Database Develop

How to specify custom partition layouts?

I just saw an interesting thread in the development section that explains an alternative to the Death SPL. The method there lets you flash ANY rom on any SPL, but I dont really understand how it works.
The thread can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=704560
So basically, you shrink the cache partition to allow for more room for the actual ROM(which partition does that go in?)?
To do this do we edit the boot.img in the ROM update.zip? What else do we do?
Could someone explain this in a way a 9th grader could understand?

kingkurry said:
Could someone explain this in a way a 9th grader could understand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take file by firerat, flash file. omgroflpartitons.
If you don't understand the instructions as they are, wait for it to be perfected before you try anything. This will probably end up being integrated into releases that need it, so you don't need to worry about the specifics at the moment.

Will that patch file work for all ROMs. He said its only been tested with CyanogenMod 5. And I want to understand what im doing, not just do it without thinking about it...

Also, does the recovery patcher decrease the size of the partition that holds the recovery image?
Does it permanently change the size of the recovery partition?
When you flash a ROM, what partition is it being flashed too? Is this the one being increased in size?
What does the boot.img in an update.zip package hold, and is that copied to the boot partition?
Sorry but my curiosity is killing me

OK well to break it down we have 6 partitions on the internal memory:
Misc - Here be dragons
Recovery - Contains recovery system (+seperate recovery kernel) - recovery.img lives here
Boot - Contains kernel & important initialization stuff - boot.img lives here
-------------
System - Contains the whole android system (the "ROM", if you like).. everything else from an update.zip apart from the boot.img
Cache - Used by system and recovery for temporary storage
Userdata - Contains all personal data, downloaded apps, settings etc.
The first three partitions must be left at the default size so don't worry about them.
What this patch does is pass a command to the kernel which remaps the 3 large partitions at boot time. Since we're flashing system images from recovery, we also need to pass the same command to the recovery kernel before attempting to flash the main system, or we'd be writing to one place then telling the kernel to look for it in another.. bad idea.
This method allows any partition setup you like, but the most useful at the moment (and this is the way firerat has set up his scripts to suit cm5) is to make the /system partition just the right size for the "ROM" with a bit of breathing space, make the /cache partition a minimal size for the recovery system to use, then have /userdata fill the remaining space so we can load it up with apps. Since we've reduced cache to a minimal size, it's redirected at boot time to a place on the sdcard instead.. this give us maximum space to divide between /system and /data with no wastage.
Does that help at all..?

Thanks dude. That does help a lot.
Just wondering though, how much breathing space do u need in the system partition?
What does the recovery system use the cache partition for and how do we know what "a minimal size for the recovery system to use" is?
Is it possible to reduce the userdata partition to the minimum possible size a partition can be(if i recall correctly it was 128kb) and use an ext partition on your SD card instead?
If we shrink the Cache partition a lot, does this mean we have to use linux swap to compensate for the lowered amount of cache?
Also do we have to remap the partitions every time we flash a new ROM?
And what are the "dragons"?

kingkurry said:
And what are the "dragons"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying that it's just there. There could be anything from nothing there to a text document containing the ingredients to the cure of AIDs.

Well what about every thing else? Can you guys help me with that? Also what is the total size of all 3 of the big partitions combined?

/system/app to sdcard?

Hello, I have a Sense rom but it takes up too much system memory. Can anyone help me with setting up apps2sd with /system/app ? The rom i have hasno apps2sd so i want to add but for /system/app

a2sd doesn't help you, the only chance you have is CustomMTD (you can find a link to the thread in my signature). If you do not have any experience in flashing ROMs, I would not suggest you to try it immediately. First you *must* have a good knowledge of how it works, the different kind of SPLs, fastboot u.s.w.

I have tried customMTD but then it will leave too little space to my /data partition.

That's why you move both dalvik cache and data to sdcard so the system can take full advantage of the space (leave some space (at least 2) for cache though!)

Alright thanks.

storage problem

Hay.
how i can format my nexus one or clear its all earlier data . I also have 8gb sd card
waiting for reply. Thanks

Uh... do you mean a factory reset cause that is pretty easy just go to settings -> privacy -> factory reset this will wipe everything from your internal storage except the ROM and updates so you will stay on the same version that you are running now. This will not delete anything on the SD card so if you want to do that just put it in your computer and format it from there.

storage
Hay
can u more define.
is factory rest bracke my root

If by that you mean will it unroot you, then no you will stay rooted even if you factory reset.

There are two different main partitions in the phone (for partitions, think different drives under windows). The first being the /system partition. Everything in the /system partition is readable only. You are not able to modify anything in there (with a standard setup... we will delve a bit into this later). The other partition is the /data partition, which is read/write. This is where every app that you install is located (with a few exceptions which I will note below). When you do a factory reset/data wipe, it will just wipe out that /data partition so all your apps and data are gone (including any system settings.
The exception to the rules are for rooting, and certain flashable zips that put apps in the /system partition (like the google apps zip if you are running a custom ROM). So when you rooted, it put everything required for root into the /system partition (by changing it to read/write using root permissions). So if you do the factory reset, it will wipe the /data directory along with the .android_secure folder on the root of the sdcard (which is where all your apps are stored when you store apps on the sdcard).
Since the factory reset doesn't include the /system partition (otherwise you would be left without an OS to boot into), your root will remain, and otherwise, it will be just like it was when you first started up the phone.
If you want to remove root, you will have to flash a ROM (most likely a stock Android version) that doesn't include root/superuser permissions.

[MOD][GUIDE][ROOT EXPLORER] Free up data space. Move Dalvik Cache to System.

GuYWith a deodexed and de-bloated Samsung Rom we have 500mb plus of free space on System partition which is wasted space.
I just tried something to free up some space for shared data/sdcard partition by moving Dalvik Cache from /data to /system then creating a folder link back in data to keep original location settings.
Took 30 seconds and freed up 260mb! This is what you do:
1. Using root explorer or similar. Go to /Data.
2. Navigate to "Dalvik-Cache" directory. Long press on it and select "move".
3. Navigate back to root directory and then to /System.
4. Paste the directory you must select rw first top right hand corner. It will take a minute to copy.
5. Now long press on the moved Dalvik-Cache directory in /System and select "Link to this folder" option.
6. Navigate back to /Data and paste the link.
7. Done! You now have moved the Dalvik-Cache location to unused space on System partition and left a sym-linked directory so Android thinks nothing has changed!
Note!: If you wipe Dalvik Cache from recovery a new directory will be recreated in Data and your moved directory in System will no longer be used it will just sit in System taking up space.
AFTER A DALVIK CACHE WIPE FROM RECOVERY YOU MUST DELETE THE DIRECTORY YOU CREATED IN SYSTEM AS IT IS NO LONGER USED. SIMPLY REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS TO ACTIVATE THE MOD AGAIN.
Good luck. A REAL Dev could you please turn this into a CMW zip with the reverse undo counterpart to be flashed before a Rom upgrade.
UPDATE: looking at the link posted by a helpful person below (thanks!) I think we need to make /system mount as rw for this to work. Please help develop this idea more if anyone can help thanks
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Is it work on cm10? I have over 1gb free on system partition

jnr21 said:
Is it work on cm10? I have over 1gb free on system partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'M not sure haven't used cm10 yet but it should do. Just discovered a Dalvik Cache wipe from recovery recreates the directory in Data to the MOD needs to be repeated after this... makes it very safe to try on cm10!
I'm hoping a real Dev can take this idea and bake it into to custom Rom's and find more data we can move to free up more space
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Hi,
Maybe it's possible to do this via init.d script? It will be more convenient.
It's possible via init.d script to move dalvik-cache to /cache for example... so...
Just a thought or simply move it to /cache.
EDIT:found this: http://petermolnar.eu/linux-tech-coding/how-to-move-dalvik-cache-to-system-partition-in-android/

Is this similar to the function "Integrate sys Dalvik into ROM" from Titanium Backup?

[email protected] said:
Is this similar to the function "Integrate sys Dalvik into ROM" from Titanium Backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I guess it is but if you do it through titanium the Dalvik Cache files are put with their apk files so wipe Dalvik Cache in recovery no longer works... Not 100% sure this is right tho
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

viking37 said:
Hi,
Maybe it's possible to do this via init.d script? It will be more convenient.
It's possible via init.d script to move dalvik-cache to /cache for example... so...
Just a thought or simply move it to /cache.
EDIT:found this: http://petermolnar.eu/linux-tech-coding/how-to-move-dalvik-cache-to-system-partition-in-android/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah should be possible. I think a CWM zip would be best along with an undo version. I now have /Data/app directory moved so before a Rom update or nandroid backup it will be necessary to undo the move. I'll see if I can work out how to do this. Hopefully someone could help out. I'M not code literate yet lol!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

if u wanna free up the /data partition, it is a good and proper way to move the dalvik-cache elsewhere. but IMHO, the /system partition is not a good place to move to since by design the system partition is not suppose to have any frequent or unnecessary read write and thus it is ro by default. the other reason is its importance since it is the core part of the system. you can afford to pay for a corrupted data or cache partition but not the system partition since as long as the system files are save the whole system can be rebuilt in case of data loss etc
i am not against this trick and i only want to tell you my opinions. so if possible i would recommend u to put the dalvik cache somewhere else like the cache partition

ykk_five said:
if u wanna free up the /data partition, it is a good and proper way to move the dalvik-cache elsewhere. but IMHO, the /system partition is not a good place to move to since by design the system partition is not suppose to have any frequent or unnecessary read write and thus it is ro by default. the other reason is its importance since it is the core part of the system. you can afford to pay for a corrupted data or cache partition but not the system partition since as long as the system files are save the whole system can be rebuilt in case of data loss etc
i am not against this trick and i only want to tell you my opinions. so if possible i would recommend u to put the dalvik cache somewhere else like the cache partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I've discovered that it's prob not a good idea to leave System rw.... all that wasted space tho
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

rlorange said:
Yes I've discovered that it's prob not a good idea to leave System rw.... all that wasted space tho
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u can resize the system partition, and then reassign the disk space freed up to other partitions
NOTE: this is risky and may brick your phone
if you r interested, you can get some more info in my blog posts (based on I9000)
Free more available disk space from NAND - PART I
Free more available disk space from NAND - PART II
freeNANDmod - get more space from NAND - PART III
freeNANDmod - get more space from NAND - PART IV

- symbolic linked dalvik-cache directory may cause issues in some application, use the bind mount instead of this
- titanium backup feature (integrate dalvik-cache to rom) is not mean what you think. it is not for moving dalvik-cache to the system partition
edit: i writed a script what can do exactly what we need.
auto check the dalvik-cache already moved to the cache directory, if yes bind mount the directory. if not, moved the cache then bind mount
you can adjust the cache and the data partition in the beginning of the file, dont touch anything else! default is defined for the SGS3
log file is /cache/dalvik_mover.log
after a full cache wipe the script will be move the dalvik cache after the next reboot
just unzip and put this file to the /system/etc/init.d/ folder
then set the permission to 0755
reboot
this script is not using the system partition, so no need to remount the system as r/w. its used the cache partition what have more free space anyway and always writeable.
and the bind mount method is compatible with everything.

rlorange said:
GuYWith a deodexed and de-bloated Samsung Rom we have 500mb plus of free space on System partition which is wasted space.
I just tried something to free up some space for shared data/sdcard partition by moving Dalvik Cache from /data to /system then creating a folder link back in data to keep original location settings.
Took 30 seconds and freed up 260mb! This is what you do:
1. Using root explorer or similar. Go to /Data.
2. Navigate to "Dalvik-Cache" directory. Long press on it and select "move".
3. Navigate back to root directory and then to /System.
4. Paste the directory you must select rw first top right hand corner. It will take a minute to copy.
5. Now long press on the moved Dalvik-Cache directory in /System and select "Link to this folder" option.
6. Navigate back to /Data and paste the link.
7. Done! You now have moved the Dalvik-Cache location to unused space on System partition and left a sym-linked directory so Android thinks nothing has changed!
Note!: If you wipe Dalvik Cache from recovery a new directory will be recreated in Data and your moved directory in System will no longer be used it will just sit in System taking up space.
AFTER A DALVIK CACHE WIPE FROM RECOVERY YOU MUST DELETE THE DIRECTORY YOU CREATED IN SYSTEM AS IT IS NO LONGER USED. SIMPLY REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS TO ACTIVATE THE MOD AGAIN.
Good luck. A REAL Dev could you please turn this into a CMW zip with the reverse undo counterpart to be flashed before a Rom upgrade.
UPDATE: looking at the link posted by a helpful person below (thanks!) I think we need to make /system mount as rw for this to work. Please help develop this idea more if anyone can help thanks
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, to get this working you need a system mounted Always in r/w.
So i suggest you to move dalvik on cache partition.
And it's better to do the mod inside ramdisk

vadonka said:
- symbolic linked dalvik-cache directory may cause issues in some application, use the bind mount instead of this
- titanium backup feature (integrate dalvik-cache to rom) is not mean what you think. it is not for moving dalvik-cache to the system partition
edit: i writed a script what can do exactly what we need.
auto check the dalvik-cache already moved to the cache directory, if yes bind mount the directory. if not, moved the cache then bind mount
you can adjust the cache and the data partition in the beginning of the file, dont touch anything else! default is defined for the SGS3
log file is /cache/dalvik_mover.log
after a full cache wipe the script will be move the dalvik cache after the next reboot
just unzip and put this file to the /system/etc/init.d/ folder
then set the permission to 0755
reboot
this script is not using the system partition, so no need to remount the system as r/w. its used the cache partition what have more free space anyway and always writeable.
and the bind mount method is compatible with everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much works perfect

[Q] encryption unsuccessful?

So, I figured I'd set up the scenario first in hopes to help make this understood:
1. Got the device
2. Booted/Updated to 5.0
3. Rooted using CF Autoroot
4. Remained on Stock 5.0 + Root (Stock bootloader/recovery)
- 1st "OFFICIAL" ROM came out so like the gentle flash'aholic I am, I rushed and downloaded [ROM][Unofficial][5.0.2][alpha/wip] Resurrection Remix v5.2.6[victara]
1. I installed TWRP via the Google Play App, (I think i was on 2.8.3.0)
2. Rebooted into TWRP, and did a FULL BACKUP (saved locally)
3. Formatted Davlik, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache
4. Rebooted into TWRP, pushed the ROM files ([ROM][Unofficial][5.0.2][alpha/wip] Resurrection Remix v5.2.6[victara])
5. Flashed the ROM, GAPPS, SuperSU, Rebooted.
After about a minute of booting into the new ROM (new red loading animation) I started to get "encryption unsuccessful", and the only option was to factory reset phone, after which nothing happened, my guess was because of the custom recovery.
What was my error, and how do I prevent this from happening again?
My thinking is that wiping the Cache/System/Data/Internal/Davlik partitions somehow messed up some function someplace?
To fix it I took steps in this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-2014/help/lollipop-update-failing-how-troubleshoot-t2961633) - thanks @randyklein
-Download "Official 4.4.4 Full Restore Images" from http://www.graffixnyc.com/motox.php# and extract. Move recovery.img, boot.img, and system.img into adb folder
-Boot into fastboot, plug in USB
-Using mfastboot v2, run the following commands:
mfastboot flash boot boot.img
mfastboot flash recovery recovery.img
mfastboot flash system system.img
How do I avoid this in the future if I decide to try a custom ROM/Recovery again?

Same problem...

Format data in twrp to fix encryption error

CWick4141 said:
Format data in twrp to fix encryption error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will i lose my twrp backup ?

marquesini said:
will i lose my twrp backup ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data partition just stores your apps (if not pre-loaded into system partition via ROM), and any data associated with them, so it leaves the Internal SD Card partition alone.
What concerns me is that I already wiped data, and I think I formatted the data partition as well, and still had the issue.
I'll have to try again soon.

I did a full wipe and then formated the data, then installed the ROM,gaaps,and supersu beta.
Got it working with root.

Shemploo said:
Data partition just stores your apps (if not pre-loaded into system partition via ROM), and any data associated with them, so it leaves the Internal SD Card partition alone.
What concerns me is that I already wiped data, and I think I formatted the data partition as well, and still had the issue.
I'll have to try again soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Formatting data in twrp is not the same as wiping data

CWick4141 said:
Formatting data in twrp is not the same as wiping data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, that is why I said in above post that I think I formatted it as well, but being as I'm not certain I'll have to do it again to be sure.

Shemploo said:
True, that is why I said in above post that I think I formatted it as well, but being as I'm not certain I'll have to do it again to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would know if you formatted data since it erases everything including internal storage

CWick4141 said:
You would know if you formatted data since it erases everything including internal storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, I booted TWRP, and clicked "Data" then "Repair/Change File System" it's currently showing f2fs, my format options are EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, FAT.
I think I want EXT4 right?
UPDATE: I tried EXT4 as every partition seems to use it, and from past experience, and It's working!.
Thank you for nudging me in the right direction.

edit: wrong thread