[CHAT] HD10 (2017) - custom ROM brainstorming:

[bibikalka]

With HD10 (2017) unlock/TWRP available - link (thanks to @k4y0z!!!), the next natural question is a custom ROM. The subject may turn out to be slightly trickier than what appears at first sight.

Let's have a discussion thread to brainstorm on this and not wonder off-topic in other places.

I had seen @DragonFire1024 & @Rortiz2 tried to work on that, so feel free to chime in as necessary.

What we have:
HD10 (2017) chipset - MT8173 (2+2 cores), there is an beefier brother to it, MT8176 (2+4 cores). For most practical purposes both chipsets seem almost identical software-wise.

MT8173 was introduced in March 2015 (time of Lollipop domination - Android 5). MT8176 was introduced in October 2016 (getting toward Nougat - Android 7).

The efforts up to date on a custom ROM for this chipset appear to be by @Goayandi, who is still active on XDA, so his work could be used a starting point. I believe @Goayandi was working on Android 7 (Nougat). Here are some of the original links:
XDA : Mediatek MT8173 & MT8176 development
Reddit: Mediatek MT8173 & MT8176 development

Stuff from Amazon for MT8173 (both HD10 2017 and FireTV2) is Lollipop-vintage (Android 5), other devices with these chipsets seem to have reached Nougat (Android 7). It does not appear that there is any known MT8173/MT8176 device with Android 8, or 9 (or is there?). It seems that @diplomatic has an Asus like this with Nougat.

At the moment, it feels a a Nougat custom ROM might be the ceiling for the device, given the difficulties of finding proprietary pieces for MTK chipsets to get Android 8 or 9 going. Now, even Android 7 is still a bit of a challenge, given limited prior success.

More thoughts/ideas? Feel free to fill this thread with random thoughts as much as you want - that's what it's for!!!

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

I'm really looking forward to an AOSP experience on this tablet, to be honest. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

 

[DragonFire1024]

I'm really looking forward to an AOSP experience on this tablet, to be honest. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

As long as I can set up everything properly I'm ready to go. I've managed to get past script issues I think. I can get it to flash and it boots to the orange fire logo and sits for eternity. This was the same result pre and post TWRP. So at this point it's probably the installation and improper setup of the tree and files. If someone can point me to a guide or give me instructions on how to add support to my AOSP working directory, that would be great. This bit of the leg work is hard as there really aren't any guides that are detailed enough or that work anymore.

Secondly, I think if we are going to use a kernel, we either use the 7.0 source, or just use the kit I have to build our own. Amazon cherry picked the crap out of the kernel practically to the bare bones, so I think expanding from it is just a waste of time, especially since we have the kit that does a lot of the work for us, including providing signatures and the tools to sign etc.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab3 Lite 7.0 using XDA Labs

 

[ffstudios]

I wouldn't mind even if the best ROM available is a 6.0 Marshmallow one. Anything that gives AOSP on a stable base for the Fire HD10 is going to be awesome.

 

[k4y0z]

As long as I can set up everything properly I'm ready to go. I've managed to get past script issues I think. I can get it to flash and it boots to the orange fire logo and sits for eternity. This was the same result pre and post TWRP. So at this point it's probably the installation and improper setup of the tree and files. If someone can point me to a guide or give me instructions on how to add support to my AOSP working directory, that would be great. This bit of the leg work is hard as there really aren't any guides that are detailed enough or that work anymore.

Secondly, I think if we are going to use a kernel, we either use the 7.0 source, or just use the kit I have to build our own. Amazon cherry picked the crap out of the kernel practically to the bare bones, so I think expanding from it is just a waste of time, especially since we have the kit that does a lot of the work for us, including providing signatures and the tools to sign etc.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab3 Lite 7.0 using XDA Labs

So did you end up successfully unbricking your device?
I did share working amazon kernel sources in the HD-10 Unlock thread.
They worked well in my tree to compile TWRP.

 

[bibikalka]

So did you end up successfully unbricking your device?
I did share working amazon kernel sources in the HD-10 Unlock thread.
They worked well in my tree to compile TWRP.

Sorry for being out of the loop - were those kernel sources for Lollipop? Or does it even matter at all - meaning they would be good to go with newer Android versions as well.

Could you link to those posts in here?

 

[k4y0z]

Sorry for being out of the loop - were those kernel sources for Lollipop? Or does it even matter at all - meaning they would be good to go with newer Android versions as well.

Could you link to those posts in here?

They will likely need some patches to work with newer versions, but it's a good start I'd say.
It's the most recent version amazon has published.

 

[DragonFire1024]

So did you end up successfully unbricking your device?
I did share working amazon kernel sources in the HD-10 Unlock thread.
They worked well in my tree to compile TWRP.

I am working on it as we speak. I downloaded the zip from the second post in this thread, 1.1. extracted and ran sudo ./bootrom-step.sh. said it can't find build/payload directory it doesn't exist. So I assume I use that folder from the other unbricking thread copy it to yours? Assuming its a yes to that question, I keep getting the serial port errors. I also had to delete a setting in udev (this was my own addition to it) and rebooted PC. Now I am having a cigarette. When I do it again, if I still get serial port errors, time to try each of the 8 or 10 other ports on the PC.

Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Labs

---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 PM ----------

Sorry for being out of the loop - were those kernel sources for Lollipop? Or does it even matter at all - meaning they would be good to go with newer Android versions as well.

Could you link to those posts in here?

The one I have and provided is a source to 7.0. looks nicely stocked.

Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Labs

 

[Rortiz2]

With HD10 (2017) unlock/TWRP available - link (thanks to @k4y0z!!!), the next natural question is a custom ROM. The subject may turn out to be slightly trickier than what appears at first sight.

Let's have a discussion thread to brainstorm on this and not wonder off-topic in other places.

I had seen @DragonFire1024 & @Rortiz2 tried to work on that, so feel free to chime in as necessary.

What we have:
HD10 (2017) chipset - MT8173 (2+2 cores), there is an beefier brother to it, MT8176 (2+4 cores). For most practical purposes both chipsets seem almost identical software-wise.

MT8173 was introduced in March 2015 (time of Lollipop domination - Android 5). MT8176 was introduced in October 2016 (getting toward Nougat - Android 7).

The efforts up to date on a custom ROM for this chipset appear to be by @Goayandi, who is still active on XDA, so his work could be used a starting point. I believe @Goayandi was working on Android 7 (Nougat). Here are some of the original links:
XDA : Mediatek MT8173 & MT8176 development
Reddit: Mediatek MT8173 & MT8176 development

Stuff from Amazon for MT8173 (both HD10 2017 and FireTV2) is Lollipop-vintage (Android 5), other devices with these chipsets seem to have reached Nougat (Android 7). It does not appear that there is any known MT8173/MT8176 device with Android 8, or 9 (or is there?). It seems that @diplomatic has an Asus like this with Nougat.

At the moment, it feels a a Nougat custom ROM might be the ceiling for the device, given the difficulties of finding proprietary pieces for MTK chipsets to get Android 8 or 9 going. Now, even Android 7 is still a bit of a challenge, given limited prior success.

More thoughts/ideas? Feel free to fill this thread with random thoughts as much as you want - that's what it's for!!!

Hi bibikalka,
Very good idea this thread.
What you can do, is to port a port a ROM of another MT8173 tablet to the FIRE HD10 2017.
This works and I have tested it on my BQ Aquaris M8 (MT8163) it has a similar MTK so I guess it will work. I have ported for example a ROM of an asus zenpad that uses MT8163 and at least the rom boots.
BTW: Oreo on MT8176: https://www.xda-developers.com/alldocube-x-10-5-inch-android-8-1-oreo/

 

[k4y0z]

I am working on it as we speak. I downloaded the zip from the second post in this thread, 1.1. extracted and ran sudo ./bootrom-step.sh. said it can't find build/payload directory it doesn't exist. So I assume I use that folder from the other unbricking thread copy it to yours? Assuming its a yes to that question, I keep getting the serial port errors. I also had to delete a setting in udev (this was my own addition to it) and rebooted PC. Now I am having a cigarette. When I do it again, if I still get serial port errors, time to try each of the 8 or 10 other ports on the PC.

Apparently I forgot to add the right files.
give me a moment.

---------- Post added at 06:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

I am working on it as we speak. I downloaded the zip from the second post in this thread, 1.1. extracted and ran sudo ./bootrom-step.sh. said it can't find build/payload directory it doesn't exist. So I assume I use that folder from the other unbricking thread copy it to yours? Assuming its a yes to that question, I keep getting the serial port errors. I also had to delete a setting in udev (this was my own addition to it) and rebooted PC. Now I am having a cigarette. When I do it again, if I still get serial port errors, time to try each of the 8 or 10 other ports on the PC.

I have fixed the upload, please use amonet-suez-v1.1.1.zip

The one I have and provided is a source to 7.0. looks nicely stocked.

But these aren't amazon sources are they?
They probably are missing some drivers then.
But if they are for mt8173 they could be used as a source to patch the amazon-sources.

 

[DragonFire1024]

Apparently I forgot to add the right files.
give me a moment.

---------- Post added at 06:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------


I have fixed the upload, please use amonet-suez-v1.1.1.zip


But these aren't amazon sources are they?
They probably are missing some drivers then.
But if they are for mt8173 they could be used as a source to patch the amazon-sources.

I'll provide a link in a few. Trying your fix now.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab3 Lite 7.0 using XDA Labs

 

[bibikalka]

Hi bibikalka,
Very good idea this thread.
What you can do, is to port a port a ROM of another MT8173 tablet to the FIRE HD10 2017.
This works and I have tested it on my BQ Aquaris M8 (MT8163) it has a similar MTK so I guess it will work. I have ported for example a ROM of an asus zenpad that uses MT8163 and at least the rom boots.
BTW: Oreo on MT8176: https://www.xda-developers.com/alldocube-x-10-5-inch-android-8-1-oreo/

Excellent find! Here is a review link:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...ldocube-x-review-media-playback-king-t3902539

Alldocube X kind of has 2x of everything compared to HD10 2017, but at 2x price I wonder how fast Oreo would be on HD10 and if 2Gb of RAM would cut it. But this is definitely the device to copy if one wants latest and greatest!

And here is a thread with misc download links for ROMs:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...n/10-5-inch-super-amoled-2560-x-1600-t3821327

 

[Rortiz2]

Excellent find! Here is a review link:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...ldocube-x-review-media-playback-king-t3902539

Alldocube X kind of has 2x of everything compared to HD10 2017, but at 2x price I wonder how fast Oreo would be on HD10 and if 2Gb of RAM would cut it. But this is definitely the device to copy if one wants latest and greatest!

And here is a thread with misc download links for ROMs:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ge...n/10-5-inch-super-amoled-2560-x-1600-t3821327

I will try to port lineage 15.1 but the safest thing is that it will not work.
I have also ported an AOSP Rom for anyone who wants to try it. Tomorrow I will give more info.

 

[ffstudios]

I will try to port lineage 15.1 but the safest thing is that it will not work.
I have also ported an AOSP Rom for anyone who wants to try it. Tomorrow I will give more info.

This is great news! I am eagerly awaiting more info about this AOSP ROM

 

[bibikalka]

I will try to port lineage 15.1 but the safest thing is that it will not work.
I have also ported an AOSP Rom for anyone who wants to try it. Tomorrow I will give more info.

This is great news! I am eagerly awaiting more info about this AOSP ROM

Alright, we have both an eager developer, and a tester!!! Just remember, avoid bricking !

Very recently (March 2019) @wangyiling seems to have put together a LineageOS 15.1 ROM for MT8173/8176 - link, so hopefully we can re-purpose that for HD10. It's great to have an active developer elsewhere looking at the same thing!

It feels that if there is at least something that boots the kernel, it'd be a huge step forward.

 

[DragonFire1024]

Alright, we have both an eager developer, and a tester!!! Just remember, avoid bricking !

Very recently (March 2019) @wangyiling seems to have put together a LineageOS 15.1 ROM for MT8173/8176 - link, so hopefully we can re-purpose that for HD10. It's great to have an active developer elsewhere looking at the same thing!

It feels that if there is at least something that boots the kernel, it'd be a huge step forward.

If my testing on ROMs caused my brick, we have to be careful. I've been testing and flashing test ROMs for months now and never bricked like this. I think I may know what happened and if I'm right, I'm not sure what effect if any this will have on flashing a rom. According to the fstab.mt8173 file in the root directory, the partitions we flash for a rom, aren't part of the EMMC: data, system, cache are all ext4. All other partitions are however EMMC. So if I recall correctly, I did list the system as EMMC in the build script, but did intend to remove it. I made a last minute adjustment to the script and didn't change that part though.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78542898&postcount=618

Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Labs

 

[tylerhole]

I will try to port lineage 15.1 but the safest thing is that it will not work.
I have also ported an AOSP Rom for anyone who wants to try it. Tomorrow I will give more info.

I too am willing to test. Just let me know and I'll be sure to wear my best testing pants. [emoji41]

Sent from my SM-G9650/DS running stang5litre Pie ROM

 

[Rortiz2]

AOSP ROM TEST 1 (suez)

Ok guys so here's the first test for the AOSP ROM.
First of all, I am not responsible for bricked devices. It is you who decides to try the ROM without knowing if it will work because it is a TEST.
DOWNLOAD: Removed
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Boot TWRP
- Make NANDROID BACKUP
- Make wipes
- Format data
- Install ROM
- Reboot
Please. If the installation fails, send the errors and if the ROM starts, comment on the bugs.
Regards!

 

[tylerhole]

Ok guys so here's the first test for the AOSP ROM.

First of all, I am not responsible for bricked devices. It is you who decides to try the ROM without knowing if it will work because it is a TEST.

DOWNLOAD: https://mega.nz/#!C5dEQIKR!14BcGTiaT-xsrPUc-AxmWrTLj92Y5A2VgeNX2VA1uUE

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:

- Boot TWRP

- Make NANDROID BACKUP

- Make wipes

- Format data

- Install ROM

- Reboot

Please. If the installation fails, send the errors and if the ROM starts, comment on the bugs.

Regards!

Sounds good to me. Won't have a chance till later this afternoon/evening to give it a whirl, but when I do I'll definitely share my results and any information that may be useful. Thank you!

Sent from my SM-G9650/DS running stang5litre Pie ROM

 

[bibikalka]

Ok guys so here's the first test for the AOSP ROM.
First of all, I am not responsible for bricked devices. It is you who decides to try the ROM without knowing if it will work because it is a TEST.
DOWNLOAD: https://mega.nz/#!C5dEQIKR!14BcGTiaT-xsrPUc-AxmWrTLj92Y5A2VgeNX2VA1uUE
...
Please. If the installation fails, send the errors and if the ROM starts, comment on the bugs.

Which AOSP version is this? Could you try that Oreo Lineage stuff from @wangyiling at some point as well?

One of these days we'll have a ROM developer and a tester within the same person Too bad we've lost @DragonFire1024 since his tablet got bricked