Is it possible to change a system file safely?

[big10p]

Hi

I have my MK809II flashed with Finless 1.7a 1080p ROM and would like to change the default mouse pointer to something a bit bigger/funkier.

I discovered the mouse pointer image is contained in system/framework/framework-res.apk so built a copy of it with a new mouse image in and called it framework-res.apk.new and copied it to system/framework. I then renamed the original famework-res.apk to framework-res.apk.orig.

So far so good but when I try and rename framework-res.apk.new to framework-res.apk, my system resets and goes into a boot loop. I then have to do a 'dirty' flash via CWM in order to get things working again and keep all installed apps.

I was going to try and replace the file via a push from ADB but am struggling to get ADB to detect my device, despite device Manager saying the ADB driver is installed and working.

So, am I doing something wrong? Is it even possible to alter system files?

[Finless]

How are you taking apart framework-res.apk?
How are you repacking it.
This file is very touchy to mess with.

For just changing graphics, open it in 7zip, replace your file and close the zip.

If your trying to use a APK tool, then you must chose the correct settings when recompiling.

Finally when you copy over the new framework make sure you set the permissions the same as the old framework!

Bob

[big10p]

I simply replaced the mouse pointer image in the APK using winRAR (7zip doesn't seem to support APKs).

I did remember to change the permissions to match the old framework APK, once I'd copied it into system/famework. However, I didn't set the permissions of the actual mouse pointer image file when I added it to the APK because I was doing this in Windows, which doesn't support permissions properly. Maybe this is what causes the reset/bootloop?

Another odd thing happens on the final step, when I try and rename the customized APK to framework-res.apk in Root Browser: I select the file and choose 'Rename' which brings up a dialog box with the file name in, allowing me to edit it is as usual, but the on-screen keyboard doesn't display. I'm not sure if this is significant?

I'll see if I can find a way to change the permissions of the mouse image in the APK and give that a try.

Thanks

[leolas]

I simply replaced the mouse pointer image in the APK using winRAR (7zip doesn't seem to support APKs).

I did remember to change the permissions to match the old framework APK, once I'd copied it into system/famework. However, I didn't set the permissions of the actual mouse pointer image file when I added it to the APK because I was doing this in Windows, which doesn't support permissions properly. Maybe this is what causes the reset/bootloop?

Another odd thing happens on the final step, when I try and rename the customized APK to framework-res.apk in Root Browser: I select the file and choose 'Rename' which brings up a dialog box with the file name in, allowing me to edit it is as usual, but the on-screen keyboard doesn't display. I'm not sure if this is significant?

I'll see if I can find a way to change the permissions of the mouse image in the APK and give that a try.

Thanks

Lets try to do this from terminal emulator, if you have adb enabled you can do it from there too, copy the new framework-res.apk to /system/framework/framework-res.apk.new and:

[COLOR=#222225]su[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222225]mount -o remount,rw /system ( I don't remember exactly if its works in our sticks I think yes but if not you can mount your system RW with Es file explorer or other root explorer)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222225]cd /system[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]/framework[/COLOR][COLOR=#222225]
[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]cp framework-res.apk [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]framework-res.apk.orig
[/COLOR][COLOR=#222225]cp [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]framework-res.apk.new [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]framework-res.apk
[/COLOR][COLOR=#222225]chmod 644 [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]framework-res.apk[/COLOR][COLOR=#222225]
[/COLOR]

[big10p]

Shortly after entering the command 'cp framework-res.apk.new framework-res.apk' in terminal emulator the system became unstable: the on-screen keyboard disappeared again, terminal emulator crashed back to the home screen, and then the system reset and went into a boot loop.

[leolas]

Shortly after entering the command 'cp framework-res.apk.new framework-res.apk' in terminal emulator the system became unstable: the on-screen keyboard disappeared again, terminal emulator crashed back to the home screen, and then the system reset and went into a boot loop.

Have you cwm installed? send me the file and i will make a cwm zip to install it from recovery.
And you dont have to install the whole rom.

[big10p]

A very kind offer, Leolas. Thanks! I do indeed have CWM installed.

What email address should I send it to?

[leolas]

A very kind offer, Leolas. Thanks! I do indeed have CWM installed.

What email address should I send it to?

I will sent a pm

[leolas]

A very kind offer, Leolas. Thanks! I do indeed have CWM installed.

What email address should I send it to?

http://cloud.freak-tab.de/public.php?service=files&t=7e7a8981d007fad35770c6538daf692c

This is your file, test it and tell us the result.
After you install the file try to wipe cache and in advanced options/wipedalvick cache to repair the bootloop.

[big10p]

Success!

Thanks so much! Here are a few screenies to show how cool it looks - well I think it does, anyway

[leolas]

Re: Is it possible to change a system file safely?

Success!

Thanks so much! Here are a few screenies to show how cool it looks - well I think it does, anyway

Nice