Hi everyone,
A friend of mine got a second-hand tablet Samsung 500t from one of her relatives.
She set her password, but she forgot it after a while. She asked me to help her to sort the problem out but I don't know windows RT and I don't know exactly what to do. In addition, we don't have any cd or user's manual. I tried to reset and I launched the procedure which always ended up with this message:
"Insert your windows installation or recovery media to continue".
I don't know what to do now, and, unfortunately, she hasn't got any back up.
Can anyone help me? Thank you.
Is she using a local account or a Microsoft account? If the latter, you can just reset your password the same way you would if you forgot, say, your Hotmail password. Go to https://login.live.com and follow the "forgot password" steps.
If it's a local account, that's more awkward. There are various steps (short of a full wipe) that you can do, but if you don't know the Admin password then most of the non-wipe options require things like Linux liveCD (or live flashdrive) images and forcibly resetting the password.
GoodDayToDie said:
Is she using a local account or a Microsoft account? If the latter, you can just reset your password the same way you would if you forgot, say, your Hotmail password. Go to login.live and follow the "forgot password" steps.
If it's a local account, that's more awkward. There are various steps (short of a full wipe) that you can do, but if you don't know the Admin password then most of the non-wipe options require things like Linux liveCD (or live flashdrive) images and forcibly resetting the password.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She is using a local account. We asked her relative, the former owner, about a Microsoft account, but he didn't know and remember anything about that.
Can you explain me more about using a Distro Linux to reset the password on the tablet?
I used a linux live many times, and I can manage it for easy tasks, but I have never used it to reset or to recover a password on a Window OS.
Thank you, Bob.
If you boot a Linux live image - probably off a flashdrive, unless you have a handy USB optical drive - it can mount the internal NTFS file system and find Security Account Manager (SAM). There are tools that will modify a SAM file to overwrite the password for a user. It's also possible for some tools to brute-force the password, though this can take a long time, or to look it up in a "rainbow table" of pre-computed password hashes (won't work for really complex passwords, though). Forcibly resetting the password will cause you to lose any data encrypted with it, which may include things like passwords the OS was storing for you.
Some stuff that can be used to try and recover passwords (or reset them): http://smallvoid.com/article/winnt-password-recovery.html
There's a bunch of others out there too. Here's another link: http://www.mydigitallife.info/reset...trator-or-user-password-with-chntpw-in-linux/
GoodDayToDie said:
If you boot a Linux live image - probably off a flashdrive, unless you have a handy USB optical drive - it can mount the internal NTFS file system and find Security Account Manager (SAM). There are tools that will modify a SAM file to overwrite the password for a user. It's also possible for some tools to brute-force the password, though this can take a long time, or to look it up in a "rainbow table" of pre-computed password hashes (won't work for really complex passwords, though). Forcibly resetting the password will cause you to lose any data encrypted with it, which may include things like passwords the OS was storing for you.
Some stuff that can be used to try and recover passwords (or reset them):smallvoid
There's a bunch of others out there too. Here's another link: mydigitallife.info/reset-and-change-windows-nt2000-administrator-or-user-password-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I simply delete the SAM file? I don't think she cares to lose any data so much.
Ok. I was wondering how I can run the usb drive on a windows rt tablet. Is there a "boot device option" like on an ordinary pc/notebook?
Thanks again?:
PS: By the way, where can I find an image of Window 8 rt if I want to totally reset the tablet and install a clear OS?
Aw crap, I can't believe this but I forgot you were talking about an RT device. Forget everything I just said; Secure Boot won't allow it to run a Linux image even if you had an ARM-based one.
Deleting the entire SAM will render the device unbootable. It's not just user account logon details stored there; every account (including the various system ones) are there. On the other hand, if you can extract the SAM somehow, another computer will be able to edit it just fine even though it comes from RT; it's a registry hive and is architecture-independent.
Total reset is probably the easiest option, if she doesn't mind the risk of losing data. It requires a device-specific image though; there should be one (recovery partition) on the tablet, but if that was removed you'll need to find one for download or get Samsung to handle it for you. The Surface RT / 2 images are available here on XDA but I don't know about any of the Samsung tablets.
Go look on the support website (or call support) for instructions on performing a factory reset of the tablet under normal circumstances. That will work if the recovery partition wasn't removed.
GoodDayToDie said:
Aw crap, I can't believe this but I forgot you were talking about an RT device. Forget everything I just said; Secure Boot won't allow it to run a Linux image even if you had an ARM-based one.
Deleting the entire SAM will render the device unbootable. It's not just user account logon details stored there; every account (including the various system ones) are there. On the other hand, if you can extract the SAM somehow, another computer will be able to edit it just fine even though it comes from RT; it's a registry hive and is architecture-independent.
Total reset is probably the easiest option, if she doesn't mind the risk of losing data. It requires a device-specific image though; there should be one (recovery partition) on the tablet, but if that was removed you'll need to find one for download or get Samsung to handle it for you. The Surface RT / 2 images are available here on XDA but I don't know about any of the Samsung tablets.
Go look on the support website (or call support) for instructions on performing a factory reset of the tablet under normal circumstances. That will work if the recovery partition wasn't removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I understood.
Can I somehow install a Window 8.1 pro x86 on this device? It has got an Intel Atom processor, after all.
I need drivers, though.
Thanks again.
Now you say it's a x86 device while earlier it was ARM (Windows RT). Make up your mind, it can't be both!
Amax said:
Now you say it's a x86 device while earlier it was ARM (Windows RT). Make up your mind, it can't be both!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...hmm actually I'm not sure. The tablet is not mine. I thought it had a Windows Rt OS. But since you say that it can't be an x86 device with an RT OS at same time...I need to find out what it really is. Thanks.
OK
I've finally found out what the OS is?
It's window 8 32bit.
The complete name of the tablet is:
samsung ativ smart xe500t1c-a01it
More, I have it at my home now.
Can we continue the topic?
Thanks
Then the methods GoodDayToDie mentioned in post #4 should work
ok
I fixed it by using Lazesoft recovery.
Thanks
Loss Password? All is not loss, even with the fact you can not boot from a USB stick drive with a password reset tool on it. The answer is actually quite simple with local access to the device Windows 8 is installed on. As long as you can get into recovery by using the "hold volume up" and pushing "Power" button method. You then simply picked Advance Recovery Options till you see Command Prompt in the menu and here's the link that'll take you the rest of the way below. What this does is replace Access Tools (for blind, etc) in Login Screen (lower left corner) with a Command Prompt window. Since it's in with the Root C drive, it makes it quite simple to merely change the password right there and be able to use it to log in immediately.
Thought your computer was safe from hackers locally? Think again (can only be run locally though, not remotely), but if you didn't have this option none of the free or pay4 password reset tools would work either. This is what they are actually doing and then they remove the Command Prompt window when done. Just like you will after using this very simple method. Or you need to use Windows Password Key to reset Samsung password.
Related
Guys i know this is not the correct place but someone can please tell me "what to do if i have lost my password" ??
I am using Windows 7
Laptop of Sony Vaio
Please someone help
I know that this could possibly be used malicously but if you can access another computer, download OphCrack and burn it to a CD or write it to a USB drive and you can use that to recover your password. I've used it multiple times on Windows Installations for friends who forgot their passwords on their home computers, it does work. xD
ShadowEO said:
I know that this could possibly be used malicously but if you can access another computer, download OphCrack and burn it to a CD or write it to a USB drive and you can use that to recover your password. I've used it multiple times on Windows Installations for friends who forgot their passwords on their home computers, it does work. xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro then will it tell me the password ??
please tell me the process.
avilove4u said:
please tell me the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
simply download the ISO, burn it to disc and then boot it, it will have the utility for recovering the password. Three are hundreds of tutorials on how to recover your password with OphCrack
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA
ShadowEO said:
simply download the ISO, burn it to disc and then boot it, it will have the utility for recovering the password. Three are hundreds of tutorials on how to recover your password with OphCrack
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a program called Kon-Boot, its good enough for most tasks, it wont help if your part of a domain, it also wont help if you have encrypted any drives or folders.
it wont tell you the password
so how does it work?
well, the short answer is that it hijacks the boot sequence and bypasses the password check, you just click on the user and ignore the password, once your in you can change your password or a safer option is to add another admin account, then log in to that and change your password. The problem is if you encrypted anything, then im afraid to say your ****ed!
you see the encryption key is part made up by your actual password, so by using my method to change the password, what you will end up with is data still encrypted on your old password.
the ethical uses of this are limited, but there are uses which is why im happy to share it, just don't **** around if for any reason some data is encrypted and the password is likely to "turn up" again because once you've opened this bag of worms you cant go back so essentially the data will "vanish"
dazza9075 said:
I use a program called Kon-Boot, its good enough for most tasks, it wont help if your part of a domain, it also wont help if you have encrypted any drives or folders.
it wont tell you the password
so how does it work?
well, the short answer is that it hijacks the boot sequence and bypasses the password check, you just click on the user and ignore the password, once your in you can change your password or a safer option is to add another admin account, then log in to that and change your password. The problem is if you encrypted anything, then im afraid to say your ****ed!
you see the encryption key is part made up by your actual password, so by using my method to change the password, what you will end up with is data still encrypted on your old password.
the ethical uses of this are limited, but there are uses which is why im happy to share it, just don't **** around if for any reason some data is encrypted and the password is likely to "turn up" again because once you've opened this bag of worms you cant go back so essentially the data will "vanish"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try and let you know
Btw Thanks
ShadowEO said:
simply download the ISO, burn it to disc and then boot it, it will have the utility for recovering the password. Three are hundreds of tutorials on how to recover your password with OphCrack
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a pen drive!
Dnt want to burn a disc
If i wll format the system and add a new OS then what will happen?
avilove4u said:
I have a pen drive!
Dnt want to burn a disc
If i wll format the system and add a new OS then what will happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Password would be gone, but so would days. http://unetbootin.sourceforge.com use that to copy the ISO to your flash drive.
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA
Android 3+ has a nice feature -- device encryption. You can encrypt the contents of your device with a password, and after that this password must be entered during device boot, otherwise the data is permanently lost.
The bad thing is that this password is set to the screen lock PIN / password. So you either set a short password or PIN, that you can enter quickly each time you unlock your phone from sleep (but this provides weak encryption), or set a long password and have to type it 20-30 times during the day.
This stupid behavior may be fixed easily. Android provides command-line tool called 'vdc', an interface to Android Volume Manager. As written in "Notes on the implementation of encryption in Android 3.0" [1], it has a command 'cryptfs changepw', that allows changing encryption password. Of course this command must be executed as root.
vdc has some other commands related to encryption, one of them is 'cryptfs verifypw', that allows to validate the supplied password.
I'm currently writing an application that will assist user with changing encryption password. This is my first public application for Android. You can find a source code on GitHub [2]. It is very simple, but maybe android gurus here may find what to make better.
Comments and pull requests are welcome
Thanks!
[1] http source.android.com/tech/encryption/android_crypto_implementation.html
[2] https github.com/kibab/encpasschanger
Updated 30.06.2012: Added APK file!
Kibab said:
Android 3+ has a nice feature -- device encryption. You can encrypt the contents of your device with a password, and after that this password must be entered during device boot, otherwise the data is permanently lost.
The bad thing is that this password is set to the screen lock PIN / password. So you either set a short password or PIN, that you can enter quickly each time you unlock your phone from sleep (but this provides weak encryption), or set a long password and have to type it 20-30 times during the day.
This stupid behavior may be fixed easily. Android provides command-line tool called 'vdc', an interface to Android Volume Manager. As written in "Notes on the implementation of encryption in Android 3.0" [1], it has a command 'cryptfs changepw', that allows changing encryption password. Of course this command must be executed as root.
vdc has some other commands related to encryption, one of them is 'cryptfs verifypw', that allows to validate the supplied password.
I'm currently writing an application that will assist user with changing encryption password. This is my first public application for Android. You can find a source code on GitHub [2]. It is very simple, but maybe android gurus here may find what to make better.
Comments and pull requests are welcome
Thanks!
[1] http source.android.com/tech/encryption/android_crypto_implementation.html
[2] https github.com/kibab/encpasschanger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry im noob
What will change visualy?
Or screenshot?
Sent from my LT26i using XDA Premium HD app
Thank you for this. I wanted a more simple password for the unlock, but a longer more complicated password for the decryption. You should put it on the market and charge $.99USD (or equivalent in your currency) as it's quite useful. I'd buy it
Thank you!
Actually I have registered myself as Google Play Developer, now I'm waiting for approval. As soon as my registration is approved, I will update this thread
Although I'm going to make a free and donate versions, because I believe that will help to make Android better, and people who want to say "Thank you" will buy Donate version anyway
uDroid said:
Sorry im noob
What will change visualy?
Or screenshot?
Sent from my LT26i using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing will change visually, hence no screenshot. What's important is that you may set strong password for decrypting the internal storage, but keep using simple password (or PIN) to unlock the screen.
P.S. I have verified that my app works on Jelly Bean too.
I have finally published an application on Google Play! Currently there is a free version, Donate version will come a bit later
The link is: https:// play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kibab.android.EncPassChanger
Enjoy!
Thanks for that app, that is also what annoyed me
Thanks for this. I've been trying to work out why encryption wont work on any ROM on my HOX (dies with unable to get size of block device cryptfs), and you have given me a good lead to investigate with vdc. Information on encryption in android is sparse, and almost all threads here on XDA get no replies.
Thanks again.
I've been tempted to use device encryption recently, but there is a distinct lack of information about it, particularly on custom ROMs...
Might need to give it a go, just the lack of backup abilities might be an issue...
pulser_g2 said:
I've been tempted to use device encryption recently, but there is a distinct lack of information about it, particularly on custom ROMs...
Might need to give it a go, just the lack of backup abilities might be an issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use CM10 on the Galaxy Nexus (maguro). Encrypted. Actually, only /data is encrypted. /system stays unencrypted. And this App works as described.
For Backup use TWRP. It asks for your password to decrypt storage.
You can then backup, restore, flash, install whole ROMs, wipe and what not.
>> I would like to see this app in Play Store <<
I should read before I post:
Kibab said:
I have finally published an application on Google Play! Currently there is a free version, Donate version will come a bit later
The link is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kibab.android.EncPassChanger
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that
btw. The encrypted /data partition lets you have two boot animations, one that is shown before code has been entered (the one in /system/media) and one after the correct code entry (the one in /data/local).
zurchpet said:
I use CM10 on the Galaxy Nexus (maguro). Encrypted. Actually, only /data is encrypted. /system stays unencrypted. And this App works as described.
For Backup use TWRP. It asks for your password to decrypt storage.
You can then backup, restore, flash, install whole ROMs, wipe and what not.
>> I would like to see this app in Play Store <<
btw. The encrypted /data partition lets you have two boot animations, one that is shown before code has been entered (the one in /system/media) and one after the correct code entry (the one in /data/local).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... I have i9100 (S2), so I would need to see about putting TWRP onto it...
Yeah, only data and SD are encrypted... Can TWRP cope with encrypted SD btw?
Great, it's easier than to change on command line
This should just be default android behavior
pulser_g2 said:
Hmm... I have i9100 (S2), so I would need to see about putting TWRP onto it...
Yeah, only data and SD are encrypted... Can TWRP cope with encrypted SD btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, SD is encrypted too. And TWRP can only read from it after correct code entry. Don't know about the external SD though (since the Galaxy Nexus doesn0t have one).
zurchpet said:
Yes, SD is encrypted too. And TWRP can only read from it after correct code entry. Don't know about the external SD though (since the Galaxy Nexus doesn0t have one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish I had a second phone, then I could just research this
Quite awesome. Now, can I use a strong password for encryption and then pattern lock for normal day to day use? That would be my ideal situation. I heart pattern lock!
Just trying to clarify how this works... so you keep your normal 'short' pin unlock code for unlocking the screen, but set a long code for decryption, and this code will only be requested once per boot, during bootup? Is this correct?
Thanks
How it works
Yes Sir. You are correct.
adrianblack said:
Quite awesome. Now, can I use a strong password for encryption and then pattern lock for normal day to day use? That would be my ideal situation. I heart pattern lock!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it's not possible to use pattern lock while using device encryption, Android forbids it. Patching Android framework will help, but this is completely another story and possible suggestion for ROM makers such as Cyanogenmod.
Is the 16 character Android limitation present, when using this tool? I currently use a 16 character device encryption/unlock pass phrase. I'd like to strengthen the device pass phrase some more.
I don't know if this is even possible during the device boot sequence, but being able to use a Yubikey with an OTG cable would be awesome!
RF
I installed WMC and my computer has begun to act erratically and it says I'm not activated occasionally but I can use all personalize options, so I want to refresh my PC to a clean slate.
When I go into computer settings to refresh (or completely wipe) my computer it says error, nothing has changed and I can't refresh it. I'm stuck in this crap...
any help or guidance is appreciated.
thanks
... have you tried searching the web or looking on any real tech support forums? This is a developer forum. Unless you ran some code from here and it broke something, you're more likely to get your tech support questions answered somewhere that does tech support.
That said, if you have (or can download) Windows install media, I'd just try running from that. Re-installing the OS is functionally identical to the full reset, and doing an install with the "keep my files" option is the same as refresh.
p2kmafia said:
I installed WMC and my computer has begun to act erratically and it says I'm not activated occasionally but I can use all personalize options, so I want to refresh my PC to a clean slate.
When I go into computer settings to refresh (or completely wipe) my computer it says error, nothing has changed and I can't refresh it. I'm stuck in this crap...
any help or guidance is appreciated.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It probably won't help, but have you checked for a restore point in the desktop?
I had some trouble a couple of weeks ago and ended up resetting the entire computer, which solved the issues. The desktop was fine, but the Windows 8 start screen tiles did not work.
GoodDayToDie said:
... have you tried searching the web or looking on any real tech support forums? This is a developer forum. Unless you ran some code from here and it broke something, you're more likely to get your tech support questions answered somewhere that does tech support.
That said, if you have (or can download) Windows install media, I'd just try running from that. Re-installing the OS is functionally identical to the full reset, and doing an install with the "keep my files" option is the same as refresh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have checked windows 8 forums but they're all unanswered for the most part. I've tried everything they said to fix it. Is there some sort of file I could delete that refreshing would replace that would force the computer to need a refresh?
What do you mean by restore point on the desktop? I don't have an earlier system restore point, I checked. I deleted my old windows.old folder thinking that was the issue. No fix.
p2kmafia said:
I have checked windows 8 forums but they're all unanswered for the most part. I've tried everything they said to fix it. Is there some sort of file I could delete that refreshing would replace that would force the computer to need a refresh?
What do you mean by restore point on the desktop? I don't have an earlier system restore point, I checked. I deleted my old windows.old folder thinking that was the issue. No fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about being able to create your own restore media? Is that part of what is not working?
any restoration methods that don't need a windows 8 cd work fine
p2kmafia said:
any restoration methods that don't need a windows 8 cd work fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you may have to reinstall from the recovery media. I know you lose your data, but at least everything will work.
stevedebi said:
Well, you may have to reinstall from the recovery media. I know you lose your data, but at least everything will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so my problem's fixed. I have a server at home so I backed up everything, used vaio care to do a factory reset, somehow ended up on windows 7, clean install of windows 8 activated and I'm good.
Thanks for the help in general guys!
The phone is fully working and connected on the Internet with the google account and everything, but who set the pattern to unlock the screen also forgot it
Apparently Google remove the option to set a temporary password using the Android Device Manager to unlock the device and the USB debugging is disable on the phone (so I guess no abd).... any ideas on how to recover the photos stored on the internal memory?
First of all, we need to know if it is yours. There are thiefs that steal phones and try to access personal data for their pleasure.
Hisuite for photos.
Johnny TDN said:
First of all, we need to know if it is yours. There are thiefs that steal phones and try to access personal data for their pleasure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually trying to help the owner of the phone, no thief involved here
Since the google account is setup and the device has also internet connection, I was thinking about installing an app remotely from the play store website... but which one? I need one that installs, spawns a service and automatically exposes the content of the internal storage without touching it (wifi, ftp, ...). Any ideas?
I remember that recovery factor reset didn't remove the internal storage (in my case)
Johnny TDN said:
I remember that recovery factor reset didn't remove the internal storage (in my case)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The official Huawei customer support answered saying that for android >5.1.1 the procedure is to take a backup and disconnect the account before firing the "Wipe Data Factory Reset" from the recovery, if not all the user's data will be lost.
mrfree2ita said:
The official Huawei customer support answered saying that for android >5.1.1 the procedure is to take a backup and disconnect the account before firing the "Wipe Data Factory Reset" from the recovery, if not all the user's data will be lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then the last method is this :
If you still have the warranty, make sure it has the same IMEI as the one written on the warranty (you can check what imei you have by removing the sim tray and look at the IMEI written on it), then go to HUAWEI and tell them that you forgotten your password and you need your files. They will ask you for the warranty and some security questions.(maybe, idk)
If you don't have warranty, then sorry, you are screwed.
mrfree2ita said:
The phone is fully working and connected on the Internet with the google account and everything, but who set the pattern to unlock the screen also forgot it
Apparently Google remove the option to set a temporary password using the Android Device Manager to unlock the device and the USB debugging is disable on the phone (so I guess no abd).... any ideas on how to recover the photos stored on the internal memory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the device have a stock or custom recovery installed? In the case of a custom one, you don't need to enable USB debugging in the actual system; you can just boot into the recovery and go to town with ADB.
In the case of a stock ROM, try installing fastboot and ADB drivers, and booting into fastboot mode. I can't remember the exact key combination, but once you're booted into fastboot and connected to your PC via USB you should be able to flash TWRP or CWM without enabling debugging, I think. Guides to do this can be googled. Make sure to use the right .img for your phone though, or you'll brick it.
Once that's done and you're able to boot into a custom recovery, do so, connect to your PC via USB, fire up ADB, and use one of the following commands:
su
adb shell
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
.quit
or
su
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
The first of these will nullify the order in which the pattern or PIN is supposed to be inserted, meaning you can do whatever and unlock the phone. The second removes the PIN or pattern entirely.
Let me know how this went, and if you need any help, feel free to reply here or PM me. I'll get back at you as soon as I can.
mrfree2ita said:
The phone is fully working and connected on the Internet with the google account and everything, but who set the pattern to unlock the screen also forgot it
Apparently Google remove the option to set a temporary password using the Android Device Manager to unlock the device and the USB debugging is disable on the phone (so I guess no abd).... any ideas on how to recover the photos stored on the internal memory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy..But I won't help you cause I don't know if it's your phone or not sorry
I bought a used nst glowlight (bnrv350), I made a backup, and then I tried to root using glownooter, but had a limited success : I could not install google market or opera mobile.
So I tried to restore the backup, but after "read forever, your nook is starting up", nothing happens, the message just stays there. I can boot with the back button, but it does the same.
I then tried to restore the factory image several times, using all the methods I could find in the internet, but it does the same as above. It has been going on for 24 hours.
The problem might have originated when I could not use winimage in my windows 10 computer to make the backup, and I used windows xp in a virtualbox in my linux computer instead. I used also dd, but I am afraid I don't remember the exact order. The backup size is 426.8 MB.
I reverted back to windows 10 with win32diskimager, with the same result.
Can anything be done ?
sinlog said:
I bought a used nst glowlight (bnrv350), I made a backup, and then I tried to root using glownooter, but had a limited success : I could not install google market or opera mobile.
So I tried to restore the backup, but after "read forever, your nook is starting up", nothing happens, the message just stays there. I can boot with the back button, but it does the same.
I then tried to restore the factory image several times, using all the methods I could find in the internet, but it does the same as above. It has been going on for 24 hours.
The problem might have originated when I could not use winimage in my windows 10 computer to make the backup, and I used windows xp in a virtualbox in my linux computer instead. I used also dd, but I am afraid I don't remember the exact order. The backup size is 426.8 MB.
I reverted back to windows 10 with win32diskimager, with the same result.
Can anything be done ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That backup is too large, I think. Should be more in the neighborhood of 250 MB? Have you tried the factory re-image where you just see the booting up screen and then hold down the two bottom hardware buttons until you get a prompt?
It's difficult--but not impossible--to damage the factory image unless you've been messing with the partitions. If that method does not get you there, consider making a NookManager card and trying to access the re-image routine from its menu.
Thank you for your reply. I just used nookManager. After 5 seconds, it said the backup was successful, but there was no backup in the card. Similarly, it said that rooting was successful, but when I removed the card, it did the same as before : "starting up..." and it stays there.
Do you have another idea ? I downloaded the 1.2.2 update from the b&n site. Can nookManager install it ?
PS: The nook was already 1.2.2
Yes, I used the two lower buttons trick.
sinlog said:
Thank you for your reply. I just used nookManager. After 5 seconds, it said the backup was successful, but there was no backup in the card. Similarly, it said that rooting was successful, but when I removed the card, it did the same as before : "starting up..." and it stays there.
Do you have another idea ? I downloaded the 1.2.2 update from the b&n site. Can nookManager install it ?
PS: The nook was already 1.2.2
Yes, I used the two lower buttons trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 seconds is not enough time for NookManager to correctly make a backup. And, backups can only be seen on the card if you connect your NSTG to your PC while NookManager is running. Otherwise the partition is invisible.
It's hard to know since I have no experience with the NSTG. If it were an NST I would suggest that you perform the region change flash, but it's not clear if that will remove your light function or, indeed, if the flash is deep enough to rewrite the areas of your device that appear to be preventing boot. AFAIK there are no ROM images for the NSTG available. But there might be. Somewhere.
I guess if you have exhausted all the possibilities, rather than trashing the device I would try the region change (just flash the US firmware again--I assume that's what's on there already). It may or may not preserve the glowlight capability, but it might at least produce a functioning e-reader. But only as a last resort.
Edit: Hmm.... seems like I've been down this winding road before: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72551413&postcount=57
But I emphasize that this process worked for a plain NST, not the NSTG, so it is an absolute last resort (and might not work anyway because you could have a completely different situation). Next thing is to look at the innards of the 1.1 updater and see if Glowlight updates could be substituted...
O.K. So here is a thread that contains a link to an NSTG image and the instructions to write to your device (read down in the thread).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2608815
What "may" happen: your device could end up with a mismatched serial number and or MAC address depending on how this image was made. There is information on this forum for correcting the MAC address. Just a disclaimer. I don't know. IF this is successful, you can then do a manual update to 1.2.2 and then root with the updated NookManager. I've checked the link to the image and it is still good. I got a file that is about 245 MB--seems about right. Presumably you use the image in place of your backup in the restoring process described in the thread.
I am very grateful for your help, but I am afraid I need more. The nook is now functioning and I might not have done it without your hints. As you suspected, the serial number and mac address have changed (I wrote them down before all this). I suppose that's why it did not automatically upgrade to 1.2.2 . Also the device says it's connected to the internet, but it doesn't seem to be.
I searched xda (nstg mac address, nstg serial number), but I didn't find anything meaningful to me (there are posts by Renate and by ros87 but too complex). Can you help, please ?
sinlog said:
I am very grateful for your help, but I am afraid I need more. The nook is now functioning and I might not have done it without your hints. As you suspected, the serial number and mac address have changed (I wrote them down before all this). I suppose that's why it did not automatically upgrade to 1.2.2 . Also the device says it's connected to the internet, but it doesn't seem to be.
I searched xda (nstg mac address, nstg serial number), but I didn't find anything meaningful to me (there are posts by Renate and by ros87 but too complex). Can you help, please ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oy.
I didn't think you would act so rashly with all my disclaimers. Well, it's done. I actually don't think the MAC address is a big deal unless you begin to have issues.
Did you actually manage to register? If so then the serial number must not currently be in use and the change you effected was deep enough to pass muster. If not....well battery life is said to be shorter for devices that have skipped registration.
Correcting the MAC address is described (sort of) here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1483600
As far as I can guess it involves editing a hex file. Doable, but maybe not needed. There is no way to correct the serial number. It is heavily encrypted with private keys. Again, if you managed to register then this is all moot.
How are you judging lack of internet connectivity?
I was not given the opportunity to register and I don't care about registration, but I'd like to have connectivity. The link you just gave me is for the ros87's thread that I mentioned, and I don't know how to use it. So I suppose I cannot upgrade to 1.2.2 . Should I root the device ?
PS : ros87's last activity was 2 years ago
EDIT : I copied nook_1_2_update.zip in the device and it was installed. I have now 1.2.2
sinlog said:
I was not given the opportunity to register and I don't care about registration, but I'd like to have connectivity. The link you just gave me is for the ros87's thread that I mentioned, and I don't know how to use it. So I suppose I cannot upgrade to 1.2.2 . Should I root the device ?
PS : ros87's last activity was 2 years ago
EDIT : I copied nook_1_2_update.zip in the device and it was installed. I have now 1.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't answer my question about connectivity. Are you not able to make a connection? With only the stock device there is nothing to connect to other than B&N. What does it say about "Owner" in the Settings?
Yes, you should root. Be sure to use the NookManager update or it won't work.
Before we even think about the MAC address issue you need root access and some way to tell if you actually have an internet connection. That means some kind of functioning browser, etc.
Do you still have that weird backup? If so, keep it safe somewhere. You may want that someday.
I tried to download a book and I got this : Unable to download, Internal error...
I can ping the nook from the computer.
I will look into rooting the device in 2 or 3 hours and then post again. I suppose this is what you're referring to :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/development/nst-g-updating-nookmanager-t3873048
Thank you for your patience with me.
sinlog said:
I tried to download a book and I got this : Unable to download, Internal error...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an entire galaxy of mystery contained in that statement. Download from where? Download with what? Do you have an sdcard inserted for storage?
nmyshkin said:
There is an entire galaxy of mystery contained in that statement. Download from where? Download with what? Do you have an sdcard inserted for storage?
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Click to collapse
I meant to download a book from the home page of the nook, where it says New reads. I am still unrooted and I don't leave an sdcard inserted.
sinlog said:
I meant to download a book from the home page of the nook, where it says New reads. I am still unrooted and I don't leave an sdcard inserted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... I'm surprised there are any books populating that section at all since the device is not registered. In any case, that is no test of connectivity since without registration the NSTG will spit out all kinds of generic messages about connections and failures if you attempt anything that requires access of B&N servers--like buying/downloading a book (which you can't do unless you are registered).
Rooted with nookManager updated. Opera mobile needs to be reinstalled. I can connect to the computer using es file explorer, so wifi is ok. BUT I can't use nookManager because I can't read the icon labels. I'll restore the backup tomorrow and I will try another rooting method. There are 2 more, I think : tiny and glownooter. Are there others ?
sinlog said:
BUT I can't use nookManager because I can't read the icon labels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? Do you mean ADW Launcher? You can fix the icon label issue in the Settings. As I recall the default font color is white. That needs to be changed to black. The size can also be changed. Depending on what icon style you pick the label will either be on one line or, if longer, on two. LOTS of Settings in ADW. Don't write it off without spending some time working with it.
Sorry, I used glownooter. It's a lot like touchnooter, with which I am familiar. I still have to sign in to my google account and to install opera mobile. I'll be back when finished.
Opera mobile is installed and working. I still can't sign in to google but I can use yalp store and that's good. Thanks again, nmyshkin, you saved my nook glowlight.