Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Mac OSX Mountain Lion kills fastboot : « ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be) »

After upgrading to Mac OSX Mountain Lion (10.8), the fastboot command does not work anymore, making it impossible to flash custom roms from OSX Mountain Lion.

Here is an extract of what happens when trying to use the fastboot command from OSX Mountain Lion command shell :

droid $ fastboot erase cache
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
< waiting for device >
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)
ERROR: Unable to create a plug-in (e00002be)

^C
droid $
The workaround I've found so far is using the fastboot command from previous versions of Mac OSX : Lion (10.7.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x).

Friday, May 18, 2012

HTC One X (GSM - Tegra 3) : detailed instructions to flash "[18-05] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed | 008" step by step

Time to give my HTC One X (HOX) a "true" AOSP-based Android experience, so I decided to install the TripNDroid custom stock ROM [18-05] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed | 008 (look for the most up to date version on HTC One X with Tegra 3 - OneX.MoDaCo.com).

As usual, use it at your own risks as you may brick your device.



IMPORTANT : if something goes wrong ...
Head to the When something goes wrong section at the end of the F - Finalize the CyanogenMod flashing section



Prerequisites

This ROM is suitable only for the international HTC One X model (GSM - Tegra 3).

The [18-05] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed | 008 is still in alpha, not even in beta, so be sure you accept that some functions don't work properly !!!

You also have to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery. (small lexicon)

Head to HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root for detailed, step by step, instructions and follow the instructions for A - Unlock the bootloader and B - Install a custom recovery.


A - Preparation

1) Download the file cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip on your computer from [18-05] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed | 008 (the link is near the end of the post #1, between "Download" and "Donations"). Put the downloaded file in the folder droid/ along with the fastboot command.

2) Unzip the file cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip in the folder cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008/ and move the file boot.img in the same folder as the cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip. (Why should I manually flash the boot image ?)

3) Download the latest Google apps's file (gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip) on your computer from gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip. Put it in the folder droid/ along with the fastboot command.

4) Check the MD5 checksum for the Google Apps file gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip by opening a command shell and entering the command

droid $ md5 gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip
MD5 (gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip) =
7c524e1e078164f681e0aa6753180b2c
droid $
Check the red part with the one provided in gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip download page (MD5sum: 7c524e1e078164f681e0aa6753180b2c).

5) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.

6) Push the CM9 ROM cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip file at the root of the SDcard (/mnt/sdcard/).
You can do it by mounting the HTC One X as a USB device, and use your computer's file manager (Windows Manager or Finder) to copy the .zip file to the HTC One X
OR
you can use the adb push command from the command shell :

droid $ adb push cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip /mnt/sdcard/
730 KB/s (150106390 bytes in 200.604s)
droid $

7) Push the Google apps gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip file at the root of the SDcard (/mnt/sdcard/) like you did it in 6).

8) Wait for 30 seconds then power off the HTC One X


B - Make a backup of your existing ROM using the custom recovery

9) Unplug the HTC One X from the USB cable.

10) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

11) Choose the RECOVERY item (the 2nd one) using Volume-Down button. Then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

12) Touch the "backup and restore" item.
The "Nandroid" screen appears.
The "backup" item is highlighted in blue.

13) Touch the "backup" item
The screen changes and the backup begins : boot image, recovery image, system, data, .android-secure, cache, sd-ext.
A md5 sum is automatically generated.
A "backup complete" message appears and the menu reappears.

14) Touch the "reboot system now" item to reboot your HTC One X.


C - Flash the boot.img

15) Power off the HTC One X. Ensure the HTC One X is not plug on the USB cable.

16) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.

17) Select the FASTBOOT item (highlight using Volume-Up / Volume-Down button) then press the Power button.
FASTBOOT should now be highlighted in red.

18) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.
FASTBOOT should become FASTBOOT USB still highlighted in red.

19) Flash the boot.img (Why should I manually flash the boot image ?) from the command prompt used in step 4), by entering the command

droid $ fastboot flash boot boot.img
sending 'boot' (4286 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.666s]
writing 'boot'...
(bootloader) Format partition LNX done
OKAY [ 0.495s]
finished. total time: 1.161s
droid $

20) Power off the HTC One X using the Volume-Down button 3 times to select POWER DOWN. Then press the Power button.


D - Flash the CyanogenMod ROM

21) Unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

22) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure the battery is fully charged !!

23) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

24) Do some cleanup by touching the "wipe data/factory reset" item — which formats /data, /cache, /sd-ext, /sdcard/.android_secure .

OPTIONALLY : The "wipe data/factory reset" should be enough but if you want to be absolutely sure there's nothing left, you can continue the clean-up by touching the "wipe cache partition" item — which formats /cache — then touching the "mounts and storage". A new menu "Mounts and Storage Menu" appears. Touch the "format /data" item — which formats /data then go back to the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" screen.

Many thanks to Nightranger73 for his help on the "wipe data/factory reset" issue.

25) Touch the 2nd item "install zip from sdcard"
The screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card" appears with the item "choose zip from sdcard" highlighted in blue.

26) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard" (1st item, already highlighted)
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.

27) Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) until you see the file cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip (at the end of the list). Then touch it.
A new list appears

28) A new list appears with a lot of "No" and the item "Yes - Install cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip" in the middle. Touch the "Yes - Install cm_endeavoru-ota-eng.noeri_008.zip" item.
The installation begins and a log is displayed at the bottom the screen.
When the installation ends, you're back on the screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".


E - Flash the Google Apps (optional)

29) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard" (1st item, already highlighted) like you already did at step 26)
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.

30) Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) until you see the file gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip (at the end of the list). Then touch it.
A new list appears

31) A new list appears with a lot of "No" and the item "Yes - Install gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip" in the middle. Touch the "Yes - Install gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip" item.
The installation begins and a log is displayed at the bottom the screen.
When the installation ends, you're back on the screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".


F - Finalize CyanogenMod flashing

32) Touch the last item "++++Go Back++++"
You're now back on the screen "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1"
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

33) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.
The "HTC quietly brilliant" screen appears briefly.
Then the CyanogenMod 9 screen appears.
The update is rather quick, and you'll soon see the ICS screen.
A message box "Android is upgrading ..." may appear with the message "Optimizing application nn of nn"

If you're stuck for more than 5 minutes on the CyanogenMod startup screen, then something is going wrong !!...


When something goes wrong ...
Here are some places to find help :

Parameter Android

As all your data — accounts, parameters, applications, ... — have been wiped during the [18-05] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed | 008 installation process, you'll have to parameter again all the applications, accounts, ...


BUT YOU'VE NOT FINISHED !!



G - Reactivate the custom recovery [IMPORTANT]

34) Unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

35) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

36) Select the FASTBOOT item (highlight using Volume-Up / Volume-Down button) then press the Power button.
FASTBOOT should now be highlighted in red.

37) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.
FASTBOOT should become FASTBOOT USB still highlighted in red.

38) Erase the cache from the command prompt used in step 5), by entering the command

droid $ fastboot erase cache
erasing 'cache'...
OKAY [ 0.086s]
finished. total time: 0.086s
droid $

39) Power off the HTC One X using the Volume-Down button 3 times to select POWER DOWN. Then press the Power button.


H - Ensure the custom recovery is reactivated

40) Unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

41) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

42) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

If the HTC One X does not enter the recovery mode, but briefly displays a black screen then started Android the normal way, you'll have to start again the recovery reactivation process from step 34)

If you want to make a backup recovery of your HOX right now, follow the instructions from steps 12) and 13)

43) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.


Enjoy :-)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

HTC One X : detailed instructions to install the "Ir1 1.29.401.7 - HTC One X (Tegra 3) Stock ROM DUO [Deodexed-Updated-Optimised]" step by step

As the 1.29.401.7 OTA failed due to custom recovery - failed to verify whole-file signature, I decided to install the Modaco custom stock ROM DUO Ir1 1.29.401.7 - HTC One X (Tegra 3) Stock ROM DUO [Deodexed-Updated-Optimised] (direct link on Modaco).

As usual, use it at your own risks as you may brick your device.


Prerequisites

This ROM is suitable only for the international HTC One X model (GSM - Tegra 3).

You also have to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery. (small lexicon)

Head to HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root for detailed, step by step, instructions and follow the instructions for A - Unlock the bootloader and B - Install a custom recovery.


Preparation

1) Download the file Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip on your computer from Ir1 1.29.401.7 - HTC One X (Tegra 3) Stock ROM DUO [Deodexed-Updated-Optimised]. Put the downloaded file in the folder droid/ along with the fastboot command.

2) Check the MD5 checksum of the Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip file you've just downloaded by opening a command shell and entering the command

droid $ md5 Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip
MD5 (Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip) = cf763aedeb6699219f53e8cdbb58109d
droid $
Check the red part with the one provided in Ir1 1.29.401.7 - HTC One X (Tegra 3) Stock ROM DUO [Deodexed-Updated-Optimised] (MD5: cf763aedeb6699219f53e8cdbb58109d) .

3) Unzip the file Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip in the folder Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor/ and move the file boot.img in the same folder as the Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip. (Why should I manually flash the boot image ?)

4) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.

5) Push the Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip file at the root of the SDcard (/mnt/sdcard/).
You can do it by mounting the HTC One X as a USB device, and use your computer's file manager to copy the .zip file to the HTC One X
OR
you can use the adb push command from the command shell :

droid $ adb push Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip /mnt/sdcard/
1280 KB/s (579827689 bytes in 442.067s)
droid $

6) Wait for 15 seconds then power off the HTC One X


Make a backup of your existing ROM using the custom recovery

7) Unplug the HTC One X from the USB cable.

8) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

9) Choose the RECOVERY item (the 2nd one) using Volume-Down button. Then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

10) Touch the "backup and restore" item.
The "Nandroid" screen appears.
The "backup" item is highlighted in blue.

11) Touch the "backup" item
The screen changes and the backup begins : boot image, recovery image, system, data, .android-secure, cache, sd-ext.
A md5 sum is automatically generated.
A "backup complete" message appears and the menu reappears.

12) Touch the "reboot system now" item to reboot your HTC One X.


Flash the boot.img

13) Power off the HTC One X

14) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.

15) Select the FASTBOOT item (highlight using Volume-Up / Volume-Down button) then press the Power button.
FASTBOOT should now be highlighted in red.

16) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.
FASTBOOT should become FASTBOOT USB still highlighted in red.

17) Flash the boot.img (Why should I manually flash the boot image ?) from the command prompt used in step 5), by entering the command

droid $ fastboot flash boot boot.img
sending 'boot' (4292 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.670s]
writing 'boot'...
(bootloader) Format partition LNX done
OKAY [ 0.497s]
finished. total time: 1.167s
droid $

18) Power off the HTC One X using the Volume-Down button 3 times to select POWER DOWN. Then press the Power button.


Flash the ROM

19) Unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

20) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.

21) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

22) Touch the 2nd item "install zip from sdcard"
The screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card" appears with the item "choose zip from sdcard" highlighted in blue.

23) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard"
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.

24) Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) until you see the file Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip (at the end of the list). Then touch it.
A new list appears

25) A new list appears with a lot of "No" and the item "Yes - Install Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip" in the middle. Touch the "Yes - Ir1-1.29.401.7-DUO-endeavor.zip" item.
The installation begins and a log is displayed at the bottom the screen.
When the installation ends, you're back on the screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".

26) Touch the last item "++++Go Back++++"
You're now back on the screen "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1"
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

27) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.
A dialog box "Android is upgrading ..." appears with the message "Optimizing application nn of nn"

As the Ir1 1.29.401.7 is a stock ROM, it is not needed to parameter again all the applications, accounts, ... Everything is saved.

Enjoy :-)

HTC One X international (GSM - Tegra3) : 1.29.401.7 OTA failed due to custom recovery - failed to verify whole-file signature

My HTC One X is an international model (GSM - Tegra 3) with a 1.28.401.9 ROM (Software Number). The stock recovery has been replaced with the Official Clockworkmod Touch Recovery 5.8.3.1.

The new 1.29.401.7 OTA upgrade (OTA_ENDEAVOR_U_ICS_40_HTC_Europe_1.29.401.7-1.28.401.9_release) failed with the following error message :
E: failed to verify whole-file signature
E: signature verification failed
Installation aborted

This error message has already been reported on 1.28.401.9 OTA in the thread 1.28.401.9 OTA problem with unlock/root?.

The error diagnosis is in broncogr's post :

You need stock recovery to apply OTA...
You dont flash it yourself from recovery!!!
The update program does that

The instructions to flash stock recovery in order for the upgrade to work were given in the posts by amacrobie and Squidinker, and merged here :
  • 1. Download the OTA using the handset : go to Settings -> About -> Software Updates -> Check now
  • 2. Flash stock recovery
    • Download the stock recovery http://loadbalancing.modaco.com/download.php?file=endeavoru_recovery_signed.img (or download it from the link in the CWM thread iirc)
    • Put the file endeavoru_recovery_signed.img in the same place as the fastboot you used to change the bootloader the first time
    • Reboot the phone into Fastboot by holding down the vol-down and power switch. Keep holding it until you have the boot menu and can select Fastboot.
    • Then connect the phone by usb to your desktop.
    • Open a command shell (or a Command prompt on Windows)
    • Navigate to the folder with fastboot and type the following :
      fastboot flash recovery endeavoru_recovery_signed.img
  • 3. Reboot
  • 4. Go to Settings -> About -> Software Updates -> Check now
    Assuming you already downloaded it, you'll be prompted to install it
  • 5. The OTA update reboots twice

From then you can re-flash the custom recovery, and the re-root : everything is detailed in HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root

But it didn't work in my case : the OTA upgrade still continues to fail during the install. That's why I decided to flash the Modaco custom stock ROM DUO Ir1 1.29.401.7 - HTC One X (Tegra 3) Stock ROM DUO [Deodexed-Updated-Optimised]

Saturday, May 12, 2012

HTC One X (GSM - Tegra 3) : flashing [MOD|1.26|1.28|1.29] Disable the annoying ICS 3-dot Menu | Aroma **May-05** - detailed

How I flashed the [MOD|1.26|1.28|1.29] Disable the annoying ICS 3-dot Menu | Aroma **May-05** (from blubbers) step by step.

I did it on an international HTC One X model (GSM and Tegra 3) with stock rom 1.28.401.9. I don't know if it works on other HTC One X versions, non GSM or non Tegra 3. So do it at your own risks.

1) Download the file from the link provided at the end of the #1 post [MOD|1.26|1.28|1.29] Disable the annoying ICS 3-dot Menu | Aroma **May-05**

2) It is wise to make a backup of your ROM. Detailed instructions can be found in HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root at steps B.10) to B.14) of the B - Install a custom recovery section.
It also means that before any attempt to flash any MOD, you should install a custom recovery and make a backup of your stock ROM.



The step by step instructions are pretty much the same as the ones for installing the HTC One X (GSM - Tegra 3) : flashing [MOD] Lower Autobrightness values - battery saver - detailed.

3) Plug your HTC One X on USB

4) Put the aroma_3dot-remover-v1.2.1.zip file at the root of your HTC One X sdcard (into the folder /sdcard). There are different ways to do it. I rather like to use the adb push command

droid $ adb push aroma_3dot-remover-v1.2.1.zip /mnt/sdcard/
795 KB/s (3311393 bytes in 4.067s)
droid $ adb shell
shell@android:/ $ ls -l /mnt/sdcard/aroma*
----rwxr-x system sdcard_rw 3311393 2012-05-12 08:37 aroma_3dot-remover-v1.2.1.zip
shell@android:/ $ exit

droid $


5) Wait 5 seconds then unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

6) Power off the HTC One X

7) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

8) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

9) Touch the 2nd item "install zip from sdcard"
The screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card" appears with the item "choose zip from sdcard" highlighted in blue.

10) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard"
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.

11) Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) until you see the file aroma_3dot-remover-v1.2.1.zip (at the end of the list). Then touch it.
A new list appears

12) A new list appears with a lot of "No" and the item "Yes - Install aroma_3dot-remover-v1.2.1.zip" in the middle. Touch the "Yes - aroma_3dot-remover-v1.2.1.zip" item.
The installation begins and a log is displayed at the bottom the screen.

13) A white screen "Welcome" appears with instructions. Press the "Next >" green button at the bottom of the screen.

14) The "ChangeLog" screen is displayed. Press the "Next >" green button at the bottom of the screen.

15) The "Installation type" screen is displayed with multiple-choices radio buttons. On this screen, you have to chose
  • your ROM version : among 1.26, 1.28, 1.29
  • the behavior for the Menu : among STOCK (standard behavior), long press on HOME button, long press on RECENT TASKS button
Make your choice then press the "Next >" green button at the bottom of the screen.

16) The "Ready to install" screen is displayed. Press the "Install Now" green button at the bottom of the screen. The installation begins.

17) The "Installing" screen appears with a status "The installation wizard has successfully installed ..." at the top of the screen. Press the "Next >" green button at the bottom of the screen.

18) You're back on the recovery's screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".

19) Touch the last item "++++Go Back++++"
You're now back on the screen "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1"
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

20) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.
A dialog box "Android is upgrading ..." appears with the message "Optimizing application nn of nn"

21) There's an error report notification. I choose to ignore it.

The new MENU behavior should now be active.

Enjoy ;-)

HTC One X (GSM - Tegra 3) : flashing [MOD] Lower Autobrightness values - battery saver - detailed

How I flashed the [MOD] Lower Autobrighntess values - battery saver (from j4n87) step by step.

I did it on an international HTC One X model (GSM and Tegra 3). I don't know if it works on other HTC One X versions, non GSM or non Tegra 3. So do it at your own risks.

1) Download the file from the link provided at the end of the #1 post [MOD] Lower Autobrighntess values - battery saver

2) It is wise to make a backup of your ROM. Detailed instructions can be found in HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root at steps B.10) to B.14) of the B - Install a custom recovery section.
It also means that before any attempt to flash any MOD, you should install a custom recovery and make a backup of your stock ROM.


The step by step instructions are pretty much the same as the ones for installing SuperSU (root) in the C - Root the HTC One X section of HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root.

3) Plug your HTC One X on USB

4) Put the Dim_autobrighntess_final.zip file at the root of your HTC One X sdcard (into the folder /sdcard). There are different ways to do it. I rather like to use the adb push command

droid $ adb push Dim_autobrighntess_final.zip /mnt/sdcard/
758 KB/s (10515491 bytes in 13.537s)
droid $ adb shell
shell@android:/ $ cd /mnt/sdcard
shell@android:/mnt/sdcard $ ls -l Dim*
----rwxr-x system sdcard_rw 10515491 2012-05-12 06:39 Dim_autobrighntess_final.zip
shell@android:/mnt/sdcard $ exit

droid $


5) Wait 5 seconds then unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

6) Power off the HTC One X

7) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

8) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

9) Touch the 2nd item "install zip from sdcard"
The screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card" appears with the item "choose zip from sdcard" highlighted in blue.

10) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard"
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.

11) Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) until you see the file Dim_autobrighntess_final.zip (at the end of the list). Then touch it.
A new list appears

12) A new list appears with a lot of "No" and the item "Yes - Install Dim_autobrighntess_final.zip" in the middle. Touch the "Yes - Install Dim_autobrighntess_final.zip" item.
The installation begins and a log is displayed at the bottom the screen.
When the installation ends, you're back on the screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".

13) Touch the last item "++++Go Back++++"
You're now back on the screen "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1"
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

14) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.
A dialog box "Android is upgrading ..." appears with the message "Optimizing application nn of nn"

The new auto-brightness settings are now active.
Enjoy ;-)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

HTC One X (GSM) : detailed instructions to unlock bootloader, install custom recovery and root

This only applies to the international (GSM) HTC One X model (the one with a Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset).


A - Unlock the bootloader
First of all, you have to unlock the bootloader as explained in HTC One X : HTCdev provides a process to unlock the bootloader. Although the HTCdev - Unlock Bootloader dedicated site provides very clear instructions, some may rather like to follow the detailed step by step instructions provided by [Tut] Preparing Your One X for Custom Roms (For Dummies).


B - Install a custom recovery

The second step is to install a custom recovery. I followed the detailed step by step instructions from [Tut] Preparing Your One X for Custom Roms (For Dummies)

B.1) Download the recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img from MANDATORY UPDATE 26/4 Official Clockworkmod Touch Recovery 5.8.3.1 Charging Fixed!!!. The link directs to the touch version of the custom recovery. A non-touch version of the custom recovery is available at ROM Manager - ROMs and Recovery Images.

B.2) Put the recovery image you've just downloaded into the same directory as the fastboot executable.

B.3) Check the MD5 checksum of the recovery image you've just downloaded. Open a command prompt and enter the command :

droid $ md5 recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img
MD5 (recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img) = 6adc7248475c61cc5eb2ec951d3d0df0
droid $


Check the red part with the one provided with the recovery image.

B.4) Power off the HTC One X

B.5) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

B.6) Select the FASTBOOT item (highlight using Volume-Up / Volume-Down button) the press the Power button.
FASTBOOT should now be highlighted in red.

B.7) Plug the HTC One X on the USB cable.
FASTBOOT should become FASTBOOT USB still highlighted in red.

B.8) From the command prompt you used in step B.3), enter the command

droid $ fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.3.1-endeavoru.img
sending 'recovery' (5732 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.885s]
writing 'recovery'...
(bootloader) Format partition SOS done
OKAY [ 0.556s]
finished. total time: 1.441s
droid $


B.9) Power off the HTC One X using the Volume-Down button 3 times to select POWER DOWN. Then press the Power button.

B.10) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
The FASTBOOT item should be highlighted in blue.

B.11) Choose the RECOVERY item (the 2nd one) using Volume-Down button. Then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

B.12) Touch the "backup and restore" item.
The "Nandroid" screen appears.
The "backup" item is highlighted in blue.

B.13) Touch the "backup" item
The screen changes and the backup begins : boot image, recovery image, system, data, .android-secure, cache, sd-ext.
A md5 sum is automatically generated.
A "backup complete" message appears and the menu reappears.

B.14) Touch the "reboot system now" item to reboot your HTC One X.

The custom recovery is installed and you now have a backup from which you can recover if things goes wrong later.


C - Root the HTC One X

The third step is to root the HTC One X.
I followed the instructions from Installing a custom recovery which also explains how to install the [07.05.2012] SuperSU v0.89.

C.1) Download the SuperSU application (file CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip) which is attached in the [07.05.2012] SuperSU v0.89.

C.2) Put the SuperSU application (file CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip) at the root of your HTC One X sdcard (into the folder /sdcard). There are different ways to do it. I rather like to use the adb push command

droid $ adb push CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip /sdcard/CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip
786 KB/s (569873 bytes in 0.707s)
droid $ adb shell
shell@android:/ $ ls -l /sdcard/CW*
----rwxr-x system sdcard_rw 569873 2012-05-08 20:58 CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip
shell@android:/ $ exit
droid $


C.3) Unplug the USB cable from the HTC One X

C.4) Power off the HTC One X

C.5) Power on the HTC One X in bootloader mode by holding Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.
FASTBOOT should be highlighted in blue.
Before doing this, you should ensure your phone has at least 50% battery !!

C.6) Select RECOVERY using the Volume-Down button, then press the Power button.
The "quietly brilliant" white HTC screen appears briefly.
Then the "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1" black screen appears.
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

C.7) Touch the 2nd item "install zip from sdcard"
The screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card" appears with the item "choose zip from sdcard" highlighted in blue.

C.8) Touch the highlighted item "choose zip from sdcard"
The screen "Choose a zip to apply" appears with a list of files and directories.
Scroll through the files and directories (with your finger) and touch the file CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip.
The screen "Confirm install ?" appears.

C.9) Touch the item "Yes - Install CWM-SuperSU-v0.89.zip"
The installation begins and a log is displayed on the screen.
Then you're back on the screen "Apply update from .zip on SD card".

C.10) Touch the last item "++++Go Back++++"
You're now back on the screen "ClockworkMod Recovery v5.8.3.1"
The "Reboot system now" item is highlighted in blue.

C.11) Touch the "Reboot system now" item.
The HTC One X reboots.

C.12) The SuperSU application appears among the other applications on your HTC One X.
Touch the SuperSU application.

If you like SuperSU and want to support it, maybe would you want to upgrade to the SuperSU Pro.


Important note about the SuperSU rooting application

The following quote comes from SuperSU - Chainfire

The discussion and support thread can be found on XDA-Developers here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1538053

SUPERUSER
This is meant to replace Superuser (if installed), you use either one or the other. You cannot combine them. Statements that this breaks Superuser are therefore completely nonsensical.

NOTICE: A SPECIAL PROCEDURE IS NEEDED FOR UNINSTALLATION. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE APP, DO *NOT* JUST UNINSTALL IT, YOU *WILL* LOSE ROOT.
Superuser access management runs through a so called "su binary". There can be only one of these at a time. So if you install SuperSU, your previous superuser access management solution will no longer operate. So if you want to switch back: (1) Open that application, and search for an option for it to install/update/replace the "su binary". (2) Confirm root-using apps are using the superuser solution you want. (3) Uninstall SuperSU.

Android rooting and custom ROM : small lexicon before rooting HTC One X

What is :
  • hboot : It's the bootloader. It's what decides to boot into recovery or android. (http://androidforums.com/desire-all-things-root/436495-hboot.html#post3386080). HBOOT is the bootloader, the first thing that runs when you boot up your phone. Like your regular Linux bootloader, it lets you boot off of different partitions. (Can someone explain these Android ROM hacking terms: HBOOT/bootloader, radio, recovery image, update.zip, NAND unlocking, RUU?)
  • recovery : In Android, recovery refers to the dedicated, bootable partition that has the recovery console installed. (What is recovery? [Android A to Z])
  • S-OFF & S-ON : In a nutshell, S-OFF means that the NAND portion of the device is unlocked and can be written to. The default setting for HTC’s devices is S-ON, which means that neither can you access certain areas of the system nor can you guarantee a permanent root. Furthermore, signature check for firmware images is also ensured by the S-ON flag. (What Is S-OFF & How To Gain It On HTC Android Phones With unrevoked forever and another one What is S-OFF? Why would I want to do it?)
  • NAND : The phone's internal memory (not the SD card) is solid-state (flash) memory, AKA NAND. It can be partitioned much like a normal hard drive can be partitioned. The bootloader exists in its own partition. Recovery is another partition; radio, system, cache, etc are all partitions.
    [...]
    During the rooting process, a critical piece of the process is disabling a security system built into the bootloader that protects these partitions from accidental (or intentional) modification. This is what's referred to as "unlocking NAND." The security system can be set to active or inactive. S-ON means the security is in place (NAND locked). S-OFF means the security is off (NAND unlocked). When S-OFF, you have the ability to modify all partitions. With S-ON, you only have write access to /cache and /data. Everything else is read-only.(Android partitions, kernels explained)
  • NANDroid & NAND backup : It's a backup and restore tool that allows you to take a full image of all the phone's internal NAND memory (hence the name) and store it on your SD Card. Should something go wrong with the phone's software, you can use the previously saved backup to restore the phone to a working state. (What is the relation between ROM Manager, ClockworkMod and Nandroid? Which one(s) do I need?)
    A Nandroid backup is a backup of your phone that is an exact image of the state of your phone. So you could make an exact copy of your current phone, then do major changes to it, and then restore to your previous backup by flashing the backup back to the phone. Flashing means to copy or to install.... you are essentially wiping the device and restoring a previous state (a backup) or you are flashing a new ROM (which is a custom version of Android). (What do “NAND”, “ROM” and “to flash” mean? [closed])
  • Odexed : In Android file system, applications come in packages with the extension .apk. These application packages, or APKs contain certain .odex files whose supposed function is to save space. These ‘odex’ files are actually collections of parts of an application that are optimized before booting. Doing so speeds up the boot process, as it preloads part of an application. On the other hand, it also makes hacking those applications difficult because a part of the coding has already been extracted to another location before execution. (What does odexed and deodexed mean ?)
  • DeOdexed : Deodexing is basically repackaging of these APKs in a certain way, such that they are reassembled into classes.dex files. By doing that, all pieces of an application package are put together back in one place, thus eliminating the worry of a modified APK conflicting with some separate odexed parts.
    In summary, Deodexed ROMs (or APKs) have all their application packages put back together in one place, allowing for easy modification such as theming. Since no pieces of code are coming from any external location, custom ROMs or APKs are always deodexed to ensure integrity." (What does odexed and deodexed mean ?)

Here are some resources for a more complete introduction :
And what rooting is useful for :

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Toshiba AT200 Excite received an OTA update to 3.2.1.05.5.0009

The Toshiba AT200 Excite received an OTA update a few days ago. The Android version is now 3.2.1.05.5.0009 from 3.2.1.05.5.0003.

It's not clear what kind of changes this update brought as there is no changelog. Furthermore there is no AT200 entry on the Toshiba Support Forum as you can see on the picture below.

What can be said about this upgrade is :
  • Android is still Honeycomb 3.2.1
  • The Android Play (former Android Market) seems to work as it should, I mean like it behaves on all other devices
  • Google Plus now works well. Before the upgrade, it didn't work at all beyond the first screen (Activity in Android terms)
  • It seems the tablet is more stable since the upgrade

Monday, April 30, 2012

HTC One X : early CyanogenMod 9 port by TripNDroid Mobile Engineering

HTC One X can be flashed with a CyanogenMod custom ROM, which will bring an AOSP based ICS (without HTC Sence). As the camera and the wifi hotspot don't work and the mobile data are said to "take a lot of time to correctly connect", I won't give it a try right now. But it's good to know CyanogenMod will finally come to the HTC One X. Head to [29-04] [ROM] CyanogenMod 9 - Endeavor Unleashed for more information and installation instructions. Source : HTC One X gets an early CyanogenMod 9 port on Android Community