Database Develop

[Q] Can someone bring some lightness to dark sides of my knowledge :)

Hello all.
This is my very first post here. So, first of all I want to say many thanks to all developers/members on this forum. Big thanks for sharing knowledge, for doing great investigations and so on.
And right now... questions...
I recently bought Sony Xperia X8. This is my first Android device (I helped my friends with these ones, but just to reflash using manufacturer steps, or configuring devices, not customizing) with which I can do anything I want. I read a lot information about this device and need to clear some things... So, lets start:
(Just for note: I 'm an experienced linux programmer/developer/user, so I have a lot of experience and need just some specific things)
1. What is bootloader in meaning of specific device. Is this something like plain Grub, but just hardware-related? Or it is something like BIOS in PCs meaning?
2. What does ROM file contains? Is that just list of packages and platform-related things excluding kernel, loader and etc, or ROMs contains kernel also? I saw post where someone said "I use xxxx kernel with xxxx ROM", and another post where someone said "This ROM contains xxx kernel". What is the right one?
3. I saw three types of flashes around the forum: "ftf", "sin" and "img". What is the difference between them? Which ones are better (prefferable)?
4. All ROMs which I tried have same issue: Reboot while using ad-hoc wi-fi and activating lockscreen (trying wipes, formating, flash from stock). Can someone, who used stable version of "Cyanogen Mod 7.1.0 stable" confirm is this bug fixed here or not? WiFi is very important for me, especially ad-hoc. (I just want to wait some time 2~3 weeks to see if device working fine and no any defects occur, before I void my warranty by unlocking bootloader)
5. I saw a lot of reviews for different ROMs so I can't just choose one... Maybe someone will suggest me some stable ROM with 100% working wifi based on 2.2 (or 2.3)
Any comments/advices/explanations are greatly appreciated.
P.S. Sorry me for my bad english, I'm originally from Ukraine.

hello..
i'm newbie too in this forum,maybe you must search all answer of your qustion in general forum not in subforum here or try to go to cyanogen forum.
just sugestion,i sugest you to use froyobread rom or froyopro i (2.2.x both) if you want wifi work good in your device ( cause there any wifi bugs in other rom's,actually in 2.3.x rom).

The bootloader it can be locked again
Sent from my X8 using XDA Premium App

dotsen9 said:
The bootloader it can be locked again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know, but if subject will die during using custom ROM because of some factory defects (believe me, today quality of products is very low level, especially here, in Ukraine) can be situation when I will not be able to return to stock firmware. Anyway, thanks... and still waiting for some explanations.

zieaditya said:
hello..
i'm newbie too in this forum,maybe you must search all answer of your qustion in general forum not in subforum here or try to go to cyanogen forum.
just sugestion,i sugest you to use froyobread rom or froyopro i (2.2.x both) if you want wifi work good in your device ( cause there any wifi bugs in other rom's,actually in 2.3.x rom).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I have same issues with the wifi even on 2.2 froyo pro, floyo and others, so I thinking about custom kernels, just need to someone confirm what it will solve problem.
By the way, I got questions which I posted here during search forum, so there aren't answers which I need. I really need some technical details about that. Maybe I will be able to help developers with some improvements. Just need to know more about android (coz I have a lot of linux experience - building linux from scratch, optimization, developing, debugging, etc)
Thanks anyway for your attention.
P.S. Offtop... What do I need to do so moderators will permit me to post in <5 min? Coz now working a restrictions for newbies.

You need at least 10 posts here on forum...,;-)
Sent from my X8 using XDA App

1. The bootloader is a special software, that is loaded by the firmware and loads the kernel itself.
This doesn´t only exists on Android, every OS has a bootloader.
2. The ROMs and the kernels are different to flash, the only ROm that "includes" a kernel is the official Android 2.1, which can be flashed with flashtool.
What flashtool is, and what you can do with it, can be read in the X8 FAQ-thread.
3. have a look at the FAQ-thread again....you will find something.
4. GingerDX should have working ad-hoc Wi-Fi, as this is also inportant for DX, especially on WEP.
CM 7.1.0 is still under development, as it´s based on the FXP ROM.
5.I´d suggest you GingerDX+LinuxDX, this combination is smooth like a baby´s ass and as fast as hell!
And everything is working!(Well, maybe there are some bugs, but I´m using this for a few months now and I didn´t found anything that does absolutely NOT work.

codfreak said:
1. The bootloader is a special software, that is loaded by the firmware and loads the kernel itself.
This doesn´t only exists on Android, every OS has a bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what is bootloader. I asked is the bootloader in the current context something like software thing (GRUB, LILO, NTLDR, bootrecord if you want) OR it is something like hardware-specific BIOS alternative? This is the question.
codfreak said:
2. The ROMs and the kernels are different to flash, the only ROm that "includes" a kernel is the official Android 2.1, which can be flashed with flashtool.
What flashtool is, and what you can do with it, can be read in the X8 FAQ-thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is flashtool I know too. So all ROMs, excepting Stock does not include kernel. Clearly, thanks.
codfreak said:
4. GingerDX should have working ad-hoc Wi-Fi, as this is also inportant for DX, especially on WEP.
CM 7.1.0 is still under development, as it´s based on the FXP ROM.
5.I´d suggest you GingerDX+LinuxDX, this combination is smooth like a baby´s ass and as fast as hell!
And everything is working!(Well, maybe there are some bugs, but I´m using this for a few months now and I didn´t found anything that does absolutely NOT work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will give it a try... Thanks!

You are a linux programmer?guys we might have a new developer in few months
Everything you need you can ask me via PM

Hi
I`m also have WiFi problems with Froyo Pro v1 and v1.1.
Froyobread 23b works fine.
Looking for a 2.2 rom still in developmen with a working WiFi!!!!

[Q] How to make a Rom?

Please!!!

any answer?????'

Use the search button before you make a thread!

i haven't found anything about the x8

lucasiumej said:
i haven't found anything about the x8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And chances are that you won't find a tutorial about how to cook a ROM for the X8.
In theory you have all the information you're possibly looking for around in the General Android Forums section as well as in the Chef section.
To build from scratch you need the Android SDK/NDK, the Android source code (you're most likely looking for the CM7 git sources), a kitchen, maybe Eclipse (the Integrated Development Environment) and a whole lot of coding experience to tackle the task. EDIT: You also need: A computer featuring a CPU supporting 64-Bit, a 64-Bit Linux distro (i.e. Ubuntu or Linux Mint in their x86_64 edition) and AT LEAST 8GB RAM to successfully compile Gingerbread/ICS.
The easier task might be to mod a existing ROM (of course ONLY with the express permission of the author of the ROM as well as of all other developers whose modules you are using), but even this requires a solid knowledge about what you're doing.
Oh, and you also need a phone where you can test out your ROM creation (just because it works in the SDK Emulator does not mean it works on the real device), and you need to be able pull your phone back out of "bad flash" in case your ROM or Kernel creation bricked your phone.
In short, the answer to your question is nothing more than reading up on lots of stuff and adapting things to the specifics of the X8 and porting a whole lot of stuff to make it work with the X8 (you know, the vanilla AOSP sources don't come with X8 drivers to support camera and so on).

As B.Jay said You need a looooooooooooooooooot of patience because every time something will go wrong. Also you must know how to analyze logs from terminal. It's really complicated stuff.

eagleeyetom said:
You need a looooooooooooooooooot of patience because every time something will go wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL...
Yeah, welcome to the fabulous world of open source software where there are always surprises upon invoking "make"

you have to become einstien of android if you want to make a rom!! lol

freshy wanna cook a rom..??
yeah U have learn from modify rom first
and when u aready know what the stuff very well
that is u r ready...

Or you could use ROMMODGEN.com
Sent from my X8 using xda premium

Why do you need 8 Gb of ram?

I was able to compile CM7 with 1,5 GB of RAM on virtual machine. It was compiling for about 4 hours + time to fix errors 8GB of RAM is needed to compile ICS, because it's a beast There's one rule - more RAM, quicker result for magic "make" command

[Q] GT-P1000... ICS or ... not ?

Hello everybody...
I have a Galaxy Tab P1000 working on 2.3.3 and CWM installed.
I want to go on ICS but, honnestly, I really don't know what to do
Cyanogen, AOKP, Overcome... :silly::silly:
So, what's the differences ? I'm reading, reading, reading... and it seems to be hard to understand what bring each mod instead of installing one (your tutorials are really easy to understand for a newbie like me).
I don't want a mod where something doesn't work. My tablet is working fine actually and I don't want to screw something so... what's the best ICS mod for a P1000 ?
Thanks for your advices (and sorry for my poor english )

Two major problems.
1) best rom thread isn't allowed in xda. Try them out and find out yourself.
2) there is a q&a subforum for questions (but not for best rom question)
Sent from my GT-P1000 using xda app-developers app

priyana said:
Two major problems.
1) best rom thread isn't allowed in xda. Try them out and find out yourself.
2) there is a q&a subforum for questions (but not for best rom question)
Sent from my GT-P1000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tend to disagree with your response priyana. He is not asking for the "best" rom, just the differences. My suggestion is to read the development thread for each and try them out for yourself.
The best way to work out the one for you is to dive in and try them out.
Sent from my GT-I9000

Well, if your are asking for stable roms, then cm 9.1 and aokp milestone 6 are the options. dont ask for best roms.

I agree with stimpz0r that this isn't a best ROM thread, the OP is just asking the differences between the types of ROM. As long as it stays that way and doesn't become a best ROM thread then it's fine to stay. Have moved to Q&A where it belongs.
In answer to the question, as tiresome as reading and testing can be, don't give up with the reading as it's the most important part of being on XDA as so much information is available. The 1st few posts of the development threads tend to give you an overview of what's included but the main ROM types you get will be:
Custom stock - based off official ROM's with tweaks
AOSP (Android Open Source Project) - based off Google source code
CM - which is a modified AOSP experience with customisations, bug fixes etc
AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) - similar to CM as uses lots of aspects of CM but offers far more customisation options for the user

Ahem... 1st post, 1st fault
I wasn't asking for the "best rom over all the others", but more for a little help to know what kind of rom I have to look for, really sorry for the mistake.
Usually, I try to learn by myself reading on forums or on the net, but the hard part with Android (at least for me) is that a rom can work with a device but not with another who has the same Android version :silly::silly::silly:. It's not like a video game console, a PS3 is a PS3, a Wii is a Wii, no major change between the 1st and the last serie.
Thanks for your answers. I'll keep reading , but this time I'll look toward CM and Aokp first .

We all learn by reading and you'll see in my post I was siding with you
The best part of this forum is how much you learn off other members and the like-minded people you get to talk to. We were all new once so once you pick up things slowly but surely you'll also be able to share what you've learned back with so many new users always joining :good:

[Q] Can I run Stock Android

Hi guys, I've come to the conclusion no one can answer my previous thread, so I'm starting a new one, asking a different question.
Can our phones just run stock Android? I mean, does Android support all our drivers? If it does, I may be tempted to just use that instead.
thanks.

YES .... BUT!
The answer is yes, BUT, I suggest you start reading about what Android actually is and the workings of this OS.
Then you will discover the possibilities yourself and within no time have the phone just the way you like it
If you would have read the forum you would have already had an answer to your own question.
Think before you act my friend.
There are AOSP and AOSP based roms for our device, whatever you want. You will find out what this means!
On this forum some useful threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232085
When I google for "What is Android custom rom AOSP" I get these links for you to start of with, do not forget, google is your friend in your search for answers
http://highonandroid.com/android-roms/what-is-aosp/
http://android.stackexchange.com/qu...ifference-between-an-aosp-rom-and-a-stock-rom
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/01/custom-roms-for-android-explained-and-why-you-want-them/

Thanks Robin>Hood!
I neglected to mention that my phone is actually a customized China-only Xperia SP running on China Mobile's proprietary 4G network. It is called the Xperia SP M35t, and with the exception of more ROM (16 vs. 8)? and I'm assuming a chip that allows it to run to the LTE variant network.
Obviously I'm hoping that it would have no bearing on this conversation, and an AOSP ROM would be able to have all required drivers to run my phone properly. That I guess is the crux of my question.

I believe the Chinese Xperia SP is unique, You can't run other Android version besides the stock one.

Thanks cachanilla86! I guess I'll have to wait till a ROM comes out. Thanks!

MCChang said:
Thanks cachanilla86! I guess I'll have to wait till a ROM comes out. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends what you mean by stock Android. You can't just download AOSP, compile it and flash it.
You CAN download Android source code from CodeAurora, compile that with a few minor tweaks and it will work (see my recaf project). I think it even has support for the Chinese LTE variant (I read something about it in code comments) but I didn't look at it as it didn't interest me, I obviously have no way to test it.

Thanks adfad666. I don't think I'm quite ready for any programming, minor tweak or otherwise. I'll just wait for someone to create a ROM for the Chinese Xperia.

[Q] Creating a custom rom

I have some questions for the developers of CarbonROM or other Original Android Roms for HTC One Mini 2.
1. What kitchen you use?
2.Where to start learning how to modify/create a rom?
3. Can you show me a tutorial or any place to start my first project?
4. What I must know before starting?
5. You know any kitchen compatible/designed for HTC One Mini 2?
6. I'm 15, is to fast to start developing?
Waiting for you replies guys.

cjionel said:
I have some questions for the developers of CarbonROM or other Original Android Roms for HTC One Mini 2.
1. What kitchen you use?
2.Where to start learning how to modify/create a rom?
3. Can you show me a tutorial or any place to start my first project?
4. What I must know before starting?
5. You know any kitchen compatible/designed for HTC One Mini 2?
6. I'm 15, is to fast to start developing?
Waiting for you replies guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
good to see you are interested in creating a ROM yourself. :good: When I got this great phone back in March I was a bit disappointed by the state of development here at XDA. I expected the HTC One Mini 2 would have a large community and lots of custom ROMs available. Surprisingly I found a pretty small community and only 2 contributors / developers at this time, but I was fine having 2 CyanogenMod ROMs at least. Then one of the developers gave up his phone... crying: why, u-ra, why?! :crying: ) After crying and cursing him to hell for a while I decided to start educating myself...
Regarding your questions:
1. I'm not using a kitchen, these ROMs are built from source code
2. A good place to start is CyanogenMod Build Tutorial: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Build_for_memul
3. see 2.
4. You should be familiar with Linux basics and understand how GitHub is working
5. Not that I'm aware of. A long time ago I experimented with dsixda and Ricky's ROM kitchen - it seems both are discontinued and not working for KitKat and above. No worries, you will not really need them.
6. Your age does not matter if you know how to use your head for more than just wearing a hipster haircut, making selfies and posting crap on Facebook...
I hope this will give you a little overview to get started. If you run into trouble or have some additional questions just write me a PM or post right here. Will try to assist you as best as I can.

Thank you very much. Probably I'll start working.