[Hisense Sero 7 Pro ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Ot] dolorespark:
DoPa v2.7 is a ROM for Sero 7 Pro owners everywhere. Whether bought in the US, Britain, Australia, Germany, or elsewhere, your tablet is supported.

The ROM starts with well-tested AOSP code and adds core functions where needed but skips the frills that are easy to add on - and remove when they cause problems. It's aimed at people who want to choose their own features and not have them imposed by the developer.

New / Improved

International Support - a single ROM for all Sero 7 Pros sold worldwide

New in v2.7 - support for the German model of the Sero 7 Pro (m470bsg)

Speed Control - a unified kernel provides speed when you need it and stock performance when you don't.

Use the new Performance page in the Settings app to control it

exFAT - support has been moved into the kernel for improved performance

Boot Animation - a handsome new DoPa animation thanks to [MENTION=2248375]mikembley[/MENTION], our first-ever UK user

To get you started customizing your ROM, v2.7 offers these add-ons:

built-in: SuperSU, Xposed Installer GravityBox, Phab7

optional: have your tablet claim it's a Nexus7 to get more apps in PlayStore

The package does not include any Google apps (e.g. Playstore). See this thread for links to the latest GApps packages.

Installation

UK / AU / DE / First-time Users

If you're upgrading from a stock ROM (any variety), please click the "show content" button and read the instructions very carefully - they're long but your tablet's continued good health may depend on it!

STEP 1

: Install Philz Touch Recovery

Users outside the US must use this version of Philz to install the ROM - neither the stock recovery nor other versions of CWM or Philz will work. Users in the US should use it just to avoid problems.

Stock Recovery

If you still have the stock recovery program you'll have to use the 'fastboot' program to install Philz. On Windows, this requires installation of the 'ADB' USB drivers while in fastboot mode (see below). A package containing the drivers, fastboot, adb and other files can be found in the 2nd posting on the DoPa Stock ROM thread. Note: there are several batch files (*.bat) in the package - do NOT run them.

put fastboot.exe in a convenient directory, then unzip sero7pro-philz6.58.0-dopa-v2.7.zip and put the file philz.img in the same directory (you won't need the other files)

unplug any USB cable, then press and hold Power+VolumeUp; the word "fastboot" should appear on the screen (nothing further will appear)

plug the USB cable from your PC into the tablet, then install the driver (open Device Manager, right click on "Other Devices->Fastboot", then select "Update Driver Software")

after installing the driver, open a command prompt ("DOS window") and change to the directory containing the files

enter fastboot flash recovery philz.img

when done, force the tablet off, remove the USB cable, then reboot into recovery: Power+VolumeDown - you should see the word "recovery", then the Philz menu

CWM

If you have CWM installed, copy sero7pro-philz6.58.0-dopa-v2.7.zip to an SD card, insert it in the tablet, then:

remove any USB cable, then boot into recovery: Power+VolumeDown

select "Install Zip", then "Choose zip from /storage/sdcard1"

select the file, then OK the selection

when done, back out to the main menu, select "Advanced options", then "Reboot recovery"

after the initial "recovery" screen, you should see the Philz menu

Regardless of how you install Philz, the result should be the same. If it boots OK, compatibility is assured

STEP 2

: Backup

I can't emphasize this enough: you must make a backup of your existing ROM. If something goes wrong, there's no way to get your device working again other than to restore it using the backup you've made. There's also another reason to do a backup: before installing the new ROM, you will have to reformat your /data partition. This will wipe out your apps, your settings, and most importantly, all the music/photos/etc stored on your "internal SDcard". These last items can be restored if you follow the instructions below:

ROM

You must do your backup onto a real SD card that you can remove because your "internal SDcard" will be erased in the next step. In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to do

two

backups (preferably to different cards) just in case one is faulty.

on Philz main menu, select "Backup and Restore"

next, select "Backup to /storage/sdcard1" (the 6th item on that menu)

if there's enough space on the card, the backup will start without any further prompt; it could take anywhere from 3 to 15+ minutes depending on the amount of data and the speed of your card

if needed, you can enable compression to create a smaller backup: select "Misc Nandroid Settings -> Default Backup Format -> tar + gzip", then on the previous menu, tap on "Compression" to set the appropriate level

Internal SD card

This is optional but worthwhile if you have files you value stored on the tablet:

on Philz main menu, select "Backup and Restore"

next, select "Custom Backup to /storage/sdcard1" (the 9th item on that menu)

on the next screen, deselect everything, then select "Backup /data/media" (the next-to-last item)

finally, select "Start Custom Backup Job"

STEP 3

: Install the DoPa ROM

Before you begin, you may want to download a Google Apps ("Gapps") package that you can install after the ROM. See this thread for a selection of packages. To avoid complications, I'd suggest choosing the "Nano Modular Package" to get just the basics - you can always upgrade later. Put your Gapps package along with the ROM zip on an SD card and insert it into the tablet - you can use the same card you're using for your backups.

on Philz main menu, select "Wipe and Format Options", then "Custom Format Options"

select "format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)" (the 8th item), then OK your choice

back on the main menu, select "Install Zip -> Choose zip from /storage/sdcard1"

select sero7pro-aosp444-dopa-v2.7.zip, then OK your choice - the install process should take about 40 seconds

next, install your Gapps package

return to the main menu, select "Reboot System Now", then hold your breath for the next 3-4 minutes :)

the Hisense screen should be up for less than a minute, followed by the DoPa boot animation for another 2-3 minutes

when the Google setup screen appears, you'll probably get a warning that "Bluetooth Sharing" has stopped - after you clear it, you'll never see it again

If the boot animation is still running after 5+ minutes, force the tablet off, then reboot. If that doesn't fix it, try formatting /data again. If it still doesn't work, restore your tablet from your backup ("Backup and Restore -> Restore from /storage/sdcard1"), then post a message here. If everything works out as hoped for, re-read the first posting in this thread for details on some of the features (and problems) of this ROM.

Upgrades

While any SELinux-enabled version of CWM or TWRP can be used to install the ROM, the companion Philz Touch CWM-based recovery is highly recommended if you use exFAT-formatted SD cards.

from DoPa AOSP Kitkat ROMs (v1.0-v2.6) - no need to wipe or format anything!

from pre-Kitkat (v4.4.x) or

any

CM-based ROMs - wipe your /data partition before installing to avoid unnecessary problems.

install sero7pro-aosp444-dopa-v2.7.zip

- the installer will wipe (but NOT format) /cache and dalvik-cache for you

install your preferred Gapps package

- upgraders: this is

required

to prevent your downloaded Google apps from crashing

optionally, install the Nexus7 spoof (sero7pro-nexus7spoof-dopa-v2.7.zip)

reboot (ignore any "fix root" prompt - it's incorrect)

f2fs / ext4 Migration

This DoPa ROM gives you the flexibility to format any of your built-in partitions using either the f2fs or ext4 file systems.

As part of your install - or at any time - you can switch formats without losing any data. Click "show content" for instructions.

If you haven't already installed Philz Touch Recovery, please do so first. Philz has gotten complicated, so read this carefully!

make a nandroid backup to your

external

SD card

select Wipe and Format Options, then Custom Format Options

select toggle f2fs <-> ext4 migration

- be sure there's a confirmation message at the bottom of the screen

select each partition you want to convert or wipe, then select the format and OK your choice

Important: to convert your /data partition, you

must

select format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)!!!

use Custom Restore from /storage/sdcard1 to restore the contents of the partitions you reformatted

Notes

Speed Control - this version uses a redesigned kernel that caps processor speeds at stock levels during start-up, then adjusts them once the tablet is up and running. Go to Settings->Performance to enable this feature, and to set the top speeds for the CPU (1.0-1.5ghz) and GPU (448-520mhz). When disabled,the processor will remain at stock speeds (1.2ghz/448mhz) unless changed by a 3rd-party app.

Encryption - the first time you formatted your /data partition, you lost the ability to encrypt your tablet's data. Using the companion Philz Touch Recovery to reformat /data (using either filesystem) will restore that ability. To preserve your existing data, do a backup first, then restore just /data when done. Note: you

must

select "format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)" when reformatting.

OTG Charging Support - this kernel supports charging the tablet while an external device (flash drive, keyboard, etc.) is attached to the USB port. This feature requires either an OTG 'Y' cable or an OTG USB hub, and the AC adapter that came with the tablet. For this to work, power must be connected to the cable or hub before plugging it into your tablet. The OTG device(s) can be attached/detached at any time.

WiFi Display (a.k.a. Miracast) - video works but its performance may depend upon your TV; audio does not work.

Bluetooth Sharing - on the initial boot, this service will FC due to a timing issue. The system will restart it and you should never see this error again.

Added/Changed in v2.6

International Support - added support to the kernel for the British and Australian models of the Sero 7 Pro

Overclocking - replaced separate standard and overclocked kernels with a unified kernel that uses less power when overclocked; added a new Performance page to the Settings app to control it

exFAT Support - moved exFAT support to the kernel for improved performance

Boot Animation - added a custom boot animation created by [MENTION=2248375]mikembley[/MENTION]

Added/Changed in v2.51

Flexible Formatting - added F2FS support for the /thirdparty and /mnt/modem partitions

Bug Fix - enabled Philz Touch Recovery to format the /thirdparty and /mnt/modem partitions using EXT4

Added/Changed in v2.5

Flexible Formatting - enabled use of either F2FS or EXT4 for any of the built-in partitions

External Storage - added support for F2FS, and for devices formatted without a partition table (i.e. Windows-style "super-floppies")

Android version - upgraded from AOSP 4.4.4_r2 to AOSP 4.4.4_r2.0.1

Recovery - added a DoPa version of Philz Touch Recovery

Added/Changed in v2.1

SD Cards - added support for SD cards formatted with the NTFS or exFAT filesystems

Android version - upgraded from AOSP 4.4.4_r1 to AOSP 4.4.4_r2

Added/Changed in v2.0

Google Now - voice activation (i.e "OK Google") now works in the Google Now launcher

kernel - added OTG charging support.

Credits

ziddey

randomblame

davepmer

the CM team

Downloads

sero7pro-aosp444-dopa-v2.7.zip the full ROM

sero7pro-nexus7spoof-dopa-v2.7.zip identify tablet as a Nexus7 to (possibly) show more apps in PlayStore

sero7pro-philz6.58.0-dopa-v2.7.zip a customized version of Philz Touch CWM-based Recovery v6.58.0

sero7pro-format-thirdparty.zip - only needed if you are downgrading from DoPa6 (Marshmallow) to previous versions (i.e. this one)

GPL Notice: the source code for this kernel is available at https://github.com/dolorespark/android_kernel_hisense_m470bsa on the 'master' branch.