[ROM][MOD] Lenovo A820

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cappa72

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2012
211
197
Dear Owners,
Discontinued

In this post you can find a multilingual (mainly European) modified rom for the smartphone Lenovo A820.

IMPORTANT NOTE!
The newer phones do not work well with S138 or older kernel (no info about S147).
The sympthom is that the touch screen works on inappropriate way: after the first screenlock it does not work again.
For this reason it is highly recommended that update your kernel if you have got this issue.
The kernel changer to S150 zip can be run from modified recovery (CWM, TWRP, COT, Carliv, etc...).

Note that all the things in this thread you do with your phone can be dangerous. I cannot take responsibility for your phone damage.
So, do it at your own risk.

Before you do anything, I recommend you to save your current ROM (I would say it is mandatory!)
There are many ways to save and I highlight some (links will be added later):
1, for non-rooted phones:
- SP_Flashtool, readback option.
- CWM (or TWRP) backup, if it is available on your phone

2, for rooted phones:
- MTKDroidTools backup
- command line dd-backup

In order to install this ROM, you need to have CWM recovery on your phone.
If you have not got this recovery or you do not know which recovery you have got, you have to read post#3 before you do anything.
If you get error during the installation of the ROM, see post#4.
The restore option of the CWM rcovery is not as good as it could have been expected, so please read post#4 carefuly for CWM restoration issues, tricks.
Update: CWM 6.0.4.0 with S150 stock kernel.

Just to clarify the power-on modes:
Normal phone mode: press the power button
Meta mode: VOLUME DOWN + POWER
Factory mode: VOLUME UP + POWER
Recovery mode: VOLUME DOWN + VOLUME UP + POWER

Consider the warranty issues, you need to backup you rom.
In addition, I always suggest to do a backup before install any new ROM to your phone.
You can do it with CWM recovery in backup menu.


About installation in general.
Pre-requisites: CWM recovery menu installed on your phone. (This ROM can be installed from CWM recovery.)
The ROM file must be saved on your physical SD card.
Enter into CWM recovery.
In CWM recovery you can go up/down with the volume up/down keys. The “enter” is the power button.
Choose the “install zip from SD card” menu item.
Choose the “choose zip from SD card” menu item.
Select the rom you want to install.
Choose “OK” in the menu item.
If you need a detailed explanation of its use, see the tutorial : http://bm-smartphone-reviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/complete-guide-to-clockworkmod-recovery.html
Right after the ROM installation has been finished, you can install gapps as well, before restart.


Windorws driver installation:
Please do not ask me about it. I use mainly Linux, which is more friendly.
What I did in XP under Virtualbox was:
Downloaded the Lenovo drivers from here: <link>
Manually added the com ports in control panel.


MOD CP4.0


V1
The modified rom has got the stock kernel - Lenovo A820_ydss_S135_130403

This completely changes your phone appearance, your Lenovo UI will be disappeared.
Also Lenovo applications are not integrated to this rom.
It will look like the stock Jelly Bean.
Main features:
-The firmware is rooted.
-Boot logo, boot/shutdown animations and sounds are changed to Lenovo.
-Minimalist appearance and content, for this reason you have to install google applications manually, from CWM recovery <link>. After gapps installation everything works well (many people wants to have mainly Google Play. It do work.)
-Slide unlock.
-Multilingual. For supported languages, see the screenshots.
-The default language/region is Hungarian, but you can easily choose your one.

Known bugs:
- I found was that the charging logo with turned off phone is not proper.
-the camera does not work adequately in video-camera mode.
-the default setting in some of the application is V987.


V2
The modified rom has got the stock kernel - Lenovo A820_S135_130403

The camera was changed to a non-multilingual one. It looked that the black screen in camcorder mode solved.
But after googleapps something went wrong... black screen again.



V3
The modified rom has got the stock kernel - Lenovo A820_S135_130403

In V3 there is not any significant changes (camera app was changed back to the multilingual one), but I modified the gapps, which caused the camcorder issue.
So, for this modified rom you need to use this gapps.
V3 download link: CP4.0-by-cappa72-v3 - dropbox
or
CP4.0-by-cappa72-v3 - 4shared
Bug: Still, the camera has got green lines in the case of playback.



CP4.1

V1
The kernel has changed to A820_YDSS_S130_130324.
The camera application does not generate green bands in playback.
The default language was set to English, default time zone was set to London.
CP4.1-by-cappa72-v1
You can use the googleapps mentioned for CP4.0-v3



CP4.2

V1
The kernel has changed to A820_S138_130419
CP4.2-by-cappa72-v1

Bug list
#3 - CP4.2-v1 - Wen try to choose themes, the laucher is Force Closed (FC) - Settings was modified to resolve this issue.
#4 - CP4.2-v1 - Serial number is 0123456789ABCDEF instead of the original S/N - not a real bug
#5 - CP4.2-v1 - Under the battery level of 15% the SystemUI is Force Closed (FC) - was a user error, when people deleted the necessary ui files.


CP4.3
This release will be the continuation of the 4.2, but with the newest available kernel (S150) and will (plan) contain all the things that are included in the 5.3.
This will not be with Aromainstaller and will contain the gapps.
Hopefully comng within two weeks.



MOD CP5.3
Available now (25.11.2013.)
CP5.3
V1
Change log; what’s new compared to CP4.2
Aromainstaller is used for optional installation possibilities.
- still Jelly Bean 4.1
- kernel is the stock S150
- Modified systemUI by jwchen119@xda (1% battery signal; automatic hide function for non-used sim signal)
- Modified Settings by apeelme (sloving bug #3)
- Baseband is from the stock ROM S150.
- gps.conf is set to EU by default
- apns.xml is modified for Telenor-HU from “net” to “online”
- gps-tracker solver added to build.prop (dalvik.vm.execution-mode=int:fast)
- libvcodecdrv.so replaced to solve green bars in case of video playback.
- updated MobileUncleTools (2.9.5) in case of 3rd party SW.

There is no default ringtone set! Right after the installation you have to set the ringtone, message alert and so on... otherwise your phone will not play sound...

Important feature!
If you have already repartitioned with the script, you can simply install this ROM, it will recognise that the repartition had been done; and you do not have to run "disable internal SD card" script from CWM.
But please note that this function is onyl available with the repartition script; with Meteos rom editor repartitioning this function is not available.

Right after the installatio, there is not any sound set. Nor the ringtone, nor the message an alert. So, you have to set it first.


Available on mediafire : Link
md5sum: 86e241fcac6faf4fa6baf0f9cc4a18a0



Additional possibility:Change of FM radio
The FM radio can be changed back to Lenovo’s one with this script. It was requested by some people due to the fact that Lenovo’s FM radio can work without connecting the earphone.
The link is here. http://data.hu/get/6494163/FM-radio-change.zip
You can install it from CWM recovery, with the same method that you used during the installation of the ROM. This script does not affect any other part of the ROM, but the FM radio.


Repartition
Please DO NOT USE IT for Lenovo-based ROMs. Sometimes it can cause bootloop or other inconvenience.
The repartition of internal memory of the Lenovo A820 phone has been solved already.
With this action youd intednal SD card will be disappeared and will be added to the /data partition.

Before you do anything, make a CWM backup, and save all your data from internal SD card!

The easiest way is to use this CWM script, if you want to have the maximum available size (2,7GB) for the /data partition.
You have to install it from CWM recovery.
After the installation you need to do a factory reset.
After the factory reset, you have to disable your internal SD card, with CWM script.
And then, you can reboot your phone to check if yo have got the new size of /data partition:
settings --> storage
"internal data storage; full capacity 2,7GB"
"internal SD card; full capacity <your physical SD card capacity"
If the above data appear, you have successfully repartitioned you phone's internal memory!

If you want to have your data back, go into CWM recovery, and choose
backup and restore --> advanced restore --> <choose your save> --> Restore data
And then, your data are available again, after the reboot.

Please do not use it, if you do not want to have the 2,7GB of /data partition!

For Lenovo-based ROMs you need to use Meteos-apk for repartition of A820.

Internal/external SD card exchanger
If you want to use your physical SD card as the default one, and still want to use your emmc-SD card (aka internal SD card by default), you can change it by this CWM script.

Important link in summary:
The driver what works is here.
The original stock recovery is here
The autoroot package can be found here.
The preferred CWM is here.
The root script is here, you can install is from CMW, and your phone will be rooted.
The usable Flashtool is here.
The scattel file for Flashtool is here.


Credits:
bgcngm for the base of the ROM (BM1.0 for ZTE V987), and his amazing tutorials
iBotPeaches and brut.all for apktool
dsixda for his ROM kitchen which is really helpfull for easy-deodexing
Koush for his wonderfull CWM recovery
amarullz for his amazing AROMA installer
...and finally to all the devs whose apps, tweaks and scripts I have used on my custom ROMs
 

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cappa72

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2012
211
197
CWM recovery

Installing CWM on your phone
You need to install proper drivers to your computer.

Available (ported) CWM recoveries:
With newest kernel:
CWM recovery 6.0.1.2 - S150 - ported from bgcngm@xda ZTE V970 recovery.
CWM recovery 6.0.4.0 - S150 - ported from carliv@xda ZTE V967S recovery.
CWM recovery 6.0.1.2 - S138 - ported from bgcngm@xda ZTE V970 recovery.
CWM recovery 6.0.1.2 - S135 - ported from bgcngm@xda ZTE V970 recovery.


Option 1, with SP Flashtool
Download the SP_Flashtool software to your computer. Extract it to a directory, where you want to run it from.
Download the scatter file, which you will need if you want to use SP_Flashtool.
Download the CWM
(5.5.0.4, 6.0.1.2, 6.0.2.8; it is your decision)

Run the SP_Flashtool.
61579_kepernyokep-1.thumb.png


Browse your scatter file.
61579_kepernyokep-2.thumb.png

61579_kepernyokep-3.thumb.png


Choose only the recovery.
61579_kepernyokep-4.thumb.png

61579_kepernyokep-5.thumb.png

61579_kepernyokep-6.thumb.png


Tick the “DA DL all with checksum” (you can find it close to the download button). It is a really important point!
61579_kepernyokep-7.thumb.png


If your phone is connected, let’s disconnect it from the computer.
Turn off your phone. Take the battery out from your phone for 5 sec. Insert the battery to you phone. Keep it still turned off.

In the flashtool press the Download button.
61579_kepernyokep-8.thumb.png


Choose OK to the warning message.
61579_kepernyokep-9.thumb.png


Connect your phone to the computer.

The flashtool will flash the recovery into your phone.
61579_kepernyokep-11.thumb.png


When the green circle appears, wait for 5-10 secs, and the unplug your phone.

If everything went well, you can enter into the recovery menu (see 1st post, power-on modes)

Option 2, on rooted phone, with MobileUncleTools.
Install MobileUncletools 2.8.x or higher from the Play Store.
Save one of the CWM I linked to the root directory of your physical SD card.
- select menuitem Recovery Update. The program will list the available recovery images.

- choose the one, what you want to install
- It asks back: "Are you sure flash recovery!" - Use recovery file: <name of the recovery what you choose previously>. Tap to OK.
- After the flashing process it offers you to reboot into recovery. If you tap OK, it will automatically reboot your phone to recovery. If you tap cancel, you can use your phone as a phone.
- Before you tap to "reboot to recovery", I suggest you to wait approx. 5-10sec.


Use of the CWM.
If you enter into the CWM (6.x.x.x) recovery, the following buttons can be used:
- Power button : “enter”
- Volume down : step down in the menu
- Volume up : step up in the menu
- Soft key “option”: step down in the menu
- Soft key “back” : step back in the menu
In 5.x.x.x you cannot use soft keys, but the physical buttons works on the same way as in the case of 6.x.x.x


CWM restoration
I experienced failures in restoration of the CWM backup.
This was a real surprise for me because I have not faced this issue with other MTK phones.
So, the issue is that the CWM restoration does not work immediately.
In details:
-I saved the stock rom by CWM 6.0.1.2 (CWM was complied by Bruno, and I modified it for A820)
-For checking the restore function, I did a factory reset: the phone stopped working.
-I did the CWM restoration, but still the phone stopped at the boot animation. And stayed it for 15min. I removed the battery then.

In order to solve the issue, the following method was done:
-In the advanced restore I choose the restore /system (only!)
-After restoring the /system I turned off the phone took the battery out, waited 5 secs, inserted the battery back.
-Turning on the phone it worked again with the restored data, BUT the internal SD card was injured! I formatted the internal SD card – with this action I lost all my data that were saved on the internal SD card.
So, please be careful using it! Save your internal SD card data before the CWM restoration!
This was experience in case of all the available CWM (5.5.0.4, 6.0.1.2, 6.0.2.8).
 

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cappa72

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2012
211
197
Installation issues

Post#4 troubleshooting
If you cannot install the ROM by an error:
Code:
assert failed: getprop("ro.product.model") == "Lenovo A820"
E:Error in /sdcard/Lenovo-a820-update-CP4.0-v1.zip (status 7)
This is a safety feature, not a bug.
This error message is a warning that you have not got the proper CWM. (Most of the available CWMs are based on ZTE, STAR phones and contain improper model description.
My CWMs contain the proper one, I modified them, so you need to install a CWM I mod for Lenovo A820.
In this case you have to update your CWM to a ported one that I did.
 
Last edited:

ebsbow

Senior Member
Jul 22, 2008
725
103
Great!
I would love an multi lingual rom, but for now I just want to root it. (ones it gets delivered that is)
Are there tools specific for this device to root is with out flashing?

Checking out your rom in the meantime. :fingers-crossed:
 

cappa72

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2012
211
197
Great!
I would love an multi lingual rom, but for now I just want to root it. (ones it gets delivered that is)
Are there tools specific for this device to root is with out flashing?

Checking out your rom in the meantime. :fingers-crossed:
If you have got CWM recovery on your phone (or a chinese one that has got "xx SD yyy ZIP" menuitem), then you can use root-zip, installing it from CWM recovery.
 
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DexterMorganNL

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2010
1,067
179
Thanks for this rom, I flashed it succesfull on the Lenovo A820, it also takes away that terrible skin from Lenovo.
 

Lebrija

Member
Jul 8, 2010
16
2
Gapps link

Thnak you for your ROM. I tried it for a couple of hours and there some minor problems that I don´t know if there are rom related.

1. There is no link to the gapps, so I downloaded a random one and I have errors with google search.
2. The videocam record with a green band on one side.
3. The gps is slow, doesn´t pick satellites easily.
4. If you choose automatic time the it always consider that you´re in china. If you choose manually your timezone then it is ok.

Overall it is a very well-done rom and I would keep it for daily use.
Thanks
 
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DexterMorganNL

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2010
1,067
179
1. Are you sure you downloaded the Gapps for Android 4.1.x? You should have this gapps version: gapps-jb-20121011-signed, this the right version you should flash. I first flashed the rom and after that the gapps.

I have reproduced your issue and you need to update the Google search app in the playstore, after that the errors are gone.

2. I have reproduced what you reported, I want to try if I can grab the original camera app from Lenovo and see if it still has the issue, but I don't think its a big problem, I bought the phone for someone else, but this issue is not to big, I don't suppose people often record with an smartphone and this rom at least got Dutch in, the original phone firmware was bloated with China Unicom bloatware, Lenovo skin and had no Dutch support.

3. Try GPSfix, ussualy this kinda works, but the MT6577 chip was know for having GPS problems, perhaps its the same with MT6589? But there are many apps out there that can help you fix it.

I think this in a great rom, Lenovo is a big brand in China, so many will choose Lenovo and with this rom you get rid off the terrible lephone skin, I mentioned this rom in my review about this phone

Oh here you got some screenshots.

full.png


full.png


full.png


Feel free to use them in the OP.
 

ebsbow

Senior Member
Jul 22, 2008
725
103
Don't know about you but I do use my device a lot for video recording.
I think it is imperative that all basic functions work flawlessly.

The custom rom's with android 4.2 also have an video bug at this time, which is a bit unacceptable.
I'm sure it will be sorted out :victory:
 
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DexterMorganNL

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2010
1,067
179
Well yes, but having fully Dutch support is better, you can always flash new update off the custom rom when it get fixed. I only recorded a few time video with my own smartphone.
 

cappa72

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2012
211
197
Thnak you for your ROM. I tried it for a couple of hours and there some minor problems that I don´t know if there are rom related.

1. There is no link to the gapps, so I downloaded a random one and I have errors with google search.
2. The videocam record with a green band on one side.
3. The gps is slow, doesn´t pick satellites easily.
4. If you choose automatic time the it always consider that you´re in china. If you choose manually your timezone then it is ok.

Overall it is a very well-done rom and I would keep it for daily use.
Thanks

1, I have added the link.

2, Thanks for the feedback, it is really useful to know. The playback contains the green band, the file itself does not.
I changed the kernel to the '130'-one, and now it works with the camera application, and the playback is also correct.

3, You shall try the EPO / A-GPS support for getting it better. Or thy DexterMorganNL's suggestion.

4, I have never faced this issue, but in the new version I set the default time zone to London.

The new one is available, you can see it in the first post.
 
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Lebrija

Member
Jul 8, 2010
16
2
1, I have added the link.

2, Thanks for the feedback, it is really useful to know. The playback contains the green band, the file itself does not.
I changed the kernel to the '130'-one, and now it works with the camera application, and the playback is also correct.

3, You shall try the EPO / A-GPS support for getting it better. Or thy DexterMorganNL's suggestion.

4, I have never faced this issue, but in the new version I set the default time zone to London.

The new one is available, you can see it in the first post.

Thank you for your time. I will try the new version. But, why have you used an older kernel?
By the way, with version 3 I also had some problems with the gyroscope when playing Real Racing 3.
Great work
 

DexterMorganNL

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2010
1,067
179
Its great you released the update so fast, you brought us really good work. I think new owner off this phone is going be thankful, they requested me to buy a phone for them while I'm in China, and when I got it it was not fully Dutch supported, had the terrible skin.

So its great have this phone, because this way I can deliver it without the Chinese bloatware and with full Dutch language and ofcourse Google apps.

EDIT

The newest release gives me a black screen after I boot it up after having it flashed, so I have reverted back to your previous release.
 
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TheTen

Senior Member
Jan 23, 2008
58
4
OK. I'm ready to weep.

I've previously had a ROM from NeedRom on my A820.

I'd like to give Cappa's ROM a try, but when I try to install from CWM Recovery I hit the Error outlined in Post 4.

I then follow the advice of Post 3... But there are no links to A820-compatible CWM Recovery installations. I found one on a hungarian site linked to Cappa, but all I get is a .img file and no idea how to get that on to my phone.

Can anyone post detailed instructions, or send me to a page (in English) where I can find instructions on how to get the ball rolling so I can use Cappa's ROM?

Thanks.

Google is my friend. Yes. But Google Translate isn't.
 

TheTen

Senior Member
Jan 23, 2008
58
4
OK. I'm ready to weep.

I've previously had a ROM from NeedRom on my A820.

I'd like to give Cappa's ROM a try, but when I try to install from CWM Recovery I hit the Error outlined in Post 4.

I then follow the advice of Post 3... But there are no links to A820-compatible CWM Recovery installations. I found one on a hungarian site linked to Cappa, but all I get is a .img file and no idea how to get that on to my phone.

Can anyone post detailed instructions, or send me to a page (in English) where I can find instructions on how to get the ball rolling so I can use Cappa's ROM?

Thanks.

Google is my friend. Yes. But Google Translate isn't.

Update, I think I sorted it...

Bit of imagination (and could have totally done the wrong thing, but it seems to be making progress...)

I decided to take a known ROM install that I've tested and that works, which has a recovery.img included, and I renamed the recovery.img to recovery_bak. I then renamed my 'new' CWMRecovery image to recovery.img and dumped it in the directory with the ROM data that I got off NeedRom. I loaded up SPFlashTool and loaded the scatter file from that ROM, then deselected every component except 'recovery' and flashed it.

End result is that I have a phone which recovery-boots to the version 6 cappa-modded CWMR which I found on the Hungarian site, and in turn that CWMR has just installed both the required ZIP updates outlined in Post 1, and Cappa's ROM is now sat on my second A820 awaiting setting up...

I hope I did the right thing, and this won't come back to bite me in the ass later... The newer recovery.img was slightly larger than the old one, but I'm assuming that the scatter file isn't about storing specific pieces of the ROM in specific places based on exact size of file, and thus perhaps all things will continue to work swimmingly.
 
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    Dear Owners,
    Discontinued

    In this post you can find a multilingual (mainly European) modified rom for the smartphone Lenovo A820.

    IMPORTANT NOTE!
    The newer phones do not work well with S138 or older kernel (no info about S147).
    The sympthom is that the touch screen works on inappropriate way: after the first screenlock it does not work again.
    For this reason it is highly recommended that update your kernel if you have got this issue.
    The kernel changer to S150 zip can be run from modified recovery (CWM, TWRP, COT, Carliv, etc...).

    Note that all the things in this thread you do with your phone can be dangerous. I cannot take responsibility for your phone damage.
    So, do it at your own risk.

    Before you do anything, I recommend you to save your current ROM (I would say it is mandatory!)
    There are many ways to save and I highlight some (links will be added later):
    1, for non-rooted phones:
    - SP_Flashtool, readback option.
    - CWM (or TWRP) backup, if it is available on your phone

    2, for rooted phones:
    - MTKDroidTools backup
    - command line dd-backup

    In order to install this ROM, you need to have CWM recovery on your phone.
    If you have not got this recovery or you do not know which recovery you have got, you have to read post#3 before you do anything.
    If you get error during the installation of the ROM, see post#4.
    The restore option of the CWM rcovery is not as good as it could have been expected, so please read post#4 carefuly for CWM restoration issues, tricks.
    Update: CWM 6.0.4.0 with S150 stock kernel.

    Just to clarify the power-on modes:
    Normal phone mode: press the power button
    Meta mode: VOLUME DOWN + POWER
    Factory mode: VOLUME UP + POWER
    Recovery mode: VOLUME DOWN + VOLUME UP + POWER

    Consider the warranty issues, you need to backup you rom.
    In addition, I always suggest to do a backup before install any new ROM to your phone.
    You can do it with CWM recovery in backup menu.


    About installation in general.
    Pre-requisites: CWM recovery menu installed on your phone. (This ROM can be installed from CWM recovery.)
    The ROM file must be saved on your physical SD card.
    Enter into CWM recovery.
    In CWM recovery you can go up/down with the volume up/down keys. The “enter” is the power button.
    Choose the “install zip from SD card” menu item.
    Choose the “choose zip from SD card” menu item.
    Select the rom you want to install.
    Choose “OK” in the menu item.
    If you need a detailed explanation of its use, see the tutorial : http://bm-smartphone-reviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/complete-guide-to-clockworkmod-recovery.html
    Right after the ROM installation has been finished, you can install gapps as well, before restart.


    Windorws driver installation:
    Please do not ask me about it. I use mainly Linux, which is more friendly.
    What I did in XP under Virtualbox was:
    Downloaded the Lenovo drivers from here: <link>
    Manually added the com ports in control panel.


    MOD CP4.0


    V1
    The modified rom has got the stock kernel - Lenovo A820_ydss_S135_130403

    This completely changes your phone appearance, your Lenovo UI will be disappeared.
    Also Lenovo applications are not integrated to this rom.
    It will look like the stock Jelly Bean.
    Main features:
    -The firmware is rooted.
    -Boot logo, boot/shutdown animations and sounds are changed to Lenovo.
    -Minimalist appearance and content, for this reason you have to install google applications manually, from CWM recovery <link>. After gapps installation everything works well (many people wants to have mainly Google Play. It do work.)
    -Slide unlock.
    -Multilingual. For supported languages, see the screenshots.
    -The default language/region is Hungarian, but you can easily choose your one.

    Known bugs:
    - I found was that the charging logo with turned off phone is not proper.
    -the camera does not work adequately in video-camera mode.
    -the default setting in some of the application is V987.


    V2
    The modified rom has got the stock kernel - Lenovo A820_S135_130403

    The camera was changed to a non-multilingual one. It looked that the black screen in camcorder mode solved.
    But after googleapps something went wrong... black screen again.



    V3
    The modified rom has got the stock kernel - Lenovo A820_S135_130403

    In V3 there is not any significant changes (camera app was changed back to the multilingual one), but I modified the gapps, which caused the camcorder issue.
    So, for this modified rom you need to use this gapps.
    V3 download link: CP4.0-by-cappa72-v3 - dropbox
    or
    CP4.0-by-cappa72-v3 - 4shared
    Bug: Still, the camera has got green lines in the case of playback.



    CP4.1

    V1
    The kernel has changed to A820_YDSS_S130_130324.
    The camera application does not generate green bands in playback.
    The default language was set to English, default time zone was set to London.
    CP4.1-by-cappa72-v1
    You can use the googleapps mentioned for CP4.0-v3



    CP4.2

    V1
    The kernel has changed to A820_S138_130419
    CP4.2-by-cappa72-v1

    Bug list
    #3 - CP4.2-v1 - Wen try to choose themes, the laucher is Force Closed (FC) - Settings was modified to resolve this issue.
    #4 - CP4.2-v1 - Serial number is 0123456789ABCDEF instead of the original S/N - not a real bug
    #5 - CP4.2-v1 - Under the battery level of 15% the SystemUI is Force Closed (FC) - was a user error, when people deleted the necessary ui files.


    CP4.3
    This release will be the continuation of the 4.2, but with the newest available kernel (S150) and will (plan) contain all the things that are included in the 5.3.
    This will not be with Aromainstaller and will contain the gapps.
    Hopefully comng within two weeks.



    MOD CP5.3
    Available now (25.11.2013.)
    CP5.3
    V1
    Change log; what’s new compared to CP4.2
    Aromainstaller is used for optional installation possibilities.
    - still Jelly Bean 4.1
    - kernel is the stock S150
    - Modified systemUI by jwchen119@xda (1% battery signal; automatic hide function for non-used sim signal)
    - Modified Settings by apeelme (sloving bug #3)
    - Baseband is from the stock ROM S150.
    - gps.conf is set to EU by default
    - apns.xml is modified for Telenor-HU from “net” to “online”
    - gps-tracker solver added to build.prop (dalvik.vm.execution-mode=int:fast)
    - libvcodecdrv.so replaced to solve green bars in case of video playback.
    - updated MobileUncleTools (2.9.5) in case of 3rd party SW.

    There is no default ringtone set! Right after the installation you have to set the ringtone, message alert and so on... otherwise your phone will not play sound...

    Important feature!
    If you have already repartitioned with the script, you can simply install this ROM, it will recognise that the repartition had been done; and you do not have to run "disable internal SD card" script from CWM.
    But please note that this function is onyl available with the repartition script; with Meteos rom editor repartitioning this function is not available.

    Right after the installatio, there is not any sound set. Nor the ringtone, nor the message an alert. So, you have to set it first.


    Available on mediafire : Link
    md5sum: 86e241fcac6faf4fa6baf0f9cc4a18a0



    Additional possibility:Change of FM radio
    The FM radio can be changed back to Lenovo’s one with this script. It was requested by some people due to the fact that Lenovo’s FM radio can work without connecting the earphone.
    The link is here. http://data.hu/get/6494163/FM-radio-change.zip
    You can install it from CWM recovery, with the same method that you used during the installation of the ROM. This script does not affect any other part of the ROM, but the FM radio.


    Repartition
    Please DO NOT USE IT for Lenovo-based ROMs. Sometimes it can cause bootloop or other inconvenience.
    The repartition of internal memory of the Lenovo A820 phone has been solved already.
    With this action youd intednal SD card will be disappeared and will be added to the /data partition.

    Before you do anything, make a CWM backup, and save all your data from internal SD card!

    The easiest way is to use this CWM script, if you want to have the maximum available size (2,7GB) for the /data partition.
    You have to install it from CWM recovery.
    After the installation you need to do a factory reset.
    After the factory reset, you have to disable your internal SD card, with CWM script.
    And then, you can reboot your phone to check if yo have got the new size of /data partition:
    settings --> storage
    "internal data storage; full capacity 2,7GB"
    "internal SD card; full capacity <your physical SD card capacity"
    If the above data appear, you have successfully repartitioned you phone's internal memory!

    If you want to have your data back, go into CWM recovery, and choose
    backup and restore --> advanced restore --> <choose your save> --> Restore data
    And then, your data are available again, after the reboot.

    Please do not use it, if you do not want to have the 2,7GB of /data partition!

    For Lenovo-based ROMs you need to use Meteos-apk for repartition of A820.

    Internal/external SD card exchanger
    If you want to use your physical SD card as the default one, and still want to use your emmc-SD card (aka internal SD card by default), you can change it by this CWM script.

    Important link in summary:
    The driver what works is here.
    The original stock recovery is here
    The autoroot package can be found here.
    The preferred CWM is here.
    The root script is here, you can install is from CMW, and your phone will be rooted.
    The usable Flashtool is here.
    The scattel file for Flashtool is here.


    Credits:
    bgcngm for the base of the ROM (BM1.0 for ZTE V987), and his amazing tutorials
    iBotPeaches and brut.all for apktool
    dsixda for his ROM kitchen which is really helpfull for easy-deodexing
    Koush for his wonderfull CWM recovery
    amarullz for his amazing AROMA installer
    ...and finally to all the devs whose apps, tweaks and scripts I have used on my custom ROMs
    17
    CWM recovery

    Installing CWM on your phone
    You need to install proper drivers to your computer.

    Available (ported) CWM recoveries:
    With newest kernel:
    CWM recovery 6.0.1.2 - S150 - ported from bgcngm@xda ZTE V970 recovery.
    CWM recovery 6.0.4.0 - S150 - ported from carliv@xda ZTE V967S recovery.
    CWM recovery 6.0.1.2 - S138 - ported from bgcngm@xda ZTE V970 recovery.
    CWM recovery 6.0.1.2 - S135 - ported from bgcngm@xda ZTE V970 recovery.


    Option 1, with SP Flashtool
    Download the SP_Flashtool software to your computer. Extract it to a directory, where you want to run it from.
    Download the scatter file, which you will need if you want to use SP_Flashtool.
    Download the CWM
    (5.5.0.4, 6.0.1.2, 6.0.2.8; it is your decision)

    Run the SP_Flashtool.
    61579_kepernyokep-1.thumb.png


    Browse your scatter file.
    61579_kepernyokep-2.thumb.png

    61579_kepernyokep-3.thumb.png


    Choose only the recovery.
    61579_kepernyokep-4.thumb.png

    61579_kepernyokep-5.thumb.png

    61579_kepernyokep-6.thumb.png


    Tick the “DA DL all with checksum” (you can find it close to the download button). It is a really important point!
    61579_kepernyokep-7.thumb.png


    If your phone is connected, let’s disconnect it from the computer.
    Turn off your phone. Take the battery out from your phone for 5 sec. Insert the battery to you phone. Keep it still turned off.

    In the flashtool press the Download button.
    61579_kepernyokep-8.thumb.png


    Choose OK to the warning message.
    61579_kepernyokep-9.thumb.png


    Connect your phone to the computer.

    The flashtool will flash the recovery into your phone.
    61579_kepernyokep-11.thumb.png


    When the green circle appears, wait for 5-10 secs, and the unplug your phone.

    If everything went well, you can enter into the recovery menu (see 1st post, power-on modes)

    Option 2, on rooted phone, with MobileUncleTools.
    Install MobileUncletools 2.8.x or higher from the Play Store.
    Save one of the CWM I linked to the root directory of your physical SD card.
    - select menuitem Recovery Update. The program will list the available recovery images.

    - choose the one, what you want to install
    - It asks back: "Are you sure flash recovery!" - Use recovery file: <name of the recovery what you choose previously>. Tap to OK.
    - After the flashing process it offers you to reboot into recovery. If you tap OK, it will automatically reboot your phone to recovery. If you tap cancel, you can use your phone as a phone.
    - Before you tap to "reboot to recovery", I suggest you to wait approx. 5-10sec.


    Use of the CWM.
    If you enter into the CWM (6.x.x.x) recovery, the following buttons can be used:
    - Power button : “enter”
    - Volume down : step down in the menu
    - Volume up : step up in the menu
    - Soft key “option”: step down in the menu
    - Soft key “back” : step back in the menu
    In 5.x.x.x you cannot use soft keys, but the physical buttons works on the same way as in the case of 6.x.x.x


    CWM restoration
    I experienced failures in restoration of the CWM backup.
    This was a real surprise for me because I have not faced this issue with other MTK phones.
    So, the issue is that the CWM restoration does not work immediately.
    In details:
    -I saved the stock rom by CWM 6.0.1.2 (CWM was complied by Bruno, and I modified it for A820)
    -For checking the restore function, I did a factory reset: the phone stopped working.
    -I did the CWM restoration, but still the phone stopped at the boot animation. And stayed it for 15min. I removed the battery then.

    In order to solve the issue, the following method was done:
    -In the advanced restore I choose the restore /system (only!)
    -After restoring the /system I turned off the phone took the battery out, waited 5 secs, inserted the battery back.
    -Turning on the phone it worked again with the restored data, BUT the internal SD card was injured! I formatted the internal SD card – with this action I lost all my data that were saved on the internal SD card.
    So, please be careful using it! Save your internal SD card data before the CWM restoration!
    This was experience in case of all the available CWM (5.5.0.4, 6.0.1.2, 6.0.2.8).
    7
    Installation issues

    Post#4 troubleshooting
    If you cannot install the ROM by an error:
    Code:
    assert failed: getprop("ro.product.model") == "Lenovo A820"
    E:Error in /sdcard/Lenovo-a820-update-CP4.0-v1.zip (status 7)
    This is a safety feature, not a bug.
    This error message is a warning that you have not got the proper CWM. (Most of the available CWMs are based on ZTE, STAR phones and contain improper model description.
    My CWMs contain the proper one, I modified them, so you need to install a CWM I mod for Lenovo A820.
    In this case you have to update your CWM to a ported one that I did.
    7
    CP5.3 is available now

    CP5.3-v1 is available now, check post#1
    4
    Multi lanuage mod rom based on etotalk is online see:
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=41976424#post41976424