How to create packages for Kindle w/ firmware 2.3

[darron]

Package questions:

As I work on perfecting my package installs, I'm just running my install packages over and over. Am I accumulating crap on the kindle someplace? (Outside of any stuff copied over in package scripts)

Are the .bin files just deleted after the install is done or are they being moved to some kind of "installed packages" folder?

[jyavenard]

they are deleted

[darron]

okay, another question. I'm trying to determine how likely it is that having my custom packages installed will break Amazon software updates.

Does an Amazon update only check files it is actually changing, or does it go out of it's way to verify there's not been any tampering?

I currently only have a single file I have to change, and I may be able to get around even that. All my additions go in standard Linux directories (/etc/*, /usr/local/*, etc)

If I don't touch any files and make it extremely unlikely to have a filename collusion will I avoid ever conflicting with Amazon updates? Obviously, I mean based on past history. They could change what they do at any point.

[savanik]

Originally Posted by SalvaG

Hi

This is the hack made by ebs:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=66
which includes the source code.
The file "framework-impl.jar.bdiff" (I guess) patches the "file framework_impl.jar" (but only for 2.2 version; ebs was smart enough to do a check before patching).

The main problem is that the .bdiff file is a 12k binary file. I think only ebs would be able to make easily a new patch. Someone else would have to do the patch from scratch.

Yes, it's a binary file. And there are a couple of bash scripts to install the binary diff. That is rather distinct from actual 'source code'.

What I'm looking for is the source code for the actual system, from which you can create the jars, and thus the resultant binary diffs that he's using to patch.

I would imagine they're already on my Kindle 2 in the first place, but I haven't the foggiest idea of how to get at them, and haven't been able to find any threads that relate to the idea of getting at them.

Without source, there can be no patch.

Sav

[Edit: Here I was thinking it was all hidden and was searching for ways to 'root the system folder' on my Kindle, when all I had do was look on Amazon's site and they've got it helpfully posted there for the world to see. *facepalm* Well, I'll start poking at it!]

[jyavenard]

Originally Posted by darron

okay, another question. I'm trying to determine how likely it is that having my custom packages installed will break Amazon software updates.

Does an Amazon update only check files it is actually changing, or does it go out of it's way to verify there's not been any tampering?

Looking at the installer of the firmware update, they have a list of files with their intended MD5 checksum.
That those files will actually be updated or just being checked, I dont know.

In practice, the most likely reason for an official update to fail was the text file containing the version number which had been modified and not properly restored.

I rarely say another reason for the upgrade to fail.

If in your install script ; you perform a reboot, prior to the installer getting a chance of restoring the original Amazon signing key ; then our own signing key would still be in place and it will refuse to install the Amazon update.

I've written a package that restore the original Amazon key should this happen.

I currently only have a single file I have to change, and I may be able to get around even that. All my additions go in standard Linux directories (/etc/*, /usr/local/*, etc)

If I don't touch any files and make it extremely unlikely to have a filename collusion will I avoid ever conflicting with Amazon updates? Obviously, I mean based on past history. They could change what they do at any point.

IMHO, you are better off creating softlink to the /mnt/us location ; before you write anything, make sure you've checked you aren't overwriting anything .. if the file exists and you have to abort, make sure you revert everything you have done to this point..

At the end of the day, it's not rocket science
Pretty cool idea your stuff, wish you all the best

Jean-Yves

[LadySoran]

I have a issue.
I went into my Kindle but I couldn't find the System folder. I could see the other three files, though.
I also went into Folder Options, to change the option to hide hidden files to Show hidden files.
It didn't work.
I still can't see the system folder, even though I tried to make a new one with the same name and it said it already existed.
Any advice?...

I'd really like to have my own screensavers on my kindle like other people have done..

[Texann07]

Originally Posted by LadySoran

I have a issue.
I went into my Kindle but I couldn't find the System folder. I could see the other three files, though.
I also went into Folder Options, to change the option to hide hidden files to Show hidden files.
It didn't work.
I still can't see the system folder, even though I tried to make a new one with the same name and it said it already existed.
Any advice?...

I'd really like to have my own screensavers on my kindle like other people have done..

I have been having the same problem. Can anyone else help us with this?

I have a K2i (v2.3), if that helps. I'm not sure exactly where I'm going wrong. I've read the instructions on the MobileRead wiki over and over, but I can't see anything that helps. Am I missing something somewhere?

Thanks!

-Ann-

[Texann07]

Okay, I figured out what I was doing wrong. I don't know why I didn't think of it before (well, okay, I do, but that's a story for another time that involves the storm of the century and a looong power outage that had just ended and a not-yet-warm house and precious little sleep. Hi, I'm from Texas, and down here we freak out if there are three flurries of snow on the ground.). I'll go ahead and explain it in details for the person who posted above me.

On the MobileRead Wiki page, it shows that you need to click "Show Hidden Files and Folders". What I didn't pay attention to was the two unchecked boxes below it. This time, I made sure those were unchecked on my Folder Options as well, and lo and behold: the system folder magically appeared!

Sorry to take up the forum space! I promise next time to check the instructions twice.

-Ann-

[crallion]

I just bought a new Kindle 2. I don't know what version, etc. But I would like to use this hack. I do the steps up until updating my Kindle. I go to Settings->Menu. But Update Your Kindle is greyed out, even though I have the update file in the root directory.

Any suggestions?

[dd_engi]

Does anyone know how to create packages for firmware 2.5 now?

[Pushka]

Originally Posted by dd_engi

Does anyone know how to create packages for firmware 2.5 now?

The clever ones need to get their hands on the bin file. I downloaded them today for the K2I but they dont appear to be working.

[kindlenj]

I believe this version can take unsigned updates but i am not sure. I have disabled 3G(EVO) network so that no updates are auto applied. But I would really like to try ubuntu on this device and help the community any suggestions?

[clambert]

I too am looking for a 2.5 screensaver hack update (specifically the k2i). Subscribing to the thread in anxious anticipation.

[a-2]

@clambert:
I think there already is one somewhere on the forum. Have a look around.

[clambert]

Originally Posted by a-2

@clambert:
I think there already is one somewhere on the forum. Have a look around.

Ah. I see that now. Thanks!