Database Develop

[Think tank] Custom Odin Backup

Before everyone jumps on me for posting this in the dev section, let me please say that I did ask this in Q&A and all anyone could come up with was "do a nadroid backup." So, I am purposely asking in here now.
If there is a guide somewhere that could take me through the process, please post a link. If it's simple enough, post a quick walkthrough here for me, please.
I just want to make an odin-flashable backup of my entire phone that I can flash back to when I hose things up.
Any help is appreciated.

I tried to make one actually. It seems there is a problem when you try to write back to the phone. Odin will fail part of the way through. I've been trying to look through everything and figure out exactly what the issue is but theres not much odin documentation...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

I just found this:
http://androidforums.com/behold-2-all-things-root/54424-creating-custom-roms-backups-odin.html
It's for the behold 2, which shouldn't really matter, but could make some difference (I think...), and is geared for making roms for distribution. What I'm after is actually a backup for personal use only.

(Edited to delete)

Aspeds2989 said:
Smh. The arrogance of some people. Wow. Just wow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not trying to start an argument or anything but why is that arrogant? I'm trying to think of how that could be construed as arrogant. I don't think it was a comment made in excessive pride or self-importance.
Also if he hadn't said that, he would have been bombarded with "wrong forum nub", and he already explained the "right" forum was no help.

BrandonB1218 said:
I'm not trying to start an argument or anything but why is that arrogant? I'm trying to think of how that could be construed as arrogant. I don't think it was a comment made in excessive pride or self-importance.
Also if he hadn't said that, he would have been bombarded with "wrong forum nub", and he already explained the "right" forum was no help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 sir, +1

OP try changing the title to Think Tank instead of a Question, because this is a pretty good idea and yall are rounding up info on how it can be done. that way noone will bash you...well most people lol

speedysilwady said:
OP try changing the title to Think Tank instead of a Question, because this is a pretty good idea and yall are rounding up info on how it can be done. that way noone will bash you...well most people lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip... Noted and acted upon.

(Edited to delete)

Aspeds2989 said:
I used "arrogance" for lack of a better word, but damn.. You already posed a question and got back a ton of responses in another thread all saying to do a nandroid backup, but then u decide u don't like the only suggestion it seems anyone else could think of, so u "purposely" decide to violate forum rules simply to satisfy ur need.. Also, bluntly stating that you know its wrong but are doing it anyway is clearly an attempt at preventing being flamed by admitting to being guilty before anyone else could accuse u.. It just doesn't deserve a pass. Anyone else would've been flamed in the first reply.
Btw I'm not mad or trying to argue either, just trying to explain my previous post.
Edit:
The right forum was help, he just didn't like the responses/suggestions. I think what another user suggested would've been ok tho, to make it a think tank, other than that it doesn't belong in DEVELOPMENT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that you've explained it, I do understand why you said it and I do agree with it. I'm not excusing it or anything, but I will say that the Development forum seems to be a lot more helpful than the other Vibrant forums I've been to.
On topic, I would definitely like to see a custom ODIN backup.

I really don't see what is arrogant about my posting here. I asked in Q&A and all anyone could offer was: "Do something other than what you are asking how to do." If I wanted to know about doing a nandroid backup, I would have googled it. Believe me when I say that I have searched and searched and searched, and the documentation specific to what I am trying to accomplish is rare if it even exists. So, I am posing my question to an area of people who generally are more knowledgeable about such things. I even took the initiative to post something that might be helpful.

To make a Custom ODIN, all you have to do is edit the system how you would like it.. Then dd the system image like this
dd if=/dev/block/stl9 of=/sdcard/factoryfs.rfs bs=4096
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next you will need a utility called Cygwin if in Windows, not needed for linux..
Command would be like so..
tar --format=ustar -cf JPK.tar factoryfs.rfs cache.rfs zImage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an example if you have the system / cache / zImage

Eugene, I wanted to try this and the .tar file was created successfully but is it ok if I get these warnings/errors when creating the JPL.tar?
$ tar --format=ustar -cf JPK.tar factoryfs.rfs cache.rfs zImage
tar: cache.rfs: Cannot stat: No such file or directory
tar: zImage: Cannot stat: No such file or directory
tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors

frankencat said:
Eugene, I wanted to try this and the .tar file was created successfully but is it ok if I get these warnings/errors when creating the JPL.tar?
$ tar --format=ustar -cf JPK.tar factoryfs.rfs cache.rfs zImage
tar: cache.rfs: Cannot stat: No such file or directory
tar: zImage: Cannot stat: No such file or directory
tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing a similar command needs to be run for each type, but not sure what it is... damn curious. Would be great to Odin back to my current ROM state via Odin and not back to JFD, Kies update to JI5.... lol just flash and done.
Starting to see how apk files are structured as well... might make a dev outta me yet! Least a "MOD"...

frankencat said:
Eugene, I wanted to try this and the .tar file was created successfully but is it ok if I get these warnings/errors when creating the JPL.tar?
$ tar --format=ustar -cf JPK.tar factoryfs.rfs cache.rfs zImage
tar: cache.rfs: Cannot stat: No such file or directory
tar: zImage: Cannot stat: No such file or directory
tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to define you export path to the folder you are putting the images into

eugene373 said:
You have to define you export path to the folder you are putting the images into
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you generate the zImage and cache.rfs files?
Edit: Reading the wiki...
Edit Edit: That was wrong as well.
Making a zImage:
dd if=/dev/block/bml7 of=/sdcard/bml7.img
mv bml7.img zImage
tar --format=ustar -cf kernel-vibrant-version.tar zImage
md5sum -t kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar >> kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar
mv kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar.md5
Making a factoryfs.rfs:
dd if=/dev/block/stl9 of=/sdcard/factoryfs.rfs bs=4096
Any ideas on how to make dbdata.rfs param.lfs cache.rfs and modem.bin dumps?

eugene373 said:
To make a Custom ODIN, all you have to do is edit the system how you would like it.. Then dd the system image like this
Next you will need a utility called Cygwin if in Windows, not needed for linux..
Command would be like so.. This is an example if you have the system / cache / zImage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eugene, thank you for your help. Quick question: Is that first command from an adb shell?
I have cygwin installed, and hope to try this out soon.

jereader i take back what i said about just using nandroid, it was my inexperience with Odin....messed with it more today.
Now to try to make an Odin backup

inverseflux said:
How do you generate the zImage and cache.rfs files?
Edit: Reading the wiki...
Edit Edit: That was wrong as well.
Making a zImage:
dd if=/dev/block/bml7 of=/sdcard/bml7.img
mv bml7.img zImage
tar --format=ustar -cf kernel-vibrant-version.tar zImage
md5sum -t kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar >> kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar
mv kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar kernel-recovery-vibrant-version.tar.md5
Making a factoryfs.rfs:
dd if=/dev/block/stl9 of=/sdcard/factoryfs.rfs bs=4096
Any ideas on how to make dbdata.rfs param.lfs cache.rfs and modem.bin dumps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is the wiki you are reading this from? I would definitely like to check it out.

jereader said:
Where is the wiki you are reading this from? I would definitely like to check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would really love to know how these dumps are done. It's one piece of this that prevents me from starting to break my own/other peoples stuff for fun. I can see the device names in that wiki, but unknown as to what i need to run against it to image that data.
Sorry for the screwy URL, to new to post them...
forum[dot]xda-developers[dot]com/wiki/index.php?title=Samsung_Galaxy_S_Series

Building a new AIO, need kk4 1 clicks

looking for some 1 clicks for kk4. need both with and without bootloaders. that or a guide to making them and a copy of the stock kk4 with bootloaders. thanks in advance.

^ In the i897ucKF1 leaked Firmware .rar download, there is an Odin DL Creator that u can use to make One Click Downloaders. There are Manuals included in there as well, but unfortunately they got corrupted somewhere along the way and I could never find a way to open and read them. But the process to build the One Click was still easy enough to figure out.
Run the DLCreator v1.8 then choose the Downloader tab and then navigate to where this Creator file is and select the Odin3Execution v1.81 and then simply proceed down the tabs loading the files, select the Options u want (re-partition, auto reboot) and then select the File Name, then Downloader Title. After that is done select the Make Downloader tab.
Now I did encounter freezes/force closes (if u will) with the Creator, but I would just simply have to start over and then it would work. The i897ucKF1 firmware, u can get from here... http://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306 (u will probably have to register and log in)
And as an alternative there is the Heimdall One-Click - ROM Packaging and Distribution System. See the link here...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19386742&postcount=1

4-2ndtwin said:
^ In the i897ucKF1 leaked Firmware .rar download, there is an Odin DL Creator that u can use to make One Click Downloaders. There are Manuals included in there as well, but unfortunately they got corrupted somewhere along the way and I could never find a way to open and read them. But the process to build the One Click was still easy enough to figure out.
Run the DLCreator v1.8 then choose the Downloader tab and then navigate to where this Creator file is and select the Odin3Execution v1.81 and then simply proceed down the tabs loading the files, select the Options u want (re-partition, auto reboot) and then select the File Name, then Downloader Title. After that is done select the Make Downloader tab.
Now I did encounter freezes/force closes (if u will) with the Creator, but I would just simply have to start over and then it would work. The i897ucKF1 firmware, u can get from here... http://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306 (u will probably have to register and log in)
And as an alternative there is the Heimdall One-Click - ROM Packaging and Distribution System. See the link here...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19386742&postcount=1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a ton. i remember seeing a guide somewhere on converting cwm zips to odin tars. i knew i kept my noobuntu install for something lol.

found the odin creator and a stock kk4 md5 ball. time to do some research on the proper way to remove the bootloaders.
EDIT: sorry for double post. please merge if possible.

Use an Archiver (IZArc, 7zip, etc.) and extract the .tar out of the .rar that u downloaded. Then click on the name of the .tar.md5 to rename it and simply delete the .md5 from the name. Select yes to make the change. Open the .tar and then u will see the files. Bootloaders are of course the boot.bin and sbl.bin files (they r in the main.tar file. Think it was named Code something blah blah). Drag them to desktop to keep in a seperate file and then just delete them out of the .tar file. The param.lfs of course contains the initial bootslash jpeg image. And etc., etc.
Also, just fyi, this was a full wipe leaked firmware. --> (Edit: the KF1 was a full wipe, all others since have only wiped /cache after the install. And the other leaks since KF1 have only been in single .tar file, where as the kf1 was in 3 different .tar files)
Sent by XDA Premium App

4-2ndtwin said:
Use an Archiver (IZArc, 7zip, etc.) and extract the .tar out of the .rar that u downloaded. Then click on the name of the .tar.md5 to rename it and simply delete the .md5 from the name. Select yes to make the change. Open the .tar and then u will see the files. Bootloaders are of course the boot.bin and sbl.bin files (they r in the main.tar file. Think it was named Code something blah blah). Drag them to desktop to keep in a seperate file and then just delete them out of the .tar file. The param.lfs of course contains the initial bootslash jpeg image. And etc., etc.
Also, just fyi, this was a full wipe leaked firmware.
Sent by XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KK4 isn't full wipe...
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

^ Yep, u r correct. My bad. I was thinking about the KF1 leak. Thanks for the correction.

4-2ndtwin said:
^ Yep, u r correct. My bad. I was thinking about the KF1 leak. Thanks for the correction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its fine, you know just don't want people going around with false info!
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

[Q] Where to find zImage?

Where is the zImage located in a CWM-flashable rom? Or is it renamed? Help!

In Windows use 7-zip (freeware) and open the CWM. They are zip files.
zImage is usually only in complete ROM zips.
Take a look at the script responsible for what happens when the zip is run:
META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script
and get enlightened
Thx for reading, press THANKS if u like

Convert Heimdall to Odin

IS there a way to convert a Heimdall package to ODIN package?

Anyone please. I haven't found anything on Google

If you have 7zip, I believe so.
Try this - take a Heimdall one-click and unzip it to a directory. 7zip should be able to unzip the .jar file.
Once it's unzipped, go to /com/AdamOutler/HeimdallOneClick/resources/ROMPackage. You'll see a HeimdallPackage.tar.gz file. Unzip that to a directory.
Then, open that directory and unzip the HeimdallPackage.tar file to a directory.
Once you've done that, you should have a directory with the files you're looking for. In my case, I have a .pit file, a dbata.rfs file, a factoryfs.rfs file, a cache.rfs file, and a zImage file.
I think Odin will be able to handle those.

Can we do Odin to Heimdall?

jmtheiss said:
If you have 7zip, I believe so.
Try this - take a Heimdall one-click and unzip it to a directory. 7zip should be able to unzip the .jar file.
Once it's unzipped, go to /com/AdamOutler/HeimdallOneClick/resources/ROMPackage. You'll see a HeimdallPackage.tar.gz file. Unzip that to a directory.
Then, open that directory and unzip the HeimdallPackage.tar file to a directory.
Once you've done that, you should have a directory with the files you're looking for. In my case, I have a .pit file, a dbata.rfs file, a factoryfs.rfs file, a cache.rfs file, and a zImage file.
I think Odin will be able to handle those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unzipped the Apex 12.4 Heimdall package using WinRAR, and only thing I see in there that screams ROM at me is a apex.system.ext4 with a size of around 280MB. The other stuff are kernels, and boot stuff.

To make an Odin flashable file, you will need a Linux machine or Cygwin for Windows machines. Do a Google search for "How to make an Odin flashable rom" by Darkyy

mrhaley30705 said:
To make an Odin flashable file, you will need a Linux machine or Cygwin for Windows machines. Do a Google search for "How to make an Odin flashable rom" by Darkyy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need Cygwin to pull the files from phone not to make the ODIN .tar. Try to open that .ext4 file with 7 zip see if you can see other files in it. But That Apex file is off so you're going to have to do it with Cygwin or a linux OS (VM or similar would work) OR you can get Heimdall to work lol. Seems alot easier to get Heimdall to work than go through the trouble, Unless its for learning purpose.

prbassplayer said:
You need Cygwin to pull the files from phone not to make the ODIN .tar. Try to open that .ext4 file with 7 zip see if you can see other files in it. But That Apex file is off so you're going to have to do it with Cygwin or a linux OS (VM or similar would work) OR you can get Heimdall to work lol. Seems alot easier to get Heimdall to work than go through the trouble, Unless its for learning purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know about using cygwin to pull files from phone. I always use adb. Then i use cygwin to make my tar.md5 file.
It is much easier to make a flash package for Heimdall than Odin, in my opinion.
Did you find that thread by darkyy?

mrhaley30705 said:
Don't know about using cygwin to pull files from phone. I always use adb. Then i use cygwin to make my tar.md5 file.
It is much easier to make a flash package for Heimdall than Odin, in my opinion.
Did you find that thread by darkyy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you are right. But I've been able to create .tar with a zipping program. I would need my pc to tell you exactly the method. But yes I learned with darkky' post.
Sent from my ICS powered Captivate using Tapatalk

prbassplayer said:
You need Cygwin to pull the files from phone not to make the ODIN .tar. Try to open that .ext4 file with 7 zip see if you can see other files in it. But That Apex file is off so you're going to have to do it with Cygwin or a linux OS (VM or similar would work) OR you can get Heimdall to work lol. Seems alot easier to get Heimdall to work than go through the trouble, Unless its for learning purpose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using 7zip to unzip the .ext4 file, I see the following:
assets folder
META-INF folder
res folder
AndroidManifest.xml
resources.arsc
Looks like I'll have to Heimdall...

[Q] unpack repack stock rom, without boot loader

hi, please i need help about unpack and repack galaxy mini stock roms (.tar.md5) cause i wanna remove bootloader (arm11boot) to avoid physical domage to my mini;
i didn't find the rom what im searching for in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1551586
i need this middle east rom: http://www.hotfile.com/dl/155191960/b13d98c/S5570JPKT2_S5570OJPKT2_EGY.zip.html but without bootloader;
thankx

Send a pm to annson08.. Include the link and he may do it for you..

kitrax59 said:
Send a pm to annson08.. Include the link and he may do it for you..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don’t give me a fish, teach me how to fish.

I would like to help you fishing but I'M NOT RESPOSIBLE IF YOU ENDED BY CACHING A SHARK
I had downloaded a rom with removed bootloader from annson08 thread, by opening the .tar archive i noticed that he did just removed the arm11boot file from the package nothing else.
so maybe removing this file from your ROM and flashing it like usual will do the trick
Do It At Your Own Risk

Unpack rom..search bootanimation.zip.....replace with any other of ur choice
....repack
Sent from my GT-S5570 using xda premium

bilel2301 said:
hi, please i need help about unpack and repack galaxy mini stock roms (.tar.md5) cause i wanna remove bootloader (arm11boot) to avoid physical domage to my mini;
i didn't find the rom what im searching for in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthre...?t=1551586
i need this middle east rom: http://www.hotfile.com/dl/155191960/b13d...Y.zip.html but without bootloader;
thankx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unpack rom and its contents
open boot.image
in that remove arm11 boot
pack your rom !
flash it via odin

abdovar said:
I would like to help you fishing but I'M NOT RESPOSIBLE IF YOU ENDED BY CACHING A SHARK
I had downloaded a rom with removed bootloader from annson08 thread, by opening the .tar archive i noticed that he did just removed the arm11boot file from the package nothing else.
so maybe removing this file from your ROM and flashing it like usual will do the trick
Do It At Your Own Risk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know that he just removed arm11boot but when i did that with many method i didn't succed to add it to "odin multi downloader" it crashs every time when i add the new file without bootloader i think that is not just unpack,remove and repack there is something special to make odin fish a fish not a shark

bilel2301 said:
i know that he just removed arm11boot but when i did that with many method i didn't succed to add it to "odin multi downloader" it crashs every time when i add the new file without bootloader i think that is not just unpack,remove and repack there is something special to make odin fish a fish not a shark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He wrote it in his thread...
I believe the method requires linux (/cygwin)...
Edit: no, I couldn't find it... :sad:
Typed on a small touchscreen

a.cid said:
He wrote it in his thread...
I believe the method requires linux (/cygwin)...
Edit: no, I couldn't find it... :sad:
Typed on a small touchscreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i used cygwin too but i failed to make the output file work on odin!!!
i used this method from yagya:
Code:
cd firmware_directory
// Goes inside firmware directory
tar -cf firmware_name.tar amss mibib oemsbl qcsbl boot.img recovery.img system.rfs csc.rfs
// This will create a tar_file named firmware_name.tar containing all the files mentioned afterwards. You'll need to check if all files except arm11boot are included or not and add (or remove) to or from above list.
md5sum firmware_name.tar >> firmware_name.tar
// Checks md5sum of the tar file.
mv firmware_name.tar >> firmware_name.tar.md5
// Renames the firmware file. The outcome of this is your flashable zip file.
[optional] gzip firmware_name.tar.md5
//zips the firmware_name.tar.md5 file as gz format. It is easier while sharing the file since it reduces the file size by almost 50 %.

you did everything correct but the problem of Odin crashing is its a md5 file then you remove the arm11boot md5 of file changes which makes the Odin crash
steps to correct it:-
1. extract everything from package
2. delete arm11boot
3. then download a software which can create a tar package
4. with that software create an empty tar package
5. put all the files in that tar package
then then you are ready to flash

dhlalit11 said:
you did everything correct but the problem of Odin crashing is its a md5 file then you remove the arm11boot md5 of file changes which makes the Odin crash
steps to correct it:-
1. extract everything from package
2. delete arm11boot
3. then download a software which can create a tar package
4. with that software create an empty tar package
5. put all the files in that tar package
then then you are ready to flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesn't work also!!!! i flash it with (.tar) odin freeze in "download amss" and with (.tar.md5) odin crash also like using cygwin!!! i think that i really need help from annson08, i pm him but he didn't answer :/ :/

bilel2301 said:
it doesn't work also!!!! i flash it with (.tar) odin freeze in "download amss" and with (.tar.md5) odin crash also like using cygwin!!! i think that i really need help from annson08, i pm him but he didn't answer :/ :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey sorry for the late reply, really busy at the moment. I believe yagya made a tutorial about this...wait....hmmmm....ahh here it is,
http://handyinformation.freevar.com/showthread.php?tid=8&pid=12#pid12
that's not how I do things but that link also works.

annson08 said:
hey sorry for the late reply, really busy at the moment. I believe yagya made a tutorial about this...wait....hmmmm....ahh here it is,
http://handyinformation.freevar.com/showthread.php?tid=8&pid=12#pid12
that's not how I do things but that link also works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the link that you send to me is the link of my thread in yagya's forum
i try yagya's method but it doesn't work for me :/ :/
please when you have time pm how to do it thankx