yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Just like our USCC friends, I'm currently working on several mods for Cellular South's release of the Desire. I'll keep this post updated with new developments.

Linked is a custom boot.img from our stock ROM with apps2sd support. You will still need to download and flash the latest Darktremor apps2sd release and format your SD card accordingly.

How to flash?

Place the dphase-apps2sd-signed.zip file on the root of your sdcard and flash it as a zipped update.

Download Link (Cellular South, also confirmed working with Alaska Communications):

http://dphase.net/desire/dphase-apps2sd-signed.zip (2.3 MB)

MD5 checksum: 70df556ceb6891cbdcc3801d807d58af

US Cellular stock boot.img with apps2sd support

http://dphase.net/desire/dphase-USCC-apps2sd-signed.zip (2.3 MB)

MD5 checksum: e11b6f40b26811e252f0579f0ed5861c

Latest Darktremor apps2sd:

http://www.darktremor.info/files/a2sd/dtapps2sd-2.7.5.1-adv-signed.zip

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zipaligned and PNG optimized system apps:

% du -sh original optimized
62M original
42M optimized

As you can see above, I've zipaligned and optimized the images in the system apps, which shaved off 20MB from total files size. This should lead to faster load times.

To install, untar the optimized archive to the directory of choice and boot to recovery. Mount the /system partition then do the following command with adb from within the directory holding the apk's (adb should be in your binary path, if not, fix that to make life easier in the future):

adb push . /system/app

You'll then see, for example:

push: ./DCSImpl.apk -> /system/app/DCSImpl.apk
push: ./HtcDialer.apk -> /system/app/HtcDialer.apk
push: ./EnhancedGoogleSearchProvider.apk -> /system/app/EnhancedGoogleSearchProvider.apk
... (etc)

Link:

http://dphase.net/desire/system_app_optimized.tar.gz (40MB compressed)

MD5 checksum:

2dc5fe2683e657006d2a8026c4ac32dc
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
reserved for later use
[Desire Android Development] con247:
So what exactly does this accomplish? Is it basically adding apps 2 sd to the stock 2.1 rom? Any chance it will run on my US Cell desire?
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Yes, adds apps2sd support to the stock rom. The latest a2sd will automagically move portions of /data over once it sees a properly formatted card.

In theory, this should work on USCC, but ymmv.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
It is likely I won't get time tonight, but if I do, I'll be sure to give it a shot. I would like to get a2sd without a full reflash
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
If it doesn't work, we'll grab your existing boot.img and I can tweak it.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Updates posted, please test and enjoy.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
That is the link to my boot.img

If you have time, if you could tweak that one, it would be great. If not, I'll give yours a shot tonight.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
I've modified your boot.img and placed a link in the first post.
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
A Big Thanks I am testing it now. I had to remember to change the MD5 information otherwise you get a fail.

Also You have to remember to run the apps2sd after the restore otherwise you will not boot!

Just booted and WOW look at all that new Space!!! Time to get more apps :)
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Yes, I recommend installing apps2sd, formatting card, then applying new boot image.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
How do you change the MD5 of the file
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
I guess I did it a little differently. I already had the sd card partitioned so I just took a backup swapped the boot.img and edited the MD5 with note++. Restored the modified backup and then ran the apps2sd.zip and rebooted.

I did it this way just in case something went wrong I could restore the backup that I didn't modify.

Going to try out that app optimize next.

Thank again.
[Desire Android Development] bytethegroove:
This might be a noobish ?

but couldnt I just use a custom recovery and flash this as a rom?

or do I still have to push stuff?

im a lil confused coming from winmo

Right now im running blitz's apps2sd 2.1 sense rom

but not sure im seeing any benifit from the apps2sd....although I do see somethings being moved...wondering if seesser had tried blitz's rom...

are u seeing more space with the above method?

and what do I change the md5 to?

thanks

byte
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
Hello and yes I was running that rom but did not like that friend Stream did not have twitter. with that rom you still had to tell the phone to move the files (a little bit of command line codding). With this boot.img and apps2sd on my stock rom backup I went from 15mb to 71mb so this one works great right out of the box.

I Explained how I did it from a backup of my stock rom up a few lines hope this helps.
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
I too am a little lost on this push of the app optimize. Could you explain it a little more? I have done a little adb shell programming but am lost with your directions.

Thanks,
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
No, none of this can be flashed as a rom.

I'm not sure why anyone is changing MD5's, I included those so one could verify there was no data corruption during the download.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
fixed. no worries..
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
There is zero reason to edit that. Are you trying to use nandroid to flash the image? If so, that's the wrong answer.
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
Did you restart the phone after you modified the MD5? I had that problem also until I restarted the phone and It worked after that.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Good to hear. The only time nandroid came into this equation was for extracting the original boot image.

Everyone else: No need to edit MD5's or use nandroid. Follow the instructions above using flash_image within adb to flash the image.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Where are you hung up? In the shell on your PC, be it Linux or Windows, make sure you are in the directory containing the apk's. Boot to recovery, mount /system, then execute the above command.
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
I'm sorry I think everyone is doing it the way I did. Your instructions are a little difficult for someone that has never done command line programming. I too am new to android but have ran Linux OS in that past but have yet to learn all the commands.

Sorry for the head ache but my way does work and for people running a non stock rom this is a easy way to edit a stock backup and restore back to stock with apps2sd.
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
For me it is the adb is not setup the way you mentioned (adb should be in your binary path, if not, fix that to make life easier in the future). How can I do that?

Sorry have not done command line programming in Windows in a long time.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
I'll setup an update.zip for the apps when i get a chance
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
Thanks that would be great.

Is there any links you know of that help learning the commands of programming Android?

Thanks again,
[Desire Android Development] con247:
This is working really well for me. I was at 32 mb free and now I have 70 and with angry birds installed in addition. So it is basically saved me 50 mb so far. Using the stock htc 8 gig class 2 card, all the apps I have tried aren't slow
[Desire Android Development] AdamG:
you can pngcrush framework-res as well
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
I just ran your app optimize and now I have a force close every time I need my keyboard?

restoring back before the push.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Sounds like it didn't push correctly. I'll try and get with at some point over the weekend and get you nudged in the right direction!
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
Thanks,

I looked up the set adb in path like you have yours. It seemed like everything pushed correctly (didn't get any errors) and everything else was working fine until I went to use the keyboard.

On a side note being from the UScell thread I know Blitz has been talking to HTC to get the needed items for 2.2. You might want to hit him up if you are working on a 2.2 rom also.
[Desire Android Development] goz5000:
Not working for me, everytime I try to flash the boot.img it gives a list and says skipped for every one of them I do have a2sd installed.:confused:
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
if you are fallowing the directions listed and are a UScell phone you need to change the second command to the uscel boot image name.

So you should download the uscell boot image and place it on the sdcard then run these two commands:

cat /dev/zero > /dev/mtd/mtd2

flash_image boot /sdcard/uscc_stock_boot.img

Hope this helps.

P.S. You are running the stock rom already with the partitioned sdcard and ran the zip that installed the apps2sd right?
[Desire Android Development] UPEngineer:
OK, kind of a newb on the USCC Desire. I am coming from the Droid X and I am wanting to do this mod for my dad's Desire.

Few questions though.

1. I have made a nandroid backup before I start any of this mod. I am assuming that if this goes awry, I can boot into flash recovery and write over any of the changes made using my nandroid backup correct?

2. I understand I need to format the SDCard to use apps2sd. I have installed ROM Manager and will do it from there.

3. Then you say run the zip file to install the apps2sd. When you say run, does that mean copy the zip file to the sd card and then find it in recovery and run it? On Droid X, you must rename to update.zip. I don't have his phone here to see what options are available in the recovery mode.

4. Then use adb to flash the new boot image to the phone.

5. Once his SD card is partitioned as an ext filesystem and I know it is not readable by windows but we can still access it as Mass Storage mode when phone is plugged into computer right?

6. Once all of this is complete, I can then adb push the optimized system apps as well?

Sorry for all the questions, but since there is not a stock USCC rom yet (or at least I haven't found it yet), I am kind of leary about messing too much with his phone.

Any help appreciated.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
1. Yes, this doesn't touch anything that can't be fixed with a nandroid backup.

2. You can, or you can do it from recovery, which I did. I backed up my SD card to my computer and put the files on it. I then flashed the a2sd zip, the boot.img, then formatted the card... all without leaving recovery.

3. You don't have to rename it. Select "install zip from SD card" in recovery, then select zip, then choose the a2sd zip.

4. I did the adb flash first. I am sure it doesn't matter, but you want to probably make sure you get the boot.img flashed OK before you install the a2sd.zip, because it would save you a nandroid restore if you can't flash it for some reason.

5. Yes, windows will see the fat32 partition. The phone will see it too. Unfortunately, it asks me to check the memory card every time i plug it in to the computer because it thinks the filesystem is screwed up.

6. I have not done this yet... Make sure your a2sd is working for a day maybe. Then, make a nandroid of the A2SD setup (you won't have to repartition your card in the future too fyi) because if you mess up the system app push you would be back to square 1.

Hope that helped.
[Desire Android Development] Ennon:
Well, the first time I tried this, it failed miserably and I don't know why. (I am a USCC user)

I did an nandroid backup via ROM Manager. It then booted back to my regular phone. I then copied the necessary files to the root of my SD card. I then booted into recovery, and attempted to flash the boot.img with ADB.

I think I was doing this correctly, maybe not. I went into ClockworkMod's recovery, did the two adb shell steps on the first page (substituting the file name for the uscc boot image), and I get a whole list of "flashing. . . skipped" messages. What am I doing wrong? :/

I tried the flashing first. So I then partitioned the SD card and installed the ZIP file. I tried flashing the boot again. Still the same thing.

I did a Nandroid restore back to my image before this. . . :(
[Desire Android Development] con247:
type adb devices to make sure it is seeing your phone
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
I'm with you on this one. When you do this are you in the recovery menu? Otherwise if you look back I did it by modifying a backup and then restoring the backup. This worked for me but is not the designed way.

Hope this helps
[Desire Android Development] Ennon:
Yes I actually do that before I try anything else. It shows up with the phone and "recovery" next to it. I can use the ls command and see all the folders on the phone (system, sdcard, proc, etc), even go into /sdcard/ and see everything there. I've used ADB before, I know it's connected right :/

And yes I'm at the root of the ClockworkMod recovery menu when doing this (vol down+power on, select recovery, power button, there). I then plug in the USB cable and use ADB from there.

I'm about to try this again, is there an IRC channel I can chat with you guys on if it doesn't work right the second time?

Thanks!

~Ennon

EDIT: Same results. I attached my command window to show you what's happening.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
See the zero-block message is normal. When running normally, not recovery, open a shell through adb and check to see if you are running the modified boot.img by doing this:

$ su
# cat /init.rc | grep a2sd
start a2sd
service a2sd /system/bin/logwrapper /system/bin/sh /system/bin/a2sd

If you see the 'start a2sd' and 'service a2sd' lines, the image flashed properly.
[Desire Android Development] geetarman:
I am getting the follow after I type in flash_image boot /sdcard/dphase_20100923_boot.img

error opening /sdcard/dphase_20100923_boot.img: no such file or directory

Any ideas? I have double checked everything and can't figure out whats up. The file is there.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
Hit mounts and storage in recovery and mount the SD card.
[Desire Android Development] seesser:
Are you Cellular south or uscc?

uscc the second line is : flash_image boot /sdcard/uscc_stock_boot.img
[Desire Android Development] geetarman:
Cellular South
[Desire Android Development] geetarman:
I tried pushing the image file via adb command line to the sd card and now i get this (it does find the image file now. )

~ # flash_image boot /sdcard/dphase_20100923_boot.img

flash_image boot /sdcard/dphase_20100923_boot.img

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00000000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00020000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00040000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00060000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00080000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x000a0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x000c0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x000e0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00100000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00120000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00140000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00160000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00180000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x001a0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x001c0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x001e0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00200000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00220000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00240000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00260000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x00280000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x002a0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x002c0000; skipping

mtd: read all-zero block at 0x002e0000; skipping

~ #
[Desire Android Development] geetarman:
Now that i have it setup, could someone explain how i use the apps2sd. I done some research and im still kinda confused. Thanks....

Does it automatically installed to the ext partition.
[Desire Android Development] geetarman:
nevermind. I got it. A little more research and playing around with adb and i got it.

MORE SPACE. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great work!!!!!!
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Just a heads up to everyone, I'll get update.zip's out for both of these at some point this week. I'll be out of town until Friday (UNIX programmer in the real world), but should have plenty of free time in the hotel room to get everything up.
[Desire Android Development] Phocas:
Great job dPhase!! I will wait for the new zip to arrive. Thanks for all your hard work!!
[Desire Android Development] xecuter2:
Thanks!! Got it working just fine on my USCC desire after getting my USB cable back from a friends place lol :p 45~mb free with a ton of apps installed! NO MORE LOW SPACE, score!
[Desire Android Development] BillThyCat:
Same here

I had CoPilot 8 and Angry Birds Beta installed and still had over 50mb free, it's pretty sweet.

Worth the effort if you ask me, but it's more complicated than what alot are comfortable with.

BTC
[Desire Android Development] con247:
Bump, this thread is too good to not be seen!
[Desire Android Development] con247:
Made a Stock USCC Rom with A2SD integrated!

It is in nandroid form, so you need to "restore" to it.

Click Me!!!
[Desire Android Development] slayer214:
Thanks, for the apps2sd nandroid backup! Is it possible to get one for a cellular south htc desire? I am rocking the cellular south desire and I am constantly having to delete apps. I am already rooted, but I nearly bricked my desire when I tried to push the apps2sd boot image. Had to do a adb nandroid restore to go back.
[Desire Android Development] poonjahb:
Followed the instructions in the first post for the USCC Desire, every time I try it it kills my wi-fi. I get a message unable to activate wi-fi every time I try to turn it on. If I restore my stock nandroid backup it works just fine.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
Did you use the US Cellular boot.img or the cellular south one?
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
I've updated the original post.

The Cellular South boot.img is now packaged in an update.zip, so no manual image flashing is needed. I will post installers for USCC and the optimized system apk's at some point tomorrow.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Please re-read the first post. This thread is for Cellular South.
[Desire Android Development] con247:
Yeah but I posted a US Cell one because I know alot of us frequent this thread due to the amazing content
[Desire Android Development] ipfreelytech:
why would the boot.img be carrier specific? Just got my desire yesterday. Coming from the hero. For the hero the entire ACG had one software release.

Attached is the boot.img from my carrier (Alaska Communications).
[Desire Android Development] heavymetalmage:
ipfreelytech, what's your radio version?
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
That wasn't directed at you my friend! I am more than happy to help with other carriers. That post was directed at the guy asking if there was an apps2sd hack for Cellular South.
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
In theory, it shouldn't be, but a binary diff proved otherwise. It's also possible that different carriers are placing different values in init scripts.

That being said, the boot image from my carrier would most likely work on yours. Nandroid backup, flash the package and give it a shot. If it works, I'll make note in the first post, if not, let me know, restore your backup, and I'll tweak the one you provided.
[Desire Android Development] slayer214:
Has anyone been able to install busybox on there cellular south desire?
[Desire Android Development] ipfreelytech:
2.05.10.08.11
[Desire Android Development] heavymetalmage:
I think you'll want to stick with the Cellular South stuff then. That's their radio version I believe.
[Desire Android Development] ipfreelytech:
Tested with the cellular south file. Worked perfectly. Thanks!
[Desire Android Development] dhertensen:
Completely Lost! Please help

I'm tired of waiting for froyo to come out out to be able to use app2sd but to be completely honest I'm a noob to android and have no idea what i'm doing. I previously had a TP2 with USCC and flashed new roms all the time but this is completely foreign to me. The nandroid backup and images aren't really making much sense to me, so if someone would be willing to take the time and help I would really appreciate it.
[Desire Android Development] Sophos1:
I'm in the same boat...

~Sophos
[Desire Android Development] ipfreelytech:
I'm using Blitz's froyo rom and the app2sd in it is less than impressive, only a few apps are movable. When i was using Cyanogenmod 6 on my hero I remember the Froyo app2sd working better, perhaps it had some kind of app support overide.

here's a guide i whipped up for n00bs:

1. Root your phone. http://unrevoked.com/#desire

2. get quickboot from the market and reboot into recovery

3. go to backup and restore (use optical joystick) and select backup

4. go to mounts and storage and choose mount USB storage

5. plug into a computer and BACKUP YOUR SD CARD! copy all files onto a computer or you will lose them (including the backup of your phone you just made)

6. download the file from the thread for your carrier and dark tremors app2sd . put both in the root of your sd card. and then choose unmount and go back

7. go to install zip from sd card and select first the boot zip and then dtapp2sd

8. go back. then go to advanced, choose partition sd card and select how much sd card you wish to sacrifice for app storage (512 is huge) and 0m swap. THIS WILL WIPE YOUR SD CARD! MAKE SURE YOU BACKED UP YOUR STUFF!

9. go back and reboot; your apps should auto-magically move to the SD card and you will notice more free space on your phone.

10. connect to your pc and copy your SD card files back to the SD card
[Desire Android Development] dphase:
Updated original post with update.zip for USCC users.
[Desire Android Development] Sophos1:
Thank you Freely, these instructions worked perfectly for me!

However I recently exchanged my Desire (the screen went out) and now the app2sd mod knocks out my wifi! I have followed the instructions exactly as they are listed above 3 times (one of which i tried the Cellular South file) to no avail. I would love to get this rocking on my phone again, so any ideas are welcome. Thx
[Desire Android Development] 2fast4u88:
I've been trying to get this to work since I don't like cm6 and other roms aren't stable. Actually it works but I have no wifi. When I try to turn it on it says unable to start wifi.

Using a us cellular desire with the stock from. Thanks for the help.
[Desire Android Development] d-shade:
This worked great, I wish this was in the sticky would of helped me when I was trying to figure out how to get app2sd working on a stock rom. Since I couldn't get android kitchen to work right with my stock nandroid backup.
[Desire Android Development] hero32:
PLEASE

does anyone have a stock rom for the cdma cellular south desire or a nand back up i can use thanks in advance
[Desire Android Development] heavymetalmage:
2.1 or 2.2?
[Desire Android Development] hero32:
either one would be great

its got to be cellular south though so i can update everything and build a rom off of it thanks for replying
[Desire Android Development] heavymetalmage:
This is the OTA update for 2.2: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11098768/OT...1.25.563.2_release_175788k60ah3zo2xhcqsvk.zip
[Desire Android Development] hero32:
AWESOME

ok is this a nand or is it set to flash dude you are the best you ever need anything hit me up i can build anything or theme anything
[Desire Android Development] hero32:
ok if its flashable its giving

E: failed to verify whole file signature

E: signature verifacation failed
[Desire Android Development] heavymetalmage:
No this is not flashable. If you're looking to theme, everything you need is the system folder.
[Desire Android Development] hero32:
Well I'm looking to do that but I really need to go stock and update to the 2.2 so I can update my radio and all then nand and build a Rom off that thanks a lot buddy greatly appreciated