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Old 08-04-2013, 09:38 PM   #1037
GreenPants
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Yep, that's pretty much what I was going to say in a PM...
  • mkdir ~/system_img
  • sudo mount -t ext4 -o loop system.img system_img/
  • cd ~/system_img
  • <tweak the files as you see fit>
  • sudo umount ~/system_img
  • <copy/use modified system.img>

I prefer the use of sudo over su as it only raises you to root for the duration of the command, rather than for the duration of the shell.

You need to be root when you modify files (e.g. sudo cp ...), not just to have the right permissions, but also to make sure that the root user becomes the owner of the files. Not all files have this requirement, so there are some that you may need to chown. You also need to make sure that the attributes are set correctly for the type of file (chmod/chattr)

If you're only interested in examining the system.img file system, then you can use
ext2read on Windows.

If you want to modify the root file system (uramdisk.img), then I have found bootutil.exe to be an easy tool to use on Windows.
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Old 08-04-2013, 09:56 PM   #1038
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaphod-Beeblebrox View Post
Now, on to another issue that some of you may be up against and I'd like some thoughts on: LCD Density.

We installed Copilot on this unit (already purchased from previous devices) and it installed/ran fine, but when you need to sign in to your ALK Live account, the button for 'sign in' is too low .. you can't reach it. You can only create a new account.

I think lowering the density will cause the screen elements to shrink, and maybe that button will become visible. However, the build.prop doesn't have a density setting.

has anyone tried to set a density? what is the default? Anyone tried LCDDensity for Root from the market?
Haven't tried it. No complaints about this yet, you're the first to find an issue.

A quick google indicates that the default for density (ro.sf.lcd_density) is 96 dpi - however elsewhere it indicates that Android will assume mdpi (160) unless otherwise specified.
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Old 08-04-2013, 10:16 PM   #1039
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenPants View Post
Yep, that's pretty much what I was going to say in a PM...
  • mkdir ~/system_img
  • sudo mount -t ext4 -o loop system.img system_img/
  • cd ~/system_img
  • <tweak the files as you see fit>
  • sudo umount ~/system_img
  • <copy/use modified system.img>

I prefer the use of sudo over su as it only raises you to root for the duration of the command, rather than for the duration of the shell.

You need to be root when you modify files (e.g. sudo cp ...), not just to have the right permissions, but also to make sure that the root user becomes the owner of the files. Not all files have this requirement, so there are some that you may need to chown. You also need to make sure that the attributes are set correctly for the type of file (chmod/chattr)

If you're only interested in examining the system.img file system, then you can use
ext2read on Windows.

If you want to modify the root file system (uramdisk.img), then I have found bootutil.exe to be an easy tool to use on Windows.
LOL - are you guys speaking english???
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Old 08-04-2013, 10:49 PM   #1040
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LOL - are you guys speaking english???
That's one of the reasons why I'll be splitting the firmware off into its own thread the next time I do a release.

I don't want to pollute this useful thread with geek or 1337-speak if I can help it.
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Old 08-05-2013, 06:20 AM   #1041
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenPants View Post
Haven't tried it. No complaints about this yet, you're the first to find an issue.

A quick google indicates that the default for density (ro.sf.lcd_density) is 96 dpi - however elsewhere it indicates that Android will assume mdpi (160) unless otherwise specified.
We tried to use LCDDensity for Root and it appeared to be working (it reported a default density of 160), but after each reboot, we noticed that it actually wasn't working. Not sure why.

So, we resorted to doing it manually. Used ES Explorer to Mount /system as R/W and put ro.sf.lcd_density=160 in the build.prop and rebooted. We were then able to change the value for density manually to get the effects we wanted.

Interestingly, Co-Pilot reacted backwards to the density changes than expected. Lowering density values should have created smaller objects, thus more room on screen. Setting density to 120 did make the launcher and other items looks smaller, but it made co-pilot look bigger, and we lost even more screen real estate. Setting density to 220 made co-pilot show us the normal screen and we were able to sign in and get co-pilot working.

Technically the density should be 140 (that's what we set it at for now). I get there by dividing the pixels (800) by width (5.75 ") = 140. Vertically it's a little over 150 (480 / 3.125). We may end up changing it back to 160 if it proves problematic for any apps, etc.
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Old 08-05-2013, 07:50 AM   #1042
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We tried to use LCDDensity for Root and it appeared to be working (it reported a default density of 160), but after each reboot, we noticed that it actually wasn't working. Not sure why.
I played around with a tool from the play store as well - however the radio app no longer filled the screen correctly after a reboot, so didn't look much futher.
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Old 08-05-2013, 07:59 AM   #1043
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Originally Posted by GreenPants View Post
When I get some time I'll document how you can copy your downloaded APKs from the store onto your SD card. This makes reinstalling after firmware upgrade a lot quicker, as you don't need to set up Wi-Fi & Account to get everything back. (The maps, however, may still need to be downloaded)
Summary
APK files (applications) downloaded from the Play store go into /data/app. With root privs you can copy these files to somewhere that doesn't get deleted during a firmware upgrade - for example the MicroSD card. After the firmware upgrade, simply install each one again by clicking on it with ES File Manager

Step-by-step
  • Start ES File Manager
  • Press the 'Up arrow' (top left icon) to get to the top folder (screen doesn't change any more)
  • Press the 'Menu' button
  • Expand 'Tools'
  • Scroll down to Root Explorer
  • Allow SuperSU to grant root permissions to ES File Explorer, but don't actually use the window that pops up (press 'Back' to close)
  • Click on 'data' folder
  • Click on 'app' folder
  • Click on select button (top right)
  • Select apps you want to copy
  • Click on Copy (top right)
  • Click on Up arrow to root folder (display stops changing)
  • Click on the 'sdcard' folder
  • Click on 'extsd' (or 'udisk' if usb)
  • [Optional] create a folder and enter it
  • Click on 'Paste'

After an upgrade you can use ES File Manager to open this folder again and click on each file to install the app.
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:53 PM   #1044
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How do I remove/cancel the radio from starting first by default?
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Old 08-08-2013, 12:26 AM   #1045
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Hold down the back button for 3 seconds to close the radio app. Thereafter the headunit will boot to the homescreen. (At least until you start the radio app again).
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Old 08-08-2013, 01:10 AM   #1046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenPants View Post
Hold down the back button for 3 seconds to close the radio app. Thereafter the headunit will boot to the homescreen. (At least until you start the radio app again).
Thanks, I will try that tomorrow.
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Old 08-09-2013, 09:10 AM   #1047
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Has anyone had any luck getting "Trackmaster" running on one of these head units? I just picked one up.
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Old 08-09-2013, 02:49 PM   #1048
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Has anyone had any luck getting "Trackmaster" running on one of these head units? I just picked one up.
Haven't tried it but with @GreenPants amended root files or the fix he posted RaceChrono works fine. Has lots of tracks around the world. Have a look and see if yours is on it.
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Old 08-09-2013, 06:45 PM   #1049
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Haven't tried it but with @GreenPants amended root files or the fix he posted RaceChrono works fine. Has lots of tracks around the world. Have a look and see if yours is on it.
I'll give that a try. I paid for trackmaster but I'm sure chrono is only a few bucks.

Now this got me thinking... Anyone had success with the go pro app? Would be amazing to start and stop the camera with their remote app.


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Old 08-11-2013, 06:19 PM   #1050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenPants View Post
Summary
APK files (applications) downloaded from the Play store go into /data/app. With root privs you can copy these files to somewhere that doesn't get deleted during a firmware upgrade - for example the MicroSD card. After the firmware upgrade, simply install each one again by clicking on it with ES File Manager

Step-by-step
  • Start ES File Manager
  • Press the 'Up arrow' (top left icon) to get to the top folder (screen doesn't change any more)
  • Press the 'Menu' button
  • Expand 'Tools'
  • Scroll down to Root Explorer
  • Allow SuperSU to grant root permissions to ES File Explorer, but don't actually use the window that pops up (press 'Back' to close)
  • Click on 'data' folder
  • Click on 'app' folder
  • Click on select button (top right)
  • Select apps you want to copy
  • Click on Copy (top right)
  • Click on Up arrow to root folder (display stops changing)
  • Click on the 'sdcard' folder
  • Click on 'extsd' (or 'udisk' if usb)
  • [Optional] create a folder and enter it
  • Click on 'Paste'

After an upgrade you can use ES File Manager to open this folder again and click on each file to install the app.
Hi GreenPants any news about a release with "phone" in "kit car" not blue?
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