[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] invert_nexus:
BlindArtisan,

I've been trying to dig up information on this for quite some time (and, I doubt that I need to elaborate on just how frustrating it can be to cull relevant information from the herd) and I have a strong suspicion that the Galaxy Express doesn't have a recovery partition per se, but, rather, that recovery is buried within the kernel in an initramfs. Which, if I understand correctly, means recompiling the kernel in order to gain custom recovery.

I've seen multiple references to Samsung devices with initramfs not being able to use the usual cwm build guide. However, I'm having great difficulty in finding out exactly how to do it then. That it can be done is obvious. But, all the posts I've found asking about it are either ignored or ridiculed. Perhaps there's a basic piece of information missing. Perhaps I'll be ridiculed next. The great danger in exposing oneself here, it seems.

I've also noticed a tendency for people to be not over-generous with some types of information. Perhaps the "buy me a beer" culture or, perhaps, I'm simply having bad luck with my search queries. But, that's neither here nor there.

As to the recovery issue, I've been trying to focus on other Samsung devices and their successful adventures. Especially those which seem to have been conquered by those finding their way like we are. Unfortunately, it appears that much of the discoveries occur through a mentoring process on irc which doesn't seem to leave a paper trail.

I'm speaking specifically of kemonine96 and his development of the Rugby Pro.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1962575

(I don't think I can post links yet. But searching should yield the relevant threads if not.)

I've also read various other relevant threads over the past two months, but lost track of which was where and am presently going back over old bookmarks trying to catalog them, but keep getting sidetracked with new tangents and finally decided to just go ahead and post what little relevant info I do have so that perhaps you can start looking along the same lines or, perhaps, let me know that I'm on the wrong track.

There's a thread around here somewhere detailing a discovery process about the chip (msm8960?) and other hardware related issues which could possibly come in handy (or perhaps not.) Interesting, if nothing else. I'm thinking the samsung s2 maybe.

Also, an interesting thread on creating an insecure kernel which details construction of the zimage, but, unfortunately, explicitly states that it doesn't even unpack the initramfs tree... doh! I thought that creating an insecure kernel was going to end up being the root method for the express, but ran into the chicken an egg.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1707751

Anyway. I'll work on it as I can.

As to those having difficulties with unlockroot, when you run the program, it tries to sell you the pro version on the large area on the right. The free version is on the left, and smaller, pane. Confusing on purpose, I'm sure.

---------- Post added at 09:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------

Hey. Whaddya know? I can post links. Thought there was a 10 post minimum or some such.

Anyway.

Wha? Jelly bean? Didn't know that. Hope it won't affect root.

As to stock recovery, since we now have an update, shouldn't we be able to download from what is it... sammobile or whatever it is, then use odin to flash?

Strange how everything's happening at once. I know that unlockroot isn't actually new, nut I didn't try it til it was posted in this thread as we weren't a 'supported device,'

Wonder if otarootkeeper will work? Somewhat nervous about losing root after finally getting it.