[Multiboot] The Multiboot thread | GingerDX Added [6-Aug-2011]

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Introduction


Have you ever thought of having both Froyo and Gingrbread in your X8 and changing from one ROM to another whenever you want without having to flash them?



This CWM Modification was created by nobodyAtall for use on Xperia X10mini(Thread at X10mini Android Development).
With this MOD you can install two or more ROMs for use in a single phone, one ROM will be stored on phone's memory(internal) and one or more ROMs on sdcard(external) with the ability to change from one ROM to another fast and easy. I don't know if there's a limit on how many ROMs you can have on sdcard, as long as you have enough space(Remember, 400MB for every Boot option).


As posted on X10mini Android Development by nobodyAtall
Requirements (READ THEM CAREFULLY):

- CWM recovery pre-installed
- You need a FAST enough sdcard. I'd suggest not using this mod if your sdcard is less than Class 6
- Your sdcard should have enough free space. Each 'boot option' that you create reserves 400MB of space in your sdcard
- In order to create a new boot option, you need a flashable zip of the ROM you wish to boot to, as well as a patch for it's ramdisk.tar (if this is a custom ROM, stock ROMs don't need this). The flashable zip of the ROM is the same that is used for usual ROM installation. The patch should be provided by the ROM's cook.

Instructions for devs only

To create a bootable image, you have two options:
- Make use of CWM recovery (which can create boot images from update.zip) and provide a patch for your ROM that makes sure: app2sd is disabled, ramdisk.tar does not mount mtd* partitions under /system, /data, or /cache. This patch is also flashable via the new multiboot menu of CWM. If you need more info, see the attached MiniCM7-multiboot.zip
OR
- Manually create ext2 system.img, data.img and cache.img for users to push under /sdcard/clockworkmod/multiboot/<name>/


Note: I am using a Class 4, 4GB and XGin 5.4 is still fast even when playing PSX games on Fpse.(Games run smooth but with OC@748MHz, this is not because of the external booting, you can't emulate PSX game on a 600MHz chip{You can but it will be laggy}, you will need OC@748MHz to play{Smooth})

Note2: After a lot of app testing, it's not a good idea to use multiboot as long as you have Class 4 sdcard. Many apps are laggy(EXAMPLE: Browser). Although i will keep using multiboot because it always makes me happy when i see that my phone have so much features now, and how many features will come.

Conclusion: Everybody who wants to use multiboot should have a Class 6 or faster sdcard.



Installation - First Steps:

-Download CWM-Multiboot-r4.zip and DualRecovery.zip.
-Install the ROM you want to use in phone's memory as you would normally do.
Note: If you have already installed the ROM you want to use in phone's memory then you don't need to install it again.

-Flash the DualRecovery.zip normally with xRecovery via "-Install custom zip>-Choose custom zip from sdcard", browse and select DualRecovery.zip and then select "yes".
Note: Now you have both xRecovery and CMW Recovery installed .

Note2: To boot in xRecovery, keep pressing the back button while at the white Sony Ericsson logo. To boot in CWM Recovery, keep taping the screen while at the white Sony Ericsson logo.

-Boot in CWM Recovery.
-Flash the CWM-Multiboot-r4.zip via "-install zip from sdcard>-choose zip from sdcard", browse and select CWM-Multiboot-r4.zip and then select "yes".
-Reboot again in CWM Recovery.
Note: Now, you will see a "-multiboot" menu between "-advanced" and "-power off" menus. In "-multiboot" menu there exist the following sub-menus:

-Select default boot option
-Unset default boot option
-Create boot option from zip
-Delete existing boot option
-Flash zip to boot option

Explanations:

-Select default boot option: Set the external ROM in which you want the phone to boot from now on.
-Unset default boot option: Unset booting on external ROM so that the phone will boot in internal.
-Create boot option from zip: Select and install a ROM in sdcard.
-Delete existing boot option: Delete an already installed ROM from sdcard.
-Flash zip to boot option: Flash updates from this menu.

Now the installation as external is different between ROMs. CHOOSE YOUR PATH(S).


FroyoBread:

-Download update-FroyoBread.v0##.zip from FroyoBread thread.
-Download FroyoBread-edify.zip and FroyoBread-Multiboot.zip.
-Extract FroyoBread-edify.zip and put the files in the right place in update-FroyoBread.v0##.zip.
Note: Simply drag META-INF folder from the FroyoBread-edify.zip and drop it on the update-FroyoBread.v0##.zip.
-Put your prefered apps, modules and other stuff you want on update-FroyoBread.v0##.zip and then put the ROM and the FroyoBread-Multiboot.zip in sdcard.
-Boot in CWM Recovery and select "-multiboot>-Create boot option from zip", browse and select update-FroyoBread.v0##.zip and wait untill it's done.
-Now go to "-multiboot>-Flash zip to boot option", select the newly created boot option(it should have some numbers depnding on Date & Time the boot option was created), and now browse and select FroyoBread-Multiboot.zip and select "yes".
-Now select in which ROM you want to boot via "-multiboot>-Select default boot option".
-Reboot.
-FINISHED.
-Now you should have booted on FroyoBread.
Note: To boot on internal ROM "-Unset default boot option" and reboot.
Note2: Download the FroyoBread021-ColorFix.zip to fix some problems with colors in FroyoBread v021 and flash it using "-Flash zip to boot option" sub-menu in "-multiboot" menu.


MiniCM6:

-Download MiniCM6-#.#.#-X8.zip from MiniCM6 and MiniCM7 thread.
-Download MiniCM6-Multiboot.zip.
-Put your prefered apps, modules and other stuff you want on MiniCM6-#.#.#-X8.zip and then put the ROM and the MiniCM6-Multiboot.zip in sdcard.
-Boot in CWM Recovery and select "-multiboot>-Create boot option from zip", browse and select MiniCM6-#.#.#-X8.zip and wait untill it's done.
-Now go to "-multiboot>-Flash zip to boot option", select the newly created boot option(it should have some numbers depnding on Date & Time the boot option was created), and now browse and select MiniCM6-Multiboot.zip and select "yes".
-Now select in which ROM you want to boot via "-multiboot>-Select default boot option".
-Reboot.
-FINISHED.
-Now you should have booted on MiniCM6.
Note: To boot on internal ROM "-Unset default boot option" and reboot.


MiniCM7:

-Download MiniCM7-#.#.#-X8.zip from MiniCM6 and MiniCM7 thread.
-Download MiniCM7-edify.zip and MiniCM7-Multiboot.zip.
-Extract MiniCM7-edify.zip and put the files in the right place in MiniCM7-#.#.#-X8.zip.
Note: Simply drag META-INF folder from the MiniCM7-edify.zip and drop it on the MiniCM7-#.#.#-X8.zip.
-Put your prefered apps, modules and other stuff you want on MiniCM7-#.#.#-X8.zip and then put the ROM and the MiniCM7-Multiboot.zip in sdcard.
-Boot in CWM Recovery and select "-multiboot>-Create boot option from zip", browse and select MiniCM7-#.#.#-X8.zip and wait untill it's done.
-Now go to "-multiboot>-Flash zip to boot option", select the newly created boot option(it should have some numbers depnding on Date & Time the boot option was created), and now browse and select MiniCM7-Multiboot.zip and select "yes".
-Now select in which ROM you want to boot via "-multiboot>-Select default boot option".
-Reboot.
-FINISHED.
-Now you should have booted on MiniCM7.
Note: To boot on internal ROM "-Unset default boot option" and reboot.


XGin:

-Download updateXG#.#.zip from shpit's blogspot.
-Download XGin-Multiboot.zip.
-Put your prefered apps, modules and other stuff you want on updateXG#.#.zip and then put the ROM and the XGin-Multiboot.zip in sdcard.
-Boot in CWM Recovery and select "-multiboot>-Create boot option from zip", browse and select updateXG#.#.zip and wait untill it's done.
-Now go to "-multiboot>-Flash zip to boot option", select the newly created boot option(it should have some numbers depnding on Date & Time the boot option was created), and now browse and select XGin-Multiboot.zip and select "yes".
-Now select in which ROM you want to boot via "-multiboot>-Select default boot option".
-Reboot.
-FINISHED.
-Now you should have booted on XGin.
Note: To boot on internal ROM "-Unset default boot option" and reboot.


kuyaDROID:

-Download kuyaDROID v#.#.###.cwm.zip for CWM Recovery from kuyaDROID thread.
-Download kuyaDROID-Multiboot.zip.
-Put your prefered apps, modules and other stuff you want on v#.#.###.cwm.zip and then put the ROM and the kuyaDROID-Multiboot.zip in sdcard.
-Boot in CWM Recovery and select "-multiboot>-Create boot option from zip", browse and select v#.#.###.cwm.zip and wait untill it's done.
-Now go to "-multiboot>-Flash zip to boot option", select the newly created boot option(it should have some numbers depnding on Date & Time the boot option was created), and now browse and select kuyaDROID-Multiboot.zip and select "yes".
-Now select in which ROM you want to boot via "-multiboot>-Select default boot option".
-Reboot.
-FINISHED.
-Now you should have booted on kuyaDROID.
Note: To boot on internal ROM "-Unset default boot option" and reboot.
Note2: Download the kuyaDROID-fps2sdFIX.zip to fix some problems with fps2sd.


GingerDX:

-Download update-GingerDX.v0##.zip from GingerDX thread.
-Download GingerDX-edify.zip and GingerDX-Multiboot.zip.
-Extract GingerDX-edify.zip and put the files in the right place in update-GingerDX.v0##.zip.
Note: Simply drag META-INF folder from the GingerDX-edify.zip and drop it on the update-GingerDX.v0##.zip.
-Put your prefered apps, modules and other stuff you want on update-GingerDX.v0##.zip and then put the ROM and the GingerDX-Multiboot.zip in sdcard.
-Boot in CWM Recovery and select "-multiboot>-Create boot option from zip", browse and select update-GingerDX.v0##.zip and wait untill it's done.
-Now go to "-multiboot>-Flash zip to boot option", select the newly created boot option(it should have some numbers depnding on Date & Time the boot option was created), and now browse and select GingerDX-Multiboot.zip and select "yes".
-Now select in which ROM you want to boot via "-multiboot>-Select default boot option".
-Reboot.
-FINISHED.
-Now you should have booted on GingerDX.
Note: To boot on internal ROM "-Unset default boot option" and reboot.



Expect more supported ROMs in future.

If you have any ROM requests post a reply with the ROM name and I'll see what I can do.


Known bugs:

--If you get a notification that your sdcard is damaged, just reboot.
--Some sdcards are not supported.


Almost forgot:
Thanks to nobodyAtall for making the Multiboot MOD for CWM Recovery.
Thanks to shpit for the first test on X8, supporting me, and many more reasons.
Thanks to puppet13th for creating the FroyoBread, MiniCM6, MiniCM7 and GingerDX patches.
Thanks to doixanh for many reasons.
Thanks to XDA-Developers.

oh nice tutorial....
I was wondering is it possible to put xgin in phone's memory and froyobread in sd card?

Originally Posted by Imppy

oh nice tutorial....
I was wondering is it possible to put xgin in phone's memory and froyobread in sd card?

XGin is bigger than FroyoBread as any CM7 is bigger than any CM6. I can't find why should someone would use XGin as internal and CM6 as external.

Also I don't think it's possible as I read at nobodyAtalls Thread on X10mini Android Development.

Originally Posted by Koulis2000

XGin is bigger than FroyoBread as any CM7 is bigger than any CM6. I can't find why should someone would use XGin as internal and CM6 as external.

Also I don't think it's possible as I read at nobodyAtalls Thread on X10mini AD.

I'm thinking of using xGin primarily, however wouldn't putting it in SD card hinder it's speed?

Originally Posted by Imppy

I'm thinking of using xGin primarily, however wouldn't putting it in SD card hinder it's speed?

I have Class 4 sdcard, 4 GB, I am using XGin on sdcard and I am using it as my main ROM, but because we can't use Froyos as external, I have XGin stored on sdcard. Believe me it's still a fast XGin as always. It's still smooth and you won't believe that it's running from sdcard.

all of you dev in xda are verrry nuts : D. my love to x8 is bigger every day. thanks for all hardwork . alhamdulillah

Originally Posted by sendalterbang

all of you dev in xda are verrry nuts : D. my love to x8 is bigger every day. thanks for all hardwork . alhamdulillah

I am not a Developer , nobodyAtall created this mod for X10mini so all thanks goes to him.
shpit and me only tested it to see if it works on X8.
And then I just posted it here so everybody can multiboot.

EDIT: But it is true that our devs on X8 have nuts.

Koulis thanks for your answers.

I am going to try and report

Originally Posted by Imppy

Koulis thanks for your answers.

I am going to try and report

Any BUG reports?

Ok, for curious people like me, not install it on class 2 sdcard the boot is veeery slow, reboots etc.