encrypted drivers/kernel? - Captivate Android Development

All - following up on a post in AndroidForums which referenced a comment on the root story here. The comment (from Gee):
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I remember hearing that the drivers/kernel are either encrypted, unusable, or simply unavailable. Meaning that while you can root the Galaxy S and put custom ROMs, you still can’t put unofficial ROMs (like Cyanogen) on it without expecting to break a lot of functionality.
That means that you WONT be putting Froyo on it until Samsung officially releases the ROM which can then later be modified. And if Samsung moves away from the Galaxy S after that update, you’ll never see a fully functioning Gingerbread ROM. Ever. That’s a hard pill for me to swallow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone shed further light on this?

Sounds counter productive. I heard they will be releasing source code. Would be odd if they kept the rest under wraps or took extra measures to prevent access....

Methinks this is definitely worth further investigation. Need some experienced SGS modders to find this thread...

From what I have seen, the drivers are provided in binary form only (which is basically the same as how drivers are provided on Windows). So long as there isn't some code written into the drivers that would prohibit their running on non-official ROMs, there shouldn't be any problem using the drivers in custom ROMs.

I downloaded the entire sourcecode from the samsung website. Its a 150MB zip file and everything is in there in binary form. It must be compiled. I'm certainly not a linux or android dev but it seems like thats what you need. There's even readme.txt files in there to tell you how to build new versions of software.
I'm wondering how long it'll take for someone to put out a custom ROM for the captivate based on 2.2?

Related

Flash Stock Android Kernel (or Emulator ROM)

Hey,
I've just recently started Android development and I'm keen to learn as much as I can about the whole system, not just about SDK app development. As such I'm interested in attempting to build my own ROM completely from scratch. I've downloaded the Android Source (and Galaxy S source) and would like to try my luck.
First I've been mucking around creating custom ROMs with the emulator, moving apps from the Galaxy S ROM I dumped from my device onto the stock emulator ROM and testing things out.
Anyway I'm at the point where I'm wondering if it's possible to flash the stock emulator ROM onto a Galaxy S phone? I know the Galaxy S source includes a lot of device specific stuff however I'm not interested in getting the camera, bluetooth or anything hardware specific working just yet.
If I flash a ROM with a stock kernel, drivers etc. onto my phone will it work? Has anyone done this? Will it just brick my phone?
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Ben
Anyone?
Also, I know people have flashed AOSP ROMs on other phones, does anyone know if they required modifications or whether they are in fact stock ROMs?
nje, can't work. why?
1) different bootloaders
2) different partition layout
3) different (kernel)drivers
4) different vendor setup
etc.
it is possible to flash the emulator image onto a dev device (dream/sapphire) but even then a lot will not work properly!
if you want to learn about the android architecture you should start with building a kernel (there is already a thread about that here) and playing around with stuff like the (file)system and utilities...
Thanks jodue.
Yeah my long term intentions were definitely to build the Galaxy S kernel and any necessary libraries and drivers specifically necessary for the apps I decide to include in a custom ROM.
I was hoping that I'd be able to start out by tweaking a minimalistic/generic ROM (the AOSP default ROM) on my Galaxy S. However, as you've pointed out I'll have to start out with the kernel and all the device specific stuff first.
I've got quite a bit of information on building an Android/linux kernel both from the thread you mentioned and also the official AOSP page. However information on putting together a complete working ROM seems a bit sparse. Does anyone know where I can find some information on the topic?
I'm also curious to learn about the list of things jodue mentioned i.e. Android bootloaders, partition layouts and drivers (generic and Galaxy S specific). I assume detailed information about particular devices and drivers probably isn't available but if anyone even knows where I can learn detailed information about default AOSP ROMs I'd be extremely interested know.

[Q] Why do a BootLoader Unlock is needed?

I read couples of threads and realize that if a CM mod is wanted, MS2 must have its bootloader unlock.
Since most work is done in /system partition, why do a bootloader modify is needed?
According to the update.zip, we can modify /system partition already, so why do we need bootloader unlock?
CyanogenMod needs its own kernel.
I guess that, since cyanogen is based on gingerbread now,
it runs with a more up-to-date kernel than the milestone's.
The locked bootloader and the efuse thing prevents updating the kernel.
It's possible that someone, using Cyanogen source, makes a backport running on our kernel, but I think it's a huge work...
However, the clever guys from freemymoto.com have created a hack that is capable of launching an other kernel after the legit one starts.
If salvation comes (Cyanogen alleluia ), it will certainly come from this project.
Actually, the hack works on DroidX, and Droid2. So it is 99.9% sure that with some work, it may run on milestone 2 as well.
So, to get Cyanogen work on MM2, we need :
- A very good developer, with android (of course !), linux kernel and kinit knowledge, able to port freemymoto's hack, and Cyanogen
- Hardware drivers for the Milestone (bluetooth, lan, gsm, 3g, touchscreen...)
If we find the golden dev, I personnally think that CyanogenMod could be out for milestone2 sooner than what most people think...
momus87 said:
CyanogenMod needs its own kernel.
I guess that, since cyanogen is based on gingerbread now,
it runs with a more up-to-date kernel than the milestone's.
The locked bootloader and the efuse thing prevents updating the kernel.
It's possible that someone, using Cyanogen source, makes a backport running on our kernel, but I think it's a huge work...
However, the clever guys from freemymoto.com have created a hack that is capable of launching an other kernel after the legit one starts.
If salvation comes (Cyanogen alleluia ), it will certainly come from this project.
Actually, the hack works on DroidX, and Droid2. So it is 99.9% sure that with some work, it may run on milestone 2 as well.
So, to get Cyanogen work on MM2, we need :
- A very good developer, with android (of course !), linux kernel and kinit knowledge, able to port freemymoto's hack, and Cyanogen
- Hardware drivers for the Milestone (bluetooth, lan, gsm, 3g, touchscreen...)
If we find the golden dev, I personnally think that CyanogenMod could be out for milestone2 sooner than what most people think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I LOVE YOUR REPLY!
Well, this is the first reply to me in this forum.Ya...nobody reply me before...so bad..
Milestone has also a locked bootloader, but a CM7 port running on it. That is what makes me want to do something on my MS2.
I'm a C++ programmer, so I learn everything about this these days.
Thank you, really.
And I think I'd read all the freemymoto.com site RIGHT NOW~~
Well, if you think you can be the golden dev, you just made my day...
If you try this, I (and almost everybody here) will at least help providing the hardware drivers.
But the first step is to make the hack work on MM2...
Edit : For the milestone1, the bootloader security has been compromised using a leaked unofficial rom build,
which lead to custom kernels, without needing a hack like freemymoto's.
In fact, freemymoto's hack is based on a milestone1 project, which was abandoned after the rom leak.
It circumvents both bootloader lock and efuse by starting a second kernel after the first one.
(What I couldn't figure out is what happens of the first one... Still in memory? Still using some ressources?)
I read the site yesterday, however sadly, I don't have any experience about writing drivers of cell phone.
So I just sent a e-mail to them to ask if I can provide any help and what to do.
Hope I can help. I'll try my best.
For about the second kernel...I guess I have to read source to know what happened to them...
Anyway, thank you for your reply. At least I get a way to help^^
I didn't mean that we will have to write the drivers from scratch. But we will have to find them.
Hopefully, most of them are open-source. Wifi/bluetooth per example, is handled by a wl1271 chip. Drivers are available on texas instruments website...
You should get in touch with Pizzaroll, who is also trying to make the hack work on milestone2
It's really good news that there maybe a hack bootloader, i like my mm2 but it is really a pity that no much ROM.
liuyanghejerry...
Polish team try to broke bootloader with Boinc (many computers calculate 1 thing), maybe You and Yours friends can join to project?
In China lives maaaaany peoples, this can be speed up calculations
I don't think that distributed computing is the solution...
Even if the boinc project lets us find the signing key, we will have to do the same for the efuse thing.
The freemymoto's hack is a solution to circumvent both of these protections, and doesn't need any computing.
We only need someone to modify some parts of the code to make it work on Milestone2.
Tomszyn said:
liuyanghejerry...
Polish team try to broke bootloader with Boinc (many computers calculate 1 thing), maybe You and Yours friends can join to project?
In China lives maaaaany peoples, this can be speed up calculations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently I'm studying kexec method now, thanks to PizzaRoll and momus87's help^^
Well, in fact, I like to program and burn my brain. However, the Boinc method seems not really interesting...
Well Boinc is the best solution if you want to use bruteforce.
But even with a whole army of core i7, bruteforcing a 1024bits key is unthinkable actually...
Is this eFuse thing harder to break than the one used in iPhone? If it is then Mr Jobs should adopt a similar approach.

[Q] AOSP/CM on G935F

Hi, I'm kind new in creating stuff for my phones but I want to give a try and bring CM/AOSP (I know that they are totally different things) to our phones.
I've done a research and all that I found was that it wasn't possible because we haven't the kernel source. But now that it is available in the Samsumg Open Source page could we make that possible?
Thanks a lot!!
If u really did the research, u should know someone had made this before but unable to call success....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development/cyanogenmod-13-galaxy-s7-edge-t3414697
pigmich said:
If u really did the research, u should know someone had made this before but unable to call success....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development/cyanogenmod-13-galaxy-s7-edge-t3414697
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i did read that, but everything i found was this:
In the case of the S7/S7E because the SOC is either closed source (Exynos) or has a locked bootloader (Qualcomm). The former makes it very difficult to produce a Rom that approaches anything near being stable, the latter makes it literally impossible until the bootloader is unlocked, which is unlikely to happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I can't understand why if we already got the kernel source. Can't we just modify the kernel to make a kind of "mask" that allows the ROM to use the hardware correctly?
Maybe I'm asking something really stupid, and if thats the case I'm sorry, but I really want to know why we fail in this and see if I can find a workaround
Start here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development/cyanogenmod-13-galaxy-s7-edge-t3414697
Get the source, make a local_manifest.xml file, get the rest of the source, edit the source code and build a rom .
But before You try, I can already tell You that it will be extremely hard to do. I've got CM to compile (yeah, compiling is actually a HUGE step) on other devices and then eventually to boot. But it took couple of days of code fixing (which I at this point somehow understand but it's still quite a magic for me).
Couple of days ago I tried building CM 13 and 14 for S7 Edge and after a whole day of fixing code and stuff I gave up. The worst issues are "shared library, excludes, includes" thingys.

Porting modern TouchWiz: Notes from me

Today I wanted to talk about porting current versions of TouchWiz from one device to another. This will be focused primarily on the Sprint network capability since that is my current carrier. But these same basic steps will apply for all porting of TouchWiz.
I know several people have ported roms but I first want to point out one important fact. There is ABSOLUTELY no "guide" that can help you port TouchWiz roms successfully. Period. Any "guide" thread that you may find is completely useless and is isn't even close to touching on the key components of today's porting methods. So don't waste your time reading guides because they are very outdated and irrelevant today.
First things first... When deciding to port a Samsung Rom you need to understand that there are going to be different chipsets for the different device models used in other parts of the world. With this in mind you need to choose software that was originally designed for the same similar cpu whether it be Exynos or Qualcomm. This makes a huge difference when it comes to cpu configs that will best support your device's cpu. If you try to port an Exynos rom to work on a Qualcomm device then expect to have to do a lot more work in framework, etc.
GSM vs CDMA is another very important part of the porting process. When possible, ALWAYS choose software that supports your specific carrier and service type/technology!!! If you are on a GSM network then choose a GSM rom and same for CDMA. However CDMA technology here in the US is a bit different from other countries in regards to how it is setup in the software. Each CDMA carrier will have it's own unique code inside system files. Simply replacing csc and other files will do NOTHING to fix this, leaving you with either no data services or improper generic data services. The only way to do this right is to either start with software for your specific carrier or manually modify these values in multiple files throughout framework and system using the correct values from software specific for your carrier. No exceptions.
The other thing. You ideally want to port the same Android version that is currently available for your specific device because the original kernel and libraries, etc need to support the version of Android in which you want to port. When porting you will be using most of your original software's bin files, kernel, etc... so these files need to be compatible with the version of Android you want to port. Very important!
I will not go into great details with smali modifications, etc because that is a whole different animal. This thread is a general breakdown of what is involved in the whole process. Porting a ROM such as the Note 7 software is no simple task, especially with so many unknown obstacles that must be discovered then remedied. You will need the right tools for the job before you even take on such a task. I'm talking about ApkTool, smali/baksmali, mad genius mentality, etc. Without the proper tools forget about it.
The main things that must be done for the rom to even boot, reside internally inside a few framework jar files. There will also be incompatible system files which must be removed and/or replaced with compatible versions that support your specific device/model. You also may need to make the rom support 32bit such is the case with the Note 4, since it is only 32 bit compatible. There can be no traces of 64bit libraries either inside the system apps or the library folder or else you will have issues. 32 bit devices cannot process 64 bit libraries, whether external or imbedded inside system apps. The one exception to this rule is when an app is multi-arch compatible which means the app can be installed on either 32 or 64 bit devices. In this case the 64 bit libs can remain although they will not be used since the 32 bit libs will be detected by the os. Thankfully 64 bit TouchWiz contains 99.9% of the necessary 32 bit libraries! So use them instead if your device is only compatible with 32 bit architecture.
There are several key Android/Samsung services that are not going to be compatible with other Samsung devices therefore one must identify these incompatible services and other methods in smali and either remove them or recode them in order for the rom to function in a way that is compatible with the device for which you will be running the software on. Sometimes you can simply replace services from your original device's software as long as it is compatible and from the same Android version, but not always.
There is NEVER going to be a set of instructions that will apply to all ROMS. Period. This stuff is always ever-changing with each update that Samsung releases. This is why there can be no accurate "guide" to porting TouchWiz. Whoever says otherwise is not knowledgeable on this stuff at all.
Once the framework files are prepared and rebuilt properly then you will need to have knowledge of the stock system apps and what role they play in the software. Most system apps are cross compatible but some are device and/or carrier specific and must either be removed or replaced in order for the rom to boot and run without a complete meltdown with continuous FC's. Then you have CSC (customer service codes). This plays a major role in how the software will be setup on initial rom setup. Each specific device model will have it's own unique CSC, however most of Samsung's current CSC is identical between the current available top tier devices such as the N4, N5, S7 and N7. BUT each device will have it's own unique "values" within multiple files in CSC. Some Samsung devices are compatible with features that other Samsung devices do not support. Therefore you must have knowledge of this and make the necessary edits in order for the software features to be setup correctly without major malfunctions. One wrong value can actually cause the rom to not boot. You will need experience with this as well.
Next you may need to slightly modify the kernel's ramdisk to support a couple of additional framework files which is the case with the N7 software and probably the N5 as well. It's just a matter of adding a few file names to a text file, save, then recompile the zimage and place the modified kernel inside your rom zip. These types of things must be discovered by trial & error by people who are knowledgeable and have experience porting roms. But it goes to show that these little things can determine a successful or failed port. You never know what can cause the rom to not boot. There's so many pieces to the puzzle when porting.
Moving on to the build.prop and updater-script. There MUST be a lot of edits done to the build.prop and the same principal applies here. You MUST edit the build.prop in order for it to support the software AND your specific device model, cpu, security features, etc, etc. This is an art folks. Again... there is no "guide" for doing this properly. You must possess the mental aptitude to tackle this stuff. It's not for normal people The updater-script is a VERY VERY important part of the rom porting process because it contains the permissions and symbolic links for all of the critical system files and folders. You must manually edit the updater-script so that it sets the proper permissions and symbolic links for the files that are used in the current software you are going to run. You cannot simply use a stock device updater-script straight out of the kitchen for your specific device. It will not work due to other versions of TouchWiz will likely have additional or different files and folders in the rom. This will take a LOT of time to go over everything and make sure you covered everything and properly setup the updater-script.
Next there is the process of replacing critical and device specific libraries and bin files as well as kernel modules. Generally for Samsung devices, system/bin folder must contain all of the original files from the original stock software for your specific device. You might need to add additional files from the software you are porting. The same applies to the system/lib/modules. These modules MUST come from your device's original software. The libraries are very tricky because not all libraries can be from either your original stock software nor from the software you are porting. Simply put, this is going to be the single most time consuming process with a ton of trial and error. You must figure out which lib files must be used from your original software and which libs must come from the new ported software. Good luck figuring this out! :laugh:
This pretty much covers the initial areas of the system software that must be manually modified in order for the rom to actually boot.
As you can see, there's a lot of trial and error with porting roms. Believe me. Other people who ported the early N7 and S7 port ROMs have done a LOT of work and surely they have a lot of trial and error. These early port dev's deserve a lot of credit for these early discoveries without a doubt. Without their original trials and errors & hard work, there would be no other port roms. They shared their knowledge and it was a group effort in the beginning. You guys know who you are! :highfive: Much Thanks to all of you who figured out framework issues etc in the early stages of current TouchWiz. I learned a lot in this process in which I have never shared with the public simply because there's no point in giving information that others can't use due to lack of experience. Hopefully some people will read this and better understand what goes into porting these ROMs. At a later dat, I may write up a more detailed "guide" on current TouchWiz IF I feel there is a need and there is enough people willing to step up and help out the community in the future. This is the way XDA works. You have to pass the torch to win the race. No one person can conquer the world. Teamwork is the key to success in everything you do. Remember this. Thanks for reading.
Wow, very nice write up. Thanks!
I would be interested in a more detailed guide if and when you get to it. I'm always looking to expand my know - how.
Many thanks! :highfive:
Thanks for the post....
but you did not go in to ROM porting much at all... I'd love to read a in depth view of the " copy and paste " dev .
tx_dbs_tx said:
This will be focused primarily on the Sprint network capability since that is my current carrier. But these same basic steps will apply for all porting of TouchWiz.
GSM vs CDMA is another very important part of the porting process. When possible, ALWAYS choose software that supports your specific carrier and service type/technology!!! If you are on a GSM network then choose a GSM rom and same for CDMA. However CDMA technology here in the US is a bit different from other countries in regards to how it is setup in the software. Each CDMA carrier will have it's own unique code inside system files. Simply replacing csc and other files will do NOTHING to fix this, leaving you with either no data services or improper generic data services. The only way to do this right is to either start with software for your specific carrier or manually modify these values in multiple files throughout framework and system using the correct values from software specific for your carrier. No exceptions.
The other thing. You ideally want to port the same Android version that is currently available for your specific device because the original kernel and libraries, etc need to support the version of Android in which you want to port. When porting you will be using most of your original software's bin files, kernel, etc... so these files need to be compatible with the version of Android you want to port. Very important!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was great. It was exactly what I was looking for. Ive being working on porting a gsm rom to my device N900P. But the only thing Ive found is copy and paste. Trying to find something on cdma is even harder. Ive just download your Ultimate Hybrid N7 to see if can get a clue on where to start. Deodexing telephony-common should be enough? Where else should start looking? If you could point me a direction would be great. Thanks
triskaw said:
This was great. It was exactly what I was looking for. Ive being working on porting a gsm rom to my device N900P. But the only thing Ive found is copy and paste. Trying to find something on cdma is even harder. Ive just download your Ultimate Hybrid N7 to see if can get a clue on where to start. Deodexing telephony-common should be enough? Where else should start looking? If you could point me a direction would be great. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply. To be honest, porting a gsm rom to work on a U.S. cdma carrier is going to require massive work. Forget about it. Start your rom project with cdma compatible software and save yourself the trouble. You'll win the lottery before you get a gsm rom ported over to cdma. Copy and paste isn't going to scratch the surface. Why not port a factory Sprint ROM for your Sprint note 3? Such as the Sprint N7, N5, S7 edge? It is already setup to work on the sprint network. It would save you a lot of time and effort.

Can't Install Every Rom for this Phone? (XT1575)

The are only a few roms that actually install but then some roms say they were flashed successfully but when i reboot the system it just bootloops.
I Currently have Slim Rom i'm pretty sure and it's 1 of the only roms that actually booted.
So if anyone can help that would be very helpful.
Baseband Version is M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R
LGAGaming said:
The are only a few roms that actually install but then some roms say they were flashed successfully but when i reboot the system it just bootloops.
I Currently have Slim Rom i'm pretty sure and it's 1 of the only roms that actually booted.
So if anyone can help that would be very helpful.
Baseband Version is M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are running stock Nougat baseband. Most of the ROMs here were designed to work on the MM baseband so they will not work. Read through the forums here at XDA and you will see which ones you can effectively flash.
aybarrap1 said:
You are running stock Nougat baseband. Most of the ROMs here were designed to work on the MM baseband so they will not work. Read through the forums here at XDA and you will see which ones you can effectively flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I thought that it was the marshmallow as I seen a thread that said it was the marshmallow baseband
aybarrap1 said:
You are running stock Nougat baseband. Most of the ROMs here were designed to work on the MM baseband so they will not work. Read through the forums here at XDA and you will see which ones you can effectively flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?
LGAGaming said:
Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite sure what's meant by your own meaning of Baseband. Your more than likely going to be answered by people still using the phone in different degrees of knowledge.
The experienced with a real practical application of this XT1575 device mostly have moved on to another device by now - but will any left on it be answering you. I'm glad to see @aybarrap1 has answered.
@stevejohnson42 uses the XT1575 too, and reports here and there of his flasholic tendencies on this device - might be helpful in any Nougat based ROM's to use the search box there and see if he's added anything in it.
Custom ROM Marshmallow development was always greater cause the XT1575 stayed on the Marshmallow OS for so long and because of Motorola not releasing Nougat sooner for it.
There are some Custom ROMS based on Nougat - just read their OP's to understand what's being required to using each one of them...
Nougat ROMs built for a Stock Nougat Kernel and Modem.
To answer your question without you going into a Blackhole in having to know more about your device in getting it back to good ground - I OFFER THIS-
Only way I know is to buy a XT1575 device that's never taken the servers Nougat OTA or has been ADB flashed to Nougat OS...
This as in ADB flashed questioned basically being understood by the device still having the bootloader status to LOCKED - as DEVICE LOCKED, the STATUS will still show 0, and it's software status of OFFICIAL.
Note: The Status Code will always show 2 = (relocked) or 3 = (unlocked), and it can never go back to 0 = (device locked), if it's ever been unlocked by a Motorola token code obtained from their site.
Otherwise you need an image of the Bootloader screen of the device up for sale.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAYS TO KNOW AND A SELLER SHOULD SUPPLY THIS AS A GUARANTEE AND/OR AN IMAGE SHOWING YOU FIRST...
OR YOU BUYING FROM A SITE AND ASKING THESE QUESTION OF THE XT1575 SELLER FIRST BEFORE THE PURCHASE AND THE SITE (LIKE EBAY) HAS A GUARANTEE IN THAT AD - TO FALL BACK ON...
To check this yourself-
1. Using (vol down + power button) put the device in bootloader mode where all of this is visible / should read as follows - see images also.
(A) - totally Stock non-rooted Marshmallow Baseband should read as - M8992_1255331.29.01.88.02R SUPER_NA
as taken from my Marshmallow XT1575 build MPHS24.49-18-16 devices Bootloader.
(B) - Shows the very same thing with device from the ABOUT PHONE in settings.
(C) - Rooted Custom Rom Nougat Baseband M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R - from the ABOUT PHONE in settings / using the NuclearROM.
(D) - M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R SUPER_NA - from the Bootloader Mode on same device - using the NuclearROM.
PS: I'm thinking, changing to a different Android build changes the Baseband build as well being applicable to the OS build version.
Warning:::
No don't ever do a complete ADB MM downgrade flash - if wanting to OTA back up to Nougat at some future point after already being on the Nougat OS.
To be clear "It's not recommended to downgrade" and allow a Moto X Pure device in taking the Nougat OTA again.
Once bootloader.img and gpt.bin are updated, there is no reverting back without the serious and the likely risk of a hard-bricked device. Only remedy at this time is a mainboard replacement. Confirmed in this threads post #75 .
A COUPLE POINTS - I'd like to make:
I've always clean flashed my XT1575 in custom roms and to going back in a stock Nougat OS - point being, I have never had any problems thereafter...
Another thing I'm thinking with an LOS based ROM - writes / changes some partitions parts that only with your ADB flashing back to the factory Official Stock Nougat can fix - changing everything back to an original partition structure.
- TWRP only backups a few partitions on the device, so partitions out of it's reach never gets restored back to an original stock environment with a TWRP backup when you do a restore using it/one made thereafter.
OTHER Reading you might want to do:
#30
#61
#73
#147
#179
#184
Baseband
I'm far from being a real practical experienced user in a XT1575 device but, I share in what I've taken a grasp of.
Hope this helps
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LGAGaming said:
Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I never got around to replying. @ResistanceIsFutile did a pretty good job explaining things as far as I can see. I just flashed stock Nougat within the last month with the intention of staying on stock rooted. I don't know if it is possible to downgrade any parts successfully but from what little I read a month ago on it, I did not remember anything staying how to do so.
LGAGaming said:
The are only a few roms that actually install but then some roms say they were flashed successfully but when i reboot the system it just bootloops.
I Currently have Slim Rom i'm pretty sure and it's 1 of the only roms that actually booted.
So if anyone can help that would be very helpful.
Baseband Version is M8992_1255331.29.01.88.09R
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As @aybarrap1 has pointed out already, you are running a stock Nougat baseband,
Meaning you've also upgraded fully to the Nougat OS on your device.
Possibly, for someone new to the XT1575 on Nougat OS it's a good place to stay and get acquainted.
There's nothing wrong with Nougat. Root and TWRP are possible, as well advancing us further than what the Marshmallow OS offered.
I can understand Custom Rom wise, your wanting to "Is there a way to get The Marshmallow BaseBand?" but, consider that's just water under the bridge now - never to be the same for you. In anything you'd do to achieve this would just put your device in a Mixed-State, and where an advanced user would be better adapted of dealing with that.
That's why in my 1st. post to you I was trying to encourage you to read more, let it go awhile and sink-in, and read some more getting a mental picture as you understand the depth of everything related.
Or simply sell off your now XT1575 Nougat OS device and what to look for in a stock-locked bootloader of a Marshmallow OS XT1575 device and stay there not taking an OTA of Nougat.
Even in some Custom Rom's built for a Stock Nougat Kernel and Modem there have been changes related to the TWRP version needed to be used of them.
Here gives abit about that information.
I use the NucleaROM on one XT1575 and kind of bias towards it as I've stayed with it in my first flashing of a custom rom when OTAing up to Nougat that is after failing with LOS of the jumbled up thread for clark it uses.
[ROM][OFFICIAL] LineageOS 14.1 Nightlies for the Moto X Pure 2015 (clark)
Trying to decipher this LOS thread posts of Official versus Unofficial builds, versus using Modems of MM and Nougat and talking about LOS 14.1 and 15.1 builds along the way and all the different involved posts of each Official - Unofficial unlabeled subjects there of all the posts.
It's no place for an inexperienced user to go and easily understand it.
These are the posts https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75763876&postcount=1303%22]https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75763876&postcount=1303 that clearly pointed out the specific information in details that helped me to know of the differences to the posts while I was active in that thread.
I like the NucleaROM because it's being based on LOS, then I can and do - do it without Google for the most part. I've not flashed any g-apps what so ever, play store is not a concern for me to use - there are other less invasive places that don't have the requirements Googles PS imposes. (F-Droid)
Even running a root file explorer I don't see anything Google related - with the way I've installed NR
Besides running an apk through Virus Total gives me peace of mind.
Android is by Google and that's were G stops with me...
NucleaROM - (root - g-apps), all are optional for the two NucleaROM builds out.
Note:It's the wakeblock app or it's folder that is mandatory to do something with in NucleaROM.
In disabling it's app in phone settings (Apps) after 1st. boot, or removing it's folder in NucleaROM's root directory via TWRP before your very 1st boot into OS where you initially setup the OS.
Did any of this help?
aybarrap1 said:
I don't know if it is possible to downgrade any parts successfully but from what little I read a month ago on it, I did not remember anything staying how to do so.
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Don't take this as Gospel and I don't advise it since we're Post Nougat now.
As it was Pre-Nougat - but, still don't hold me to it...
A stock firmware downgrade (in the terms of) Recovery, Kernel and OS may be performed without any noticeable adverse affects.
This was prior to Nougat, every OS update changes something with a deep impact.
So I'd advise you to check in whatever thread of a Custom Rom using Marshmallow base that your interested in. To finding out any facts before hand. Notably kernel and modem related THERE IN downgrading from Nougat to using it...
As too with what's been said - Once bootloader.img and gpt.bin are updated - there is no reverting them back (DOWNGRADING) without a serious likelihood in risk to having a hard-bricked device. You'd need to skip those parts in the downgrade commands used of your flashing sequence.
I have no real world practical application of experience doing this - just reading about it or book knowledge - that ain't squat to help in a time of trouble if that's what it yields...
ResistanceIsFutile said:
Don't take this as Gospel and I don't advise it since we're Post Nougat now.
As it was Pre-Nougat - but, still don't hold me to it...
A stock firmware downgrade (in the terms of) Recovery, Kernel and OS may be performed without any noticeable adverse affects.
This was prior to Nougat, every OS update changes something with a deep impact.
So I'd advise you to check in whatever thread of a Custom Rom using Marshmallow that your interested in. To finding out any facts before hand. Notably kernel and modem related THERE IN downgrading from Nougat to using it...
As too with what's been said - Once bootloader.img and gpt.bin are updated - there is no reverting them back (DOWNGRADING) without a serious likelihood in risking to having a hard-bricked device. You'd need to skip those parts in the downgrade commands of your flashing sequence.
I have no real world practical application of experience doing this - just reading about it or book knowledge - that ain't squat to help in a time of trouble if that's what it yields...
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Thanks. As I mentioned earlier, I had planned on potentially using custom ROMs but I have decided to stay stock rooted. I just don't get that much into customization so a custom ROM just doesn't make sense for my purposes.
There's a change in the wind with Oreo...
aybarrap1 said:
Thanks. As I mentioned earlier, I had planned on potentially using custom ROMs but I have decided to stay stock rooted. I just don't get that much into customization so a custom ROM just doesn't make sense for my purposes.
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Your happy with the stock Nougat - as I've said there's nothing wrong with it.
I get it and respect your decision to do just that in staying with a stock Nougat.
Custom ROMs aren't merely for customization's, back in the day especially with the array of cheaper devices it was the norm though. To make it in ones liking of a polished look or for performance enhancements.
The added themes and applications preinstalled by a manufacturer were reduced to almost nothing. This saved a lot of memory space and increased the device's performance, then with being able address the questionable UI design decisions that a manufacturer had made.
Besides with the XT1575 Moto X Pure, you needn't worry much about Motorola's manufacturers bloat and being skinned to something hideous and repulsive. By that, I mean your not dealing with and like the other manufacturers (tweaking Androids OS) add/remove/change the interface and apps to make it their own highly styled branded system.
Customization's was a way to truly make a phone your own and still is...
After installing a Custom ROM on Android you are the Admin of your Device which means no Objections, no Restrictions, and basically nothing hampering you as your free to do anything with your Android device.
But, customization's is only one facet in the equation to consider with a custom rom.
Taking a view of all devices in the realm of Custom ROM's offered to each (not just an MXP), there's something more also to be gained.
Updates:
One of the most frustrating things about owning an Android device is waiting for your manufacturer to push an update to your phone, so you can get the latest features. The newer versions of Android are not only interesting because they bring new features but, also because they fill security gaps.
Often times manufacturers will even cut support for your device entirely (thinking of Motorola's support for the MXP). This leaves you stuck with a phone on an older version of Android and less secure. The solution is a custom ROM on the newest or a newer Android version for it.
Privacy and Security:
The recent alarming News surrounding data collected by OnePlus devices (along with a second claim that the company has denied), having highlighted the amount of trust we have to place in our phones by the manufacturer itself now.
This doesn't apply more to budget phones in that they may have security problems. And even the world’s second largest smartphone manufacturer, Huawei, has recently found its US ambitions blocked by US security agencies over concerns about it's spying.
And even once you get past this, every Android user is handing over vast amounts of personal data to Google and others (App's) every single day.
[[Like I pointed out in post #7, I like the NucleaROM because it's being based on LOS, then I can and do - do it without Google for the most part. I've not flashed any g-apps what so ever.]]
Lineage OS has numerous privacy controls built in, including a Privacy Guard that restricts how apps can use your data. Plus, you can use it without Google apps if you prefer !
A custom ROM can help address your security and privacy concerns. ROMs are, or should be open source. The code is available for anyone to scrutinize. Even if you don’t have the skills to analyze it yourself, you can be assured someone will flag any privacy concerns to it's custom rom using community.
Other Benefits:
Then one can benefit possibly with Performance, Battery Life. In some cases, you might even be able to unlock new functions or find features from newer flagships ported back to older devices. These are the types of phones that rarely get updated, and are often not as well optimized as their higher end siblings.
Disadvantages:
Sure Custom ROMs have their own, it's not going to be a sunny days walk in the park everyday. Expect some rain too, like in adding an app, tweaking hidden settings of the Android's OS and like-
"many phone cameras have dual lens setups nowadays, fancy HDR effects, and high frame rate 4K video. They all need special tools to drive them, and these are all part of the phone’s manufacturers firmware. There’s no one app that you can simply lift and install on another device. Nor can you replace all of the cameras functionality with a third-party camera app."
Closing thoughts:
One of the biggest draws of custom ROMs used to be that you could install the stock Android experience on any device. You could replace the bloated software from Samsung, Huawei, or HTC and other manufacturers with a ROM based on the open source version of Android. Throw in the suite of Google apps, and you’d have something akin to a pure Android device. This is the principle around which Google’s Nexus phones were built. {In reality, Android is but one of the parts of your phone's software today, not the total sum of those parts as manufacturers hardware needs it's own drivers to function.}
But, that makes the stock Android no longer the best version of Android, even Google admits this. The best parts of the company’s Pixel phones aren’t Android. The camera app, Google Assistant, and the fast streamlined launcher are all proprietary software. They’re developed and owned by Google. In fact, on the product pages for the Pixel phones, Android barely even gets a mention there.
Custom ROMs can be wonderful for older devices but, before you decide to change your device's original manufacturers firmware you should familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the process.
Custom ROMs are perfect for those who love a good challenge. But if this doesn't sound like you then you won't like custom ROMs. Between the devices need for security updates that custom roms can offer. Comes a need to unlock the bootloader, install a custom recovery, gain system root and dealing with unstable versions being pushed to a device, and having an active ROM maintainer.
Those are some of the things where your patience could reach its limits fast.
Not forgetting, third-party firmware (as in custom roms) comes with very few or no Google apps. The Play Store application has to be installed again if you use that source for you add-on apps.
Then hardware specific software (drivers) to make a devices hardware function properly.
So is it Your device because you've paid for it, or is it a manufacturers device with their own branded apps, style and the flair they choose for you of the price you've paid for it.
It's Your choice and decision to change it or not... :good:
PS: Devices that started to ship with OREO installed will change the custom rom landscape.
There's a change in the wind with Oreo...
Project Treble has some interesting implications for the revival of the custom ROM scene.
XDA community members are excited about the prospect that we may be edging closer to a time where Android software can be easily ported across a range of devices.
Other developers have also already shown off a single system image capable of booting on different devices with different processors.
ResistanceIsFutile said:
Not quite sure what's meant by your own meaning of Baseband. Your more than likely going to be answered by people still using the phone in different degrees of knowledge.
The experienced with a real practical application of this XT1575 device mostly have moved on to another device by now - but will any left on it be answering you. I'm glad to see @aybarrap1 has answered.
@stevejohnson42 uses the XT1575 too, and reports here and there of his flasholic tendencies on this device - might be helpful in any Nougat based ROM's to use the search box there and see if he's added anything in it.
Custom ROM Marshmallow development was always greater cause the XT1575 stayed on the Marshmallow OS for so long and because of Motorola not releasing Nougat sooner for it.
There are some Custom ROMS based on Nougat - just read their OP's to understand what's being required to using each one of them...
Nougat ROMs built for a Stock Nougat Kernel and Modem.
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Not much to add - I share @ResistanceIsFutile comment - once you have updated - don't try to go back to earlier modem / baseband on this phone
Here is another collection that gives you choices and very clear which version to use for
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/development/collection-random-projects-t3662970
Personally - I flashed the stock ROM that is here ( make sure you have correct variant before doing ) :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/general/xt1575-moto-x-pure-edition-factory-t3704142
to move from Marshmellow modem - as noted above ; much more development on the original modem -- but I had a nagging issue with the Fly Delta app that could be duplicated but not something developers of custom ROMs should have spent time on - going to Nougat stock cleared it - then I went to NucleaROM almost immediately and everything worked fine
I have never tried - but , by searching xda-- you will find many active developers noting it is a good way to brick the phone .. I do not pretend to fully understand -- but have learned long ago to do research , carefully read OPs and safest to follow instructions of those who have much greater knowledge than me .
The phone is still my daily driver - I am currently on rooted stock that was installed by the method noted in the thread above. I have been on NucleaROM as DD and a good ROM ..and have flashed many posted by obsolete1. I have found with many back to back clean flashes - reflashing stock can eliminate issues that you might run into ( don't remember them all - but do recall having an issue wiping phone once )
Also - check carefully what TWRP to use - some of the ones using the Nougat modem require the unofficial TWRP that Hashbang developed for the earliest ROMs that worked on it.
We had a pretty good run on this phone and it appears there still might be a few developers looking at it .. but I understand ; most of them have moved on to other phones or the reality of life has required them to leave development for awhile
Regards
@ResistanceIsFutile
Thanks for the run down and I'm quite aware of many of these things. The MXPE in itself is a great phone with the few added features for Moto being actually somewhat useful.
I am not overly concerned with updates. If I were I would get a pixel or Android one phone.
Prior to the MXPE I had carrier branded phones and found custom ROMs to be quite useful in terms of bloat and better performance.
@aybarrap1
Only meant it peaceably - didn't mean by steps on any toes or persuade - crowd you or anyone at all.
The Moto X style/pure devices age has probably 3rd, 4th even 5th generation owners by now that have no ideal what we're talking about at times.
I then see it as a funneling effect, when I answer one it spreads out to others not knowing, especially in a threads topic as this. If you prefer I'll answer generally and not address anymore to you - I'm easy and would like to make friends on XDA - not loose any prospects.
I like and see your posts as helpful as I hope mine are, and it's encouraged to answer if you can at any experience level on XDA. So please forgive any misunderstanding or intentions on my part.
Thank you.
Everything is beneficial but not useful to all
@ResistanceIsFutile
Thanks. Reading back I see how the "tone" came across. I'm good and only intended to put out my reasons. I do have to say it is good you post this info as it was posts like yours that helped me a lot when I first started looking into rooting and custom ROMs some many years ago (LOL...7 or 8 years only but in terms of phone tech that is a very long time).

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