[APP] Flash Image GUI - Flash Kernels and Recoveries from normal Android mode!

Credits:
birbeck for the usual random java guidance, slushpupie for his previous java guidance, dodgejcr for extreme amounts of testing, and one_love_420 and shift for some great graphics!
testers: JT-, couga6442, happytweak and many others I might have forgot in the furry of three days I built the initial app from scratch.!
Thanks to SDX

HTC Unlock - Newer Hboot:
If you have a newer Hboot version on either a CDMA or GSM device which has successfully completed the HTC unlock method, this application will work to flash kernels!
Please see the guides at the bottom of this post!

Background:
flash_image (bmlwrite) is an extremely useful utility for flashing custom kernels, boot logos (so far ONLY Samsung devices) and recoveries. This binary has made it possible to easily flash all these items and is used almost everywhere behind the scenes (i.e. in custom recoveries, packaged into kernel /sbin, etc).

Description:
This android application, FlashImageGUI, is basically a GUI interface for the linux binary, flash_image provided by google in AOSP for loading custom kernels and recovery images onto the phone.
This app allows the flashing of kernels and custom recovery images in normal android mode!

Current Device Support:
Full Kernel, Logo and Recovery flashing: Samsung Moment, Transform, Intercept and Acclaim - the s3c6410 series of devices
Full Kernel (Anykernel and boot.img) Flashing and Recovery (zip file or image) flashing: HTC EVO 4G LTE, One S, EVO 3D CDMA and GSM, Amaze, Vivid/Holiday, EVO 4G, EVO Shift, Nexus 7, Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S/Nexus S 4G & LG Optimus
Full Kernel (zImage) Flashing: Samsung Epic
Check application version for updates

Future Support:
Will continue to test kernels as they are released to ensure compatibility!

YouTube Video Directions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEVhKbvXawM&hd=1&list=PL9B601B5B9B4F42BE
Thanks disturb3d1/wwjoshdew!

Great Photo Guide:
http://htcevohacks.com/htc-evo-3d-hacks/how-to-install-kernelrom-on-hboot-1-50-for-htc-evo-3d/

Install Directions:
Install process is the same as any other .apk. Download to computer and adb push or mount sdcard on computer and copy over or download directly to the phone. Use any file manager, adb, connectbot/terminal emulator to install.
My preferred method, maybe a bit technical: ./adb install c:\downloads\FlashImageGUI.apk

Download Locations
Market (99 cents!): Flash Image GUI
Release version (free): Flash Image GUI

Contact:
Any questions, comments, concerns, or issues, please post in this thread or send me an email! Thanks for all the help and support!

FAQ:
Q: Will this app support a marketplace to pick and chose kernels from?
A: No. Use Kernel Manager!
Q: Can I flash nandroid kernel backups?
A: Yes. Rename the specific image to boot.img and select from inside of Flash Image GUI. **Make sure to also load the associated modules or WiFi might stop working!

Screenshots:






Feedback:
Please post any helpful feedback. I'm always looking to improve the application!

HTC Unlock - User Guides for Flash Image GUI!!

HTC Unlock - Users Guide for ROMs with a Kernel (boot.img file):
1) Unlock using the HTC method
2) Load this application, Flash Image GUI, onto the device, either through the Market or the link provided in this OP.
3) Download ROM .zip file to the sdcard on the device.
4) Open up Flash Image GUI, select Browse and select the ROM .zip file, downloaded to /sdcard in the previous step.
5) Flash Image GUI will provide a warning, reminding that the ROM .zip file will *need* to be flashed in the custom recovery afterward.
6) Flash Image GUI will index the full ROM .zip file searching for the kernel and kernel modules. Once located, the Flash Image button should be enabled.
7) Select the Flash Image button and Flash Image GUI will load the kernel modules and kernel from inside the ROM zip file.
8) Select reboot recovery.
9) Inside the custom recovery, wipe data as ROM requires and load/flash the ROM zip file.
10) Reboot to normal Android mode and all should work including WiFi!


HTC Unlock - Users Guide for flashing ONLY a Kernel (zip file):
1) Make sure the selected Kernel is compatible with the currently loaded ROM. If not, this will result in a lot of frustration!!! See troubleshooting steps below.
2) Download kernel zip file to /sdcard.
3) Open Flash Image GUI, browse and select kernel zip file, downloaded/loaded to sdcard in previous step.
3) Flash Image GUI will validate the kernel zip file is contains the minimum required files
4) Select the Flash Image button and Flash Image GUI will load the kernel and the kernel modules from the source kernel zip file.
5) Reboot

Troubleshooting after Rebooting:

First step, when experiencing issues flashing is to RE FLASH the files again. Many times, re flashing again will clear up any issues. If not, see the issues/solutions below.

Issue #1: If the device hangs or reboots while on the splash screen, the kernel itself or the ramdisk packaged in the kernel are NOT compatible with your device!!!
Solution for #1: Have to boot into fastboot and load the custom recovery to flash a known good kernel or restore a previously known good nandroid backup. Command: fastboot boot c:\downloads\cwm-recovery.img
Issue #2: If the device hangs or reboots while on the boot animation, the ROM is likely NOT compatible with the kernel!!!
Solution for #2: Have to boot into fastboot and load the custom recovery to flash a known good ROM/kernel combination either from a zip file or restore from a nandroid backup.

ssojyeti2 said:

I loved this app on my evo 3d but I'm curious why post here now if the lte is unsupported?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Version 1.4.3, which I just released this morning and updated in the Market as well as updated at my free download link, supports the HTC EVO 4G LTE.
If you have any issues, please feel free to post up here.

Thanks for the support!

baknblack said:

Joey, what is the chance of using this method to flash radios, pri, and nv items that are included in the ota?

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Well, off the top of my head, here are some thoughts:

HTC doesn't allow direct access to those partitions from normal Android mode, at least as far as I've been able to tell. If somebody knows otherwise, I'd be interested in learning.

The only other method which comes to mind would be the handling and positioning of the zip file on the sdcard of an S-OFF device. I'm always hesitant to host/provide HTC files as they have been aggressive in the past in pursuing those who host their files.
Not sure how much an Android app which simply moved files around on the sdcard would be in relation to all the File Manager applications out there.

If I'm missing something, let me know! I do appreciate the suggestion and I'll keep my eyes open!

jdcasino said:

Just so I have this right and don't screw my phone up, to flash cm10 I need to extract the boot.img and flash that with this app then flash the entire cm10 then the gapps. Does that sound about right?

Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

If you follow the directions in the OP, shouldn't have any issues.
Select the ROM .zip from inside of Flash Image GUI and it will automatically locate the boot.IMG and extract and flash.
Then reboot to recovery, select the same ROM .zip and flash. While in recovery flash the gapps .zip
Should be all set!

jdcasino said:

Quick question, how would I go about flashing the boot.img from a nandroid when the file is named 'boot.eccm.win'? Would I have to change the file name for 'flash image GUI' to accept it?
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Great question.

Simply rename the file from boot.eccm.win to boot.img and select from inside of Flash Image GUI.
I added this to the FAQ. As a side note, make sure to load the modules after or WiFi might stop working!

Thanks for the support!

michael.stollaire said:

FYI, had to download your release APK, as the Google Play download is giving errors.

Sent from my r00ted, unlocked, 100% tricked-out LTEVO

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Frustrating Google Play, when paying for a product, has issues delivering and running the product, where as I pay a hosting company to provide my application APK file and there are very few to no issues! (I prefer to pay for hosting so my end users don't have to see ADs from free hosting!)

I've received complaints regarding the Market on and off for a while. They seem to come and go quickly. They do have a difficult job supporting many devices in many locations.
Were you able to contact Google Play support? Were they helpful in assisting with the issue?
Can you tell me what issue(s) you were getting with Google Play? If you had any screenshots of the issues, that would be helpful!

I personally like to keep some track of the issues users experience and do my best to help eliminate those. Appreciate the support!!

jdcasino said:

One more, will this allow us with the new hboot to flash splash screens now as well?

Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Unfortunately, I haven't seen a method to flash the boot logo/splash screen other than using the bootloader. Fairly sure HTC only allows the boot logo/splash screen to be flashed through the bootloader, no other way. But, these great communities are always pushing the boundaries so if I'm wrong, please post up a link to the thread with details and I will research!

Thanks for the support!