[Q]Question regarding Extended ROM

[dsixda]

I have a question regarding the Extended ROM. I've read that this is the part that is executed whenever the device is hard reset and goes through the "Customization" phase (after the 3-second message).

Whenever we use the "nbhextract.exe" command on a shipped ROM, it produces an "ExtROM.nb" file which is separate from the OS.nb file. So that means our OS backups should not contain the ExtROM... However whenever I restore my ROM backup of my device, it does do the Customization, which means that the ExtROM actually is there, right??

Another confusing thing is that I remember a few times in the Device Info screen the ExtROM version would show up after a couple of resets (after restoring my OS backup). I cannot get it showing now, however.

There is a registry setting that can also show the Extended_ROM directory but it's not working for me either:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=315588

So my question is, is it really true that the Customization IS the Extended ROM and also, why is it being executed when I didn't even back that up?? If anyone can clear this up for me, that would be great :)

[Noonski]

Custumisation can also be run without having an Ext rom.

The Autorun looks a t a registry setting that points to it's configuration file.

This Conifguration "config.txt" file in stock roms points most commands to the files on the \Ext_rom partition\

In most cases the config.txt file is only in the ext rom so autorun might run but not find the config file then quit.

Un custom roms the registry is changed and all files that then run in custimasation are simply in the Windows folder or it can be disabled.

It might be that some stock roms have a mix of files that need to be executed from ext_rom and some from Windows. But that should result in an error for the files it cannot execute from the ext_rom.

[dsixda]

Ok, I just found an old backup of my documents and programs that I made with Spb Backup. It was made before I did any installs of ROMs to my device back in March. My ExtRom version now shows up in the Device Info (which probably answers the question of why I saw it show up after reboot!) Thank god I have an original Spb backup of the device!

The registry setting to show the ExtRom directory doesn't work, however. I'm still working on it.. (EDIT: I probably can't see it now because only the original intact ROM would contain the ExtROM.. I am just using the OS backup now)

Thanks Noonski, your answer probably answered the question as to why my OS backup hangs after doing the Customization. It's likely installing from the Windows directory but then looks for the ExtROM directory and can't find it, so it hangs. I'm going to see if I can back up my ExtROM files and then somehow make it into a ROM.

Edit: If anyone has a Rogers Elfin that has been unmodified, could you please PM me and let me know if that registry trick works. I'd like to have a copy of the Extended ROM directory and make it into a ROM backup.

[Noonski]

Ok, I just found an old backup of my documents and programs that I made with Spb Backup. It was made before I did any installs of ROMs to my device back in March. My ExtRom version now shows up in the Device Info (which probably answers the question of why I saw it show up after reboot!) Thank god I have an original Spb backup of the device!

The registry setting to show the ExtRom directory doesn't work, however. I'm still working on it.. (EDIT: I probably can't see it now because only the original intact ROM would contain the ExtROM.. I am just using the OS backup now)

Thanks Noonski, your answer probably answered the question as to why my OS backup hangs after doing the Customization. It's likely installing from the Windows directory but then looks for the ExtROM directory and can't find it, so it hangs. I'm going to see if I can back up my ExtROM files and then somehow make it into a ROM.

Edit: If anyone has a Rogers Elfin that has been unmodified, could you please PM me and let me know if that registry trick works. I'd like to have a copy of the Extended ROM directory and make it into a ROM backup.

This can be easily modified using Hypercore to dump the rom.

The look at the Rom/XIP folder and adjust the boot.rgu and the .rgu in OEM operators.

Or just change the config.txt in oemoparators.

Then recook the files into NBH file.
Since you are allready taking it apart it already is missing the original HTC signature after using HTCRT.

[dsixda]

This can be easily modified using Hypercore to dump the rom.

The look at the Rom/XIP folder and adjust the boot.rgu and the .rgu in OEM operators.

Or just change the config.txt in oemoparators.

Then recook the files into NBH file.
Since you are allready taking it apart it already is missing the original HTC signature after using HTCRT.

Aha! Thanks for the tip... this is what the config.txt says under /Windows:

LOCK:Enabled
EXEC:\WINDOWS\cusTSK.exe \WINDOWS\Rogers_White.tsk
XML: \WINDOWS\Menu_Operation.xml
CAB: \WINDOWS\pIE_Default_Page_Rogers.CAB
CAB: \WINDOWS\PT_PIE_DEFAULT_0409.CAB
CAB: \WINDOWS\DoMore.CAB
CFG: \Extended_ROM\Config.txt


Just taking out that line will probaby do the trick... However I want to get the entire ROM replicated, so it'll require me to get the Extended_ROM out.

I also found a cool tool by AnDim that can construct an ExtROM.nb from the Extended_ROM directory files:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=303049

[Noonski]

Aha! Thanks for the tip... this is what the config.txt says under /Windows:

LOCK:Enabled
EXEC:\WINDOWS\cusTSK.exe \WINDOWS\Rogers_White.tsk
XML: \WINDOWS\Menu_Operation.xml
CAB: \WINDOWS\pIE_Default_Page_Rogers.CAB
CAB: \WINDOWS\PT_PIE_DEFAULT_0409.CAB
CAB: \WINDOWS\DoMore.CAB
CFG: \Extended_ROM\Config.txt


Just taking out that line will probaby do the trick... However I want to get the entire ROM replicated, so it'll require me to get the Extended_ROM out.

I also found a cool tool by AnDim that can construct an ExtROM.nb from the Extended_ROM directory files:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=303049


Simply using Total Commander without any registry tweak.

Type in \EXTENDED_ROM
To get into the folder (original rom flash.)
And copy over the files and put these into any SYStem folder.

You would get the rom replicated without losing the space to EXT_rom partition.

EXT_Rom is So 90's ;)
At least on the ELF

[dsixda]

Ok, there was someone on the forums here (Boodah) who happened to have an unmodified Rogers Elfin with an intact ExtROM. So, using TFAT Image Editor I was able to make a working OS + ExtROM :D Now it functions like its original version ;)

Thanks for the Total Commander tip.. with that app I was able to verify the ExtROM was flashed on my Elfin.

[Noonski]

Ok, there was someone on the forums here (Boodah) who happened to have an unmodified Rogers Elfin with an intact ExtROM. So, using TFAT Image Editor I was able to make a working OS + ExtROM :D Now it functions like its original version ;)

Thanks for the Total Commander tip.. with that app I was able to verify the ExtROM was flashed on my Elfin.

Ah your not cooking it completly.

That would gain you at least 10MB

[dsixda]

Ah your not cooking it completly.

That would gain you at least 10MB

Yeah the ExtROM has to be 10,240MB or else it will not flash properly. But I want it to be like the original.

Anyways, nobody uses the original software anyway ;-) But the backup is there for people who need it for warranty or selling purposes.

[Noonski]

Yeah the ExtROM has to be 10,240MB or else it will not flash properly. But I want it to be like the original.

Anyways, nobody uses the original software anyway ;-) But the backup is there for people who need it for warranty or selling purposes.

Aye, hear that, all contribution, great work.

I thought this was just about making a stripped version.

Missunderstandings happen

[dsixda]

Aye, hear that, all contribution, great work.

I thought this was just about making a stripped version.

Missunderstandings happen


That's a good idea though - stripping down their ROM.
But I'll stick with the cooked ROMs :D Too much bloat in stock ROMs.