Database Develop

[How To] Recover from a soft brick

A soft brick, in this case, is when you make a bad edit to your framework files and the phone won't fully boot and starts flashing a red LED at you.
There is one catch, you only get about 1-2min to do all of this before the phone reboots on its own. If that happens, do SuperOneClick steps again and continue where you left off. Better yet, build a script to do it all for you
Power off your device
Enter Fastboot:
Hold Volume down + power until you see Fastboot at the top left
Use volume down to scroll down to "Early USB Enumeration" (only shows one item at a time, if you pass it, keep going down, up selects)
Press Volume up to select
Wait for ADB to enable, run "Shell Root" from SuperOneClick, wait until it says you have root.
Enter adb shell from command line, You should have root(#) access:
adb shell
Mount the system directory as read/write:
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 /system
Make a new directory on /data for your recovery files: (sdcard wont be mounted yet)
mkdir /data/recover
Exit adb shell:
exit
Push your known working files to the new directory:
adb push /path/to/local/file.ext /data/recovery
Enter adb shell from command line:
adb shell
Copy your newly pushed recovery files to their proper location:
cp /data/recover/services.jar /system/framework
cp /data/recover/framework.jar /system/framework
cp /data/recover/famework-res.apk /system/framework
Reboot:
reboot now

Thanks! Extremely happy you are deving for this phone

What's the best way to backup my stock partitions before I keep playing with those files?
Titan Backup works for that?
Or just a tar cf /mnt/sdcard/systembackup.tar /system , works?
Thanks in advance.

uskr said:
What's the best way to backup my stock partitions before I keep playing with those files?
Titan Backup works for that?
Or just a tar cf /mnt/sdcard/systembackup.tar /system , works?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would just use the tar solution, much easier to deal with.
You can also use ADB, adb pull /system system
Also, the retail dump I did matched my phone dump bit for bit, as long as you have that you should be fine.

Thanks! I am messing around with the APKs and scripts to get the webtop to work without the dock. So I wanted to make sure I was covered.

designgears said:
I would just use the tar solution, much easier to deal with.
You can also use ADB, adb pull /system system
Also, the retail dump I did matched my phone dump bit for bit, as long as you have that you should be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already did both adb pull of system and tar, but how did you do the retail dump?

lpsi2000 said:
I already did both adb pull of system and tar, but how did you do the retail dump?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tar dump as root of system

One last question.
Once I deodex my /system/app, should I just do a adb push app /system/app and then rm /system/app/*.odex ?
I am used to use the update.zip trick on the captivate. But I am not sure how to proceed on this phone.

uskr said:
One last question.
Once I deodex my /system/app, should I just do a adb push app /system/app and then rm /system/app/*.odex ?
I am used to use the update.zip trick on the captivate. But I am not sure how to proceed on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
push apps, then push framework, reboot, then delete all the odex files, reboot
from system do something like; find . -name "*.odex" -exec rm {} \;

designgears said:
push apps, then push framework, reboot, then delete all the odex files, reboot
from system do something like; find . -name "*.odex" -exec rm {} \;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unrelated to this, I could sware yesterday I got to the recovery screen where I was able to wipe stuff and also be able to use update.zip. Although I did not use and update files but saw the option there. Today I am looking everywhere but the recovery screen does not come up with the options. I only see exclamation point and the droid. May be I am going nuts but can anyone confirm this.

lpsi2000 said:
Unrelated to this, I could sware yesterday I got to the recovery screen where I was able to wipe stuff and also be able to use update.zip. Although I did not use and update files but saw the option there. Today I am looking everywhere but the recovery screen does not come up with the options. I only see exclamation point and the droid. May be I am going nuts but can anyone confirm this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tap at the bottom right of the screen right above the search button

designgears said:
tap at the bottom right of the screen right above the search button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahha, thank you. Now I know I am going crazy. I used it yesterday to wipe when the system was unstable on me after playing around with the framework. I am must have stumble on that by accident. I am wondering if this documented yet somewhere around here.
Also too bad we cannot get root from there yet.

Well thank you for this. So when it boots to run, does it do a sys check to verify files are the same size or what? Anyway went to my local AT&T store and they swapped it out for me.

realawill said:
Well thank you for this. So when it boots to run, does it do a sys check to verify files are the same size or what? Anyway went to my local AT&T store and they swapped it out for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I just made a bad edit and it was FC hell

IT DOES NOT WORK WITH ME
I have been trying this trick for many times. The device restart and SuperOneClick hanging without any result.

designgears said:
No, I just made a bad edit and it was FC hell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crazy....mine just would not reboot. But good to know that there is a way to recover. Love the phone but hate Motorola. Wish that it was easy as the Cappy.

Cool stuff. I may snatch the framework off the phone in stock form and make a batch package for this so folks can easily just double click to restore their framework and system app folder.
Good work DG...

I never get past that initial... Starting RSD protocol support screen. Is that fast boot? If so I'm a retard...
EDIT: I need the face palm sticky. It's not Volume UP...it's Volume Down. Reading comprehension for the loss...

azy8000 said:
IT DOES NOT WORK WITH ME
I have been trying this trick for many times. The device restart and SuperOneClick hanging without any result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done this several times now, it works

I soft bricked my Atrix earlier this morning, and used this to recover. The time limit is a serious pain!
I ended up needing to separate /system into 5 separate pushes of 30MB each in order to get them done in time.
Oddly, after restoring everything, the phone is no longer associated with my motoblur account, and I can't add it.
Also, I think there my be some files in /system that are unaccounted for by the filesystem, as there is 70MB more than what is present.
Edit:
Restoring the system fixed both above problems.

[MOD] Fully deodexed/zipaligned App and Framework

You will have to manually install it via adb push or adb shell.
Below is the link for a package that contains /system/app and /system/framework fully deodexed and zipaligned (not signed). It's the Stock version, I didn't remove any apk or framework.
Use at your own risk!
Backup your /system before upgrade!
I did notice speed increase and better memory utilization.
http://www.usk.bz/android/system-deodexed.bz2
EDIT: Here is a quick howto do it. Do some research, speacially on the "Recovering from a software brick" thread posted by Designgears. You may need it, in ase you don't execute this right.
Warning: Do those steps carefully! If you get any error as a return for a command you did, stop immediately and post here with the error to make sure it's safe to continue or what you should do before continue.
1. Download the file system-deodexed.bz2 (it's a tar.bz2)
2. uncompress it with tar zxf system-deodexed.bz2. You will get a folder called "system" with two other folders inside(app and framework).
3. First push it to the device to a safe location (your internal sdcard):
Code:
adb push system /mnt/sdcard/deodexed/system
4. Now open an adb shell and backup the folders you will mess with to the sd card, in case you need to recovery them
Code:
adb shell
$ su
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system/app
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system/framework
# cp /system/app/* /mnt/sdcard/original_system/app
# cp /system/framework/* /mnt/sdcard/original_system/framework
5. Now the tricky part, you will get force closes on the device screen, because you will do this with the system running, don't worry for now. It should clear up once you are done. (Thx for the tip!) Lets update the system with the deodexed files. While still on the adb sheel as root, from the previous step, continue with these commands:
Code:
# stop
# mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 /system
# cp /mnt/sdcard/deodexed/system/framework/* /system/framework
# cp /mnt/sdcard/deodexed/system/app/* /system/app
# rm /system/framework/*.odex
# rm /system/app/*.odex
6. Once you are done, exit the adb shell and do a reboot:
Code:
adb reboot
It should take a little longer to reboot, its normal for the first time. Then you should have normal boot speeds.
I recommend do this on a clear system, or that you do a factory reset once you reboot. The reason for that is that sometimes you get some data corruption during the force closes (corruption on the configuration files, not user data). But a factory reset fixes that.
If all go well, you have a deodexed system and are ready to use some Mods!
Have fun!
[ Known issues ]
- None! Please report if you notice anything!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=961382
Hey, here is a fully working on I did over the weekend.

Thanks! I didn't see it before. Will still compare with mine to see which package I messed up.

uskr said:
Thanks! I didn't see it before. Will still compare with mine to see which package I messed up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
usually packages with sound files get messed up for whatever reason when deodexing

designgears said:
usually packages with sound files get messed up for whatever reason when deodexing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still planning on posting your mod version with steps? I am asking because I want to take look before making I own edits if necessary. I figured you may have it the way I want and it would less work for me either way.

designgears said:
usually packages with sound files get messed up for whatever reason when deodexing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you use an automated script to deodex them? or manually do one by one? The BOOTCLASSPATH dependencies sometimes give me some headache.
Also, do you mind to share which zip compression level do you use to repackage them?
Thank again!

designgears said:
usually packages with sound files get messed up for whatever reason when deodexing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I just tried yours and it has the same problem. Can you try to add the "Social Status" motorola widget to your MotoBlur and tap it to Setup your account and see if it starts something?
Mine doesnt start the Setup intent and I can see a Java exception on adb logcat.

uskr said:
Actually, I just tried yours and it has the same problem. Can you try to add the "Social Status" motorola widget to your MotoBlur and tap it to Setup your account and see if it starts something?
Mine doesnt start the Setup intent and I can see a Java exception on adb logcat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind. Neither were bugged. I installed the deodexed without a data wipe and something got corrupted on the /data (some configuration file or something). I did a factory data reset and everything is working!
Not to play with changing some apks!

Hi guys,
I don't have an Atrix for now, so maybe it's just a dumb question. Sorry if it is.
With the Defy, if you push files and your phone won't reboot because you messed with something, you're screwed, as we don't have a true custom recovery. (you need a booting system to be able to get to the bootstap custom recovery, which you can't get into if your system is messed and the phone doesn't boot).
So when we are in that case with a Defy, our only option is to reflash a Motorola signed sbf file using RSD lite, root again, install again bootstrap recovery,... and try again ;-).
I guess it has to be the same with the Atrix (as the bootloader is locked as in the Defy)
So my question is:
- Are there already Atrix sbf files out there to recover a soft-bricked Atrix?
- If not, how do you recover it if you messed with the system files and the Atrix won't boot into a working system (of at least a state where you can get root shell though adb).

adlx.xda said:
So my question is:
- Are there already Atrix sbf files out there to recover a soft-bricked Atrix?
- If not, how do you recover it if you messed with the system files and the Atrix won't boot into a working system (of at least a state where you can get root shell though adb).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you only messed only with /system/app or /system/framework folders/files, designgear posted how to recovery those files using the stock, that you can also download a tar with all the /system files from this forum.

Updated the post with a short howto.
If you get a software brick, search the forum for a post from designgears about how to recovery from a software brick.

As per the link below - I type "stop" once in the adb shell and it allowed me to transfer everything over without corrupting everything.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/mot...cks/30539-how-manually-deodex-your-phone.html

slhawkins said:
As per the link below - I type "stop" once in the adb shell and it allowed me to transfer everything over without corrupting everything.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/mot...cks/30539-how-manually-deodex-your-phone.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx. Added to the howto!

uskr said:
Thx. Added to the howto!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add the following to your instructions otherwise you will get an error message
You need the below line before the others
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system
The below are in your original instructions but the above is needed prior to the below
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system/app
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system/framework

lpsi2000 said:
Add the following to your instructions otherwise you will get an error message
You need the below line before the others
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system
The below are in your original instructions but the above is needed prior to the below
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system/app
# mkdir /mnt/sdcard/original_system/framework
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Updated.

I want to try this but i dont have linux to uncompress the file. possible to recompress it in something like zip or rar format?

NguyenHuu said:
I want to try this but i dont have linux to uncompress the file. possible to recompress it in something like zip or rar format?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Extract it to the file with no extension.
Open winrar.
Drag drop this file into that (u'll find the zipped up contents)
Drag drop these to ur desktop or anywhere u want them

NguyenHuu said:
I want to try this but i dont have linux to uncompress the file. possible to recompress it in something like zip or rar format?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
push the file to sdcard of the device and using tar there after all it is also a linux system

diablo009 said:
Extract it to the file with no extension.
Open winrar.
Drag drop this file into that (u'll find the zipped up contents)
Drag drop these to ur desktop or anywhere u want them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great! thanks.

uskr said:
I recommend do this on a clear system, or that you do a factory reset once you reboot. The reason for that is that sometimes you get some data corruption during the force closes (corruption on the configuration files, not user data). But a factory reset fixes that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all,
I just did deodexed my atrix. Thanks much for the wonderful work~!!!
Mine has handful of apps installed prior to deodex. I was wondering what would be implication for not having clean system after deodex.

After making custom Boot Animation, Black Screen [FIXED]

I WROTE THE FOLLOWING WHILE TRYING TO TROUBLESHOOT/DOCUMENT MY OWN STEPS BUT I HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION. I HAVE POSTED THIS IN CASE SOMEONE ELSE MAY FIND THE INFORMATION USEFUL.
Is that appropriate? Move/delete this if you see fit.
I have an AT&T Moto X running 4.2.2 rooted with PwnMyMoto. Since it is with ATT, it has a locked bootloader.
[PROBLEM]
After putting a custom bootanimation.zip in the /system/media directory, device boots/"works" but display is black.
[HOW IT HAPPENED]
Using ES File Explorer, I turned on the /system r/w, copied the bootanimation.zip from the (internal) sdcard, and then overwrote the original boot animation (I do have a backup).
However, after booting the phone now, there is only a black screen. It seems to be working, there's just nothing displayed.
[WHAT I CAN DO/HAVE DONE]
ADB debugging has already been enabled
ADB shell has already been granted superuser permissions (Using SuperSU, unsure if solution works if this hasn't been done?)
It vibrates sometimes as though I have an email, notification, or whatever
I can access storage with usb cable,
adb get-state returns device,
I CAN get into fastboot (screen displays normally here), however PwnMyMoto overwrites recovery,
when rebooting the phone, the motorola power down animation is displayed
I tried to put back the original with
adb push bootanimation.zip /system/media
but get 'permission denied' (you may be able to use method this on a different device/carrier/ROM)
adb shell getprop ro.boot.write_protect returns 0
in adb shell
mv /sdcard/download/bootanimation.zip /system/media/ returns failed - cross-device link (googled this, seems normal, but I'm unsure how else to copy it back)
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
doesn't return anything but I am unsure where to go from there.
cannot run adb as root, as the phone is not a dev model
[RELATED POSTS]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2249659
[HOW I FIXED IT]
start adb
ensure that 'adb shell getprop ro.boot.write_protect' returns 0 (if not, reboot into recovery)
start phone in recovery mode with
adb reboot recovery
then
adb shell
su
mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
mount -o remount,rw /system (not sure which one of these ended up being 'correct' but it didn't hurt to do both)
cp /sdcard/download/bootanimation.zip /system/media/ (copy <src> <dest>, src is wherever the backup zip is located, if you are unsure of where the files are, use the 'ls' command to navigate the directories)
adb reboot
After doing this, the screen started displaying as normal.
Apologies for the lack of technicality, not much a dev myself. Just glad to have it working again.

help
oc83 said:
I WROTE THE FOLLOWING WHILE TRYING TO TROUBLESHOOT/DOCUMENT MY OWN STEPS BUT I HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION. I HAVE POSTED THIS IN CASE SOMEONE ELSE MAY FIND THE INFORMATION USEFUL.
Is that appropriate? Move/delete this if you see fit.
I have an AT&T Moto X running 4.2.2 rooted with PwnMyMoto. Since it is with ATT, it has a locked bootloader.
[PROBLEM]
After putting a custom bootanimation.zip in the /system/media directory, device boots/"works" but display is black.
[HOW IT HAPPENED]
Using ES File Explorer, I turned on the /system r/w, copied the bootanimation.zip from the (internal) sdcard, and then overwrote the original boot animation (I do have a backup).
However, after booting the phone now, there is only a black screen. It seems to be working, there's just nothing displayed.
[WHAT I CAN DO/HAVE DONE]
ADB debugging has already been enabled
ADB shell has already been granted superuser permissions (Using SuperSU, unsure if solution works if this hasn't been done?)
It vibrates sometimes as though I have an email, notification, or whatever
I can access storage with usb cable,
adb get-state returns device,
I CAN get into fastboot (screen displays normally here), however PwnMyMoto overwrites recovery,
when rebooting the phone, the motorola power down animation is displayed
I tried to put back the original with
adb push bootanimation.zip /system/media
but get 'permission denied' (you may be able to use method this on a different device/carrier/ROM)
adb shell getprop ro.boot.write_protect returns 0
in adb shell
mv /sdcard/download/bootanimation.zip /system/media/ returns failed - cross-device link (googled this, seems normal, but I'm unsure how else to copy it back)
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
doesn't return anything but I am unsure where to go from there.
cannot run adb as root, as the phone is not a dev model
[RELATED POSTS]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2249659
[HOW I FIXED IT]
start adb
ensure that 'adb shell getprop ro.boot.write_protect' returns 0 (if not, reboot into recovery)
start phone in recovery mode with
adb reboot recovery
then
adb shell
su
mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
mount -o remount,rw /system (not sure which one of these ended up being 'correct' but it didn't hurt to do both)
cp /sdcard/download/bootanimation.zip /system/media/ (copy <src> <dest>, src is wherever the backup zip is located, if you are unsure of where the files are, use the 'ls' command to navigate the directories)
adb reboot
After doing this, the screen started displaying as normal.
Apologies for the lack of technicality, not much a dev myself. Just glad to have it working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem and i want a simple way to fix. any help?

iamgothamshero said:
I had the same problem and i want a simple way to fix. any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote down the steps I took to fix it at the end of the post. You'll have to restore the old boot animation file with ADB. Hopefully, ADB shell was already given root permissions on your phone, otherwise I'd be unsure of how to fix it.

reply to u
oc83 said:
I wrote down the steps I took to fix it at the end of the post. You'll have to restore the old boot animation file with ADB. Hopefully, ADB shell was already given root permissions on your phone, otherwise I'd be unsure of how to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the how i fixed it section, idk how to do those things. i have sdk manager on pc. please i am freaked out. can u give me simple instructions. Thank you so much

iamgothamshero said:
In the how i fixed it section, idk how to do those things. i have sdk manager on pc. please i am freaked out. can u give me simple instructions. Thank you so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're unsure how to start ADB, I'd think that you've never used it before, and in that case I'd be entirely unsure if that method would work.
That said, you should find adb.exe in the sdk/platform-tools folder. If you shift+right-click this folder you can quickly open a command prompt there to start using the commands (each line in the instructions is a separate command). If you're unsure how exactly to use adb, I'm sure there are youtube videos or other forum posts documenting the basics (try searching for beginner's guide to adb on xda).

YES!!!
oc83 said:
If you're unsure how to start ADB, I'd think that you've never used it before, and in that case I'd be entirely unsure if that method would work.
That said, you should find adb.exe in the sdk/platform-tools folder. If you shift+right-click this folder you can quickly open a command prompt there to start using the commands (each line in the instructions is a separate command). If you're unsure how exactly to use adb, I'm sure there are youtube videos or other forum posts documenting the basics (try searching for beginner's guide to adb on xda).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just downloaded random bootanimation zip, followed ur process, and it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! omg so happy!!! thanks so much!!!!!!
---------- Post added at 11:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 PM ----------
oc83 said:
If you're unsure how to start ADB, I'd think that you've never used it before, and in that case I'd be entirely unsure if that method would work.
That said, you should find adb.exe in the sdk/platform-tools folder. If you shift+right-click this folder you can quickly open a command prompt there to start using the commands (each line in the instructions is a separate command). If you're unsure how exactly to use adb, I'm sure there are youtube videos or other forum posts documenting the basics (try searching for beginner's guide to adb on xda).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked the first time then next reboot it shows black screen but i know it hasnt booted cause no sounds. and when i turn tablet sideways it doesnt show half of a screen. (it did that last time the screen was black).

[SOLVED][Q] 4.4.3 after restart restores previous values

Hi!
I have problem with my HTC One m7 (ViperOne 7.0.1).
While I changed something in /system/app folder (eg. deleted a "DriveActivator.apk" - successfully accomplished) and restart phone, I see again that deleted app!!!
Do you know why? I'm using RootExplorer, I have root and granted permissions to r/w.
It seems like system restores some kind of backup - I don't know why, and I don't know how to fix it (I mean do some permanent changes in /system/app).

dry3333 said:
Hi!
I have problem with my HTC One m7 (ViperOne 7.0.1).
While I changed something in /system/app folder (eg. deleted a "DriveActivator.apk" - successfully accomplished) and restart phone, I see again that deleted app!!!
Do you know why? I'm using RootExplorer, I have root and granted permissions to r/w.
It seems like system restores some kind of backup - I don't know why, and I don't know how to fix it (I mean do some permanent changes in /system/app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears that the System isn't booted with RW capabilities
There's a nice long command that I'll give you later that will fix it
If you wanna get it sooner and aren't afraid of adb shell (make sure you have root access enabled for adb AND apps, not just apps) you can Google remount Linux system read/write and you should find it
You'll need to modify that command to reflect the One, but the name of the partition should be something like by-name-system or something
I'll get it later if you need it when I wake up

ajbiz11 said:
It appears that the System isn't booted with RW capabilities
There's a nice long command that I'll give you later that will fix it
If you wanna get it sooner and aren't afraid of adb shell (make sure you have root access enabled for adb AND apps, not just apps) you can Google remount Linux system read/write and you should find it
You'll need to modify that command to reflect the One, but the name of the partition should be something like by-name-system or something
I'll get it later if you need it when I wake up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate!
Stupid question - how I can check whether I have root access enabled for adb and apps? I have superuser app, and in settings I can see: "Superuser Access: Apps and ADB" - is this what you are wrote about?

dry3333 said:
Thanks mate!
Stupid question - how I can check whether I have root access enabled for adb and apps? I have superuser app, and in settings I can see: "Superuser Access: Apps and ADB" - is this what you are wrote about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I'm referring to (The settings thing)
Lemme go find that command for you
---------- Post added at 06:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 AM ----------
Wish I knew this existed when I was working on the L port
There's an app to do exactly what you need without looking up partitions
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beansoft.mount_system
Although if you want to go through terminal, here's a tutorial
http://ckirbach.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/how-to-remount-system-as-read-write-in-android/
Basically, you use grep to find the name of the system partition, then run the mount command to remount the partition you found in that precious step

I have this app: Mount /system (rw / ro), also I have this option in superuser and it works fine - I mean that I can change /system/app or for eg. edit /etc/hosts (I get message that ES explorer granted superuser access), but after restart I see previous files (before changes)... I have no idea how make this work - maybe I need custom kernel or something? I want to make permanent changes in system files...
I have reinstalled system (clean option with wipe all data), but still no results...

dry3333 said:
I have this app: Mount /system (rw / ro), also I have this option in superuser and it works fine - I mean that I can change /system/app or for eg. edit /etc/hosts (I get message that ES explorer granted superuser access), but after restart I see previous files (before changes)... I have no idea how make this work - maybe I need custom kernel or something? I want to make permanent changes in system files...
I have reinstalled system (clean option with wipe all data), but still no results...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The remount app should do exactly that
Try the command option and make your changes then reboot

ajbiz11 said:
The remount app should do exactly that
Try the command option and make your changes then reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried - still no results. My system already has RW permissions. Problem is that after restart my files are "restored".
Analogously like in Cisco IOS - commit but without write memory.
Maybe I should go to recovery and do something (but I don't know what)?

dry3333 said:
I have tried - still no results. My system already has RW permissions. Problem is that after restart my files are "restored".
Analogously like in Cisco IOS - commit but without write memory.
Maybe I should go to recovery and do something (but I don't know what)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the Viper forum and maybe post there
I only run CM-base so I'm not too experienced with Sense issues

ajbiz11 said:
Check the Viper forum and maybe post there
I only run CM-base so I'm not too experienced with Sense issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - they said they don't know, but it affects S-ON users....
Can You tell me one thing - I execute this script:
echo off
adb reboot
cd /d %~dp0
echo .
echo Waiting for device...
adb wait-for-device
echo.
adb -d shell stop
adb -d shell su -c "mount -o remount rw /system"
adb -d shell rm /system/app/DriveActivator.apk
adb reboot
This should remove DriveActivator (while script is ongoing I see no errors), but after reboot DriveActivator.apk is still in /system/app...
Is there any other way to permanently remove/change files in /system/app?

dry3333 said:
Thanks - they said they don't know, but it affects S-ON users....
Can You tell me one thing - I execute this script:
echo off
adb reboot
cd /d %~dp0
echo .
echo Waiting for device...
adb wait-for-device
echo.
adb -d shell stop
adb -d shell su -c "mount -o remount rw /system"
adb -d shell rm /system/app/DriveActivator.apk
adb reboot
This should remove DriveActivator (while script is ongoing I see no errors), but after reboot DriveActivator.apk is still in /system/app...
Is there any other way to permanently remove/change files in /system/app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can remove it from the ViperROM zip and format ONLY system and reflash
That SHOULD work
That's like...the be all end all

dry3333 said:
Thanks - they said they don't know, but it affects S-ON users....
Can You tell me one thing - I execute this script:
echo off
adb reboot
cd /d %~dp0
echo .
echo Waiting for device...
adb wait-for-device
echo.
adb -d shell stop
adb -d shell su -c "mount -o remount rw /system"
adb -d shell rm /system/app/DriveActivator.apk
adb reboot
This should remove DriveActivator (while script is ongoing I see no errors), but after reboot DriveActivator.apk is still in /system/app...
Is there any other way to permanently remove/change files in /system/app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make life simple: erase the apk while in custom recovery, TWRP has a file manager, or you can use Aroma File Manager
even adb commands while booted in custom recovery are better than booted up ROM.

nkk71 said:
Make life simple: erase the apk while in custom recovery, TWRP has a file manager, or you can use Aroma File Manager
even adb commands while booted in custom recovery are better than booted up ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for advice. Is it possible via TWRP not only remove file, but also replace it? Where shoul I place new file for replace original one?

dry3333 said:
Thanks for advice. Is it possible via TWRP not only remove file, but also replace it? Where shoul I place new file for replace original one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend using the Aroma File Manager instead of TWRP's, just place all the files you'll need on your internal storage (including Aroma File Manager), then reboot to select "Install" to run the Aroma File Manager and remove/replace whatever you need to.
You may need to also check if the permissions are right, I can't remember if Aroma File Manager has that built in.
remember that once you are in recovery to mount /system (in the Mount menu)
and you can even use adb shell, and adb push commands to replace the .apk.... i'm just guessing it's easier with a GUI interface.

nkk71 said:
I would recommend using the Aroma File Manager instead of TWRP's, just place all the files you'll need on your internal storage (including Aroma File Manager), then reboot to select "Install" to run the Aroma File Manager and remove/replace whatever you need to.
You may need to also check if the permissions are right, I can't remember if Aroma File Manager has that built in.
remember that once you are in recovery to mount /system (in the Mount menu)
and you can even use adb shell, and adb push commands to replace the .apk.... i'm just guessing it's easier with a GUI interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The windows drivers don't work with recovery mode (usually)

ajbiz11 said:
The windows drivers don't work with recovery mode (usually)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they do for me, but sometimes (after flashing a new/different version) i have to manually select the drivers, check FAQ#2 here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52135024&postcount=2

I would like to thank you for advice. I did this via TWRP (after I had mounted /system). It works fine for me

dry3333 said:
I would like to thank you for advice. I did this via TWRP (after I had mounted /system). It works fine for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure, no problem :good: :good:
if all is good now, can you also edit main thread title to include [SOLVED], thanks
edit the first post -> at the bottom of the edit window, click Go Advanced, and then you can edit main title

[HOW TO] Debrand boot animations without flashing new ROM

** Requires ROOT+Busybox and either Terminal or a capable File Manager
So you don't feel like flashing a new ROM and losing all your data, but your carrier's boot up and shutdown branding is getting on your nerves? Here is what you do, the basic idea is the same as putting on a new boot animation
I'll assume you're using a Terminal and bootsamsung.qmg for the rest of this, the other files follow the same method
Copy stock boot and shutdown animations onto your SD card, I'll call the path to this location %sd%. A copy of the stock files in the attached archive.
Open terminal and become root
Code:
su
You may need to remount your /system partition as writable, if you're connecting via ADB, adb.exe may crash here - that's fine, just re-connect the USB cable and you shouldn't need to repeat this step again
Code:
mount -o remount,rw [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system[/COLOR]
Copy bootsamsung.qmg from %sd% to /system/media/,
Code:
busybox cp -f "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]%sd%[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]" "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]"
Set the permissions of the file to 644,
Code:
chmod [COLOR="red"]644[/COLOR] "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]"
Get rid of the SD card copy if you don't want it anymore,
Code:
rm -f "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]%sd%[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]"
Clean up any overriding animations, I had this happen for my shutdown animation where my carrier had a shutdown directory in /system/media/video/ which contained another copy of shutdown.qmg, so check for the existence of these and remove them, e.g.
Code:
if [ -f [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/video/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Purple"]bootsamsung[/COLOR]/[COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B] ]; then
rm -f [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/video/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Purple"]bootsamsung[/COLOR]/[COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]
fi
Reboot and see what happens!
Extra notes: Always keep backups of original files. If you can't get past the boot animation, restore the backups.

paulie-uk said:
** Requires ROOT+Busybox and either Terminal or a capable File Manager
So you don't feel like flashing a new ROM and losing all your data, but your carrier's boot up and shutdown branding is getting on your nerves? Here is what you do, the basic idea is the same as putting on a new boot animation
I'll assume you're using a Terminal and bootsamsung.qmg for the rest of this, the other files follow the same method
Copy stock boot and shutdown animations onto your SD card, I'll call the path to this location %sd%. A copy of the stock files in the attached archive.
Open terminal and become root
Code:
su
You may need to remount your /system partition as writable, if you're connecting via ADB, adb.exe may crash here - that's fine, just re-connect the USB cable and you shouldn't need to repeat this step again
Code:
mount -o remount,rw [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system[/COLOR]
Copy bootsamsung.qmg from %sd% to /system/media/,
Code:
busybox cp -f "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]%sd%[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]" "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]"
Set the permissions of the file to 644,
Code:
chmod [COLOR="red"]644[/COLOR] "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]"
Get rid of the SD card copy if you don't want it anymore,
Code:
rm -f "[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]%sd%[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]"
Clean up any overriding animations, I had this happen for my shutdown animation where my carrier had a shutdown directory in /system/media/video/ which contained another copy of shutdown.qmg, so check for the existence of these and remove them, e.g.
Code:
if [ -f [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/video/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Purple"]bootsamsung[/COLOR]/[COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B] ]; then
rm -f [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]/system/media/video/[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Purple"]bootsamsung[/COLOR]/[COLOR="Green"]bootsamsung.qmg[/COLOR][/B]
fi
Reboot and see what happens!
Extra notes: Always keep backups of original files. If you can't get past the boot animation, restore the backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I'm interested in debranding my verizon s5. I'd love to get rid of the Verizon screen at bootup. I read through your directions and it seems that you are suggesting overwriting the animation with the stock that you provided. All good. It is the use of the terminal that I am completely unfamiliar with. I tried using adb.exe in a command window inside of windows 7 and it didn't even like the first command 'su' My phone is rooted with a custom rom and busybox in developer mode. Could you help me out with what terminal to use and how to connect etc. to enter the commands? I have a decent filemanager installed but It doesn't let me write to system. Thanks for this post.

Eaglebiker said:
Hello, I'm interested in debranding my verizon s5. I'd love to get rid of the Verizon screen at bootup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My first comment must be to say I have a G900F, the international version of the phone and it's using a stock ROM with a few tweaks, e.g. root. A custom ROM will have changed the system partition already so this method shouldn't be applicable there - if it shows a carrier logo on a custom ROM then it's in another partition, not system
Eaglebiker said:
I read through your directions and it seems that you are suggesting overwriting the animation with the stock that you provided. All good. It is the use of the terminal that I am completely unfamiliar with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave terminal instructions so people could do it only using their phone but as you've noticed, it's not the only option
Eaglebiker said:
I tried using adb.exe in a command window inside of windows 7 and it didn't even like the first command 'su'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using adb, make sure that adb can gain root - the flag should be somewhere in your superuser's settings - then with your USB connected launch adb into shell mode from your computer. This makes adb act as a terminal
Code:
adb shell
If you see a $ then you are not root and will need to gain root, i.e. run su
If you see a # then you are root and don't need to do that
Eaglebiker said:
My phone is rooted with a custom rom and busybox in developer mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All good things!
Eaglebiker said:
Could you help me out with what terminal to use and how to connect etc. to enter the commands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The terminal I use is can be found here (though I used v1.0.65). Most custom ROMs already include it so you may find it in your apps already. It's all on your phone so you'd type on your phone's keyboard as normal. You shouldn't have to use this if you want to use ADB.
Every time I wrote a %path% you will need to enter the real path for what you have on your device, e.g. %sd% may be /extSdCard/
Eaglebiker said:
I have a decent filemanager installed but It doesn't let me write to system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What doesn't let you do this? If it's "read only" then you may need to remount the /system partition (my step 3). File managers like the one you get with CM do let you do root things but it needs to be in root mode or prompt mode (see it's settings). To find /system in a file manager, the easiest way is to keep going up until you're at /, then you should be able to go down through [/B]/system[/B]
Eaglebiker said:
Thanks for this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for letting me give some meaningful answers in post 3!

The Rom I'm using would be better described as a stock lollipop rom for the 900v with a few tweaks.
I now understand that you can have a terminal on the s5. I've installed the terminal and greatly prefer it. Using a terminal on the s5 hadn't even occurred to me and it sounds much easier then hooking to a computer needlessly. Awesome.
I manage to get su access #. in step 2.
in step 3 I type in the mount command and nothing seems to happen. no errors
in step 4 it tells me the folder or file doesn't exist. I'm certain it does. I can see it in my file manager. in the folder /extSdCard/bootsamsung.qmg and the destination folder is /system/media as well. I've tried it with and without quotes and no joy. Any clue what is going on?