Q: Changing Boot Image Without Flashing?

[rn5a]

The post at http://www.motorolafans.com/forums/s...ing+boot+image describes how to change the boot logo image in A1200 but it involves flashing the phone.

Another way to change the boot logo image is described at http://www.motorolafans.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=14484 (not the entire post #1; just the first part of it) which doesn't involve flashing.

Has anyone changed the boot logo image as described in the 2nd URL I have cited above (which doesn't involve flashing)? If yes, can the steps given in the 2nd URL be executed to successfully change the boot logo image without crashing the phone?

The 2nd URL also says that the size of the boot logo image shouldn't be very large which would truncate the boot logo image but it doesn't say what should be the maximum size of the boot logo image. Does anyone have any idea on how much should the size of the boot logo image be limited to?

[rn5a]

Hasn't anyone tried changing the boot logo image in A1200 using the method given in the 2nd URL I have cited in post #1?

[starkrav]

Yes, (probably cause I wrote it) I can testify that it works. The limit on the size I don't know but all you have to do is try and if it doesn't work, it doesn't hurt anything, it just truncates the bottom of the image. If the image you install is truncated, then reduce its byte size and try again until it doesn't truncate. Trial and error should work, tedious but then everyone will benefit if you report back.

[motohuatz]

It works for me...I just followed all tutorials and I made a new gif image by using Photofiltre.It works great on my Ming...

[wyrm]

/mmc/mmca1/mtd/flash_unlock /dev/mtd11
/mmc/mmca1/mtd/flash_erase /dev/mtd11
dd if=/mmc/mmca1/moto.gif of=/dev/mtd11 bs=512 seek=4 conv=notrunc
/mmc/mmca1/mtd/flash_lock /dev/mtd11 0 -1

This IS flashing.
It is just that you are not using a PC to do it.
And.. The size of the partition for the GIF image is 128KB (131072 bytes).

[rn5a]

starkrav, I could successfully change the boot image using your method & boot image but can the boot image be an animated GIF (provided it's size is less than 128 KB)?

[starkrav]

Good question but I don't have the answer - you could try it yourself and see what happens. It certainly seems like it would work - however the animated GIF has to be small, less than 56KB I think to prevent it being truncated.

If you DO try it, let us know the results.

[rn5a]

BTW, starkrav, what do the parameters bs & seek in the 3rd line do? Does the conv parameter accept values other than notrunc? If yes, then what are they? What do 0 & -1 signify in the 4th line?

Can the mtd folder be deleted (or moved to some other place) after changing the boot image without any harmful repercussions?

Also if I am not mistaken, the boot image can be in any folder in the TransFlash card, isn't it? Only thing to make sure of is to enter the correct path to the folder where the boot image resides in the 3rd line. Please do correct me if I am wrong.

[starkrav]

Howdy Ron,

First of all, you need to understand that the guy who came up with this boot logo modification was NOT me - it was tmr. All I did was write it up in a step by step fashion as clearly as I could. However, I am NOT a Linux guy nor do I know the details of the commands. I'm certain if you Google the command you'll find tons of information explaining exactly how it works and what the parameters do.

The MTD directory can definitely be deleted afterwards - it's not very big so I just leave it myself, in case I want to use it again.

As for the location of the boot image itself, you can definitely put anywhere you want as long as you change the commands to reflect the new path. The main thing is to "match" the commands and paths exactly to the file names and locations. eKonsole requires precision in typing so you have to be accurate.

[MSmiles]

Howdy Ron,

First of all, you need to understand that the guy who came up with this boot logo modification was NOT me - it was tmr. All I did was write it up in a step by step fashion as clearly as I could. However, I am NOT a Linux guy nor do I know the details of the commands. I'm certain if you Google the command you'll find tons of information explaining exactly how it works and what the parameters do.

The MTD directory can definitely be deleted afterwards - it's not very big so I just leave it myself, in case I want to use it again.

As for the location of the boot image itself, you can definitely put anywhere you want as long as you change the commands to reflect the new path. The main thing is to "match" the commands and paths exactly to the file names and locations. eKonsole requires precision in typing so you have to be accurate.

MTD Folder:
I was wondering...

I didn't want to keep the MTD folder in my memory card so I copied it into phone memory and kept it in Preload folder.

What is the DIR address to access the preloaded folder?

/USR/Preload/MTD ????