[Defy General] royale1223:
​

This FAQ is intented for new users who are learning to use ROMs, SBFs and Multiboot.

Kernels, what the hell are they?

What is kernel?

Kernel is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. The kernel's responsibilities include managing the system's resources (the communication between hardware and software components). All Android phones use the Linux Kernel.

What kernels do we have for Defy?

Motorola Defy/Defy plus currently have two kernels. Both of them are modified Linux Kernel 2.6.32 and both of them were made by Motorola.

What are Defy and DefyPlus kernels?

DefyPlus kernel was made by Motorola for the Gingerbread firmwares(2.3.x), mainly for the Defy Plus phone, Defy don't have an official GB update. Defy kernel was made for Froyo firmwares(2.2.x).

What are the other names for Defy kernel?

CM7 kernel, Froyo kernel, 2.2 kernel etc.

What are the other names for DefyPlus kernel?

CM9 kernel, GB/GingerBeard kernel, 2.3 kernel etc.

Why don't you use these other notations?

Because they are all flawed and don't distinguish properly between the two kernels. For eg. CM9 currently have two types of builds, one made by epsilon3 for DefyPlus kernel and the one made by Quarx2k for Defy kernel. In case of the Froyo/GB notation, a new user may think that all GB ROMs (CM7, MIUI etc.) uses GB kernel, which is not true. Hence the new less confusing nomenclature for the kernels.

What are the differences?

Many, one being the support for Green lens camera.

How can I get these kernels?

Download DefyPlus kernel here and Defy kernel here.

How do I install these?

From CWM recovery.

What is CWM recovery?

ClockWorkMod recovery is a custom recovery for Android instead of the stock android recovery with many added features (eg. Nandroid backups.). In most other phones its installed in your phones recovery partition. However that's not possible in Defy because the recovery partition is locked. But still our dev's have managed to load it via 2nd init bootmenu.

What is 2nd init bootmenu?

It is basically a technique to bypass the locked recovery and bootloader. 2nd init loads after the Defy bootloader is loaded but it loads befor the Android system loads. Thus enabling us to create Nandroid backups etc.

How do I install the 2nd init bootmenu?

You can find it in here.

Kernels and ROMs and SBFs (or Kernel compatibility).

What is kernel incompatibility?

This means you have flashed a wrong kernel for the ROM that you intent to use.

What is it's symptom?

Phone usually gets stuck in the splash image (the red moto logo).

How do I avoid this?

Always research and find out what kernel is the a ROM using before installing it. Especially while flashing nightlies.

How do I fix it?

You can fix it from CWM by flashing the correct kernel. If you don't have a working CWM, flash your sbf file via RSDlite.

What ROMs are compatible with the Defy kernel?

CM9 Defy by epsylon3, CM7, CM7.1, CM7.1.5 RC, CM7.2 nigthles for Defy, MIUI, WIUI and much more, I haven't added those because I haven't tested those.

What ROMs are compatible with the DefyPlus kernel?

CM9 DefyPlus by Quarx, CM7.2 nightlies DefyPlus .

What SBFs are compatible/coming with the Defy kernel?

All Froyo/Defy 2.2.x SBFs.

What SBFs are compatible/coming with the DefyPlus kernel?

All GingerBerard/DefyPlus 2.3.x SBFs.

Is there a list of all ROMs/SBFs? If so where can I find it?

Yes. It's right here and here.

Multiboot and Kernel compatibility

What is multiboot?

Its the state of having two bootable ROMs (2nd init and 2nd boot) in your Defy. You can select the OS to boot from 2nd init boot-loader. More details here.

Where is the 2nd init ROM installed?

In your NAND.

Where is the 2nd boot ROM installed?

In /mnt/sdcard/fsimages .

What is NAND?

NAND is your phone's flash memory/ internal memory (1.3GB Defy, 2GB DefyPlus).

What is the significance of kernel compatibility in Multiboot?

You can only use one kernel for both ROM. So the ROMs that you are using should be compatable with the same kernel. This is ROM compatibility.

What ROMs are compatible?

All Defy/Froyo ROMs/SBFs are compatible with each other. Similarly all DefyPlus/GingerBeard ROMs/SBFs are compatible with each other.

Can I multiboot an SBF and a Custom ROM?

Sure you can. You can have the SBF as 2nd init and ROM as 2nd boot.

Can I have an SBF as 2nd boot?

No, you cant. But you can have an Nandroid backup of an SBF as 2nd boot.

Can't I just install a new kernel for the other OS in case of incompatibility?

Well, you cant.

I'm using a Defy and I have flashed/upgraded 2.3.x GingerBeard/DefyPlus SBF. Can I flash a Defy kernelvia CWM?

You cant.

Why not?

Defy has a locked bootloader. You have blown an efuse that won't permit you to downgrade to that kernel.

I'm using a GingerBeard/Defy kernel/sbf. Will I burn an efuse if I flash the DefyPlus kernel via CWM?

No, you wont. Efuses blow when you upgrade your firmware via RSDlite. CWM can't blow efuses.

Is all this safe?

No, it's not safe. You are doing this at your own risk.

Will I void my warranty?

No, not if you are using CWM. You can always revert to the stock SBF using RSDlite.

What is my stock SBF?

It is the SBF that Motorola/Your Provider have made for your area/country. It's device/country/provider specific. Look for it in the SBF thread.

Can I kiss you?

Well, only if you are a girl. :D If you are a guy you can always click on that thanks button.

[YOUTUBE]1xSIEx7kiXU[/YOUTUBE]

How to use CWM?

[YOUTUBE]1zvFMQuRqCg[/YOUTUBE]

Using RSDlite.​

Note : The Eclair kernel (for Android 2.1.x) was intentionally left out to make the FAQ less confusing.