[Q] Read the Sticky, still can't flash stock or lollipop kernels - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I wonder whether there is help for someone who thought he knew how to flash a kernel but apparently is deluded. I have the original nexus seven Wi-Fi tablet android version 4.3 build number JWR66V. The system still wants to update me to 4.3 because I ripped some files out of the cache directory to prevent OTA updates. I have both fastboot and adb. I have read the stickies about flashing.
The phone is rooted and the bootloader is unlocked. I use TWRP custom recovery, and it's a good thing, because I solidly bricked myself up just trying to get my lollipop. I know there are tools to root a nexus seven even with stock lollipop, so I thought I'd upgrade my phone to stock lollipop and then use one of those methods. I tried both the stock lollipop kernel and the one provided by chain fire, which I understand is rooted already. (I'm assuming upgrading to lollipop will lose me my root, unless I want to recover back to 4.3.)
I tried to do these things a couple of different ways. When I tried fast boot, I got the message "error: neither -p product specified nor ANDROID_PRODUCT_OUT set". There was a YouTube video suggesting how to deal with this error message. I'm pretty sure I followed the instructions but no go. (I was using the "flash all" command.) This was after I had put the file containing lollipop in the directory, both zipped and unzipped (so that I had an .img file instead of a zip file). I tried using both the zip file with all of the lollipop partitions and the system image file individually. No go. I also had a message that android-info.txt could not be found, even though it was in the same, working directory.
I could be wrong but I don't think you can install a complete updated kernel from a file on the device. I think that works only with update.zip.
I'm still thinking fastboot is my best bet, but there are dependencies apparently and I don't know what files to include in its directory. Then, am I wise to go to stock and then root, or should I simply flash the stock kernel already rooted? I assume that's what chainfire is providing, correct?
I notice the lollipop official ROM nor Chainfire’s supposedly-rooted image have any file named nakasi. I have only .img files, no .zip files.
I found a dozen sets of instructions on how to flash a kernel but something I need is missing from all of them. Does anyone know what it is or can anyone offer some helpful advice?
Thank you,
Leon M.

Related

Noobie Question about ICS

I can't post in the development forums so I figured I would ask here:
I understand how to use adb and fastboot, etc.. What I am missing is with the new ICS ROM it states that I must "fastboot flash system system.img"; however none of the ICS zip file I have seen come with a system.img file (just the boot.img).
Am I missing something? Any help would be greatly appreciated..
I used the version available on Rootzwiki... not sure if thats the answer you wanted. I'm running 4.0.3 ICS on my wifi XOOM OC to 1.54. No FC's, reboots or anything of the sort. You'll need to be sure that you have su-install.zip, and other img files needed. As I said, you'll find them all on the rootzwiki website under xoom hope this helps, if not good luck.
You are talking about two different things here. I don't know where to start here you're all mixed up. There are several ways to flash a ROM, you can fastboot flash the .img files such as what you are referencing to. Or you can flash an update .zip file from recovery. The way you flash the ROM depends on the source, if its a bunch of *.img files you use fastboot, if it's a *.zip file you use recovery. Just follow the directions given for installation that are provided with the ROM you are downloading.
sboehler said:
I can't post in the development forums so I figured I would ask here:
I understand how to use adb and fastboot, etc.. What I am missing is with the new ICS ROM it states that I must "fastboot flash system system.img"; however none of the ICS zip file I have seen come with a system.img file (just the boot.img).
Am I missing something? Any help would be greatly appreciated..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, and welcome to XDA! =] Anyways on with your question. There are two ways to flash a ROM to your xoom. One being fastboot/adb, where you use the command line on your computer to send commands to your device and make it do stuff. This is where you use system.img, boot.img, recovery.img.
The second, is CWM (ClockWorkMod recovery) This, as far as im aware, is the most common way. This is where the .zip's come in. Because you take the .zip you put it on your external SD card. boot into recovery (after flashing CWM of course) and flash the rom. CWM is nice because you can also make a 100% snapshot of your internal memory state via making a nanodroid back up. That way if anything messes up you have a 100% backup you can restore at anytime if you need it.
In a nutshell, You use *.img files with fastboot and .zip files with CWM.
Anyways. If you're new to rooting. Please check out these two threads, They'll help you get started. =]
Xoom Heaven: Root+Non Root Users Are Welcome!
[Guide] Setting up and using adb/fastboot-unlock, flash custom recovery & root
The second guide I did use to flash my own zoom so I can assure you it does work.

Kernel/bootloader/recovery

Hi guys,
1. What is the advantage/disadvantage of flashing a custom kernel?
2. I recently flashed Cyanogenmod. It automatically installs a custom kernel right?
3. Using the Nexus 7 toolkit I reverted my N7 to stock recovery (from CWM) How should I make sure that it's been reverted to the latest stock version?
4. What does N7's stock factory image contain? (Stock ROM + Stock recovery + Stock kernel?) (found here: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images)
5. Is this correct? You can install a custom ROM without changing the kernel but in order to have more customization you have to flash a different kernel than the stock one.
6. Is this the correct order? Unlocking bootloader>rooting>Flashing custom recovery>Flashing custom kernel>Flashing custom ROM>...?
7. Difference between unlocking bootloader and rooting.
8. How to find out N7's latest stock kernel version.
Many thanx
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
valapsp said:
1. What is the advantage/disadvantage of flashing a custom kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same as those for a stock kernel. That is to say, every kernel has advantages and disadvantages. Some trade performance for battery life, others do the reverse. Some are more feature-heavy and potentially more unstable, others are feature-light but designed to be rock solid. With custom kernels on a Nexus device, you avoid one of the biggest dangers of custom kernels (instability due to lack of kernel source for developers to base their work on), but you still need to be careful. You don't necessarily know how proficient the author of a given kernel is, and the wrong one can make your device unusable/kill it.
valapsp said:
2. I recently flashed Cyanogenmod. It automatically installs a custom kernel right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it does. I don't remember which one though, since I don't use CM.
valapsp said:
3. Using the Nexus 7 toolkit I reverted my N7 to stock recovery (from CWM) How should I make sure that it's been reverted to the latest stock version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to be more specific-- the latest stock ROM, or the latest stock recovery? If you're wondering about the ROM, you can check in Settings > About tablet > Status. When it comes to determining recovery version, I'm not so sure.
valapsp said:
4. What does N7's stock factory image contain? (Stock ROM + Stock recovery + Stock kernel?) (found here: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it contains stock ROM and kernel.
valapsp said:
5. Is this correct? You can install a custom ROM without changing the kernel but in order to have more customization you have to flash a different kernel than the stock one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally correct. There's a subset of features that are kernel-dependent, not ROM dependent, so you should think of it as ROM customizations vs. kernel customizations. Some examples of the former include PIE menus and Paranoid Android's Halo feature. Examples of the latter might include tap2wake (double tap on a powered-off screen to turn it on), NTFS drive support for OTG, and so on.
valapsp said:
6. Is this the correct order? Unlocking bootloader>rooting>Flashing custom recovery>Flashing custom kernel>Flashing custom ROM>...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no? It's one way of going about it, save for the last two things, which should be reversed. Since some ROMs include custom kernels, flashing a kernel and then a ROM runs the risk of having your kernel choice overwritten.
If all you need to do is flash a different ROM, you can go straight form unlocking the bootloader to flashing a recovery. You can also flash ROMs and kernels independently, so long as whatever kernel/ROM you're running initially doesn't have known incompatibilities with your new ROM/kernel.
valapsp said:
7. Difference between unlocking bootloader and rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking your bootloader is like getting the key to a house. Rooting is getting permission from the landlord to do whatever the heck you want to the house. A locked bootloader means that the device is checking to ensure no unauthorized code is running at boot time, which prevents custom recoveries from being installed. Rooting only really matters when the device is booted up.
valapsp said:
8. How to find out N7's latest stock kernel version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google. Sorry, can't help you with this one.
That was a great answer @Rirere
Rirere said:
Same as those for a stock kernel. That is to say, every kernel has advantages and disadvantages. Some trade performance for battery life, others do the reverse. Some are more feature-heavy and potentially more unstable, others are feature-light but designed to be rock solid. With custom kernels on a Nexus device, you avoid one of the biggest dangers of custom kernels (instability due to lack of kernel source for developers to base their work on), but you still need to be careful. You don't necessarily know how proficient the author of a given kernel is, and the wrong one can make your device unusable/kill it.
I believe it does. I don't remember which one though, since I don't use CM.
You need to be more specific-- the latest stock ROM, or the latest stock recovery? If you're wondering about the ROM, you can check in Settings > About tablet > Status. When it comes to determining recovery version, I'm not so sure.
I believe it contains stock ROM and kernel.
Generally correct. There's a subset of features that are kernel-dependent, not ROM dependent, so you should think of it as ROM customizations vs. kernel customizations. Some examples of the former include PIE menus and Paranoid Android's Halo feature. Examples of the latter might include tap2wake (double tap on a powered-off screen to turn it on), NTFS drive support for OTG, and so on.
Yes and no? It's one way of going about it, save for the last two things, which should be reversed. Since some ROMs include custom kernels, flashing a kernel and then a ROM runs the risk of having your kernel choice overwritten.
If all you need to do is flash a different ROM, you can go straight form unlocking the bootloader to flashing a recovery. You can also flash ROMs and kernels independently, so long as whatever kernel/ROM you're running initially doesn't have known incompatibilities with your new ROM/kernel.
Unlocking your bootloader is like getting the key to a house. Rooting is getting permission from the landlord to do whatever the heck you want to the house. A locked bootloader means that the device is checking to ensure no unauthorized code is running at boot time, which prevents custom recoveries from being installed. Rooting only really matters when the device is booted up.
Google. Sorry, can't help you with this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all many many thanx to you because of your help. Yes I meant stock RECOVERY in question 3 also the way you explained question #7 is awesome.
Now I'm running stock ROM on CWM recovery and Franco kernel. My question is that will I be able to upgrade to Android 4.3 with this recovery and kernel? Or I have to flash the stock kernel or stock recovery or both?
Also how can I extract the stock kernel from the factory stock image file?
Thanx again.
valapsp said:
First of all many many thanx to you because of your help. Yes I meant stock RECOVERY in question 3 also the way you explained question #7 is awesome.
Now I'm running stock ROM on CWM recovery and Franco kernel. My question is that will I be able to upgrade to Android 4.3 with this recovery and kernel? Or I have to flash the stock kernel or stock recovery or both?
Also how can I extract the stock kernel from the factory stock image file?
Thanx again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA updates are normally only applied to the rom/system, so in theory you should be able to just run the OTA update with the stock rom, the worst that would mainly happen is losing rooting because the system partition gets replaced with a fresh install of the newest operating system (but your /data retains your settings and user data).
I use TWRP recovery instead of CWM, and TWRP when you're bout to exit it will detect if your system has Supersu or not and will offer to install it for you (from there once you boot into the system you can use it to install the su binary for you thus re-rooting).
In the end it's a personal choice. With custom roms like I'm using, there's no real "OTA" update (just a notice that the rom creators use to notify you of new versions which are downloaded to the device, and you just reboot into recovery to flash them). Custom roms typically get updated a few days to a few weeks after google updates if they're AOSP based.
The stock kernel would normally be the boot image, I don't know how you would do it with clockwork mod, but in TWRP you can simply make a backup of the boot partition to retain the original stock kernel. (It will of course only work on AOSP-based roms if you choose to just flash the stock kernel, but the ones that are made for the rom, or custom kernels tend to offer optimizations over the original stock one).
Thanks, I meant extracting the stock kernel from factory image file found here:
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
By the way I don't have the stock kernel anymore to back it up.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
valapsp said:
Thanks, I meant extracting the stock kernel from factory image file found here:
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
By the way I don't have the stock kernel anymore to back it up.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh I see, well if your's is the Wifi-only version then would be something like this https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#nakasijdq39
The firmwares are basically gzipped tarballs (in a linux system tar zxvf would normally unpack em, otherwise 7zip for windows does a good job of unpacking it into a folder).
Alternatively you can just download the kernel itself (Post #3) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2151154
Edit: Yes if you un-gzip/untar the original firmware, then unpack image-nakasi-jdq39.zip inside of that, there will be a boot.img that's where the kernel lives. The boot.img can be flashed via fastboot to the boot partition (I'd advise reading up on this first before actually doing it). Though like linked above, there are some recovery-flashible versions of the stock kernel you can use instead.
kbeezie said:
Ahh I see, well if your's is the Wifi-only version then would be something like this https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#nakasijdq39
The firmwares are basically gzipped tarballs (in a linux system tar zxvf would normally unpack em, otherwise 7zip for windows does a good job of unpacking it into a folder).
Alternatively you can just download the kernel itself (Post #3) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2151154
Edit: Yes if you un-gzip/untar the original firmware, then unpack image-nakasi-jdq39.zip inside of that, there will be a boot.img that's where the kernel lives. The boot.img can be flashed via fastboot to the boot partition (I'd advise reading up on this first before actually doing it). Though like linked above, there are some recovery-flashible versions of the stock kernel you can use instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, I actually did unzip the stock firmware seconds ago and was posting the results then I saw your edit.
Just there are some confusions here: what is that userdata.img? also what is bootloader-grouper-4.18.img
valapsp said:
thanks, I actually did unzip the stock firmware seconds ago and was posting the results then I saw your edit.
Just there are some confusions here: what is that userdata.img? also what is bootloader-grouper-4.18.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bootloader img would be the original stock bootloader for the Nexus 7, chances are you never replaced it, you only unlocked it. There's usually no reason to replace the bootloader with a custom one since all you need to do is unlock it.
userdata.img would be the /data partition. The firmware download basically has a image for all of the partition in the original out-of-the-box stock state. Technically you don't even to flash it, as long as you wiped /data before rebooting (since that would be the same as a clean install if you instead flashed the system and boot partition).
Edit: If I were messing with it to get back stock rom (but not messing with recovery, cuz custom recovery is still handy to have), I would only flash the boot.img and system.img , then log into Recovery and wipe data (ie: factory reset which wipes cache and /data but doesn't touch /data/media), Then I would be able to reboot into a clean stock install of the rom.
(from there I could just make a backup from recovery so I wouldn't have to do a fastboot flash again).
kbeezie said:
The OTA updates are normally only applied to the rom/system, so in theory you should be able to just run the OTA update with the stock rom, the worst that would mainly happen is losing rooting because the system partition gets replaced with a fresh install of the newest operating system (but your /data retains your settings and user data).
I use TWRP recovery instead of CWM, and TWRP when you're bout to exit it will detect if your system has Supersu or not and will offer to install it for you (from there once you boot into the system you can use it to install the su binary for you thus re-rooting).
In the end it's a personal choice. With custom roms like I'm using, there's no real "OTA" update (just a notice that the rom creators use to notify you of new versions which are downloaded to the device, and you just reboot into recovery to flash them). Custom roms typically get updated a few days to a few weeks after google updates if they're AOSP based.
The stock kernel would normally be the boot image, I don't know how you would do it with clockwork mod, but in TWRP you can simply make a backup of the boot partition to retain the original stock kernel. (It will of course only work on AOSP-based roms if you choose to just flash the stock kernel, but the ones that are made for the rom, or custom kernels tend to offer optimizations over the original stock one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, how many times does should matter? Theoretically, you should be able to do OTAs while rooted by downloading the ZIP and flashing in recovery, but if you've made changes to /system (uninstalling a system app, or adding a helper), you might get the stupid script_assert error. Of course, you could just push the whole /system back to your device...although that can be just as annoying.
I wish there were away to turn off the script_asserts safely, but they do exist for a reason.
@valapsp
Small but important clarification.
valapsp said:
5. Is this correct? You can install a custom ROM without changing the kernel but in order to have more customization you have to flash a different kernel than the stock one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Essentially 100% of custom ROMs install a kernel. (Actually, a kernel plus a ramdisk packaged together as a single ("bootable image") file, typically named "boot.img".) So your preexisting boot image containing the kernel is always overwritten during a ROM installation. See next answer.
valapsp said:
6. Is this the correct order? Unlocking bootloader>rooting>Flashing custom recovery>Flashing custom kernel>Flashing custom ROM>...?
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Click to collapse
Almost, but not quite. If you want to use a different kernel than what ships with a given ROM, you flash it after you have installed the ROM, not beforehand. See prior answer.
One more thing. Since you are new to this stuff, I'll make a suggestion:
Learn how to create and restore full Nandroid backups (using the custom recovery) immediately. And get in the habit of copying them off your tablet to your PC. You will thank me later for this advice.
have fun
Rirere said:
Unfortunately, how many times does should matter? Theoretically, you should be able to do OTAs while rooted by downloading the ZIP and flashing in recovery, but if you've made changes to /system (uninstalling a system app, or adding a helper), you might get the stupid script_assert error. Of course, you could just push the whole /system back to your device...although that can be just as annoying.
I wish there were away to turn off the script_asserts safely, but they do exist for a reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Rirere...
This is my understanding as well... (sort of! - I've always been a bit hazy on this topic).
My take on it is this...
The OTA would only fail, if it found files in /system that SHOULD BE THERE, but have been removed, modified, or replaced by the user (or via some app run by the user).
Logically (one would think), the OTA can't check for files THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE (How would it know what to look for?) but have been ADDED by the user... like the su binary that confers root.
So, an OTA on pure ROOTED (but in all other regards, unadulterated) stock you would expect to succeed... you'd just lose root (and from what I've read elsewhere, your Custom Recovery). Both of which are trivial to recover.
Is my understanding correct... or have I missed something?
Rgrds,
Ged.
GedBlake said:
Hi, Rirere...
This is my understanding as well... (sort of! - I've always been a bit hazy on this topic).
My take on it is this...
The OTA would only fail, if it found files in /system that SHOULD BE THERE, but have been removed, modified, or replaced by the user (or via some app run by the user).
Logically (one would think), the OTA can't check for files THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE (How would it know what to look for?) but have been ADDED by the user... like the su binary that confers root.
So, an OTA on pure ROOTED (but in all other regards, unadulterated) stock you would expect to succeed... you'd just lose root (and from what I've read elsewhere, your Custom Recovery). Both of which are trivial to recover.
Is my understanding correct... or have I missed something?
Rgrds,
Ged.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you are correct! Theoretically, the script could rather easily check for added files by checksumming the entire /system partition before running the update (using a fast hash algorithm-- you're only looking for the presence of any changes, afterall). And I did have one OTA that went fine, other than losing root back on my Galaxy Nexus.
Again though, it's a classic case of should versus real life. Some root methods might alter things in /system without your knowing, or root actions might alter permissions. Either way, it's a tricky, nasty little game.
So far as recoveries go: yeah, OTAs have a nasty habit of trying to do that. Some of the more advanced recoveries can resist being overwritten though/slipstream a root ZIP into the update process.
GedBlake said:
The OTA would only fail, if it found files in /system that SHOULD BE THERE, but have been removed, modified, or replaced by the user (or via some app run by the user).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Typically the OTAs also update the boot image, so the boot partition (LNX) is also checked. The stock recoveries almost always use the same kernel (with a different ramdisk) as the boot image, so they are usually rewritten too.
Owners of tilapia N7 devices have reported successful flashing of everything but radio firmware images when they used a custom recovery to process the OTA bundle. Not a disaster, as their devices will still function with old radio firmware, but it puts them in an unusual position of being unable to use the OTA to subsequently update the radio, even if they restore the stock recovery (the system files and boot images will have been changed, so almost all of the checksums will fail). At that point, using fastboot is an alternate option, but then the newbs will need to read about OTA images, unpack them, yadda yadda yadda.
IMO it is just a dumb idea applying OTAs to anything but a pure stock device. And when I say pure stock, I mean including the stock recovery. The boot loader can be left unlocked, but that's about it.
There are a lot of ways to skin the cat, but IMO the best way to proceed is to operate with two parallel but independent tracks of Nandroid backups/restores: one track is a sequence of pure stock, and the other your customized ROM du jour.
Let's presume you have a Nandroid backup of the pure stock ROM. Make a backup of your current (customized) ROM & get it copied off the tablet (in the event of a disaster), restore the pure stock ROM nandroid backup, flash the stock recovery back to the tab, and then take the OTA.
At this point:
[ unlocked bootloader ] soft-boot (no flashing) a custom recovery using fastboot, and then make yet another Nandroid backup of the newly updated stock ROM including the recovery image. (This becomes the new baseline for future OTAs)
[ locked bootloader ] re-root with motochopper, capture the (new) stock recovery partition using 'dd', flash a custom recovery ('dd' or other method), make a Nandroid of this. (These two backups become the new baseline for future OTAs)
Then, repeat any rooting customizations (if you are a "lightly customized rooted stock" kinda person), and restore apps (Market apps only!) with TiBu.
This may seem like a great deal of work, but it is the only way to insure that you can revert to a prior starting position. Look: after going down a road like this you can even restore the old customized ROM backup to make TiBu app backups after the fact, simply because you can return to any point in time if you have made a backup (and kept a copy of it off the tablet).
Everybody makes mistakes - even the experts. But the lazier folks are (read: toolkit user) the more likely is a disaster. Everybody needs to make backups.
What will happen if I change some values in build.prop editor? I won't be able to install stock ROMs anymore? Or what?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
valapsp said:
What will happen if I change some values in build.prop editor? I won't be able to install stock ROMs anymore? Or what?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on how you mean "install", you can always install via .img or recovery flashing method, but course that will overwrite your build.prop with the provided version and you would just have to re-edit the values again.
Did you mean OTA wise? If the update doesn't check for the hash of the build.prop, it will likely just replace it with a newer version if anything has changed from the last version to the new version.
As others have said, worse case scenario, the OTA fails to proceed due to errors and you would just have to manually update it yourself, as you could just flash a new boot.img and system.img from google's site (just have to remember anything you added on top of system or custom kernels will of course be reverted, so they will need to be reapplied).
Settings and user apps and such all live in /data , so it should just simply boot up as an upgraded system but with everything else intact (course I always make a backup via my custom recovery just in case).
kbeezie said:
Depends on how you mean "install", you can always install via .img or recovery flashing method, but course that will overwrite your build.prop with the provided version and you would just have to re-edit the values again.
Did you mean OTA wise? If the update doesn't check for the hash of the build.prop, it will likely just replace it with a newer version if anything has changed from the last version to the new version.
As others have said, worse case scenario, the OTA fails to proceed due to errors and you would just have to manually update it yourself, as you could just flash a new boot.img and system.img from google's site (just have to remember anything you added on top of system or custom kernels will of course be reverted, so they will need to be reapplied).
Settings and user apps and such all live in /data , so it should just simply boot up as an upgraded system but with everything else intact (course I always make a backup via my custom recovery just in case).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, and does backing up thru cwm also back up the build.prop?
valapsp said:
Thanks, and does backing up thru cwm also back up the build.prop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but not in the way you're thinking. If you back up the whole system, CWM will package each partition up (/system /data , etc), so when you flash a new rom or system on, you can't just selectively restore build.prop since restoring in CWM Would also restore the entire system partition.
You can while in recovery, mount /system and do something like
adb pull /system/build.prop , and save a copy of it on your computer, so you can go back in and change the affected values back if for some reason you needed to.
If you're familiar with ghosting, nandroid backups (what CWM and most others do, minus some variations), are basically exact clones of all the files on each partition. Older recoveries actually took an image snapshot, newer ones basically pack all the files in a compressed archive (With some kind of note of what partition type it was, ext4, etc). The latter can easily be unpacked with tar, or 7zip, etc, but disk images are a different matter.
I can't remember which one CWM does exactly since on my DZ I use 4EXT, and on my Nexus devices I use TWRP.
kbeezie said:
Yes, but not in the way you're thinking. If you back up the whole system, CWM will package each partition up (/system /data , etc), so when you flash a new rom or system on, you can't just selectively restore build.prop since restoring in CWM Would also restore the entire system partition.
You can while in recovery, mount /system and do something like
adb pull /system/build.prop , and save a copy of it on your computer, so you can go back in and change the affected values back if for some reason you needed to.
If you're familiar with ghosting, nandroid backups (what CWM and most others do, minus some variations), are basically exact clones of all the files on each partition. Older recoveries actually took an image snapshot, newer ones basically pack all the files in a compressed archive (With some kind of note of what partition type it was, ext4, etc). The latter can easily be unpacked with tar, or 7zip, etc, but disk images are a different matter.
I can't remember which one CWM does exactly since on my DZ I use 4EXT, and on my Nexus devices I use TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, an easier way is to copy the build.prop thru a file manager.
But since I'm on my geek mood today I wanna know if it's possible to extract the backed up (Nandroid) file and find the build.prop somewhere there.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
valapsp said:
Thanks, an easier way is to copy the build.prop thru a file manager.
But since I'm on my geek mood today I wanna know if it's possible to extract the backed up (Nandroid) file and find the build.prop somewhere there.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's a backup done with 4EXT or TWRP most certainly since it's just a tarball package (or tar+gzipped if you enabled compression) and can be easily unpacked by tar, or any popular archive utility like 7Zip for windows. (restoration generally just looks at the file info to see what partition type it's supposed to be, formats the partition as such, and then just un-tars the content, with the permissions and such retained).
If it's older where it's an actual jaffs (may have spelled that wrong) disk image, I'm not sure off the top of my head how you would mount it as a disk , and then mount the ext4 or ext3 partition in order to get to it. I would assume ClockworkMod would have upgraded their backup method to the same as TWRP or 4EXT, but it's possible that they didn't for compatibility reasons.

4.4.2 (KOT49H) update fails on rooted device

Received the update today but it failed to install. I'm running the stock rom KRT16S. My Nexus 10 is rooted and my recovery is TWRP 2.6.3.1. I have added nothing else to this rom except a few apps from the google play store. I wanted to try again but couldn't find where the OTA is stored. It wasn't in the /cache/fota folder. So I downloaded a flashable zip from the net. But this update file failed to install also. I've seen a few others have success installing the update. I just don't know what's preventing me from updating. I welcome your suggestions. Thanks.
Same here on my Nex5.
It seems, that some custom zips changed my stock (rooted) rom in this way that I am not able to install the 4.4.2 update.
I got similar issue on my Nex4 in the past, I could help me out by flashing full rom (rooted) deodexed, but where can I find the full rom of 4.4.2 for my Nex5 now?
Anybody can give me a clue?
Thank u very much.
Greetz from Germany.. Fred
Lexus One said:
Received the update today but it failed to install. I'm running the stock rom KRT16S. My Nexus 10 is rooted and my recovery is TWRP 2.6.3.1. I have added nothing else to this rom except a few apps from the google play store. I wanted to try again but couldn't find where the OTA is stored. It wasn't in the /cache/fota folder. So I downloaded a flashable zip from the net. But this update file failed to install also. I've seen a few others have success installing the update. I just don't know what's preventing me from updating. I welcome your suggestions. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
amplifier1980 said:
Same here on my Nex5.
It seems, that some custom zips changed my stock (rooted) rom in this way that I am not able to install the 4.4.2 update.
I got similar issue on my Nex4 in the past, I could help me out by flashing full rom (rooted) deodexed, but where can I find the full rom of 4.4.2 for my Nex5 now?
Anybody can give me a clue?
Thank u very much.
Greetz from Germany.. Fred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Fred, and greetz from Ohio. I'm not aware of anything in the 4.4.2 flavor right now for the Nex10. I'm not sure about the Nex5. I think we're just going to have to wait. But I'd like to have the same thing. A lean & clean deodexed stock rooted 4.4.2 rom with a few performance tweaks. Like the old "Cleanrom" by scrosler. As for right now, did you try an ADB Sideload update to 4.4.2 using Wug's Toolkit? http://www.wugfresh.com/faqs/how-to-update-ota-not-working/
Lexus One said:
Hi Fred, and greetz from Ohio. I'm not aware of anything in the 4.4.2 flavor right now for the Nex10. I'm not sure about the Nex5. I think we're just going to have to wait. But I'd like to have the same thing. A lean & clean deodexed stock rooted 4.4.2 rom with a few performance tweaks. Like the old "Cleanrom" by scrosler. As for right now, did you try an ADB Sideload update to 4.4.2 using Wug's Toolkit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Meanwhile i found a thread in nexus5 Android development area which contains both deodexed and odexed stock rooted full rom . so i just flashed odexed Version over my 4.4... Now i am on 4.4.2 finally... And still rooted..
Thank u anyway..
Greetz, fred
Lexus One said:
Received the update today but it failed to install. I'm running the stock rom KRT16S. My Nexus 10 is rooted and my recovery is TWRP 2.6.3.1. I have added nothing else to this rom except a few apps from the google play store. I wanted to try again but couldn't find where the OTA is stored. It wasn't in the /cache/fota folder. So I downloaded a flashable zip from the net. But this update file failed to install also. I've seen a few others have success installing the update. I just don't know what's preventing me from updating. I welcome your suggestions. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
You can try performing a full unroot in the SuperSU app if it still doesn't work... I had to adb sideload mine to work, don't know how it works with toolkit, but you have to first set your tablet to receive it. As you are on TWRP you simply go to advanced and select adb sideload, then try using the tool, or following the instructions on it to do so .
You cannot install a OTA zip like a Custom ROM zip, they are a little bit different hehe.
Hope this helps,
~Lord
PS.: This will work for N5 too.
I somehow got the idea that rooted Nexus devices with a custom recovery could handle OTA's without trashing the recovery. I guess I expected that I would lose root. I think I'm just going to wait for someone to put together a "CleanROM" based on 4.4.2 or newer. I've been waiting for a rom like this since I bought my Nex10 anyway. I don't think I'll suffer too much running on 4.4 until then.
Thanks to those who contributed, I'll remember your suggestions. Especially if I end up waiting a long time for a 4.4.2 based Cleanrom.
Update: Thanks to Wug's toolkit. I'm now running 4.4.2..
I should ask for a sticky for this but these instruction will work EVERY TIME if you are running either custom recovery or Root.
You will need the latest adb/fastboot from google, you can either install the SDK or download any of the many smaller adb/fastboot and libs for your os
You will need STOCK 4.4/4.3/4.2 recovery depending on what version of android you are currently on. Download the factory image from here. Open the zip within the package and pull out recovery.img and rename it stockrecovery.img
Copy your custom recovery to the adb folder name it twrp.zip or short name for whatever you are using I am using twrp.
You will need the correct OTA you are seeking to apply - rename it to something short simple and obvious - for this example I will use otaupdate.zip
If you wish to root get the latest patch (I believe its up to 1.75 now) and copy it to the adb/fastboot folder.
BACKUP YOUR DEVICE FIRST AND COPY IT TO YOUR PC
If you are already Rooted:
If you are using SuperSU - go to the application options and completely unroot and reboot if needed
BACKUP YOUR DEVICE FIRST AND COPY IT TO YOUR PC
If not rooted start here:
I am assuming most of you are Windows users. Open your file explorer and open the ADB folder.
On the left hand folder where ADB is located press shift and right click the ADB folder and select "Open command window from here". This will open a command prompt window for you to run all your adb/fastboot commands from. This is the same folder where you copied your recoveries and updates to.
BACKUP YOUR DEVICE FIRST AND COPY IT TO YOUR PC
Copy your custom recovery and stock recovery to your adb folder
Copy and rename the OTA to the adb folder
Copy your root.zip patch to the /sdcard downloads folder (if you wish root)
>adb reboot bootloader
>fastboot flash recovery stockrecovery.img
>fastboot reboot-bootloader
Go into recovery and wait till dead droid appears
Press power and Volume Up at same time to go into the stock recovery menu
Using the volume buttons move and down the blue list of options and select: Apply update from ADB
You will now have orange text at the bottom of the screen - follow the instructions to side load by typing >adb sideload otaupdate.zip in your command prompt window
Wait and watch the progress, at this point you should see the ota processing steps of which there a few and will vary depending on the package. When its complete there will be a "install complete" or similar message
Reboot and let the update complete the system optimizations and go in validate your device is working and the version is what you wanted
>adb reboot bootloader
>fastboot flash twrp.zip
>fastboot reboot-recovery
Using your newly installed custom recovery you can now apply zips/root etc
Reboot as needed and update root if using older .zip to current binaries and enjoy your updated device.
And yes you only need to backup once prior to starting but many people skip that step -DON'T BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
Hopefully I've not missed a bit.
You can also use these same instructions if you're stuck in boot loop or applied a patch without first replacing stock or unrooting - just boot to bootloader using fastboot and replace recovery and apply the patches. This will usually work just fine and prevent much heart ache on your part.

Fixed 6P bootlooping, now i want to update to Oreo

Hi all, I posted this in the 6P bootloop thread, but didn't get a response. As that is a pretty LONG thread, i'm thinking my question may have gotten lost in the jumble.
Quick run down.
A few months back my 6P started the BLOD. I found the fix listed on these pages, applied it, and have been happily using my phone ever since. Phone is bone stock 7.1.2 other than the TWRP recovery and the modified EX kernel for 4 cores.
Since the fix, my phone FINALLY got the OTA update to go to Android 8.0 and i obviously want to get it done. My concern is HOW to do this without causing more headache.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Should i use the OTA update or download the factory image from Google?
I've got some knowledge as i used to be into the "rooting" scene back in the day, but haven't for a while, so i feel a little lost.
Thanks for any help.
johnnyphive said:
Hi all, I posted this in the 6P bootloop thread, but didn't get a response. As that is a pretty LONG thread, i'm thinking my question may have gotten lost in the jumble.
Quick run down.
A few months back my 6P started the BLOD. I found the fix listed on these pages, applied it, and have been happily using my phone ever since. Phone is bone stock 7.1.2 other than the TWRP recovery and the modified EX kernel for 4 cores.
Since the fix, my phone FINALLY got the OTA update to go to Android 8.0 and i obviously want to get it done. My concern is HOW to do this without causing more headache.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Should i use the OTA update or download the factory image from Google?
I've got some knowledge as i used to be into the "rooting" scene back in the day, but haven't for a while, so i feel a little lost.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, for starters do NOT take the OTA. It will either fail or boot loop your phone. Due to the fact you have a modified boot.img you will need to update manually using fastboot with the full image. Re-apply the modified kernel after you finish updating the partitions, but BEFORE booting the first time. You can follow most guides on how to manually update a full image using fastboot, just add the step of flashing the modified kernel before booting.
Thanks for the reply and the help. If i could ask for a little more help, as this is my only phone.
Can you explain the difference between the modified boot.img and the modified kernel?
If i download the factory image from here (https://developers.google.com/android/images) is it ok to the get the latested one (Nov 2017) or do i need to get the original one (Sep 2017 as i'm on Fi)
Once i flash the factory image, is it going to replace the modified boot image as well as the modified kernel?
Follow the OP on this thread (https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guide-fix-nexus-6p-bootloop-death-blod-t3640279) in the downloads section there appear to be 2 files i would need, the "Boot.img from stock 6.17, 8.0 firmware" and "EX kernel version 5.03". Am i understanding that correctly?
Like i said, this is my only phone, and i'm probably just being overly paranoid about bricking it, but any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
johnnyphive said:
Thanks for the reply and the help. If i could ask for a little more help, as this is my only phone.
Can you explain the difference between the modified boot.img and the modified kernel?
If i download the factory image from here (https://developers.google.com/android/images) is it ok to the get the latested one (Nov 2017) or do i need to get the original one (Sep 2017 as i'm on Fi)
Once i flash the factory image, is it going to replace the modified boot image as well as the modified kernel?
Follow the OP on this thread (https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guide-fix-nexus-6p-bootloop-death-blod-t3640279) in the downloads section there appear to be 2 files i would need, the "Boot.img from stock 6.17, 8.0 firmware" and "EX kernel version 5.03". Am i understanding that correctly?
Like i said, this is my only phone, and i'm probably just being overly paranoid about bricking it, but any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the latest November image. The boot.img contains the kernel and ramdisk, critical files necessary to load the device before the filesystem can be mounted. When you flash the new boot.img contained in the Google image, it will overwrite the patched kernel. You then need to re-patch it by installing EX kernel before booting. EX writes to (modifies) the stock boot.img. There are also pre-modifed boot.img files floating around. You will probably get more detailed help in the dedicated thread. Learning to flash manually (or remember how) is not really a big deal and a necessary skill for modding (and for getting yourself out of trouble). Good luck. :good:
v12xke said:
Use the latest November image. The boot.img contains the kernel and ramdisk, critical files necessary to load the device before the filesystem can be mounted. When you flash the new boot.img contained in the Google image, it will overwrite the patched kernel. You then need to re-patch it by installing EX kernel before booting. EX writes to (modifies) the stock boot.img. There are also pre-modifed boot.img files floating around. You will probably get more detailed help in the dedicated thread. Learning to flash manually (or remember how) is not really a big deal and a necessary skill for modding (and for getting yourself out of trouble). Good luck. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so 1 last time (sorry)
1 - Downloaded the latest 8.0.0 factory image from google (this contains the bootloader, radio, and partitions (.zip).
2 - Get phone to fastboot and apply the above 3 new images
3- before rebooting, flash oreo4core (new, modified boot.img), TWRP recovery.img
4- reboot to recovery (TWRP) and apply the modified EX kernel
5 - reboot and (hopefully) profit
Am i missing anything, or doing anything that isn't needed?
johnnyphive said:
Ok, so 1 last time (sorry)
1 - Downloaded the latest 8.0.0 factory image from google (this contains the bootloader, radio, and partitions (.zip).
2 - Get phone to fastboot and apply the above 3 new images
3- before rebooting, flash oreo4core (new, modified boot.img), TWRP recovery.img
4- reboot to recovery (TWRP) and apply the modified EX kernel
5 - reboot and (hopefully) profit
Am i missing anything, or doing anything that isn't needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<<Disclaimer: I don't use the 4 core kernel, so I don't know if it comes with installer script or someone has just modified the latest boot.img>> Unzip the "partitions" zip you refer to and extract those image files to the same folder as bootloader and modem. For example, you can keep TWRP recovery if you don't flash the recovery.img. That is how you preserve your custom recovery. So in other words you'll now have a folder (your ADB folder?) with 5 image files.... bootloader, radio, boot, system, and vendor all in one folder. <<Note: it is my understanding you just substitute the latest oreo4core file (should be boot.img?) If this is true, copy that file into your ADB folder and let it overwrite the stock boot.img. Stop. Copy over flash-all.bat, change the *.bat extension to *.txt and open in notepad. You will see (and can copy/paste) the fastboot commands to get you started with bootloader and radio. Then flash the last 3 (boot, system, vendor). At this point you can reboot into the OS. Since you substituted the oreo4core boot.img file for the stock boot.img there is no need to use TWRP to flash anything. That and since you skipped flashing the recovery.img, TWRP is still there.
v12xke said:
<<Disclaimer: I don't use the 4 core kernel, so I don't know if it comes with installer script or someone has just modified the latest boot.img>> Unzip the "partitions" zip you refer to and extract those image files to the same folder as bootloader and modem. For example, you can keep TWRP recovery if you don't flash the recovery.img. That is how you preserve your custom recovery. So in other words you'll now have a folder (your ADB folder?) with 5 image files.... bootloader, radio, boot, system, and vendor all in one folder. <<Note: it is my understanding you just substitute the latest oreo4core file (should be boot.img?) If this is true, copy that file into your ADB folder and let it overwrite the stock boot.img. Stop. Copy over flash-all.bat, change the *.bat extension to *.txt and open in notepad. You will see (and can copy/paste) the fastboot commands to get you started with bootloader and radio. Then flash the last 3 (boot, system, vendor). At this point you can reboot into the OS. Since you substituted the oreo4core boot.img file for the stock boot.img there is no need to use TWRP to flash anything. That and since you skipped flashing the recovery.img, TWRP is still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank for the help! Everything seems to be up and running. I know you said you don't use the "4 cores" (can only assume your either on a different phone or yours isn't affected by the BLOD), but do you know if i still need to apply the EX kernel update, or know of a way to tell if it's already been applied?
Thanks again for all the help. I was pretty much in the right direction, but being as how i'd been away from it for a while, i wanted some backup
johnnyphive said:
Thank for the help! Everything seems to be up and running. I know you said you don't use the "4 cores" (can only assume your either on a different phone or yours isn't affected by the BLOD), but do you know if i still need to apply the EX kernel update, or know of a way to tell if it's already been applied? Thanks again for all the help. I was pretty much in the right direction, but being as how i'd been away from it for a while, i wanted some backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you can flash EX kernel from now on. I think you have to use a modded boot.img that will contain his kernel/ramdisk. This is my guess. You really should be getting your information in the dedicated thread where everyone is actually installing and using it. Google "oreo 4 core" and you will find the XDA thread is the first hit. Good luck. :good:

Theoretical root for SM-J320VPP?

So it's been a while since discussion about this specific model, but I was wondering if it would be at all possible to root this with Magisk?
Since Magisk can apply root by patching boot image file, I figured it could technically be possible since in this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/help/galaxy-j3-sm-j320vpp-configuring-cdma-t3414049
There is a link to a flashable ZIP to "access GSM" with this model phone, found here:
https://mega.nz/#!mtNEibLa!NmVJ7RM0fSDwXdD3CTKi0fVQgYdIMP6m8THRQLyJQRw
The interesting thing about it is that ZIP contains a boot.img file, so what I was wondering, would that the stock boot image file needed for Magisk?
There isn't much information about what's supplied in that ZIP nor have people mentioned it's use or anything, but I was wondering if it could at all be tested to possibly work. Or if whatever is in that ZIP is even the stock firmware.
I can't necessarily test it myself since I need my phone however, can anyone verify the contents of the ZIP or boot.img? It would be a pretty convenient if this was all it takes.
Without root I doubt you will be able to flash anything that isn't an official Samsung firmware update. And depending on which branding your device has,you may not even be able to flash firmware of any type whether it be an update or full firmware. Some carriers insist that Samsung fully lock down the bootloader thus completely crippling the device. U.S. carriers doing this are various. Especially if it is pre-paid. Best advice is to research any device before you purchase it. See if root has been achieved. If not and that device has been out for some time. Avoid it. Pick a device you know has gained root from among the choices offered by any carrier. It would seem you have one of the many locked bootloader turd phones put out by Verizon,Sprint,TRACTURD and so forth. Locked bootloader that won't recognize any flash that isn't signed. Odin or not the flash will fail. Time to flush that turd and find a better alternative.
Fivavoa said:
So it's been a while since discussion about this specific model, but I was wondering if it would be at all possible to root this with Magisk?
Since Magisk can apply root by patching boot image file, I figured it could technically be possible since in this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-j3-2016/help/galaxy-j3-sm-j320vpp-configuring-cdma-t3414049
There is a link to a flashable ZIP to "access GSM" with this model phone, found here:
https://mega.nz/#!mtNEibLa!NmVJ7RM0fSDwXdD3CTKi0fVQgYdIMP6m8THRQLyJQRw
The interesting thing about it is that ZIP contains a boot.img file, so what I was wondering, would that the stock boot image file needed for Magisk?
There isn't much information about what's supplied in that ZIP nor have people mentioned it's use or anything, but I was wondering if it could at all be tested to possibly work. Or if whatever is in that ZIP is even the stock firmware.
I can't necessarily test it myself since I need my phone however, can anyone verify the contents of the ZIP or boot.img? It would be a pretty convenient if this was all it takes.
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