I hate to say this.. but the answer is.. it depends. Usually the kernel image [or even a rebuilt kernel from source [[same version, disassemble/decompile image [[[this software can be pricey; see HexRays<https://www.hex-rays.com/products/ida/index.shtml>]]], diffed, add the images change(s)]]] will work for the most part, but proprietary binaries [sometimes referred to as blobs] that are included in the kernel that control things [graphics, bluetooth, camera, etc] may or may not work. It depends on the hardware and how adaptable this chinese company compiled the binaries to be. Some adaptation can be made through the HAL or Hardware abstraction layer to get the binaries working sometimes [or rarely even open source implementations of drivers can be substituted], but this is why many complain about proprietary blobs inside a GPLv2 kernel. Has to be done because manufacturer's don't won't to give up trade secrets, but dang, can it ever be so frustrating to developers. Hope that helps answer somewhat. Sorry it isn't definitive to your situation as all situations are not the same.
Regards, Rob On Monday, August 5, 2013 2:48:43 AM UTC-4, Ritesh Raj Sarraf wrote: > > Not all vendors play well to the GPL. Though they use the Linux kernel > (licensed under the GPLv2), they do not release the source code. > > That leads me to the question here. > > My device comes from a vendor from China. www.gioneemobile.co > They released the device with Android 4.1.2. > > In this situation, where there is only the kernel image, can it be used > with Android ROMs that are 4.2+ ?? > > I tried pushing the image and the kernel modules (just like we'd do on a > regular PC based Linux distribution), but that doesn't help. > > How tightly are the kernels tied with the Android ROMs ? Can I run a > kernel shipped with Android ROM 4.1.2, on top of Android ROM 4.2 ? > > > -- > Given the large number of mailing lists I follow, I request you to CC me > in replies for quicker response > > -- -- unsubscribe: [email protected] website: http://groups.google.com/group/android-kernel --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Linux Kernel Development" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
