yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] pndwal:
Still haven't tried LOS yet, sorry, - look forward to that, but want to do it justice. (I'm under time pressure here till end of April, but will do backups and try soon).

I'm very happy to help with what knowledge I have of these matters, and glad you're enjoying a steep learning curve as I am. But if course it should be yourself or [MENTION=8548258]wezroot2k[/MENTION] to open thread.

Regarding specific credit for efforts of 4PDA members, here's what I understand about the original port:

1) Russian developer chipa76 produced original TB3-850M LOS ports, and al_rus for posted them. I'm not sure about al_rus's involvement apart from his obvious knowledge about the port, and ability to field questions and problems regarding it on the Russian forum.

2) The original ROM currently available is LOS-TB3-850M_v3.zip, so I'm guessing chipa76 (and al_rus?) of 4PDA has done much work to improve port / remove bugs. In fact, I recall a different base device mentioned previously, so it may be that they've found a better match (with ARK-Impulse-P2) for more recent version(s).

I'm happy to post an announcement / links in each of the other TB3-850F threads when thread is established.

It would be great to have any monthly security patches for 850F! Seems LOS team s committed to providing these at least for now.

Latest stock ROM I'm aware of is:

http://lenovo-forums.ru/files/file/1549-lenovo-tab3-a8-tb3-850f_s100030_161209_row/

Which takes you to https://cloud.mail.ru/public/8T5R/RWCkuBz19

- About This File:

Lenovo Tab3 A8F - firmware TB3-850F_S100030_161209_ROW

Creator: Lenovo

Build Date: 09/12/16

Firmware type: Firmware for PC

File size: 1.14 GB

Archive password: lenovo-forums.ru

OS: 6.0

Description:

android 6.0

AOSP

Kid mode

ONLY WLAN!

Firmware for the Euro-region (including Russia and Ukraine)

(I posted links originally in Lister of Smeg's thread, and reposted here - post #404 - with other Useful Stuff.) I think it includes the partitions you mentioned. Not sure about alternate flash methods. Is this the same? Or larger? PW.

---------- Post added at 10:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

Great! Please let us know what you've established re treble for 850F. PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
[MENTION=7550078]pndwal[/MENTION] thanks much for the info and the 4PDA individuals who worked on this. I actually created a thread last night, but when I went to post it, 90% of the thread ended up deleted. But I'll redo that today with credits to all who contributed.

On the firmware package, mine consists entirely of .img files and is a US distribution package. I haven't seen it posted anywhere else. It is similar it seems to a Motorola smartphone firmware package, complete with fastboot instructions and general device specs.
[Android General] pndwal:
Would be great to have that ROM then. - May be the best way to unbrick devices.

Frustrating to lose all that typing :( . Sorry to hear that.

Beware of accidently hitting 'backspace' after highlighting text! Also, please be aware (if you use it,) that XDA Labs app is flawed, and will often unexpectedly truncate your post when sending. This usually happens when you've copied and pasted info from web pages (doesn't occur pasting from XDA threads, so I'm guessing it has to do with different page formatting used) - you'll find '*' substituted for spaces in places, and the first one will be near the point the post is truncated. I always highlight and copy complete post before sending, and if I lose text I repost it from browser, which doesn't have these issues.

Hope it helps in future, and bravo for your efforts and hard work for us! Regards, PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
That explains a lot. That's probably where I messed up, backspacing and copy/pasting. I'll break out my notebook and finish the post later just to be safe though. Yes, the firmware package will be ideal for unbricking as long as fastboot mode is accessible on the device. Otherwise, SP Flash Tool will be necessary, as I'm sure you already know. Thank you again for your insight.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Ok [MENTION=571457]pnn[/MENTION]wal & [MENTION=8548258]wezroot2k[/MENTION], I have the thread completed. I was clueless on posting a proper thread so I used a stock ROM thread for our device as a sort of template. Please let me know if I've left anybody out on credits, or if I've omitted anything important from the thread. Thanks guys.

https://xdaforums.com/android/general/rom-lineageos-14-1-lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-t3900320
[Android General] pndwal:
Hi folks.

I've now made announcements on the other six TB3-850F threads:

-https://xdaforums.com/android/help/lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-850f-unbrick-root-t3598727

-https://xdaforums.com/android/general/rom-lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-850f-t3617594

-https://xdaforums.com/android/help/qa-lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-850f-t3700868

-https://xdaforums.com/thinkpad-tablet/development/rom-stock-android-6-0-rom-lenovo-tab-3-t3825165

-https://xdaforums.com/android/general/rom-lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-850f-android-6-0-t3593043

-https://xdaforums.com/android/help/lenovo-tab3-8-2016-custom-recovery-t3483454

to the effect that;

These threads are now largely discontinued, although they will continue to be a valuable resource.

also:

For further discussion go to this thread:

https://xdaforums.com/android/general/guide-lenovo-tab3-8-tb3-850f-t3559786 (This thread.) Despite threads title, a general discussion on TB3-850F continues here for now.

and:

For NEW THREAD For Stable & Near Bug Free TB3-850F LOS ROM, go here:

https://xdaforums.com/android/general/rom-lineageos-14-1-lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-t3900320 Regards, PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Good stuff PW. Thanks for ironing out the organization on the threads. That'll make things easier to find for members searching. I noticed our 850F has threads posted in the Lenovo ThinkPad forums (as does the Tab 3 Plus, Tab 4 Plus, and the Lenovo Yoga series tablets). I'm wondering if we can make that forum a home for the 850F since we have threads there anyway?
[Android General] pndwal:
Can you post links to these threads here so I can have a look? I haven't seen these. PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Yeah. I'll search them up now. Here is the Lenovo Thinkpad General forum, where there are at least 5 or 6 threads related to 850F & 850M. https://xdaforums.com/thinkpad-tablet/general

I'll check the Thinkpad Development forum.

Update: the dev forum for the Thinkpad also has threads for our device, at least one of which you just posted in. So, it looks like our device does in fact have a home, or those threads would have been removed long ago by mods.

https://xdaforums.com/thinkpad-tablet/development

The Tab 3 Plus and Tab 4 Plus are both home to the Thinkpad forum, so it looks like the Lenovo Tab series has a dedicated forum.
[Android General] pndwal:
Thanks for that. See you're offering help there too. :)

Hard to match threads & devices in that list! As far as I know, plus devices are largely Qualcomm platform. Please let me know if you know of any other TB3-850F threads.

For now, I've pointed to this thread for general discussion. Would it be best to edit your first post in new LOS thread to point to same? PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Yes. Excellent idea. I'm also going to touch base with a mod here that my buddy over at Android Central referred me to, and try to get an official yay or nay as to whether the Thinkpad forum is inclusive to our device. Correct, some of the Tab 3 Plus, 4 Plus, etc, ate Qualcomm Snapdragon based, but there are a ton of Mediatek devices listed there too, none of which would technically be classified as a Thinkpad. Maybe I'm just over hopeful for a dedicated forum for our humble 850F. :( I will edit my OP to include the link here for general discussion. Thanks

---------- Post added at 04:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:25 AM ----------

@pndwal the OP is updated as you suggested. Also, I hope you don't mind, but I also requested in the OP that any devs interested in developing for this device could feel free to contact and coordinate with you. This is where I have little experience and where you could be of better assistance. Thank you.
[Android General] pndwal:
Very generous thing to say. I'm sure I have far less experience in 'development' than you do, that is to say practically nil. However the more devs on board the merrier, and I'm sure any of us will respond and welcome any dev's assistance.

I've now backed up my device and will flash tonight, so may be more in the loop again. Thank you for your continued efforts to refine our LOS port, PW.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
In truth I have little to no experience developing. Sure I can throw some files into the Android kitchen, light the stove, and enjoy the baked goods that the oven presents. (And hope that I didn't burn sh!t up. Haha) Otherwise I have a collection of Android tools that are very good at doing all the work for me, all while making me look like I know what I'm doing. But, like I always say, fake it until you make it. I do try, and depend upon Google a great deal. But hopefully, this Nougat port is just the beginning. I'm tired of Android Central and I love it over here. I think I've found a new home at XDA. I do thank you sincerely for your guidance.

By the way, happy flashing....
[Android General] pndwal:
Well I knew you were new at / a budding developer, but I think most start with tools such as kitchen. Most I've done is adjust build.prop, try different boot.img, etc. Haven't even ventured into the kitchen, let alone burned the roast, but this is due to lack of time, not lack of interest.

Besides, developers I respect (such as one who diligently supplies unofficial LOS14.1 port updates for my Ascend Y550 (I have several), modded from official LOS for 'cherry', and regularly adds new GitHub commits for cherry (che1) devices) have often asked for advice, and admit their inability to do more or overcome obstacles. (For example, this dev, though working on our old but prolific and value packed (sub $50 SD410) phone for some 6 years admits he has failed to unify ROM with Cherry, hasn't yet managed to make LOS15.1 boot despite its compiling, etc.) However, they are performing an altruistic service for us and certainly have our respect (as he does for delivering LOS14.1, for fixing so many commits / bugs, for continued efforts to get O for us, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc...).

In the words of one wise adventurer, "don't sell yourself short" mate. And here's my advice on honing your developer skills:

'Trust its how you will proceed, try, try again'

As Thomas H. Palmer said originally:

'Tis a lesson you should heed, try, try again.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.'

Or W. C. Fields later:

'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it.'

I quite like "fake it until you make it" too. Please do that. Glad you're liking XDA. PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Great quotes. You're full of good information, both relating to Android, and just a good old positive outlook on things.
[Android General] pndwal:
Hey [MENTION=9720847]AeonFlux1603[/MENTION] - I've taken the liberty of providing a rewording of MENTIONS & CREDITS from LOS14.1 Opening Post as I feel this may better reflect the efforts of all involved with the port. Please take a look, and let me know what you think. PW

MENTIONS & CREDITS:

This port was made possible by a number of individuals both here at XDA and abroad:

- Credit goes to 4PDA (Russian Development site) member chipa76 for the original TB3-850M port, and to 4PDA member al_rus for his contributions to, and for posting that port.

- Credit and thanks for the breakthrough moment for TB3-850F users must go to XDA member [MENTION=8548258]wezroot2k[/MENTION] who, after others tried for many months, was finally able to stabilise this ROM for our device by recompiling the ported boot image with TB3-850F stock kernel. Also, he has worked on tweaks to streamline the ROM for TB3-850F.

- TWRP flashable ROM package as well as some tweaks to streamline the ROM for TB3-850F have been made by the OP, [MENTION=9720847]AeonFlux1603[/MENTION], and I will continue to work on a few further improvements.

- Thanks to XDA Senior Member [MENTION=7550078]pndwal[/MENTION] for his dedication to this device and for passing on suggestions from the 4PDA Devs regarding the adopted method of stabilising ROM for TB3-850F.

- Last but not least, thanks and credit goes to the entire LineageOS Dev Team for making this custom aftermarket distribution of Android possible for low-grade, mid-grade & flagship devices alike.
[Android General] wezroot2k:
:svetius: well written PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Love it. I'll copy/paste it now. I don't want to leave anybody out and I certainly want to make proper credits. Thank you

---------- Post added at 06:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:25 AM ----------

I updated the LOS 14.1 OP to include the Mentions & Credits penned out by XDA Senior Member [MENTION=7550078]pndwal[/MENTION]. Good work PW. Well articulated and thorough. The work by [MENTION=8548258]wezroot2k[/MENTION] was most definitely a breakthrough, and is recognized and credited as such.
[Android General] pndwal:
TWIMC - Regarding the XDA Labs serious flaw (- it often unexpectedly truncates your post when sending): I mentioned that this usually happens when you've copied and pasted info, but I neglected to mention that this doesn't seem to occur when pasting from XDA threads - only from other from web pages - so I'm guessing it has to do with different page formatting used.

As I said, you'll find '*' substituted for spaces in places after pasting, however the '*' symbol still shows as a space while editing so one doesn't realise that the space has been substituted until its too late. Next, hitting 'send' truncates the post and successful sends in one operation. This means a large portion of text is often lost and irretrievable. The first occurrence of '*' will be near the point the post is truncated.

I always highlight and copy complete post before sending (- this prevents much heartache), and if I lose text I repost it from browser, which doesn't have these issues. PW
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Yeah, just as precaution, I pretty much avoid using the XDA Labs app now for creating new threads and just use my small 11.6" Windows notebook. I noticed the same thing on copy/pasting text from websites or sources other than XDA. Also, I've found that the Labs app seems fine for editing an already existing thread. Creating new threads with Labs is where the app can be temperamental. I've learned my lesson there.
[Android General] pndwal:
Hi [MENTION=8548258]wezroot2k[/MENTION]. Would love to know what you found re booting O or P with treble and / or GSI AOSP. Does it look viable? (Hoping you're onto the next breakthrough moment for TB3-850F! :) ) PW
[Android General] pndwal:
Great stuff, n what I was hoping to hear!

Please keep on it. Not sure I can be of any help here, but let me know if I can in any way. Regards, PW.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
That is good news [MENTION=8548258]wezroot2k[/MENTION]. I'm thinking with our current TWRP v3.0.3 recovery, we may can make it work. We need an unused partition to designate and mount as /vendor of course, but not sure off top which one we could work with or how much minimum space needs to be available on /vendor. It is also possible (and perhaps even feasible) to re-partition our eMMC to include a partition for /vendor. After all, our /system partition was formatted to an excessive 3GB, & /userdata was nicely partitioned at 11GB. I'm thinking about 700MB is the max of what we would need available on /vendor. So, as the famous Wizard of Oz line goes, "snip-snip here & snip-snip there..." 350MB could comfortably be taken from both /system and /userdata to give us what we need. This has been done on other devices on many occasions. Let me know your thoughts on this.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Been an extremely busy weekend (I work in the two-way radio field: troubleshooting and maintenance). Glad the weekend is drawing to an end. I'll have three days of free time this week coming, to dedicate to improving and tweaking our Nougat ROM. I'm going to do my best to finish bringing the ROM up to date -- using LOS upstream source for 14.1 Nougat, and repacking with my modded Settings UI/Framework-res. I am hoping to have February 5, 2019 security patches running on our ROM. That's my goal anyway.
[Android General] pndwal:
Great! Where have you been all our lives? Very grateful for your efforts. Be great to have latest LOS source / security too!

I now have LOS14.1 on one of 2 devices. Fantastic! :) A few small bugs / glitches. Will report later. Regards, PW.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Yeah [MENTION=7550078]pndwal[/MENTION], it's a little glitchy/buggy in places, but overall I think it's surprisingly stable considering that the port was from a device with a completely different chipset. The fact that Bluetooth, Camera, and all the baked-in apps work is pretty amazing. But, if you get time, please give the ROM a good going over and report any noticeable bugs and instabilities that you perceive. You're a very thorough and patient individual, and your input will be most beneficial. I have nearly all the libs in this ROM up to date with upstream source. I'm making progress.
[Android General] wezroot2k:
PW Welcome to LOS14.1 club:good:

AF PW remember when i said i did minor porting other day well i wanted to post the an updated ROM with some minor tweak to some apps and to the build. prop file so you guys could use for further stabilizing LOS 14.1.

Just wondering if its ok with you guys if i post it on the New thread or on this one or do want me to send it to you guys by PM.

i wanted to post earlier in the month but AF add the package coming out and i wanted to test it on my device which i am using now as my main ROM of choice. So the one i want to post will be like a test ROM.

what do you guys think?:good:
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Post it my friend. We are all working together here and any work of yours would be most welcome.
[Android General] wezroot2k:
ok thanks man will post it soon by tomorrow or next couple of hours.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
Update: I've been the last couple of days tweaking and updating our LOS 14.1 ROM. I'm hung up on a snag with some of the updated libs causing some erratic behavior with graphics and some force closing with a couple of system processes. On a positive note, I have our ROM up to date with upstream source from LOS, with security patches covering Feb 5, 2019. I've made some improvements to the camera app by switching us to the latest Google Camera apk and deprecating the LOS camera altogether. I have the Settings UI consistent with a typical WiFi-only ROM port, by completely disabling the cellular radio and removing RIL code -- in addition to removing all SIM/Mobile Networks options from Settings UI. I've made some other tweaks here and there to improve responsiveness and overall performance, better RAM efficiency, and better stability in general. I have a friend who has done some development with the Nexus 5x, Nexus 6p, and the Google Pixel line of devices, who is most graciously aiding me with implementing the updated source code. I'll keep you guys posted, but overall, I'm definitely making progress.
[Android General] pndwal:
Great stuff! Glad you've got help to get over snags! Can't wait for up-to-date update, n thanks for heads up. PW
[Android General] DeblaGaming:
Need help with TB3-850M

I flashed TB3-850M Stock ROM using SP Flash tool but my tablet is still stuck on Lenovo Logo!

(I also need TWRP flashable via SP Flash Tool) plz help I need it fast
[Android General] pndwal:
The other thread where you posted has good unbrick info in op: https://xdaforums.com/android/help/lenovo-tab-3-8-tb3-850f-unbrick-root-t3598727

Stock ROM for TB3-850M incl sp flash tool is linked on 4PDA site, post #1 at top of every page of thread (open in chrome to translate Russian) /firmware/official: http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=764969 Latest is TB3-850M_S100036_171222_ROW

To allow Vcom driver connection, hold the volume down button and plug in usb at the same time while sp flash tool is in download mode. This trick was from [MENTION=5003632]stonedpsycho[/MENTION] originally.

TWRP link in 4PDA post linked above too - /instructions. Flash or run temporarily from PC using fastboot, but I think you can also flash from sp tool (select recovery only and point to file).

My 'useful stuff' instruction post here: https://xdaforums.com/android/general/guide-lenovo-tab3-8-tb3-850f-t3559786/page41 post# 404 PW
[Android General] DeblaGaming:
I have used the vol- trick, used sp flash tool, and have drivers (the correct) maybe redo everything?#ALso can you give me instructions and download links for drivers
[Android General] pndwal:
Sorry, I don't understand this question. PW
[Android General] pndwal:
All needed drivers are included in stock ROM.

Just open it and look in /Drivers for Lenovo ADB, Lenovo USB, Flash driver, Auto installer etc. Look in /Tools for SP Flash Tool. ROM is in /Target_bin. PW
[Android General] DeblaGaming:
nvm
[Android General] pndwal:
??? Nevermind? Or do you have a non-volitile-memory problem? (Or some more serious problem perhaps?) :) - Did it help? PW

---------- Post added at 08:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 AM ----------

Just a thought re GApps - not sure you should be integrating them. (Unless you are an Open Handset Alliance vendor! - see below :) ). Apparently Google has been issuing cease-and-desist orders for doing this since CyanogenMod, and I'm still reading comments like:

Some more official relevant info -

From Open GApps Org:

And this from OpenGApps Wiki:

https://github.com/opengapps/opengapps/wiki/FAQ

And from LineageOS Wiki:

https://wiki.lineageos.org/gapps.html

Hope it helps. Sorry if I'm a Party Popper here. :( PW.