pro), I have a Wing and went with the following which allows you to choose what you want. I found choosing everything wasn't a good choice! So I went with the base, then I can install what extras I need afterwards.
http://thewingster.com/choic3s_1.aspx
Then follow the very easy instructions here:
http://thewingster.com/howtoflashnbhuspl.aspx
Note you dont have to worry about doing HardSPL and the like (it must do that as part of the manger software - and you can run it multiple times!! I did as I write I'm on my 3rd ROM!!)
Then you're good to go! I wish I'd found this and 'understood' how easy this was. Kudos to the wingster for doing this, just wish he'd make it even more obvious how easy it is to do! (remember we're all paranoid about bricking our phones!)
Well I hope this helps those who like me was clueless - I might still be clueless but I'm now running WinMob 6.5!
Oh I should also point out that the requirement for SPL 4.XXX still applies (see first post for how to work this out) and I have no affliliation with wingster - just greatful!!
Flashing custom ROMs without first being HardSPL is not advisable or safe for your device. Certain ROMs do not require it, but it is highly recommended as it virtually brick-proofs your phone, and it is fully reversible if you ever need to go back to shipped condition.
Also, this is not posted in the correct forum. This is the Herald Mobile 6 forum, not 6.5, and should be posted in the Herald forum.
They're right!
They're right; the Wingster website is fantastic and I've downloaded just about everything that is on the site and backed it up on a partition. Just do exactly what these instructions tell you to do and once your phone is HardSPL; it literally takes an act of God to brick your phone.

Chef's Only Please...my first ROM, want suggestions/recommendations

Greetings,
I have, over the course of a few years, tried several ROM's from some of the most notable Chefs here. And I thank you (Energy, No2CHem, Mighty, just the most recent I've used I know there are more). I have gotten to the point where I would like to try building my own. I have ventured over to PPCKithcen.org and downloaded their kitchen and updated it for the Rhodium. This morning I compiled Cooked the ROM, and have saved the data output file. I am wondering the danger of flashing this ROM. I know "I flash at my own risk, and could brick my device...yada yada." But what is the real danger here? Would the Kitchen break if the ROM was invalid? Is part of the cooking process verifying the data?
Anyway, I appreciate all of your guidance in this venture. I am NOT going to post the ROM, because...well it hasn't been tested on any device. I can post the Build Status Output, and will gladly send an Chef's my ROM to look at. Also are you all using/prefer one kitchen over another, or do you alternate between depending on the device and radios? Is there a "virtual machine" that one can use to test a ROM?
Mordekai
p.s. okay, message me here, and I can email you the files...can't post files and don't have a file hosting service...yet, maybe if this goes somewhere.
At microsoft.com there's a mobile emulator in the Windows Mobile SDK.
Google that and you shall find that.
Also, you should be fine, unless you're messing with something like the radio or unlockers, you can just reflash the stock rom(recommended but not really needed) then reflash a custom rom of your choice.

[Q] I want to learn how become a developer

I want to learn how to build my own android roms from the source up. So does anyone recommend any literature to read, tutorials to follow, things I need to understand.
I do have two minor preferences; I prefer to develop on Windows, is this possible? And I would like all the literature to be on the internet, so actuaally to be free available....
About me, you can say that I am a noob (I did build an android app with a group of people for school), but I am willing to learn. So does anyone know what are the first steps to take to become a succesful developer.
*Also could someone explain to me: Is there a difference between a regular/rom cooker developer and kernel developer. Do you need to be both to for example make jelly bean working on your phone singlehandedly or do you just need to be a rom cooker?
Rom cookers are the sort of people that have all the required files and they just cook it up into a ROM, Developers are the sort that make things, Add things re-write things, then cook it up.
you will need to start by getting a stock ODIN ROM, and using the tools that can open it, As for these tools im unsure, The kernel is zImage << so you need to find a tool to read / edit that.
You will need to use linux, However you can use Cygwin (linux for windows) and you could try dsixda's rom kitchen,
You will also need 7zip and Notepad ++ , These are just a few of many stuff you will need
Here are a few guides to get you started
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/learn-to-build-kernels-and-roms-for-the-galaxy-s-ii/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1069868
Everything you need to know will be on XDA somewhere
Good luck !!
PS: Make regular backups during development, You first aim should be to get a Stock ODIN ROM converted to a CWM zip file and get it booting, Then start to make tweaks / mods / themes
Good luck, and read this as a word of caution: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1690663
A question: how do you extract the boot.img from the SGN? I have already tried this with dsixda's kitchen and CM9, but all I get is the error; "Android Magic not found in ./boot.img". So what are the exact steps to follow for the SGN to extract the boot.img?
I also have a pice of advice. Get a cheaper android phone to play with (which you don't mind breaking). Emulators are great, but there's nothing like the real thing.
PS: For some reason, the image of Guybrush Treepwood saying "I want to be a pirate" came to my mind...

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