Database Develop

[Q]Creating an Update.zip, AND?

ok, so maybe im slow or stupid & yes ive searched & searched, but no luck for me.
im trying to make some "flashable" update,.zip files to install to the system/app section of my htc cdma hero, & ive read & read, & researched, but im still at a loss.
so can anybody please in "noob/dummies" terms explain on how to do this, what files i need, b/c i see these "manifest.mf, cert.sf, & cert.rsa" files inside the update.zip files, & then theres the update-script file, & the apk.
how/where do i make/get these files, etc.
im ADHD & dyslectic, so please make it as simple as possible to follow.
also, how do i uninstall system apps & all the apps folders/cache files w/ adb, ive tryed but get "failed" error, i mean i can go in w/ root explorer & delete these, but it seems like a pain to track it all down, i just dont want to remove the app, but uninstall them completely, & not leave any junk behind.
thanks a million!
im trying to swap out some system apps (same apps), just different versions & size, & i tryed to just replace them w/ root explorer & reboot, but it doesnt work.
im on cm6.1 stable if that helps

jcj77d said:
ok, so maybe im slow or stupid & yes ive searched & searched, but no luck for me.
im trying to make some "flashable" update,.zip files to install to the system/app section of my htc cdma hero, & ive read & read, & researched, but im still at a loss.
so can anybody please in "noob/dummies" terms explain on how to do this, what files i need, b/c i see these "manifest.mf, cert.sf, & cert.rsa" files inside the update.zip files, & then theres the update-script file, & the apk.
how/where do i make/get these files, etc.
im ADHD & dyslectic, so please make it as simple as possible to follow.
also, how do i uninstall system apps & all the apps folders/cache files w/ adb, ive tryed but get "failed" error, i mean i can go in w/ root explorer & delete these, but it seems like a pain to track it all down, i just dont want to remove the app, but uninstall them completely, & not leave any junk behind.
thanks a million!
im trying to swap out some system apps (same apps), just different versions & size, & i tryed to just replace them w/ root explorer & reboot, but it doesnt work.
im on cm6.1 stable if that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones for a great guide on using adb to uninstall system apps.
As for update.zip info, I'm just starting to break into it myself. For a noob, I would suggest using the attached update.zip template (a read me is included ), and then you will need to sign the update. Two easy options:
1) Search the market for signapktic by Stericson.
2) Check out this amazing program: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/android-development/126517-pc-ppcgeeks-android-apk-zip-signer.html

jcj77d said:
so can anybody please in "noob/dummies" terms explain on how to do this, what files i need, b/c i see these "manifest.mf, cert.sf, & cert.rsa" files inside the update.zip files, & then theres the update-script file, & the apk.
how/where do i make/get these files, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those three files are created when you sign the zip. If you just want the apks flashed to the system then you don't need to modify the script file in that template - as for the framework.jar/apk part of the instructions, you can ignore those because that part was added bc the zip was initially created for themers
If you're interested in doing more than flashing to /system, such as flashing to /data or /sdcard, or removing items with a flash zip then check out my old post HERE - as a forewarning some of the stuff can get pretty technical
Otherwise follow the above post and you should be set both signers he/she listed are pretty easy to use

kyouko said:
If you're interested in doing more than flashing to /system, such as flashing to /data or /sdcard, or removing items with a flash zip then check out my old post HERE - as a forewarning some of the stuff can get pretty technical
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, I wasn't sure exactly where I got that .zip template from (That was a looong night of Google'ing and reading ) And the blog that you linked to is where I learned a lot of what I was after. Thanks! Now, if I can just figure out a way to create an update-script that will flash MY memory with all there is to know about Linux...

The Fer-Shiz-Nizzle said:
Check out http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones for a great guide on using adb to uninstall system apps.
As for update.zip info, I'm just starting to break into it myself. For a noob, I would suggest using the attached update.zip template (a read me is included ), and then you will need to sign the update. Two easy options:
1) Search the market for signapktic by Stericson.
2) Check out this amazing program: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/android-development/126517-pc-ppcgeeks-android-apk-zip-signer.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, i know how to sign

How to restore deleted (stock) System Apps?

Let me apologize first of all as I come from 5 years of using Windows Mobile knwoing what I am doing (cooking ROMs included) and now just got my Galaxy /Android a couple weeks ago and am blank at all of it.
After messing up with some system files and (useless) stock applications (like I removed stk.apk and other stuff) I decided to do a full hardware reset as the phone started getting random crashes.
But after the full reset things only got dramatically worse. I quickly realized all the missing system apps are still missing (I thought they'd be "restored") and basically nothing works, just crashes one after the next, cant use anything.
So, a hardware system reset on the galaxy, doesnt really reset anything except user installed apps and settings... amazing
Can someone please tell me (the idiot here, I know) how to do a real full restore where all system files, all missing files and positively everything gets back in the Tab as it was originally?
What a flippin' nightmare... Thanks in advance very much!

deletion of Stk.apk causes FC's in phone and acore.
if you don't have a backup of this apk, download a rom (like Modaco or Overcome),
open with winzip and extract the Stk.zpk from system/app and push it to /system/app on your Tab using adb (remember set the permissions to 644 after push).
A hardreset NO restores deletions on /system
Note: Other files that are not deleteable in /system/app are: Browser.apk, Email.apk, TouchWiz30Launcher.apk and TwWallpaperChooser.apk
Note (2): For your convenience, i attach the Stk.apk file from Overcome-1.1.3. Try it
Note (3): In order to restore ALL system data and apps, you need to restore a full rom.

bartito said:
deletion of Stk.apk causes FC's in phone and acore.
if you don't have a backup of this apk, download a rom (like Modaco or Overcome),
open with winzip and extract the Stk.zpk from system/app and push it to /system/app on your Tab using adb (remember set the permissions to 644 after push).
A hardreset NO restores deletions on /system
Note: Other files that are not deleteable in /system/app are: Browser.apk, Email.apk, TouchWiz30Launcher.apk and TwWallpaperChooser.apk
Note (2): For your convenience, i attach the Stk.apk file from Overcome-1.1.3. Try it
Note (3): In order to restore ALL system data and apps, you need to restore a full rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, first of all a big thanks for both file and info. Aside from the Stk.apk, the biggest thing that made me run into problems was trying to update my Contacts.apk:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=907399
things didnt work out for me and even after restoring the original files (Contacts.apk and Contacts.odex) nothing really worked again, reason for wich I tried a system reset.
Now, do I need to re-root the Tab or its still rooted, and can I perform the operations easily with Root Explorer like I did before? You mentioned to use adb and set permissions to 644 after push but, sorry again for the ignorance, I have no clue what adb is nor what/how to set permissions. Pathetic to be ignorant huh?
My last 2 questions are, where could I find the original Contacts.apk and Contacts.odex and if needed a full ROM to do a total restore?... hopefully I wont need to get to that point?...
Thanks a million again.

hi,
try to download overcome-1.1.3, and extract all the deleted apk's from system/app directory. push into the /system/app in your tab.
the apk's of overcome are deodexed (you don't need the .odex files). after that, wipe your data/cache and reboot.
if this don't works, try with roto rom

bartito said:
hi,
try to download overcome-1.1.3, and extract all the deleted apk's from system/app directory. push into the /system/app in your tab.
the apk's of overcome are deodexed (you don't need the .odex files). after that, wipe your data/cache and reboot.
if this don't works, try with roto rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmm thanks again but I think Im beyond all this. I dont have a file manager on my system, just realized I deleted the useless stock one and had repalced it with Root Explorer and ES File Explorer. I have them on my External SD Card to install them again but withou a file manager or an app installer cant get to them. And I tried download an app installer from the Market and get Framework errors non-stop and downloads do not initialize... I think Im beyond a quick fix... how do I get my hands on a stock full ROM to restore everything... and how? What a nightmare... gotta tell you, I love Windows Mobile... I love it... never ran into anything like this in the past 5 years of using it... never...
Thanks again!

use "adb" in order to access to your tab from your desktop pc.

bartito said:
use "adb" in order to access to your tab from your desktop pc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cant. Dont even know if I need Kies installed or not (I did have it installed) but adb just asks me to connect the phone and thats it... its connected aready... this is desperating...

OK I did manage to connect with adb but, how to I install applications? I can navigate to my SD card where I have ES File Explorer and Root Explorer but dont seem to be able to install them... Also if i try to copy Stk.apk I get immediately an failute message... this is crazy...

OK so I managed to install ES File Explorer and Root Explorer with adb... crazy process. It seems my phone is still rooted after the reset. From the phone I copied Stk.apk back to /system/apps where it was before deleted.
But needless to say nothing got fixed... not sure if Stk.apk is now "actually" installed or just there in the folder. But still nothing works and crashes every 10 seconds... logs provider, dialer, phone, framework, contacts... its all a firework of crashes...

Given that you've hard reset your device already, you are pretty much wasting your time trying to "fix" what you broke by messing with /system, and you should really just flash another ROM.
My suggestion would be to follow the advice on this thread.
Regards,
Dave

Yeap, that what i did and it was succesfull. My only issue is that Id like to convert my Tab's file system to ext4 to improve speed and performance and then update to the 1.4Ghz OC Kernel. I have no idea how to do those 2 things... actually Im not sure I understand the difference between a ROM and a Kernel... I assume a Kernel is part of the engine of the ROM itself but I have no idea how to perform the update. I read countless threads and its all scattered info without finding one straight to the point guide on how to do it...
Thanks again

VeEuzUKY said:
Yeap, that what i did and it was succesfull. My only issue is that Id like to convert my Tab's file system to ext4 to improve speed and performance and then update to the 1.4Ghz OC Kernel. I have no idea how to do those 2 things... actually Im not sure I understand the difference between a ROM and a Kernel... I assume a Kernel is part of the engine of the ROM itself but I have no idea how to perform the update. I read countless threads and its all scattered info without finding one straight to the point guide on how to do it...
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part of your problem is that you are trying to run before you can walk! Your experience with WinMo is of pretty much no use to you in the Linux/Android world, and until you get a better handle of how everything hands together you are always going to feel a little lost.
Personally, since your device is now up and running again, I'd suggest that you hold off doing anything else for while, until you get a chance to catch up with some of the basics. Once you are a little more familiar, you can then start with something simple like flashing the MoDaCo kernel (instructions here) to support EXT4, and to give you access to ClockworkMod recovery.
IMO, whilst EXT4 and O/C kernels will give you a performance boost, they are not as noticeable as jumping from a shipping ROM to one of the JMx development builds that Samsung has put out. If you are running JMI, you should already be feeling that the device has got much snappier.
Regards,
Dave

foxmeister said:
Part of your problem is that you are trying to run before you can walk! Your experience with WinMo is of pretty much no use to you in the Linux/Android world, and until you get a better handle of how everything hands together you are always going to feel a little lost.
Personally, since your device is now up and running again, I'd suggest that you hold off doing anything else for while, until you get a chance to catch up with some of the basics. Once you are a little more familiar, you can then start with something simple like flashing the MoDaCo kernel (instructions here) to support EXT4, and to give you access to ClockworkMod recovery.
IMO, whilst EXT4 and O/C kernels will give you a performance boost, they are not as noticeable as jumping from a shipping ROM to one of the JMx development builds that Samsung has put out. If you are running JMI, you should already be feeling that the device has got much snappier.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Dave you are right, right and right again!!! Thank you for the wisdom and advice!!!
The main thing I have understood with today's messy experience was that the actual ROM files are never deleted or damaged as long as you dont access them via a rooted tool and start deleting them. Now I understand that Titanium Backup, Sprint Backup (my favorite), My Backup Pro and others, only back-up and restore what the user installs on top of the ROM itself. So a full "reset" wipes all that data but leaves the ROM files as they always were. If they got damaged in the process, they'll still be damaged till a a full ROM restores all system data, now I get it.
What I still dont get is the issue of bakcing up and restoring. In Windows Mobile, a toll like SPB Backup has a simple option called FULL BACKUP and that backs-up everything on top of the ROM and then restores everything after a full reset on top of the ROM again like it was before. The problem I have with apps like Titanium Backup, Sprint Backup, My Backup Pro, etc... is that there is not a "BACKUP ALL" option... one has to backup "data", "settings", "apps" and I always feel stuff will be left behind and then not restored.
Till I find an app or way to do a simple one-click "backup everything" and then "restore evertything" I always feel vulnerable to changes I make to the Tab that may get it unstable or corrupt and then not being able to be restored properly without a full ROM Flash and then re-installing all from scratch.
With WinMo, I could do all sorts of crazy experiments and tweaking and after that, a registry restore or back-up restore would bring me back my phone to exactly like it was with all my stuff and configuration in a matter of seconds or minutes. Thats what I need to find out with this Tab/Android and then Im ready to be able to explore messing up with this knowing I can always easily go back within minutes to the state I had before with all my apps and settings.
This is what I need to learn next how to do! Trampoline without a safety net is not a good idea. Ive alwways loved WinMo for the ease of backing up and restoring whatever I was doing on my handsets withjout ever worrying to put myself at risk to loose it all. I need to learn this on Android and its definitely more intricate!

just put sdcard into your samsung tab and flash modaco kernel amd it will automatically covert to ext4, after that you can flash the 1.4ghz kernel you wanted.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

instechgainza said:
just put sdcard into your samsung tab and flash modaco kernel amd it will automatically covert to ext4, after that you can flash the 1.4ghz kernel you wanted.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I cant follow you. I put an SD card in and flash modaco kernel? What files do I put on the sd card for this effect?...

VeEuzUKY said:
Sorry, I cant follow you. I put an SD card in and flash modaco kernel? What files do I put on the sd card for this effect?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no...you need a kernel to flash via odin, you need sdcard mounted so that it will backup all files automatically while converting to ext4..head over to modaco kernel section amd follow the instruction.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

instechgainza said:
no...you need a kernel to flash via odin, you need sdcard mounted so that it will backup all files automatically while converting to ext4..head over to modaco kernel section amd follow the instruction.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is the modaco kernel section you refer to? I can search for hours and find zilch... these blogs are endless...

VeEuzUKY said:
What I still dont get is the issue of bakcing up and restoring. In Windows Mobile, a toll like SPB Backup has a simple option called FULL BACKUP and that backs-up everything on top of the ROM and then restores everything after a full reset on top of the ROM again like it was before. The problem I have with apps like Titanium Backup, Sprint Backup, My Backup Pro, etc... is that there is not a "BACKUP ALL" option... one has to backup "data", "settings", "apps" and I always feel stuff will be left behind and then not restored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you want is a Nandroid backup, which you can only make from a recovery image like Clockworkmod recovery.
Essentially, this does exactly what you want, but you need to flash a new kernel (e.g. the MoDaCo kernel) which supports Clockwordmod.
Regards,
Dave

bartito said:
deletion of Stk.apk causes FC's in phone and acore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i beg to differ about stk.apk fc's your phone. that's the first thing i delete when removing system apps with no fc's
refer to this link about having a bare bones system. stk.apk is for management of multiple sim cards
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones

b0ricuaguerrero said:
i beg to differ about stk.apk fc's your phone. that's the first thing i delete when removing system apps with no fc's
refer to this link about having a bare bones system. stk.apk is for management of multiple sim cards
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I delete stk.apk (for me useless useless useless) the first thing that happens immediately is that when I hang-up on a call made or received, the Tab vibrates then freezes for about 5 seconds then tells me the phone application has crashed. I tried this with 2 ROMs now as a test and its guaranteed. More even, if you use a program like SYSTEM APP REMOVER you can emulate the removal of an app by disabling it... it only takes me to disable STK and a reboot for the phone not to work. cant get rid of it, that simple

Phone won't get past boot screen, please help

Hi all,
I have a rooted Rogers Captivate running stock Rogers 2.2 with OCLF. The other day I installed busybox and anim mod, and today I decided to change my transitions with anim mod.
After applying the change, it asked me to restart my phone. I clicked yes, and it hung for a moment before showing a force close screen. However, before I could do anything, it reset, but after the logos and startup animation, it vibrated and went to black. The soft keys still light up, but no buttons including holding down power have any effect.
After pulling out the battery, I discovered I could still get to recovery console (and I'm fairly certain I could get into download mode as well), but my main concern is getting to / backing up my contacts.
Your help would be enormously appreciated!
-Alex

1. Check the files that are present in the theme u installed - typically the files under the system folders
2. Ask ur ROM developer to package these files (from original ROM) into a CWM flashable zip file (assuming u do not know how to do this)
3. Push this to ur phone using adb and install it on ur phone
Next time on, when installing any theme not made 'specifically' for ur ROM, refrain from doing so. In case you are in a mood to experiment, it would recommended to take a nandroid backup in case issues like this come up.
Since u say urs is stock, u could package these files from ur stock zip. For this u'd have to find a Roger's stock zip file, and u should be able to find an empty update.zip to package these files into (attaching template update.zip to this post; open in winrar).

Thank you very much for helping me with this diablo, I really got myself into a mess and I appreciate your help trying to get me out of it.
I'm not running any themes on top of Rogers 2.2, it's pure stock. I don't have CWM on my phone, nor have I used ADB before. Also, I'm not sure where or how I'd get the stock zip, I did download your template but I don't know how to fill it with what I need.
Thanks again,
Alex

Oh, and if you give me a donate button or paypal account, I'd be happy to show my gratitude.

agroberman said:
I'm not running any themes on top of Rogers 2.2, it's pure stock. I don't have CWM on my phone, nor have I used ADB before. Also, I'm not sure where or how I'd get the stock zip, I did download your template but I don't know how to fill it with what I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I
Alex, try searching for Rogers stock ROM. U should be able to find it on these forums.
II
Meanwhile, try posting a thread to ask people here who may be on Rogers stock to zip up their /system/framework folder.
Asking for /system/app zip would not be a good idea since it would contain paid apps too. So alternately,
1. Open the theme zip that u put on ur phone
2. Navigate to /system/app folder
3. List down the apps u see there
4. Ask for anyone who's on stock rogers if they can zip up these files for u.
III
Next, considering u have the apps and the contents of /system/framework:
1. Open the file I sent u in 'winrar'
2. Navigate to system/app folder
3. Drop the apps u got from 'whoever-helped-u' into this folder
4. Navigate to system/framework folder
5. Drop the files in system/framework from 'whoever-helped-u' into this folder
6. Close winrar and rename to update.zip
IV
7. Put this file on ur SD card root
8. Boot into recovery
9. Select 'apply update.zip' (not sure of exact wording)
10. Reboot
Also, what is the theme u downloaded?
I put the steps in blocks so it would be easy to trouble shoot in case u run into any issues.
All the best Alex.

[Q] Phone won't get past boot screen, please help
Thank you again, Diablo, lunch is on me today.
I don't have any themes installed, this is the program that created the trouble for me, which I download from the Android Market:
http://www.androidblip.com/android-themes/anim-mod-root-136113.html
I clicked on the "fly in & flip" selection.
I will make a post requesting a stock rogers 2.2 zip of their /system/framework folder.
Is there anything else I'm missing, and once I get the /system/framework get it into the update.zip, how do I get it onto my SD card root, or do I just put it on the root of an external SD card?
-Alex

agroberman said:
Thank you again, Diablo, lunch is on me today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow. Never thought u'd put in so much. Incidentally u happen to be the first person!!!
agroberman said:
I don't have any themes installed, this is the program that created the trouble for me, which I download from the Android Market:
http://www.androidblip.com/android-themes/anim-mod-root-136113.html
I clicked on the "fly in & flip" selection.
I will make a post requesting a stock rogers 2.2 zip of their /system/framework folder.
Is there anything else I'm missing, and once I get the /system/framework get it into the update.zip, how do I get it onto my SD card root, or do I just put it on the root of an external SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see its a paid app, so can't say whats in it. But since its into animations and stuff, most likely it messed up some files in ur framework folder. Send me the update.zip file after u update so I can cross check before u can flash it on ur phone.

Hi Diablo,
I wrote a new post at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997233
Am I asking for the right thing?
Also, on the app page it says "Anim Mod changes the system framework files without touching your theme so if you constantly switch from ROM to ROM you can always get the animation you prefer the best."
Does this make anything simpler?
Thanks again for continuing to help me,
Alex

agroberman said:
Hi Diablo,
I wrote a new post at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=997233
Am I asking for the right thing?
Also, on the app page it says "Anim Mod changes the system framework files without touching your theme so if you constantly switch from ROM to ROM you can always get the animation you prefer the best."
Does this make anything simpler?
Thanks again for continuing to help me,
Alex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It says it changes files. I would NOT recommend any such app that changes framework files with/without knowledge, unless, there is a way backup plan at hand to revert to stock.
I normally take a nandroid backup of my ROM before playing with things like this, so in case things mess up, atleast there is a working copy of ROM.
Secondly, since u said u need contacts, I would recommend the following:
1. Install titanium backup (TiBu in short)
2. Backup "Contacts Storage"
3. Copy this folder "Titanium Backup" from sdcard to a safe location (e.g., ur computer)
This would backup ur contacts. So in case u mess up with something, u can always copy this folder to ur sdcard and restore using TiBu.
U can also backup all user apps and data so u can restore all ur apps and data in these kinds of situations. But do NOT backup or try to restore any system data except the one contacts storage I mentioned above.
Also, be warned, contacts data cannot be moved this way between different versions of ROM like 2.1 and 2.2. But u can move between 2.2 and 2.2.1. I was also able to restore this data on 2.3.3 gingerbread.
Personally, I now use "Sprite Backup" to backup and restore my data.

Thanks for your effort yesterday Diablo. I decided to odin flash the stock rogers 2.1, repartition, and upgraded to 2.2 via kies. I lost my contacts, but couldn't go any longer without the phone. I'm gonna back everything up right now!
-Alex

agroberman said:
Thanks for your effort yesterday Diablo. I decided to odin flash the stock rogers 2.1, repartition, and upgraded to 2.2 via kies. I lost my contacts, but couldn't go any longer without the phone. I'm gonna back everything up right now!
-Alex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear that Alex. This time make sure u backup "Contacts Storage" in Tibu when u r on 2.2.
Else use Sprite Backup or anything similar to help backup.

Bootloop problem after freezing Homescreen Selector

Hi
First post here, I'm new to Android and rooting but I know my way around computer systems in general so hoping you guys can help me, haven't seen a thread about this exact problem so far.
I've semi-bricked (bootlooped) my Samsung Galaxy Ace running Gingerbread, having rooted it last month using the upd_1 package and enjoying a bloatware-free phone, happily installing apps onto my second partition on my SD card. I've not changed my ROM, just the stock is good enough for me for now. However I was getting continually prompted by Homescreen Selector nags at powering up for some reason and I thought I could disable it by applying Freeze using LInk2SD, but since doing that I continually get the Samsung logo, the orange "explosion" (I'm with Orange) then a vibration and the whole cycle repeats. My guess is the operating system can't find the selector.apk app since I froze it.
I thought the solution would be simple - use adb shell to rename back from selector.fro to selector.apk. However I'm unable to find any such file in my system/app folder. There are a load of other apk and odex files but not that one. When I type su I get "permission denied", though I definitely rooted my phone but I don't think I have my bootloader unlocked.
I don't have CWM installed or any backups unfortunately (yes, I know...), so even if I took one now prior to a factory reset, surely the same problem would come back if I were to restore from any backup I were to take now. I can get into Recovery and Download screens ok but don't want to restore the whole ROM unless I have to, since I know it's only one APK that is at fault.
So, please can anyone tell me how to locate the selector.fro file to turn it back to selector.apk? Or can't I do that without unlocking the bootloader first, or is there another solution?
Many thanks in advance,
Graham

Wouldnt it be possible to make a zip of the selector.apk and flash it? Rename the zip-file to "update" (since you're unable to browse to your specific file).

QNBT said:
Wouldnt it be possible to make a zip of the selector.apk and flash it? Rename the zip-file to "update" (since you're unable to browse to your specific file).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the response
Do you mean copy a zip of selector.apk to the SD card and run it from there, same as I did when I rooted? Where can I obtain a copy of that apk from? I can't find it on my computer or via Google...

gkey2112 said:
Hi, thanks for the response
Do you mean copy a zip of selector.apk to the SD card and run it from there, same as I did when I rooted? Where can I obtain a copy of that apk from? I can't find it on my computer or via Google...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can extract it from the ROM's zip file, just locate it as you would on your phone.

But I don't have a ROM zip file. I'm not using a custom ROM, just stock. I may go down the custom ROM route one day, but for now I just want my phone to work again in the quickest way possible.
All I need is a copy of the original stock home selector APK. Can anyone help here please?

Found the file!
Never mind, got the apk from another thread. Flashing tonight...

[Q] Need help rooting

I've got a Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 with:
Android version 2.3.6
Baseband version S5830XWKT8
Kernel version 2.6.35.7-1190851 [email protected]#1 Mon Sep 3 16:00:05 KST 2012
Build number GINGERBREAD.BGKT4.
I want to root it so I can unlock it and delete some useless pre-installed apps.
I've tried to root it following quite a few tutorials here on XDA (including various zip updates) but all I got was a useless superuser app without root permissions.
I think that's because the version I have is no longer compatible with those methods, but I don't know.
So I want to ask: Is there any method, no matter how hard it is, able to definitely root a Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 with android 2.3.6?
And in the case it isn't possible, do you know if I take it to one of those "repairs" shops they could at least unlock it? or do they use the same methods?
Thanks!

To start, you need to say what firmware you are running, baseband etc
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 4

First of all WRONG SECTION!!!
THERE IS A GREAT Q&A THREAD AND A BEAUTIFULL THREAD ABOUT RULES, SO PLEASE READ IT
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43193801
so
1. flash this file
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1281452&d=1345874726
2. flash root.zip file that I provided to you

PJ147 said:
To start, you need to say what firmware you are running, baseband etc
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's done now. If there's anything else I can provide, I'll be glad to do so if that helps.
Viper The Ripper said:
First of all WRONG SECTION!!!
THERE IS A GREAT Q&A THREAD AND A BEAUTIFULL THREAD ABOUT RULES, SO PLEASE READ IT
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43193801
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to post it in the correct place but if I did it wrong, my apologies. Anyway the post is now created and I don't think multiposting would be any better so let's hope some mod will see this and move it to the right place.
I'm going to try what you suggested. I'll edit later with the results, tanks.

andreuec said:
I think it's done now. If there's anything else I can provide, I'll be glad to do so if that helps.
I tried to post it in the correct place but if I did it wrong, my apologies. Anyway the post is now created and I don't think multiposting would be any better so let's hope some mod will see this and move it to the right place.
I'm going to try what you suggested. I'll edit later with the results, tanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok! don't worry about that I reported it to mods
Good luck and yes, report then what's happend with your phone

Well, I Installed CWM, tried Delete_thinkdroid.zip (didn't do anything. Think free office is still installed and working), upd_1.zip, acegingerroot.zip, gingerbred-2.3.6-root.zip, CF-Root-S5830-v3.7-b84.zip, b84-fixed.zip and still no root.
Now, my phone boots with a blue triangle in the top left corner but that's all.
upd_1.zip gave the following error:
Code:
E:Error in /sdcard/upd_1.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
gingerbred-2.3.6-root.zip did the same but changing the name:
Code:
E:Error in /sdcard/gingerbred-2.
3.6-root.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
acegingerroot.zip and CF-Root-S5830-v3.7-b84.zip seemed to install correctly but with no effect.
b84-fixed.zip aborted installation almost immediately.
Do I need to get a new version of my system? Like that firmware and roms things? I'm really lost

andreuec said:
Well, I Installed CWM, tried Delete_thinkdroid.zip (didn't do anything. Think free office is still installed and working), upd_1.zip, acegingerroot.zip, gingerbred-2.3.6-root.zip, CF-Root-S5830-v3.7-b84.zip, b84-fixed.zip and still no root.
Now, my phone boots with a blue triangle in the top left corner but that's all.
upd_1.zip gave the following error:
Code:
E:Error in /sdcard/upd_1.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
gingerbred-2.3.6-root.zip did the same but changing the name:
Code:
E:Error in /sdcard/gingerbred-2.
3.6-root.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
acegingerroot.zip and CF-Root-S5830-v3.7-b84.zip seemed to install correctly but with no effect.
b84-fixed.zip aborted installation almost immediately.
Do I need to get a new version of my system? Like that firmware and roms things? I'm really lost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no. that you need is to liberate memory space to push root files to /system
Blue triangle is good don't worry (cfroot kernel installed )
Cfroot b84 fix isn't flashable through CWM, normal that your device aborted the installation
Your error message is because your sdcard is corrupted, so copy all your data from your sdcard to your pc using an USB adapter.
Then format your sdcard using windows in Fat32 format (you can do it using your phone and selecting format your sdcard in settings )
Copy the files again and flash it when you have free space
I'm going to provide you a script to delete a serius app, wait a moment

Viper The Ripper said:
no. that you need is to liberate memory space to push root files to /system
Blue triangle is good don't worry (cfroot kernel installed )
Cfroot b84 fix isn't flashable through CWM, normal that your device aborted the installation
Your error message is because your sdcard is corrupted, so copy all your data from your sdcard to your pc using an USB adapter.
Then format your sdcard using windows in Fat32 format (you can do it using your phone and selecting format your sdcard in settings )
Copy the files again and flash it when you have free space
I'm going to provide you a script to delete a serius app, wait a moment
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's here!
When you finish with your sdcard (format in Fat32) try the attached file and report then
1. Flash it "install form sdcard"
2. Then flash root.zip
It'll delete Thinkfree, it's enough.
I have prepared a script (EXTREME) that remove Maps, Gmail, Thinkfree, SamsungApps and Youtube All those apps can be downloaded from Google Paly Store

Viper The Ripper said:
Well it's here!
When you finish with your sdcard (format in Fat32) try the attached file and report then
1. Flash it "install form sdcard"
2. Then flash root.zip
It'll delete Thinkfree, it's enough.
I have prepared a script (EXTREME) that remove Maps, Gmail, Thinkfree, SamsungApps and Youtube All those apps can be downloaded from Google Paly Store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are officially my new idol!
Got it rooted! At last!
I think it was a memory problem as you said, because I formatted the SD card, ran the script and everything worked fine like a charm!
I've already unlocked my phone and all!
Dude you're amazing! Thank you so much for all the dedication, I really appreciate that.
Thanks!

andreuec said:
You are officially my new idol!
Got it rooted! At last!
I think it was a memory problem as you said, because I formatted the SD card, ran the script and everything worked fine like a charm!
I've already unlocked my phone and all!
Dude you're amazing! Thank you so much for all the dedication, I really appreciate that.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! :good:
You're welcome
I advised you to reflash cfroot b84 kernel just to avoid troubles if it wasn't be installed properly
1.Flash cf-root b84 via CWM
2.Boot android and look at an app CWM, in this app select "flash kernel" and select cfroot b84 FIX (this part fix bootanimation trouble)
I'm glad you achieved it

Viper The Ripper said:
Great! :good:
You're welcome
I advised you to reflash cfroot b84 kernel just to avoid troubles if it wasn't be installed properly
1.Flash cf-root b84 via CWM
2.Boot android and look at an app CWM, in this app select "flash kernel" and select cfroot b84 FIX (this part fix bootanimation trouble)
I'm glad you achieved it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no boot animation problems, but anyway, done that.
A little problem i just noticed is that after reinstalling Gmail and Youtube (after deleting them with the script) those two apps seem to not be working and send a couple of error messages after booting saying "process com.google.android.youtube" and "process com.google.android.gm" have stopped unexpectedly and giving the option to force close or report... So you know if I can fix that?
EDIT: Google Maps and Think free office work fine...

andreuec said:
I had no boot animation problems, but anyway, done that.
A little problem i just noticed is that after reinstalling Gmail and Youtube (after deleting them with the script) those two apps seem to not be working and send a couple of error messages after booting saying "process com.google.android.youtube" and "process com.google.android.gm" have stopped unexpectedly and giving the option to force close or report... So you know if I can fix that?
EDIT: Google Maps and Think free office work fine...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can push those apps in /system partition again using a file browser as root explorer

Viper The Ripper said:
You can push those apps in /system partition again using a file browser as root explorer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, I don't know what was the problem but I reinstalled those two apps and now seem to be running fine.
Thanks for everything!!

andreuec said:
Never mind, I don't know what was the problem but I reinstalled those two apps and now seem to be running fine.
Thanks for everything!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok! Great! :good:
You can do it following the next steps:
You need to set the permissions correctly and delete Gmail.odex and YouTube.odex files if exist in /system/app before paste this new apps
1. Mount /system (R/W) in order to paste the apps
2. Just put the apps in /system/app and set the permissions like this (holding over each file, you'll change permissions)
x-x--
x----
x----
3. Reboot!
It should work

I'm having the same problem (root and get superuser app without root permissions. )but I don't have much of an idea on what to do. I have just swiched over from an iPhone so android is all new.
So my phone info is
Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 with:
Android version 2.3.6
Baseband version S5830XWKT3
Kernel version [email protected]#1
Build number GINGERBREAD.XWKT7
Can someone please run me through what I need to do to root it (I know how to get the superuser but I need to know if that prepared script (EXTREME) that removes Maps, Gmail, Thinkfree, SamsungApps and Youtube will do the same for me. Also how do you use the script (ie do you "install form sdcard") as you would the root.zip? I just want to remove carrier bloatware than I will unroot again. Or would superoneclick work for me? (nevermind superoneclick as I cant get it to install on computerputer keeps "encountered a problem and needs to close".
Thanks

andreuec said:
I've got a Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 with:
Android version 2.3.6
Baseband version S5830XWKT8
Kernel version 2.6.35.7-1190851 [email protected]#1 Mon Sep 3 16:00:05 KST 2012
Build number GINGERBREAD.BGKT4.
I want to root it so I can unlock it and delete some useless pre-installed apps.
I've tried to root it following quite a few tutorials here on XDA (including various zip updates) but all I got was a useless superuser app without root permissions.
I think that's because the version I have is no longer compatible with those methods, but I don't know.
So I want to ask: Is there any method, no matter how hard it is, able to definitely root a Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 with android 2.3.6?
And in the case it isn't possible, do you know if I take it to one of those "repairs" shops they could at least unlock it? or do they use the same methods?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not if you have SuperUser installed? Search Titanium Backup and install it from Play Store. Remove any unnecessary system app using it. Root has nothing to do with removing the system app automatically or through Application Manager. So you will need the third party app like Titanium Backup.
P/S: Becareful with uninstalling/removing system app. Else you will render your phone unusable at all. (To unbrick it you will need more trick, search the thread in XDA to revive your phone)

soralz said:
Why not if you have SuperUser installed? Search Titanium Backup and install it from Play Store. Remove any unnecessary system app using it. Root has nothing to do with removing the system app automatically or through Application Manager. So you will need the third party app like Titanium Backup.
P/S: Becareful with uninstalling/removing system app. Else you will render your phone unusable at all. (To unbrick it you will need more trick, search the thread in XDA to revive your phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium requires root and my superuser wont root I would rather not root at all the only thing I want to get rid of are optus stuff that was preinstalled but doesnt even work on my phone. all the research that I have read says that to remove bloat ware you need to root. (please if I am wrong just point me in the right direction)
Thanks

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3QUOTE=cmonson;45344745]Titanium requires root and my superuser wont root I would rather not root at all the only thing I want to get rid of are optus stuff that was preinstalled but doesnt even work on my phone. all the research that I have read says that to remove bloat ware you need to root. (please if I am wrong just point me in the right direction)
Thanks[/QUOTE]
Look for in he first page of this thread!
I attached 2 scripts to remove some apps to get free space. Then you could flash root.zip successfully
Here you have ROOT + CWM 5.0.2.6. Fixed files too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3

Viper The Ripper said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3QUOTE=cmonson;45344745]Titanium requires root and my superuser wont root I would rather not root at all the only thing I want to get rid of are optus stuff that was preinstalled but doesnt even work on my phone. all the research that I have read says that to remove bloat ware you need to root. (please if I am wrong just point me in the right direction)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for in he first page of this thread!
I attached 2 scripts to remove some apps to get free space. Then you could flash root.zip successfully
Here you have ROOT + CWM 5.0.2.6. Fixed files too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3[/QUOTE]
I used the 2 scripts in the preivous post but it still didnt root properly what else can I do I oonly want to get rid of optus apps that either dont work or I have no use for. I dont want to flash phone as I really dont know what I am doing. the google play store has a superuser app that I have the manual download for but I want to be able to unroot when I'm done (dont want any mishaps and my littleies play with my phone all the time) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.superuser&hl=en)
Thanks for taking the time to help me.

cmonson said:
Look for in he first page of this thread!
I attached 2 scripts to remove some apps to get free space. Then you could flash root.zip successfully
Here you have ROOT + CWM 5.0.2.6. Fixed files too
I used the 2 scripts in the preivous post but it still didnt root properly what else can I do I oonly want to get rid of optus apps that either dont work or I have no use for. I dont want to flash phone as I really dont know what I am doing. the google play store has a superuser app that I have the manual download for but I want to be able to unroot when I'm done (dont want any mishaps and my littleies play with my phone all the time) (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.superuser&hl=en)
Thanks for taking the time to help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the steps:
1. Here you could find the scripts to remove the apps and get free space (it's compulsory for the last roms to push superuser files)
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2420830
2. You have enough free space now (your apps have been deleted, check it)
Flash ROOT + CWM 5.0.2.6. FIXED files to get root and a custom recovery
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239030&page=3
You can flash CWM first if you want