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Root Root and OTA Updates

CmplxAdSys

Newbie
Feb 16, 2012
47
12
Hey, all:

An OTA software update was just pushed through the Virgin network last night and my phone notified me of it. It's version N98101.0B10, the details of which can be found here. However, being the semi-noob that I am, when I first got the phone and rooted it, I did some minor modifications (added .bak to the boot sound) and also deleted, instead for just freezing, the bloatware.

I (now) know that it's a good idea to change these things back before trying to install an OTA update and to freeze, not uninstall, bloatware because of this. But since I deleted them, I can't. Sure enough, when I tried to install the update, it failed, with the message saying that it couldn't find the Real Racing 3 apk, a bloatware game that was installed with the Virgin Mobile purchase.

I rebooted out of the install and all's good function-wise (no brick or anything). But the OTA update notification is gone, and the phone says I have the latest SW version when I try manually updating it through system preferences, even though I still have the old version listed (N98101.0BO6).

So, am I SOL on the SW update? Or is there a way for me to get it again, restore my phone, and install it?

Thanks in advance!
 
Wow I never seen that . I think if u hit update in the selection it should return if not u may need to do a factory data reset. That may get the push again

Yeah it was really dumb. I was in my file browser and was going to copy the update file and save it to my sd card but deleted the file instead. I tried checking for update again but no luck, it said Your system is up to date. I also did factory data reset and still no luck, says same thing. No choice but to wait now.
 
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Yeah it was really dumb. I was in my file browser and was going to copy the update file and save it to my sd card but deleted the file instead. I tried checking for update again but no luck, it said Your system is up to date. I also did factory data reset and still no luck, says same thing. No choice but to wait now.

Maybe this will help. It is from a post on the warp sequent forum. Many people had success doing this.
3a. Go to settings > apps > all > Google Services Frameworks
3b. Clear data and Force Stop Google Services Framework
3c. Go to settings > system update > Update ZTE software
3d. Retry steps 3a - 3c until you get the update

edit: actually, the best thing would be if you go back to stock, grab the update zip, and then let it update. I need the update zip and a new system dump and boot.img after the update.
 
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Thanks. Has not work yet but I'll keep on trying.

Update: I was able to download update but get
assert failed: apply_patch_check("/system/app/SprintZone.apk",....

When I try to install it. I guess since I uninstalled the app and reinstalled it changed the last modified date. Sucks, i Actually backed up all these apps then deleted them using titanium backup thinking it would not change anything when I need to reinstall. I'm on stock and rooted. Any suggestions?
 
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Thanks. Has not work yet but I'll keep on trying.

Update: I was able to download update but get
assert failed: apply_patch_check("/system/app/SprintZone.apk",....

When I try to install it. I guess since I uninstalled the app and reinstalled it changed the last modified date. Sucks, i Actually backed up all these apps then deleted them using titanium backup thinking it would not change anything when I need to reinstall. I'm on stock and rooted. Any suggestions?

Please upload the update zip file. The reason it failed is because you don't have SprintZone.apk or the file itself has changed somehow. The update checks the md5 sum of each file and if they do not match the originals the update will fail. It will also fail if you have cwm installed because it checks the partitions as well.
 
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There is another problem. The stock roms are made from supreme, not vital. That means there will be files missing and the update won't work since they are patches to existing files. We are left with 2 options.

1) Someone that has not modified their vital /system directory can upload it and boot.img and i can make a vital unmodified stock rom which can be updated.

2) Someone that has not modified their vital /system directory can update and upload a new system.img and boot.img so i can make new stock roms.

Sadly, updates are where the supreme/vital are not compatible.

edit: just looked at the update and it is not a new android version, just updates some files and partitions
 
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Ah man that sucks. Only one I know that has a Vital around here is Steve Stone. He may be our only hope...

As far as the update, you think it might me an update before the version update? I remember they did that for my tablet a while back. They sent an update to fix some things then sent out another update for the android version.
 
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well..


my vital folder

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rycikcvwmg1oz7x/U0AvfBIWw_


boot.img is same for both.. identical..

I flashed virgin system.img on my phone.. It act same like it was before.. nothing changed.. so provider data is in carrier partition.. i did rtn by mistakely so no wifi direct or hotspot option was available. so i thought of flashing virgin system.img but it was all same, like i am using same sprint vital.

I m on third service provider..
 
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@stevestone there is not a system.img in the vital link you posted above. In order for a vital to update successfully, we need a full stock vital system.img. The exact same files, every single one, or the updater will fail. This update is a pile of patches so if the files it tries to patch changed or do not exist it will fail.
 
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I was semi-disappointed too when I saw that they were patches and not a new OS, but looking at the details in the link I provided in the OP, some of the patches actually may fix some annoying issues I've been having with my phone.

So, given the situation I described, what's my best course of action? Backup apps via Titanium Backup, do a factory data reset, download the patches from Mancow's link, apply them, reroot, and then restore the apps? Or is there an easier way?
 
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I was semi-disappointed too when I saw that they were patches and not a new OS, but looking at the details in the link I provided in the OP, some of the patches actually may fix some annoying issues I've been having with my phone.

So, given the situation I described, what's my best course of action? Backup apps via Titanium Backup, do a factory data reset, download the patches from Mancow's link, apply them, reroot, and then restore the apps? Or is there an easier way?

Is your device deodexed? If not, post a list of every file you have in the /system/app directory. This is assuming you have not removed files from anywhere else. If you have, list all the files that you do have in those directories too. I can remove the asserts for the files you don't have and make a new update zip. It will take me some time to sort through it but it should work. Make sure you are running vital software and not supreme because even the files you have won't update otherwise.

edit: if you have changed your boot.img you will need to flash the stock one. The update patches it too so you are probably getting a new kernel. If it is not stock vital boot.img, the update will fail.
 
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Is your device deodexed?
Semi-noob so I'm unaware of deodexing. But, looked it up, and since I have .odex files in my /system/app folder and didn't flash a new ROM or do anything explicitly to deodex, I think my answer is "no."

If not, post a list of every file you have in the /system/app directory.
It's under the spoiler:
ApplicationsProvider.apk
ApplicationsProvider.odex
BackupRestoreConfirmation.apk
BackupRestoreConfirmation.odex
Bluetooth.apk
Bluetooth.odex
Books.apk
Browser.apk
Browser.odex
Calculator.apk
Calculator.odex
Calendar.apk
Calendar.odex
CalendarProvider.apk
CalendarProvider.odex
Camera.apk
Camera.odex
CertInstaller.apk
CertInstaller.odex
ChameleonProvider.apk
ChameleonProvider.odex
ChromeBookmarksSyncAdapter.apk
ChromeWithBrowser.apk
Contacts.apk
Contacts.odex
ContactsProvider.apk
ContactsProvider.odex
DSS.apk
DefaultContainerService.apk
DefaultContainerService.odex
DefaultWallpaper.apk
DefaultWallpaper.odex
DownloadProvider.apk
DownloadProvider.odex
DownloadProviderUi.apk
DownloadProviderUi.odex
DrmProvider.apk
DrmProvider.odex
Email.apk
Email.odex
Emode.apk
Emode.odex
Exchange2.apk
Exchange2.odex
FaceLock.apk
Filer.apk
Filer.odex
GMS_Maps.apk
GSEM.apk
Galaxy4.apk
Galaxy4.odex
Gallery2.apk
Gallery2.odex
GenieWidget.apk
GestureOverlayService.apk
GestureTouchInjectionService.apk
Gmail.apk
GmsCore.apk
GoogleBackupTransport.apk
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleFeedback.apk
GoogleLoginService.apk
GooglePartnerSetup.apk
GoogleServicesFramework.apk
GoogleTTS.apk
HTMLViewer.apk
HTMLViewer.odex
HiddenMenu.apk
HiddenMenu.odex
HoloSpiralWallpaper.apk
HoloSpiralWallpaper.odex
InputDevices.apk
InputDevices.odex
KeyChain.apk
KeyChain.odex
LatinIME.apk
LatinIME.odex
LatinImeDictionaryPack.apk
Launcher2.apk
Launcher2.odex
LiveWallpapers.apk
LiveWallpapers.odex
LiveWallpapersPicker.apk
LiveWallpapersPicker.odex
Magazines.apk
MagicSmokeWallpapers.apk
MagicSmokeWallpapers.odex
MediaProvider.apk
MediaProvider.odex
MediaUploader.apk
Mms.apk
Mms.odex
Music2.apk
MusicFX.apk
MusicFX.odex
MusicPlayer.apk
NetworkLocation.apk
Nfc.apk
Nfc.odex
NoiseField.apk
NoiseField.odex
OmaDm.apk
OmaDm.odex
OneTimeInitializer.apk
PackageInstaller.apk
PackageInstaller.odex
PartnerBookmarksProvider.apk
PartnerBookmarksProvider.odex
PermissionToAccessLocApi.apk
PhaseBeam.apk
PhaseBeam.odex
Phone.apk
Phone.odex
Phonesky.apk
PlusOne.apk
PrefAct.apk
PrivInit.apk
Protips.apk
Protips.odex
Provision.apk
Provision.odex
Recorder.apk
SRSSetting.apk
Sdlog.apk
Sdlog.odex
Settings.apk
Settings.odex
SettingsProvider.apk
SettingsProvider.odex
SharedStorageBackup.apk
SharedStorageBackup.odex
SmartDeviceManager.apk
SmartMode.apk
SmartMode.odex
SprintInstaller.apk
SprintPermissions.apk
SprintTouch.apk
SprintZone.apk
Stk.apk
Stk.odex
Street.apk
Superuser.apk
Swype.apk
SystemUI.apk
SystemUI.odex
Tag.apk
Tag.odex
Talk.apk
TelephonyProvider.apk
TelephonyProvider.odex
TimeService.apk
TimeService.odex
Timer.apk
Timer.odex
UserDictionaryProvider.apk
UserDictionaryProvider.odex
Velvet.apk
VideoPlayer.apk
Videos.apk
VisualizationWallpapers.apk
VisualizationWallpapers.odex
VoiceDialer.apk
VoiceDialer.odex
VoiceSearchStub.apk
VpnDialogs.apk
VpnDialogs.odex
WAPPushManager.apk
WAPPushManager.odex
WfdP2pService.apk
WfdP2pService.odex
WiFiShare.apk
WiFiShare.odex
Wiper.apk
Wiper.odex
WorldTime.apk
WorldTime.odex
YouTube.apk
alarming.apk
alarming.odex
com.avast.android.antitheft.apk
com.qualcomm.services.location.apk
sdcardchameleon.apk
sdcardchameleon.odex
talkback.apk
vtt-sprint.apk
xtra_t_app.apk

This is assuming you have not removed files from anywhere else. If you have, list all the files that you do have in those directories too.
I've only made two other modifications to my knowledge.

First, to stop the somewhat common problem of a ridiculously expanding .thumbnails file, I did a trick by deleting the files in /storage/sdcard0/DCIM/.thumbnails, replacing them with empty files of the same name as those that were just deleted using touch, and then changed permissions so that they couldn't be written upon, which solved the problem. Here's the list of the files in that directory, including permissions:
----r-xr-x system sdcard_rw 0 2014-02-16 03:23 .thumbdata3--1967290299
----r-xr-x system sdcard_rw 0 2014-02-16 03:11 .thumbdata3-1763508120

Finally, I added ".bak" to the boot sound in /system/etc to stop the annoying boot sound from happening. The contents of that folder is under the spoiler:

Bootsound_virgin.ogg.bak
Chameleon.prop
Customization.xml
NOTICE.html.gz
OperatorPolicy.xml
UserPolicy.xml
apns-conf.xml
audio_effects.conf
audio_policy.conf
audio_policy_8064.conf
bluetooth
capability.xml
custom_config
dbus.conf
dhcpcd
event-log-tags
fallback_fonts-ja.xml
fallback_fonts.xml
firmware
gps.conf
hcidump.sh
hosts
init.ath3k.bt.sh
init.goldfish.sh
init.qcom.audio.sh
init.qcom.bt.sh
init.qcom.coex.sh
init.qcom.efs.sync.sh
init.qcom.fm.sh
init.qcom.modem_links.sh
init.qcom.post_boot.sh
init.qcom.post_boot_ftm.sh
init.qcom.sdio.sh
init.qcom.thermald_conf.sh
init.qcom.wifi.sh
init.wlanprop.sh
install-recovery.sh
media_codecs.xml
media_profiles.xml
mkshrc
nfc.txt
nfcee_access.xml
nfcmse_access.xml
nv-conf.xml
pcsuite.iso
permissions
ppp
qcom
qosmgr_rules.xml
res
security
snd_soc_msm
srs
system_fonts.xml
thermald-8064.conf
thermald-8930.conf
thermald-8960.conf
thermald-8960ab.conf
thermald.conf
tree.xml
updatecmds
usf_post_boot.sh
verify.zip
voicemail-conf.xml
vold.fstab
wfdconfig.xml
wifi
wiperconfig.xml
xtra_root_cert.pem
xtwifi.conf

As far as I know, the bloatware I removed (e.g. Real Racing, the Virgin Mobile apps, and more) didn't come from anywhere else, but I'm afraid I can't recall how I removed them. I think I used Root Uninstaller once rooted, but I'm not 100% sure.

I can remove the asserts for the files you don't have and make a new update zip. It will take me some time to sort through it but it should work. Make sure you are running vital software and not supreme because even the files you have won't update otherwise.
How do I do that? I did purchase a Supreme from Virgin Mobile.

edit: if you have changed your boot.img you will need to flash the stock one. The update patches it too so you are probably getting a new kernel. If it is not stock vital boot.img, the update will fail.
I don't think I did. I just rooted, changed a few things, added some apps that needed root, and removed the bloatware. Didn't change too much.

Thanks for bearing with me!
 
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Ok great. It sounds like we can make this work since you are running vital software, it's odexed, and you provided the list. I will sort through the updater-script in the update.zip and remove the parts you don't have. You will need to change the boot sound back to normal for the update because it is patched. The other mods you made should be fine...i think.
 
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@CmplxAdSys The repacked update zip is uploading. Before I post it, I want to be sure you will share the new system.img and boot.img after the update to help others. This repack i made may not work for others as it is based on your missing files, not anyone elses. If you share the images i can make new roms so everyone can enjoy :)
 
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Hey SuperR, so I have reverted back to stock with recovery by flashing the quantum stock B06 with recovery zip. I tried to update but now is says
assert failed: apply_patch_check("/system/app/DSS.apk",....

I have noticed that the modified dates on the apks are different than original. Before it was something like Jun 2013, maybe somebody can check and get the exact date and time, but now they say Aug 01, 2008 07:00:00 AM. Could this be the reason why it stops the update? Is there a way to change the modified dates to how they were before?

Or, is there a way to change the update so that it doesn't check with the patches completely?
 
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Hey SuperR, so I have reverted back to stock with recovery by flashing the quantum stock B06 with recovery zip. I tried to update but now is says
assert failed: apply_patch_check("/system/app/DSS.apk",....

I have noticed that the modified dates on the apks are different than original. Before it was something like Jun 2013, maybe somebody can check and get the exact date and time, but now they say Aug 01, 2008 07:00:00 AM. Could this be the reason why it stops the update? Is there a way to change the modified dates to how they were before?

Or, is there a way to change the update so that it doesn't check with the patches completely?
I believe that is my fault lol. I probably zipaligned the "unmodified" stock rom which changes the files if they are not already zipaligned. With the help of CmplxAdSys, I am hoping to get the updated files and put together a new rom for you.

edit: maybe it's not my fault after all. The stock rom is for the supreme, not vital so the vital update will not work using the supreme stock rom.
 
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