Nano CFW rev14 [2012.08.16] Android Market and DC2SD - Forum

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Nano CFW rev14 [2012.08.16] Android Market and DC2SD

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setialpha

Nürnberg, Germany

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2012/01/26 - 19:01

I'm pleased to announce the immediate availability of release 14 of my custom firmware :]

My ROM features:

modifed UI
fancy bootanimation
busybox
/data and /cache on SD-Card (optional)
Google Play Market
ES FileManager
full root access
better GPS settings
more pre-defined APN/SPN
higher responsiveness/smoothness
ClockWork-Mod based recovery [thanks to Tremendo]

If you want to create your own ROM, there's also a Toolbox:

http://www.arctablet.com/blog/forum/arnova-7c-g2/everything-to-make-your-own-rom-gnulinux-1/

Changes since 13b:

nano-boot rev40:

removed some tweaks that are in 20netspeed
changed some 3G/EDGE settings
fixed a bug in 3G/EDGE settings
change WiFi scan interval from 300 to 180
change max WM events from 280 to 60

nano-system rev110:

UPDATE: zoneinfo to 2012c
UPDATE: OpenGL libraries
UPDATE: Play Store to 3.5.19
UPDATE ES Explorer to 1.6.1.6

NEW: tun.ko (loaded at startup)

BUGFIX: make modprobe work

Init-Script changes:
10memory:
- previously: 10ministrictfree
- more memory tweaks

20netspeed:
- some more minor tweaks

40block:
- also apply for MMC
- many more performance tweaks

50defragdb:
- can now be disabled via
echo 0 > /system/etc/defragdb
on a shell on the device.

NEW 70kernel:
- misc kernel settings

NEW 80firewall:
- several firewalling settings
(for example PING/IMCP protection)

NEW 95zipalgin:
- zipalign stuff from /data/app/

REMOVED 99misc

All initscripts can be en/disabled via /system/etc/initcontrol

APN/SPN Settings:
If you encounter problems with APN/SPN settings
you may switch to the old (pre rev13) configuration:
apnswitch old
inside a shell on the device, respectively:
apnswitch new
to go back to the new configuration

CPU settings editor:
- added (run: cpu)
- default settings:
+ minimal frequency: 600 MHz
+ governor: performance
+ sticky mode: enabled

trenano-recovery.img rev03:

---

What is DC2SD?

DC2SD stands for Data&Cache To SD-Card. It takes two partitions of the SD-Card and uses them for /data and /cache - rather than the two internal partitions. If you prefer using the internal partitions, use the "NoSD" version, else choose between EXT4 and EXT2 versions of DC2SD.

If you flash the DC2SD version you must partition your SD-Card, else everything that needs /cache will fail and /data will be limited to ~2 Mb!

So if you got no clue what this is all about, choose the NoSD version!

Downloads:

http://downloads.nanolx.org/index.php?dir=7CG2_NanoCFW_rev14

Download nano-system.img and the proper nano-boot/trenano-recovery.img (checksums included)

MTD/ contains some stuff usefull for developers

GPS/ contains gps settings for various regions (replace /system/etc/gps.conf on device)

Other/ contains misc. stuff (adobe flash, older scripts, ADB drivers for Windows)

Installation:

Step 0: n00b step to avoid copy-paste commands not working

rename the downloaded NanoBoot to: nano-boot.img

rename the downlaoded TreNanoRecovery to: trenano-recovery.img

Step 1: partitioning SD-Card [ONLY for DC2SD]

You need to create 3 partitions on your SD-Card:

- partition 1: used as usual external sd-storage, use FAT32 as file-system, choose size wisely yourself*

- partition 2: used as /data, use EXT4/EXT2** as file-system, choose size wisely yourself*

- partition 3: used as /cache, use EXT4/EXT2** as file-system, atleast 250 MB*

All partitions MUST be primary partitions!

* Example with 8gb SD-Card: 3,85 GB partition 1, 3,85 GB partition 2, remaining space partition 3.

** ... EXT4 is recommended (more secure and reliable, journaling FS), EXT2 is faster

** ... if you got a class 8 SD-Card you should use EXT4, on slower cards EXT2 might be

** ... the less annoying choice -> flash the correct images according to filesystem!!

Step 2: Flashing trenano-recovery.img:

Put phone into fastboot mode (shutdown and start by pressing power+lower-volume):

fastboot flash recovery trenano-recovery.img

Step 3: Flashing nano-boot.img and nano-system.img:

fastboot flash boot nano-boot.img

fastboot -w erase system [if flashing without won't give proper booting system]

fastboot flash system nano-system.img

fastboot continue

NOTE 001:

you should use atleast a class 6 SD-Card for DC2SD, class 8 recommended. The 7cG2 supports Class 10 SD-Cards aswell.

NOTE 002:

after flash it might take up to 2 - 3 minutes for your device to be fully initialized for the FIRST start - have no fear if it does not seem to do anything - just relax and wait. (you can see what it does using 'adb logcat' - if you doubt it does anything)

NOTE 003:

when using DC2SD use internal storage, when installing applications NOT sdcard - obviously internal storage is partition 2 on the SD-Card then!

Advantages of /data and /cache on SD-Card:

- more space

- much easier backup (just put SD in PC and copy away)

- accidently wiping userdata won't have effect

- it's pure awesome

Disadvantages of /data and /cache on SD-Card:

- startup takes longer (depends on amount of apps installed)

- running an app the first time takes a bit longer (also depends on SD-Card speed)

That's it!

GETTING OFFICIAL ANDROID MARKET TO WORK

Go to Settings > Accounts & Sync

enable both options for backgrounddata
add account
open market and accept TOS

That's all - enjoy your Android Market on 7cG2.

HINT 001:

If you have a lot of images on the SD-Card, gallery3d is awwwfully slow in creating it's caches. I'd recommend "Just Pictures" from the market. Not as fancy, but much faster and also displays many images in better quality when double-tap for full-size.

HINT 002:

For those without credit-card, you might check the apps-center from http://www.androidpit.de - you pre-pay using paypal and then you can simply buy an app. Though they don't have all apps available, but a special offer each week.

Suggestions/Comments/Thanks welcome

Have Fun!

The following users say thank you to setialpha for this useful post:

harrydirty12, spytheice, macola.hr, pedrosol, drkult, boznik, wendyjake, morpheus972

setialpha

Nürnberg, Germany

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2012/01/26 - 19:59

IMPORTANT

If you downloaded my nano-boot.img and nano-system.img BEFORE this post (20:05 UTC +0100), do the following:

connect to adb via 'adb shell' and run the following command:

rm -rf /data/appsmarket/

then re-flash both nano-boot.img and nano-system.img in order to have the upcoming ArcTools release working properly!

admin

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2012/01/26 - 22:02

That's a nice custom firmware setialpha, cool new Android look Wink

This firmware is made to work together with ArcTools 0.61 or later, that you will find on Appslib in few hour or you can download here right now: http://www.arctablet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/com.arctablet.arctools.apk

For those who want to test Android Market install thru Arctools, there are still some issues that we are trying to fix.

If you like our web site, applications and firmwares, feel free to support our site. Donations are used to pay the bills for our server hosting costs, development tools and purchase new tablets to support.

jameslewisuk

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2012/01/26 - 22:17

For those who want to test Android Market install thru Arctools, there are still some issues that we are trying to fix.

Excellent news! Which option should we select to download and install on Arctools? Default, root? rootless?

handsomejackuk

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2012/01/26 - 22:19

thanks for this, will try when i get a bit more confidence in using the tablet, and fast boot method... look forward to trying out some of you img's.... Smile

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2012/01/26 - 22:39

jameslewisuk said

For those who want to test Android Market install thru Arctools, there are still some issues that we are trying to fix.

Excellent news! Which option should we select to download and install on Arctools? Default, root? rootless?

The default package (first in the list) should be selected. It will install the Android Market, but current issue that the Market does not start properly. We are having a close look on the problem.

jameslewisuk

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2012/01/26 - 23:00

I've installed the ROM and having a go 🙂

Have you managed to get it to add the google account to the device successfully?

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2012/01/26 - 23:03

Not yet, the registration process stops when the account is added, says it can't establish a reliable connection. It's currently under investigation...

jameslewisuk

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2012/01/26 - 23:31

Same problem here, I've always had this problem even trying to install google apps manually on the original firmware.

I can't understand why it never manages to connect to add an account on this device!

finless

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2012/01/26 - 23:52

Not to rain on anyones parade here. But you do realize that by building in these apps even though they maybe free from the Market is a copyright violation in some cases? For instance I have read the GO Launcher EULA and you are violating it by building it into the ROM.

So just a word of caution. Maybe no one will care but if someone does it could mean some trouble. Even sharing links to download from another location, Admin could get take down notices.

I deal with this stuff all the time in my real job even with Freeware like GPL it can be a problem.

So again not to scare anyone I am just telling you to think about it first.

Bob

setialpha

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2012/01/27 - 06:34

where did you find the EULA for GO-EX?

I read the on from Dolphin that states distribution to permitted persions (read: ordinary users) IS allowed.

But I couldn't find the one for GO-EX. Except you mean that cryptic 3g.net.cn homepage.

Well I just asked teh GO-EX team via Mail, let's wait and see.

finless

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2012/01/27 - 07:42

The EULA was presented when you download GO for the first time. So you know I work with this stuff all the time and the EULA is basically saying you cannot distribute unless you have express permission to do so.

Also all the stuff your adding. Just do yourself a favor and check the EULAs.

Just because it is free in the APP Market does not mean you have the rights to distribute. So pay attention to that part. They want to keep someone from making a profit by distribution. The shear fact that arctablet "could" be making a profit by having links to a ROM with those apps, "could" be violating the EULA. Remember this....
I say "could" because much of this Tablet and sharing of apps may be below the "line" of worry. It's not like this is some big money making corporation! But you never know when they could call in a lawyer claiming lost revenue due to operations of distribution. This is ONE of the issues why Megauploads got shut down! Remember Megauploads was a distributor of content NOT the violator of use! Make sense?

I have corporate lawyers that help me with this stuff in my real job. Interpreting the EULA requires someone very experienced with this kind of stuff. Only thing I will state is watch out for terms talking about distribution!

Look... free software is rarely really free! There is always some avenue of revenue. Be it clicks, downloads, or whatever. I mean think about it. Why would you spend a bunch of developers time creating such a wonderful app like GO Launcher if there was no way to recover costs by some form of revenue? The world does not work that way. The GO team is for sure making payback on thier time in some way shape or form.

FYI... I bet the GO launcher team says NO to baking it in ROMs... They need the advertisement AND CLICK TIME, etc, and everything else that goes with downloads and hits on Google Market! So my guess is you will be told no. I could be wrong and so no big deal.... But it will be interesting to hear the outcome.

Bob

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2012/01/27 - 08:52

Thanks finless for pointing up this licensing issue.

I totally agree with the idea that custom firmwares should conform to the all the license for included software.

I hope Go-Ex will give setialpha a go or the software will need to be removed.

setialpha

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2012/01/27 - 10:41

Normally I check before I do that, just as I did with Dolphin & Co.

Somehow I forgot to check ES File Explorer and GO EX.

I'll wait for the E-Mails and then we'll see.

jameslewisuk

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2012/01/27 - 11:56

I think it would be better to work on a more stock version of the rom with everything working, rooted and about to have Arctools to be able to have a working market, like the finless rom that was created for the 10 G2.

That way there's no issue with licensing issues, and users can download and customise their devices with applications from the market rather than having pre-installed apps which might not be the ones they would want/use.

The main issue I see at the moment with the device is that no one has got Market working yet, once this is done, all the apps become easily available and the rom won't need apps cooked in to it?

Just my 2p's worth!