What tools do I need to modify existing firmwares?

[intermario_gr]

Hello,

I've been planning to flash my phone with a new firmware from this section but there's something holding me back. I would like to modify it and add the greek language support. I can extract the greek language file from a firmware of mine but how do I go about editing and rebuilding a firmware to the *.SBF format? I've been using SHXcodec but the program only handles SHX files and I have a firmware in the SBF format! Searching about this on the Internet, I found out some people used Flash&Backup 3 to convert firmwares but I can't get this to work since I have an A1200 phone which the program does not support yet.

Can you help me out?
Thanks.

[marcolnx]

hi,
just look in this section How-To Create your own MonsterPack
I only used ezxcodec for adding support itap and VR italian to amin extreme elite.
If is the same for you just edit CG41 and if you add file put the right permission like explain in the thread.
Remember no exced the size of codegruop you edit.
Pay attencion to what konig and nodramachicks said.
Sorry for bad english.
If problem let me know.

[intermario_gr]

@marcolnx

Alright, I tried what you said and you're right, I can do it. BUT how do I change the languages of the firmware? I read somewhere that we need to change CG4 but I can't find it anywhere after splitting (all I see are CG0-CG3, CG18... etc). I need to add a new language. By the way, this will add this language's keyboard layout as well, right?

[marcolnx]

hi intermario_gr
when you use ezxcodec first time start with your firmware where is greek language, open and extract the firmware. After with your file manager go in the working ezxcodec directory ( for me C:\Documents and Settings\Marco\Desktop\A1200i firmware\Test) and save cramfs-root-CG41.
After go out exzcodec, delete all in your working folder (for me all under Test).
Now open the new firmware thath have not greek support with ezxcodec, give open extract. After open file manager and take a look in cramfs-root-CG41, now open another file manager window where in cramfs-root-CG41 you saved with greek support and change or add the file. Thake a look in the folder cramfs-root-CG41\string\ and add greek support.
In cramfs-root-CG41\inputmethods\iTap you can add itap support for greek if you have it. In cramfs-root-CG41\inputmethods\ add keyboard support.
If you want change the font, just replace in cramfs-root-CG41\fonts.
And so...
Remember no exced the size of codegruop you edit, maybe deleting language or keyboard you don't need.
When adding file put the permission (in ezxcodec in CramFS tab click show looking in the other language file and put the same permission... uid gid perms).
After making change in ezxcodec CramFS tab in New CramFS file (for me C:\Documents and Settings\Marco\Desktop\A1200i firmware\Test\smg\CG41_new.smg) click compile.
After with file manager go in C:\Documents and Settings\Marco\Desktop\A1200i firmware\Test\smg\ verify the size of CG41.smg and CG41_new.smg is the same and delete CG41.smg and rename CG41_new.smg in CG41.smg
Now in ezxcodec go in the the tab SBF and in New SBF file (for me C:\Documents and Settings\Marco\Desktop\A1200i firmware\Amin's_Extreme_ELITE_v3.sbf) click Compile.
Sorry for english

[intermario_gr]

@marcolnx

Hey thanks Marco, you've been very helpful. It's OK about your English, I can understand what you're trying to say

By the way, what's this iTap thing? So in order to have full support for a language you need to add keyboards, strings and.. iTap to the firmware?
What about the "vui" folder in CG41?

[marcolnx]

@intermario_gr
hi, itap is like t9 (for prediction in sms messages)
For me in amin's extreme elite there was italian support, so I add VR (\cramfs-root-CG41\vui) and itap (\cramfs-root-CG41\inputmethods\iTap) folder for italian language. Olso replaced in \cramfs-root-CG41\string\it common_it.qm for internet write and no portaleTIM (you can use qmpare_032 program for see .qm files).
I just newbie may be some advanced user can add some help.
So regarding yuor question I thinks yes.
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[marcolnx]

Hi,
sorry
"vui" folder is for VR (Voice Response)
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