Related
After successfully;
researching, upgrading to the official build of my choosing, getting it to work and typing this tutorial out (for those that like me weren't knowledged in this),
I stumbled across this thread. I thought I should also share it here aswell.
Here's a N00b's (Dummy's) Guide to how to update your device from the stock software to the Official Samsung Froyo ROM (software/operating system) OF YOUR CHOICE!!
Why do this?
You get Froyo. So you get the latest version of Android to support more Apps.
It comes with some UI-tweeks, JIT-compiler, and FLASH 10.1 PLAYER!!!
Also you get a newer (better) kernel on your phone with some of Samsung's fixes for the lag and for the GPS.
You can get features/Apps not available in your native rom build and/or remove the bloatware.
This method (not incl E) can also be used to install custom ROMs (I personally can't wait for the Official English MIUI ROM).
** Denotes steps which I skipped, or was unable/unwilling to follow, or didn't quite understand
Here's the comprehensive, step-by-step, easy-to-follow breakdown/walkthrough (Section E only works on Windows Computers):
A) Remove your microSD card (this will prevent some weid issues later on)
A2) Make sure you have Kies downloaded and installed on your computer
A3) Make sure you have an extractor installed (for Windows 7, winRAR is a great free solution)
B) We need to root your device, for this goto "One Click Root/Unroot" by TGA_Gunnman at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=742403
B1) Download (2.5MB) the software (depending on your computer, mine is Win7 Home Premium 64-bit) into your computer not phone
B2) Make a folder somewhere in your computer labelled "OneClickRoot" (or anything) and drag the .rar file (the one you just downloaded) into it
B3) Extract the contents of the files by Right-Click then "Extract Here" (If you don't have this option install WinRAR)
B4) Set your phone to USB Debug mode (on your phone goto MENU > Settings > Applications > Developement > USB debugging = Checked) and then connect the phone to the computer via USB cable.
B5) Open the "Galaxy S I9000 One-Click Root" application. (This step didn't work for me, so I instead opened "rootme" batchfile which started the command prompt).
B6) Your phone will shut itself off, and then turn on in a "recovery mode". DO NOT REMOVE THE CABLE. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to get to "install from " and then hit the Home button.
B7) Now your device should be restarting again but this time it will actually go to your lockscreen.
B8) Now, you have ROOT, Congratulations.
B9) Not sure? We can test to see if you have root. Goto Market on your phone and download two Apps (Superuser and Titanium Backup, use the search to find them fast).
B10) Install both and launch Titanium Backup. As soon as you turn it on it will come up with a pop up and say something like "Your device is not rooted" or "Root is not accessible" ... if you didn't get Root.
B11) If you have root it will say something like "Titanium Backup needs to gain permission from Superuser" here click Apply. If you get to the App, well done you have indeed Rooted your phone
C) Now if you want to Backup your device before the update (recommended) you can follow steps C, otherwise skip straight to Step D.
C1) On Titanium Backup if a pop up notification comes with something like "Download an updated BusyBox" allow it to do so.
C2) Now first thing you will want to backup your Apps (all paid and free and the levels/hiscores) make sure you don't have any emulator ROMs on there (they consume too much space) and delete all those unwanted Apps
C3) On Titanium Backup, hit the Menu button > More > Create "update.zip" ...
C4) On this screen select "User application" and "TitaniumBackup-3.6.2.zip" and UN-TICK the "Sign the ZIP file (with ZipSigner)"
C5) Hit the Create "update.zip"... on the bottom and Please wait
C6) Once it finishes it, exit Titanium Backup, go back to settings and disable USB debugging (as posted on B4).
C7) Connect your phone to your computer (through Kies or PC link) and then browse your My Computer until you find Galaxy S I9000.
C8) Open that folder and then open phone. Find "TitaniumBackup-3.6.2.zip" and copy that to somewhere on your computer.
C9) Now that we have backed up your applications, lets backup your ROM.
C10) According to TGA_Gunnman you can use Clockwork MOD Recovery to do this, but this is for a different (Galaxy S) device ie "Samsung Vibrant"
**C11) Follow the steps on http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734164 to do so, personally I skipped doing so out of fear of bricking the device (there may be subtle differences between the devices that can make your phone a paperweight/brick)
C12) Now if you did follow the Clockwork MOD, be sure to copy the "update.zip" file somewhere into your computer (better be safe than sorry)
D1) Now we need to apply the 3-Button-Combo Fix (this is the only reason for steps A-C because it is highly recommended to have this before flashing ANY rom)
D2) I recommend the Fix by RazvanG http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=821698 because it seems to be the *safest*
**D3) Firstly check if your device is compatible. I wasn't successful to dump my BML1 block, so I couldn't test if the block reads "[email protected]"
**D3) RazvanG has provided some instructions on this method see his post for more information http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9595936#post9595936
D4) So I took a leap of faith and continued anyways with the risk of bricking my device. I have it on contract/plan so if it fails I would just return it and say Kies was updating and it failed
D5) I followed the steps on the thread but I'll reitterate it here for your convnieance
D6) Download both files (RAZ-FiX-SGS and adbRecovery) from the thread.
D7) Make a new folder (adbRecovery) on your computer and extract the adb .zip file into there
D8) Connect your phone to the computer and copy the RAZ-FiX-SGS.zip into your phone's memory
D9) Delete the old Update.zip file AND rename the RAZ-FiX-SGS.zip to Update.zip
D10) Again, turn on USB debugging (you know how) and open "Recovery" batch file from your computer
D11) This will initiate a command prompt (on Win7) and restart your phone
D12) Your phone will go into recovery mode (like we've seen before)
D13) You need to navigate (Volume buttons) to "apply sdcard; update.zip" and hit the Home button
D14) Your phone will turn off and restart and should get to your lockscreen
D15) So you're at the lockscreen? SUCCESS! (mine didn't brick *pheww*)
D16) Now let's test to see if the 3-Button-Fix worked
D17) *IMPORTANT* Firstly browse into your phone's internal memory and delete update.zip (the one we put there from RazvanG)
D18) Now that you have done so, you can safely just turn off the device
D19) Hold the Volume Down + Home button ... then hold the power button, as soon as the device begins to turn on release the power button (keep holding Volume Down + Home)
D20) If you get a Yellow triangle with the Android robot and "Do not turn off Target", well done, you have the 3BF so you have a means to ensure that you can always recover your phone if you do brick, well done!
D21) You can *safely* remove the battery and restart your phone ONLY if you don't have a Update.zip in the root of your phone
D22) If you don't want to take a leap of faith try this method (safest method but doesn't work for some people): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860773
E1) Now is the fun part (we've just past the difficult parts)
E2) You need to hunt down the version of (official Samsung)software you wish to install ... just go through member's reviews and recommendations
E3) You need to find the product code of that build, you can do this navigating through this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846913
OR by asking members (they can find out with http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=787163)
E4) For me this was the Virgin mobile Australia build (XSA - an unbadged, no-bloatware, unlocked Froyo build with a free copy of Navigon Navigation)
E5) Make sure you update your Kies to "ver 1.5.3.10103_102" (latest as of the time I'm writing)
E6) Go visit this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835628 for information (the software may have been upgraded)
E7) Download (300KBs) the Kies Registry patcher 1.6.0.0 (latest as of writing) <<This only works on Windows computers, sorry Mac'ners>>
E8) Launch the Kies Registry Patcher WHEN KIES IS OPENED
E9) Click on File > Backup (and save this somewhere in your computer - this is your original product code - better safe than sorry)
E10) Make Enable Spoof to True
E11) Now where it says "Spoof Product Code as" type in the product code of your desire (mine is XSA)
E12) Hit Write Registry and it should say "Registry pathed successfully"
E13) Connect your phone via USB cable to the computer
E14) On your phone select "Samsung Kies" when the pop up comes ... it should be at the "Connected" screen (DO NOT HIT HOME BUTTON)
E15) On Kies it should find your phone, and a pop up on the corner will say "There is a firmware update available for your phone" hit that pop up
E16) Now you will see another pop up and it's asking if you want to "Back up contacts before upgrading firmware" ... seems like a good idea, tick the box and hit Upgrade
E17) If the screen on the phone shuts (ie standby) don't be alerted. Hit the power button to wake it up. DO NOT HIT THE HOME BUTTON!
E18) Another pop up will come to name the contacts file - I just hit save so its the original filename in original (Samsung)folder
E19) Another Pop up will come to say "Save to PC completed" - hit OK, its just letting you know the contacts saved properly
E20) Now you get another Pop up to start the Firmware Upgrade - This is an important area, note down the: Model Name, Current Version and Latest Version (if something goes wrong this info maybe valuable for developers)
E21) Mine is (model)GT-I9000, (current)PDA:JG4 / Phone:JG3 / CSC:JG2 and (latest) PDA:JP5 / Phone:JP3 / CSC:JP4 ......... notice they are diffirent, this is what I was looking for
E22) Hit Upgrade! (Allow Kies to function when Windows 7 or Windows Vista prompts you)
E23) Tick the "All information has been verified" and Click Next
**E24) Let Samsung record your phone number in their database? I don't care (I'm on insurance/contract/plan) and I hit "Allow saving" ad Clicked Next
E25) Wait patiently, its downloading the rom from the server, DO NOT UNPLUG THE DEVICE
E26) A progress bar will appear, your USB will get disconnected, reconnected several times, the phone will be stuck on the yellow triangle screen - these are normal
E27) The progress bar will slowly be filled from grey to blue and a progress bar will appear on your phone - almost there!
E28) The progress bar on the computer will finish and the pop up will read "GT-I9000 Upgrade completed" - Click Close
E29) Your phone will restart and will enter "recovery mode" some yellow texts will appear and scroll forward
E30) The phone will reboot again and you will see the boot image with the Galaxy S logo
E31) The phone will be stuck on that logo for awhile - be patient
E32) The phone will now get to your lockscreen, unlock it
E33) You will have to go through your initial setup firstly its the Swype tutorial, then data settings, and finally the account settings emerges
E34) If the Kies connection screen comes up: hit the home button
E35) Now you should have come to your Homescreen go and test everything (all your passwords, all your bookmarks, all your contacts, all your images/music/videos and all your apps (except bloatware) should be there but the order of all the widgets/apps in TouchWizz will be reset to abc-order)
E36) Goto Settings > About Phone Does it say Android 2.2?
E37) Well done you have passed Android Hacking 101, you are officially smarter than 50% of iPhone and Blackberry users
E38) Donate me a beer, nah just kidding, enjoy everything for free but feel free to donate to the developers that help make this possible
this is a guide for I9000 international
I9000M owners please be advised that the I9000 might cause you to lose the 850 band, and might also trigger the internal SD problem
AllGamer said:
this is a guide for I9000 international
I9000M owners please be advized that the I9000 might cause you to lose the 850 band, and might also trigger the internal SD problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You made it into a thread, thanks!
Hopefully this might help fellow xdanians
Aww Mate this is awesome, I have the same Carrier and I had OPTUS crap on my Phone from custom roms, Now I'm back to Stock Froyo!!!!
A great tool to Start from afresh.....
But
At Instruction E11 - Select your product code from the drop down Box and it will populate the next field for you.
Gonna put into my favorites
Wow.
I don't think anybody that don't now much would read that.
I know allot and i would never use it either.
You should stick a warning sign on this tread.
I did read about half of it and then i just stop and shake my head.
I hope this tread is a joke.....
Sent from GT-I9000 jpo. My own kernel for z4mod and with 342MB Ram
DamianGto said:
Wow.
I don't think anybody that don't now much would read that.
I know allot and i would never use it either.
You should stick a warning sign on this tread.
I did read about half of it and then i just stop and shake my head.
I hope this tread is a joke.....
Sent from GT-I9000 jpo. My own kernel for z4mod and with 342MB Ram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate?
Joke? No it's no joke but I should disclose (as always) this is a tried-and-true way of getting you to update your software but in no way can I be held responsible for damages.
Things may vary slightly in between different phones which is why the links for each source/thread is up there.
I found myself knowing what to do, but always guessing how to do it.
This is a step-by-step process of how and what I did to upgrade my phone to any ROM I want.
If this was posted up before I attempted my upgrade, I would've been so happy that someone really simplified it for me
This is a noobs guide??!!! Simplified??!! I think that everyone will appreciate the time you have spent typing this up and trying to help, but I'm with DamianGto, dude this guide is scary and just explains how YOU got YOUR particular phone running froyo and lets face it, you certainly didn't go about it the easy way!
Once again I think the time you have spent and the willingness to help is admirable, but there are much simpler and noob friendly guides out there
nagrom78 said:
This is a noobs guide??!!! Simplified??!! I think that everyone will appreciate the time you have spent typing this up and trying to help, but I'm with DamianGto, dude this guide is scary and just explains how YOU got YOUR particular phone running froyo and lets face it, you certainly didn't go about it the easy way!
Once again I think the time you have spent and the willingness to help is admirable, but there are much simpler and noob friendly guides out there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you need root + busybox to get the 3 button fix.
If anything a n00b did, they can recover with 3 button trick otherwise they will have a brick.
This is why this guide is long, to ensure things are a-ok.
If you found a friendlier guide can you post the link, much apprecated ;D
How do I exit downloading mode if I forgot to erase update.zip ?
What is it ? Kies
A2) Make sure you have Kies downloaded and installed on your computer
Thanks
Well I think this is an excellent guide that has great potential!
However, a couple of crucial mistakes, which if fixed could help make the guides less confusing...
At beginning of (D) you talk about (A-C) being solely so you could fix your 3 button download (which I don't think is actually true!)
.... But, you should mention 3 button download at the very start of the guide anyway!!
Also, you should include a quick test at the very start to check for 3 button download, because mine is already fine, so a newbie might run all those extra steps when they already had working 3 button download anyway! (The more sections that can be skipped the better!). You can then steer people to the sections they uniquely will need.
However, titanium backup isn't needed for 3 button download fix, but is a wise step before running a rom update. And this works best with root anyway. Hence I don't think your opener for (D) is very accurate. You didn't just complete those steps JUST to get download mode. The backup was important anyway!
Do others think there should be a stage added for backing up contacts etc?
A stage for backing up efi?
Anything else wise that should be in here?
Hi,
I successfully flashed Full Android v2.2 (many thanks zulu99) but now cannot proceed with logging into Play Store or with adding an account (via settingcs>account). I'm able to successfully navigate the add email, password stage of the process but just cannot get to the "Accept" button on the accept terms & conditions screen either via USB keyboard or controller or Shield remote
Can anyone please help solve this or confirm if they have faced similar issues?
Many thanks.
g1k said:
Hi,
I successfully flashed Full Android v2.2 (many thanks zulu99) but now cannot poceed with logging into Play Store or with adding an account (via settingcs>account). I'm able to successfully navigate the add email, password stage of the process but just cannot get to the "Accept" button on the accept terms & conditions screen either via USB keyboard or controller or Shield remote
Can anyone please help solve this or confirm if they have faced similar issues?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I had a problem such as this I reflashed the entire system with a recovery package, but replaced the "system.img & recovery.img" with the modded version.
1. you need to sign up as a developer to download the 2.1.0 recovery package
Nvidia's download center
you will be be asked to log in or sign up as a developer which is completely free.
2. Unzip the package & replace the system.img & recovery.img with the modded version & boot into bootloader
then run the "flash-all" script
This should fix any issues you may have had
Thanks Xstar 410
Essentially re-install the ROM from scratch then....
I was hoping to avoid that but happy to give it a go
What beats me is that pretty much everything else works fine and I'm able to highlight radio buttons/ change preferences and such like using either the external keybord/ controller/remote or a combunation of the 3. It's only with signing into my account that I face a challenge - and that too on the last screen prior to login ...
started from scratch and flashed recovery image and flashed system.img from the Full Android v2.2 ROM - same issue - stuck on the sign in page . . . !
cannot get to the "Accept" button to proceed/complete sign in process .........
Any suggestions please?
Solved
Used a mouse - does the trick.
My daughter actually pointed out that I was being a bit silly by not trying out this option!
I should have mentioned that the remote & gamepad won't connect normally so you must use a keyboard & mouse for the modded version.
g1k said:
Used a mouse - does the trick.
My daughter actually pointed out that I was being a bit silly by not trying out this option!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, i was just about to suggest a mouse
Now you gawn and messed up my "big damn hero" moment
Thanks Xstar410.
Got there finally
Thanks Banderos101 - the rate at which I'm progressing, there are bound to be many 'big damn hero' moments
I just initially thought there was a connectivity problem which i had before & so that's why I suggested the reflash, but the only thing I could connect was the remote & NOT the controller...so that's the only downside for now.
Xstar410 said:
I just initially thought there was a connectivity problem which i had before & so that's why I suggested the reflash, but the only thing I could connect was the remote & NOT the controller...so that's the only downside for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, remote and controller (wired) now connected, Xposed framework, Gravity Box, Amazon Prime Video & viper4android installed.
Now to figure out if I can get the controller connected using Droidmote & voice search going........
g1k said:
OK, remote and controller (wired) now connected, Xposed framework, Gravity Box, Amazon Prime Video & viper4android installed.
Now to figure out if I can get the controller connected using Droidmote & voice search going........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
controller only works with wired connection only wifi/bluethooth dont work..yet also voice search was probably disabled & you should download the google app that offers voice search
From two days ago, i do hard reset the phone now it requires previously syned id to unlock the phone bt i don't know that id.. Any one plz help me.....
There's a bunch of tutorials on youtube, here's one:
/watch?v=ggRhkme9FC0&t=685s
I tried it myself and it worked!
If it doesn't work, try to downgrade first then try again
This worked for me
pls provide step
Go to Developer Options -> OEM Unlock enable that Hope this helps
Will that work on any device
Sent from my N9132 using XDA Free mobile app
jwhite1738 said:
Will that work on any device
Sent from my N9132 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure,but I suppose it works,considering you have entered Odin Mode
DemonBolt said:
Go to Developer Options -> OEM Unlock enable that Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is working. Easy oem unlock on samsung
When the binary is blocked by the FRP you must install the factory firmware, then enter the recovery and do a factory reset since the FRP prevents external access to the system and data as prevention
You will be prompted for the email and password of the previously used account
When activating the oem unlock you can install Twrp, kernel or custom rom without the activation of FRP security that is activated when you establish a security pattern in the device
Mr.shivam9777 said:
From two days ago, i do hard reset the phone now it requires previously syned id to unlock the phone bt i don't know that id.. Any one plz help me.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a way to remove FRP on Samsung J5(6) SM-J510FN model, Android 6.0.1 without flashing the phone, or using Odin, RealTerm or other SW tools, it might work on other samsung devices running Marshmallow 6.0.1 too.
As a new user, I am not able to enter any URLs for the files. do a search for the following APKs instead: Android 6GAM.apk and FRP_REMOVE.apk
Download the above APKs on your comuter, copy them to microSD and insert it in the phone.
Turn on the phone, connect to wi-fi, once you get to the screen when you need to enter your email, press on "mike" icon and choose Settings>>Text Shortcuts>>Add>> and type random text, select it all, then long tap and choose "Assist".
Tap on "No, Thanks" and Type "Galaxy Apps". Galaxy App will come up, tap on it and sign in when launched.
Install ES File Explorer, when launched, go to "sdcard" dropdown>>select the microSD card with the apk files. Install Android 6GAM.apk first, once complete, tap on "Done", install FRP_REMOVE.apk, once done, tap on "Open". This will launch Google Account Manager.
If you are not familiar what to do here, then do the following:
- Look for “Type Email and Password”>>Tap to launch it>>Tap on Try
- Tap on the three dots and choose “Browser sign-in”>>OK
- Sign in with your google account details and wait until you get back to “Google Account Manager”
- Tap on the back button until you get back to the phone setup wizard, you can go as back as to wi-fi settings.
- You can now follow the setup wizard, it will tell you that a new account has been created.
- Once you can access settings on the phone, you can do another factory reset, this tyme without FRP.
Hope this helps
Good luck!
navi_oknel said:
i found a way to remove frp on samsung j5(6) sm-j510fn model, android 6.0.1 without flashing the phone, or using odin, realterm or other sw tools, it might work on other samsung devices running marshmallow 6.0.1 too.
As a new user, i am not able to enter any urls for the files. Do a search for the following apks instead: Android 6gam.apk and frp_remove.apk
download the above apks on your comuter, copy them to microsd and insert it in the phone.
Turn on the phone, connect to wi-fi, once you get to the screen when you need to enter your email, press on "mike" icon and choose settings>>text shortcuts>>add>> and type random text, select it all, then long tap and choose "assist".
Tap on "no, thanks" and type "galaxy apps". Galaxy app will come up, tap on it and sign in when launched.
Install es file explorer, when launched, go to "sdcard" dropdown>>select the microsd card with the apk files. Install android 6gam.apk first, once complete, tap on "done", install frp_remove.apk, once done, tap on "open". This will launch google account manager.
If you are not familiar what to do here, then do the following:
- look for “type email and password”>>tap to launch it>>tap on try
- tap on the three dots and choose “browser sign-in”>>ok
- sign in with your google account details and wait until you get back to “google account manager”
- tap on the back button until you get back to the phone setup wizard, you can go as back as to wi-fi settings.
- you can no follow the setup wizard, it will tell you that a new account has been created.
- once you can access settings on the phone, you can do another factory reset, this type without frp.
Hope this helps
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks men!!!! You are the best! It really work!
[email protected]@ said:
thanks men!!!! You are the best! It really work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're most welcome, glad it worked for you
If you can't figure it out let someone else do it for you.
Mr.shivam9777 said:
From two days ago, i do hard reset the phone now it requires previously syned id to unlock the phone bt i don't know that id.. Any one plz help me.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally just use unlockjunky. Com for all of my unlocks.
z3x
Mr.shivam9777 said:
From two days ago, i do hard reset the phone now it requires previously syned id to unlock the phone bt i don't know that id.. Any one plz help me.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use z3x tools
I couldnt find this method on xda and I dont know why but it works
Got two old Samsung J5(6) from work. We don't know de original name anymore. The one we mostly use don't work.
Is there a option the get them to work again without paying someone for a hack?
I know how to flash a rom, but I read that doesn't work anymore? (I did this things on the galaxy 1 and 2... so that old...)
I tried some tutorials on the web, but they are old and don't work anymore.
Anyone a new howto that does work?
My nook touch (unrooted) runs 1.2.2, but it has bugs now ( the home button doesn't work most of time, screensaver goes on in several seconds during reading, etc. ). I think a reinstallation of the firmware may most likely resolve the issues. ( already tried erase and deregoster, doesn't change anything, as expected ). But the problem is after putting the update zip file into nook's root directory, nook just erases it without doing anything. So my question: any tool can be used to force nook reinstall the update zip without checking version number? Thx in advance for any help.
smjohn1 said:
My nook touch (unrooted) runs 1.2.2, but it has bugs now ( the home button doesn't work most of time, screensaver goes on in several seconds during reading, etc. ). I think a reinstallation of the firmware may most likely resolve the issues. ( already tried erase and deregoster, doesn't change anything, as expected ). But the problem is after putting the update zip file into nook's root directory, nook just erases it without doing anything. So my question: any tool can be used to force nook reinstall the update zip without checking version number? Thx in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to do a factory re-image so that the onboard OS version will be older than 1.2.2.
Power down. Then restart, and as soon as the "Read Forever" screen appears, press and hold the two lower hardware buttons. Wait for the prompt. Once the Nook is re-imaged it will accept the update again.
Thank you, but by two lower hardware buttons, you mean the page turning buttons?
nmyshkin said:
You need to do a factory re-image so that the onboard OS version will be older than 1.2.2.
Power down. Then restart, and as soon as the "Read Forever" screen appears, press and hold the two lower hardware buttons. Wait for the prompt. Once the Nook is re-imaged it will accept the update again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, I tried, but problem is the Home button doesn't work. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
smjohn1 said:
Ha, I tried, but problem is the Home button doesn't work. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the two lower "page turning" buttons. Is the "n" button used during that sequence? I didn't remember that. I guess that's in the prompts. Well, I dunno. NookManager can be used to trigger the factory image, but if you say that requires the not-working button, then you are SOL. Even CWM is going to need that button to select options.
nmyshkin said:
Yes the two lower "page turning" buttons. Is the "n" button used during that sequence? I didn't remember that. I guess that's in the prompts. Well, I dunno. NookManager can be used to trigger the factory image, but if you say that requires the not-working button, then you are SOL. Even CWM is going to need that button to select options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any tools that can be used to peek into Nook's file system through PC ( Linux ) to delete something and add something to trigger re/installation? The whole reason I am trying to reinstall is that the Home button doesn't work most of time, and I checked it is not a hardware problem.
smjohn1 said:
Any tools that can be used to peek into Nook's file system through PC ( Linux ) to delete something and add something to trigger re/installation? The whole reason I am trying to reinstall is that the Home button doesn't work most of time, and I checked it is not a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK what you want to do (if you knew exactly what) requires root access--which you don't have. There is an app that has an option which makes the NST very angry and triggers a no-escape factory reset (I've fallen victim to it once), but to install it you would need--you guessed it--root.
I honestly don't remember whether the factory reset option of NookManager is promptless or just the usual. Seems to me it just takes off once you remove the card and the device reboots, but I could be misremembering. I have another day of work on something and then I will be doing a reset on one of my devices, so I could tell you then.
nmyshkin said:
AFAIK what you want to do (if you knew exactly what) requires root access--which you don't have. There is an app that has an option which makes the NST very angry and triggers a no-escape factory reset (I've fallen victim to it once), but to install it you would need--you guessed it--root.
I honestly don't remember whether the factory reset option of NookManager is promptless or just the usual. Seems to me it just takes off once you remove the card and the device reboots, but I could be misremembering. I have another day of work on something and then I will be doing a reset on one of my devices, so I could tell you then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much. Waiting for your experiment results.
1) I can do root. But I couldn't find the package any more. Any pointers?
2) What do you by removing the card? Which card? I was planning to open the back cover and remove the battery, but then I found out you would need a T5 Torx screwdriver, which I don't have. So I gave up.
smjohn1 said:
Thank you very much. Waiting for your experiment results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this is your lucky day. Mark it on the calendar and remember it sometime when it seems to be raining excrement on you.
NookManager invokes the factory re-image without user input. All you have to do is make a NookManager card. If you're not interested in rooting, etc., you don't need to do any of the updates. The original NookManager thread is here and the files are available. You just need an SD card which you can recover later if you don't want to root, etc. If you want to play around with rooting, NookManager needs to be updated for 1.2.2. The directions are in this post. Frankly, if I were you I'd just want to get my device working properly right now and possibly think about other stuff after all the dust has settled.
To use NookManager for the factory re-image, all you have to do is boot your NST with the NookManager card inserted. The app will load and eventually you are asked about starting WiFi. Just say no (I hope your side buttons are working..........). Then you get a screen of options. You want "Rescue" (upper left). Then the lower right (Factory reset). And so on. When you are prompted to remove the SD card, do so and the device will reboot and begin the sequence, eventually delivering you to the start screen for setting up your device.
From my experience, it is possible at this point to connect your NST via USB to your PC and copy the update zip to the "Nook". If you then just let the device sit, it will go to sleep on that first screen and the update will commence. If that's not your experience then you might have to register the older firmware first and then try the update.
Two things: tell me you are not outside the US. That could change everything. And, download a fresh copy of the 1.2.2 update zip. It's possible your original is corrupted.
I hope you are right and that this is not a hardware issue.
Good luck.
nmyshkin said:
So this is your lucky day. Mark it on the calendar and remember it sometime when it seems to be raining excrement on you.
NookManager invokes the factory re-image without user input. All you have to do is make a NookManager card. If you're not interested in rooting, etc., you don't need to do any of the updates. The original NookManager thread is here and the files are available. You just need an SD card which you can recover later if you don't want to root, etc. If you want to play around with rooting, NookManager needs to be updated for 1.2.2. The directions are in this post. Frankly, if I were you I'd just want to get my device working properly right now and possibly think about other stuff after all the dust has settled.
To use NookManager for the factory re-image, all you have to do is boot your NST with the NookManager card inserted. The app will load and eventually you are asked about starting WiFi. Just say no (I hope your side buttons are working..........). Then you get a screen of options. You want "Rescue" (upper left). Then the lower right (Factory reset). And so on. When you are prompted to remove the SD card, do so and the device will reboot and begin the sequence, eventually delivering you to the start screen for setting up your device.
From my experience, it is possible at this point to connect your NST via USB to your PC and copy the update zip to the "Nook". If you then just let the device sit, it will go to sleep on that first screen and the update will commence. If that's not your experience then you might have to register the older firmware first and then try the update.
Two things: tell me you are not outside the US. That could change everything. And, download a fresh copy of the 1.2.2 update zip. It's possible your original is corrupted.
I hope you are right and that this is not a hardware issue.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot and I am in US!
Everything you said was correct with only one minor thing: NookManager doesn't have to be updated to 1.2.2. As is, it will boot. But after factory re-image, 1.2.2 has to be applied, otherwise Nook cannot register due to Nook server's TLS issue even NST says network connection problem.
Thanks again for this wonderful guide. Hope this is useful to other (unlucky) people.
As for my NST, after reinstallation, the Home button still doesn't work. So I have to believe it seems to be hardware problem and the cover has to be opened.
nmyshkin said:
So this is your lucky day. Mark it on the calendar and remember it sometime when it seems to be raining excrement on you.
NookManager invokes the factory re-image without user input. All you have to do is make a NookManager card. If you're not interested in rooting, etc., you don't need to do any of the updates. The original NookManager thread is here and the files are available. You just need an SD card which you can recover later if you don't want to root, etc. If you want to play around with rooting, NookManager needs to be updated for 1.2.2. The directions are in this post. Frankly, if I were you I'd just want to get my device working properly right now and possibly think about other stuff after all the dust has settled.
To use NookManager for the factory re-image, all you have to do is boot your NST with the NookManager card inserted. The app will load and eventually you are asked about starting WiFi. Just say no (I hope your side buttons are working..........). Then you get a screen of options. You want "Rescue" (upper left). Then the lower right (Factory reset). And so on. When you are prompted to remove the SD card, do so and the device will reboot and begin the sequence, eventually delivering you to the start screen for setting up your device.
From my experience, it is possible at this point to connect your NST via USB to your PC and copy the update zip to the "Nook". If you then just let the device sit, it will go to sleep on that first screen and the update will commence. If that's not your experience then you might have to register the older firmware first and then try the update.
Two things: tell me you are not outside the US. That could change everything. And, download a fresh copy of the 1.2.2 update zip. It's possible your original is corrupted.
I hope you are right and that this is not a hardware issue.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the previous one.
smjohn1 said:
Thanks a lot and I am in US!
Everything you said was correct with only one minor thing: NookManager doesn't have to be updated to 1.2.2. As is, it will boot. But after factory re-image, 1.2.2 has to be applied, otherwise Nook cannot register due to Nook server's TLS issue even NST says network connection problem.
Thanks again for this wonderful guide. Hope this is useful to other (unlucky) people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the only reason to update NookManager is to root 1.2.2
I'm sorry about the apparent hardware issue. I don't know where to go with that, but just to throw this out: rooting with NM installs NookTouchMod which would allow you to reassign the "n" button function to another hardware button. Awkward and less than ideal but perhaps a way to salvage the device if all else fails.
nmyshkin said:
Yes the only reason to update NookManager is to root 1.2.2
I'm sorry about the apparent hardware issue. I don't know where to go with that, but just to throw this out: rooting with NM installs NookTouchMod which would allow you to reassign the "n" button function to another hardware button. Awkward and less than ideal but perhaps a way to salvage the device if all else fails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wonderful and thx again!
Already rooted, and after reboot, saw "Home" and "ReLauncher", chose "ReLauncher", and then the setting icon at upper right. Lots of functions, but didn't see NookTouchMod or where can set up buttons functions. Only saw "Screen buttons behavior" in the Advanced Settings, but these are not to set hardware buttons.
The only I need is in a book reading mode, press a button to return to the library, so that can switch to another book easily. But I guess I am closer now
smjohn1 said:
Wonderful and thx again!
Already rooted, and after reboot, saw "Home" and "ReLauncher", chose "ReLauncher", and then the setting icon at upper right. Lots of functions, but didn't see NookTouchMod or where can set up buttons functions. Only saw "Screen buttons behavior" in the Advanced Settings, but these are not to set hardware buttons.
The only I need is in a book reading mode, press a button to return to the library, so that can switch to another book easily. But I guess I am closer now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm....Relaunch. Not my favorite, but many people like it for its "simplicity". There is a way in Relaunch to get to an "app drawer" type screen which shows all the installed apps. That's where you'll find NTM and everything else. The sad truth is, I can't tell you how to get there. For me, Relaunch is counter-intuitive and strange, but I do know that thereis an app drawer as I have seen it myself back in the day when all this was new to me. I've done a cursory forum search but come up empty. That's the other thing that always riled me up about Relaunch. It's like its operations are a secret. There must be documentation somewhere, but I don't know where. I have a vague recollection that at the center bottom of some screen or another there is an actual app drawer symbol, but getting to that magic screen is the issue.
I'll keep looking, but right now I'm coming up empty.
Edit: in the long run, once you find NTM and reassign the "n" button, you might be better served by having the standard B&N home screen as your default launcher. This would provide you with your accustomed functions, easy access to the Library via the quick-nav buttons, etc. You could assign along press of the same button to bring up Relaunch for the few times you'll want it.
nmyshkin said:
Mmm....Relaunch. Not my favorite, but many people like it for its "simplicity". There is a way in Relaunch to get to an "app drawer" type screen which shows all the installed apps. That's where you'll find NTM and everything else. The sad truth is, I can't tell you how to get there. For me, Relaunch is counter-intuitive and strange, but I do know that thereis an app drawer as I have seen it myself back in the day when all this was new to me. I've done a cursory forum search but come up empty. That's the other thing that always riled me up about Relaunch. It's like its operations are a secret. There must be documentation somewhere, but I don't know where. I have a vague recollection that at the center bottom of some screen or another there is an actual app drawer symbol, but getting to that magic screen is the issue.
I'll keep looking, but right now I'm coming up empty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right again. I do see "app drawer" at the bottom. Inside there are things like "library", "setting", "app (amazon)", "Kconnect", etc., just couldn't find NTM.
I could reboot to Home too, but I didn't find NTM either. Anyhow, I will dig and search too, and report back here.
Thx again.
smjohn1 said:
You are right again. I do see "app drawer" at the bottom. Inside there are things like "library", "setting", "app (amazon)", "Kconnect", etc., just couldn't find NTM.
I could reboot to Home too, but I didn't find NTM either. Anyhow, I will dig and search too, and report back here.
Thx again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're fast.
Info on basic ReLaunch functions here: https://github.com/yiselieren/ReLaunch. NTMM icon looks like big bold "n" with a bold little broken circle in it. Gotta be there.
Edit: ...unless....something went awry during the rooting process. You can root "again" with no harm/no foul and watch carefully this time the list of "dones" to make sure it did not throw an error for NTMM.
nmyshkin said:
You're fast.
Info on basic ReLaunch functions here: https://github.com/yiselieren/ReLaunch. NTMM icon looks like big bold "n" with a bold little broken circle in it. Gotta be there.
Edit: ...unless....something went awry during the rooting process. You can root "agai n" with no harm/no foul and watch carefully this time the list of "dones" to make sure it did not throw an error for NTMM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I think I need to go back to basics:
1. here is the NM used: http://download.doozan.com/nook/NookManager-0.5.0.zip
2. Here are some screen shots from relaunch:
1) relauncher
2) all apps installed ( from the middle icon at the bottom ): no NTMM there
3) and 4) settings ( from right icon at the top )
3. I don't see a way to install other Android apps, except from Amazon stores ( which I didn't try ) but not from Google App store. Did I install a "wrong" version of NM?
4. One more thing: I "rooted" again, finished quickly, and no changes after boot ( My guess is NM sees the same root package to decide not to do anything ).
Any advice?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After posting above, I installed NTMM-0.4.0.apk successfully, but it says it needs modified jars. From https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1991048 and https://github.com/doozan/NookTouchPatches.
So NTMM wasn't installed during root.
Now my questions:
how to install these patches? I am using Linux with no adb ( I don't want to use adb anyway ), any apk file that can be written to sdcard for quick and easy installation?
and does this patch work for 1.2.2?
smjohn1 said:
OK, I think I need to go back to basics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think you missed some important points from what I wrote previously. Here is the only sequence that is going to give you the desired result:
1. Factory re-image
2. Install 1.22 update
3. Register
4. Prepare NookManager card from here.
5. Update NookManager card following the directions here. You MUST do at least the update for 1.2.2 or root will not be successful and your device will be messed up. Other updates are optional, but know that some apps like Amazon App Store are dead. Other updates deal with these issues.
6. Boot with the NookManager card inserted.
*Optional* 7. Make a back-up of your registered device running 1.2.2. This can save you extra steps if you need to go back for any reason or suffer some catastrophe that seriously messes with your system.
8. Root using NookManager. Watch the screen for check for any failures.
9. Reboot, choosing ReLaunch as a launcher (but do not set as default yet).
10. Use NTMM to assign "n" button function ("Home") to some other hardware button. This is how you will get to QuickNav buttons.
11. Use NTTM to assign long-press of your reassigned "n" button to ReLaunch.
12. Reboot.
13. Select "Home" as default launcher (i.e., check the little box before choosing "Home". This choice can be changed later if you want.
Now you're back to a functioning system. Additional apps are installed by moving the apk file from your PC to a folder on your NST ("Download"?) and tapping the app icon in ReLaunch. Apps are uninstalled by long-pressing the app icon (I think).
The Amazon App Store is useless as you can read in the directions for updating NookManager.
Don't skip any steps.
nmyshkin said:
Yes, I think you missed some important points from what I wrote previously. Here is the only sequence that is going to give you the desired result:
1. Factory re-image
2. Install 1.22 update
3. Register
4. Prepare NookManager card from here.
5. Update NookManager card following the directions here. You MUST do at least the update for 1.2.2 or root will not be successful and your device will be messed up. Other updates are optional, but know that some apps like Amazon App Store are dead. Other updates deal with these issues.
6. Boot with the NookManager card inserted.
*Optional* 7. Make a back-up of your registered device running 1.2.2. This can save you extra steps if you need to go back for any reason or suffer some catastrophe that seriously messes with your system.
8. Root using NookManager. Watch the screen for check for any failures.
9. Reboot, choosing ReLaunch as a launcher (but do not set as default yet).
10. Use NTMM to assign "n" button function ("Home") to some other hardware button. This is how you will get to QuickNav buttons.
11. Use NTTM to assign long-press of your reassigned "n" button to ReLaunch.
12. Reboot.
13. Select "Home" as default launcher (i.e., check the little box before choosing "Home". This choice can be changed later if you want.
Now you're back to a functioning system. Additional apps are installed by moving the apk file from your PC to a folder on your NST ("Download"?) and tapping the app icon in ReLaunch. Apps are uninstalled by long-pressing the app icon (I think).
The Amazon App Store is useless as you can read in the directions for updating NookManager.
Don't skip any steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, the step missed was 5, as it was difficult to change the files. But I remade an NM card ( there must be something wrong with the old one ), afterwards it was to update NM to 1.2.2.
Now buttons are reassigned and this reader is usable again ( I don't plan to make it a full android pad, as there are already too many tablets in house ). So this e-reader owes its life to you. Big thanks!
One last thing: how to reset Default back to Home instead of Relaunch? ( The re-root was quick, as it probably installed NTMM. But reboot doesn't give chance to reset default back to Home, it still goes straight to Relaunch. Of course I can live with it, but it would be nicer to configure as you suggested. )
smjohn1 said:
One last thing: how to reset Default back to Home instead of Relaunch? ( The re-root was quick, as it probably installed NTMM. But reboot doesn't give chance to reset default back to Home, it still goes straight to Relaunch. Of course I can live with it, but it would be nicer to configure as you suggested. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there is a way to access the App Manager through ReLaunch, you can run down the list until you get to ReLaunch and there remove any default actions associated with it.
If that is not obvious then the next easiest thing is to install yet another launcher! So you could transfer a copy of ADW Launcher from the NookManager update page to your NST and install it. If you then reboot it will trigger the App Picker dialog again because now there is a new choice. Before you select "Home", be sure to tick the little check box.
Then you can uninstall ADW Launcher. It's possible that may trigger another App Picker with the remaining two choices but I don't think so.
Once that's sorted you can finish your button reassignments. I think ReLaunch actually hijacks some of the QuickNav buttons so you might have to use NTTM to return them to default or pick completely new assignments, as you like.
I'm glad you were able to get the device back in a usable state. I love my NST for reading. After all these years I think it's still a great little piece of technology.
Wow...I seem to spend a lot of time trying to help people get going with their NST only to find out half-way through the process that they have a non-US device. This changes a great deal. There are advice and hints scattered all over in various threads and it seems like maybe it would be a good idea to get it all in one place. Here.
When B&N abandoned UK devices the current firmware was 1.2.1 but this is not the same as the 1.2.1 firmware on the US version of the device. The main difference is that the URLs used to contact B&N servers were different, the default dictionary was Oxford, and the Settings had actual localization options (or perhaps I should say "localisation") for various countries/languages. This allowed the user to see familiar language in the on-screen system.
The problem
Someone who gets a used non-US device will probably get it reset or want to reset it before doing anything else. And then you are stuck because you can't get past much before it gives an error since it can't contact non-existent URLs. You can't update to FW 1.2.2 because non-US devices will not accept the update.
B&N's "answer" to this dilemma has been reported joyfully on the Mobilread forum. They suggest you skip registration altogether (known as "Skip OOBE") and use the device for reading side-loaded books. What they don't tell you is that skipping registration results in a device with markedly shortened battery charge life. A logcat of such a device shows that the system is constantly churning away, trying to figure out why it can't contact B&N.
Options
I'm not saying that what I present here is exhaustive. There are probably people a lot more clever than I who have come up with other approaches. Still, in order from least good to most good:
Note: if you cannot get to the "Welcome" screen or are stuck on some other screen such as "Network error", you will need to do a "soft reset" before pursuing options 1 or 2 (for options 3 or 4 it does not matter as much because you will be booting from various cards). To perform a soft reset, power down, then power up again but as soon as you see the "Nook" logo screen, press and hold the two lower hardware (page-turn) buttons until a prompt appears. Follow the screen directions. This will eventually leave you at the "Welcome" screen.
1. Take B&N's advice. To skip OOBE:
a. Turn on the device and let it boot to the "welcome" screen.
b. Hold down the top right hardware button on the front of the device and slide your finger from left to right across the top of the screen. A "Factory" button should appear in the top left corner of the screen. Tap it.
c. Once again, hold down the top right hardware button and tap the bottom right corner of the screen.
d. A "Skip OOBE" button should appear. Tap it and the device will complete initialization.
e. If you wish to root the device (which is presumably running FW 1.2.1), you can use the updated Nook Manager package which will still work with FW 1.2.1
Note: this configuration may give errors when you attempt to connect to a WiFi source and you will experience a shorter usable charge time.
2. Improve on B&N's advice.
If you follow these steps you will eliminate the inordinate power drain caused by skipping registration--but at a cost: the "guts" of the B&N system. This means you will need to select and install a reader app, dictionary, file manager and launcher of your own. I have done this and it works fine, but it does involve a little tinkering.
a. Follow steps in #1 above (including rooting).
b. Install (side-load via your SD card or use ADB) apps for a reader, dictionary (if wanted), file manager and launcher. There are many choices, but these were mine: AlReader, ColorDict3, ES File Explorer, ADW Launcher.
c. Use NookManager to remove all B&N apps (one of the options). Note that the original NookManager package does not do a proper job of this, so be sure you are using one of the updated versions.
Note: to my knowledge there are only two working reader apps besides the stock Reader that can handle Adobe DRM protected epubs: Mantano 2.2.3 Premium (activated or not), and Aldiko 2.0
3. Convert your device to US firmware and update to FW 1.2.2
a. Go here and follow the directions. Since the site seems to be down, here is a link for the image zip.
b. Download the FW 1.2.2 update from B&N: https://su.barnesandnoble.com/nook/nook2/1.2.2/351e26527e80156183e74be2da2ce89f/nook_1_2_update.zip
c. Power on the device and at the "welcome" screen connect it via USB to your PC. Drag the update zip to the "Nook" drive that you will see. Eject the device from the USB connection and tap the power button to put it to sleep. If you hang around you may see the device wake up and the update commence. Otherwise come back awhile later. If the update zip is no longer visible on the Nook drive when it is reconnected to your PC via USB then the update has been done.
d. Register your device. Remember you don't need to use a credit card, just an email address.
e. If you wish to root the device select one of the updated versions of NookManager for FW 1.2.2 that are given here.
Note: it has been reported that you will not be able to purchase books from B&N. Also, you will have a Merriam-Webster US-English dictionary instead of the Oxford dictionary. And....localization is locked in the Settings app to "US", with no other options.
4. Try out my unofficial UK FW 1.2.2 update.
Hello nmyshkin, so glad I found your post! I resurrected one NST glowlight that had problems just now. Thanks a lot!! I followed your instructions, changed region to US, updated to 1.2.2, then used Nook Manager to root. A follow up question I had was with regards to enabling sound through the micro USB - I found that in the past it was possible here, however, I am not sure how to go about this, as it seems that its another launcher and not Nook Manager. Could you please let me know if this is possible?
Many thanks in advance!
pkk11 said:
Hello nmyshkin, so glad I found your post! I resurrected one NST glowlight that had problems just now. Thanks a lot!! I followed your instructions, changed region to US, updated to 1.2.2, then used Nook Manager to root. A follow up question I had was with regards to enabling sound through the micro USB - I found that in the past it was possible here, however, I am not sure how to go about this, as it seems that its another launcher and not Nook Manager. Could you please let me know if this is possible?
Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is possible but there are some special issues surrounding the Glowlight model.
The definitive DIY summary for USB Audio by @Renate NST is buried deep in the original USB Host development thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/wip-usb-host-support-working.1457971/page-19#post-43281985
I recollect that there is a minor path error somewhere in the description, but I will have to search around to find that.
For those who would rather not get their hands quite so dirty (or who don't trust their hands...), there is a CWM-flashable zip prepared by @pinguy1982: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/cwm-usb-audio-enabler.3139603/. This is what I have used since my first initial set up following the DIY directions, although I swapped in a different kernal. More on that later. The advantage (beyond the obvious) is that the zip contains a tweaked set of audio drivers.
Here, too, there were a few minor issues which I corrected in my own copy, although clearly the package works as it was originally posted.
The issue with the Glowlight revolves around the choice of USB Host-enabled kernals. The one referenced by @Renate NST is for FW 1.1.5. It also enables multi-touch and allows you to run NoRefresh display mode if you desire. However, FW 1.1.5 was written when the concept of the Glowlight was just a glimmer in some developer's eye. Consequently it behaves poorly with the Glowlight control, in essence separating the actual light function from the light icon in the status bar. I use this kernal with my Glowlight because I also run my QuickTiles app and it controls both the light and status bar icon, bypassing the system controls. The reason I chose this kernal is because it allows the use of NoRefresh which I feel is superior to FastMode for text reading.
As far as I know all of the other USB Host-enabled kernals are over-clocked kernals that were designed to allow the usage of the FastMode display mode. This is true of the kernal included in the CWM zip created by @pinguy1982. None of these kernals, to my knowledge, will also work with NoRefresh. There is only one kernal that allows you to use both NoRefresh and FastMode (not at the same time, of course) and that is kernal 166--but for some reason this was not the base for adding USB Host to a 1.2.x kernal. Maybe there is an essential incompatibility. It's way beyond my pay grade.
I've meant to look at this more closely and get some definitive information. This will take a few days and involves backing up my device and trying the various kernals. There is one that claims to support the Glowlight function, USB Host, and NoRefresh but I suspect the author of that post was being sloppy in describing the screen refresh mode.
Anyway, that and tracking down the other minor issues I mentioned above will likely take a few days.
Yeah, I didn't have anything to do with the kernel mods on the NST for USB host mode.
There is one patch for audio sample rates on the page for MergeSmali (in sig).
The current UsbMode-2.2.apk supports NST and Glows (although the Glows need the injectd daemon also).
pkk11 said:
A follow up question I had was with regards to enabling sound through the micro USB - I found that in the past it was possible here, however, I am not sure how to go about this, as it seems that its another launcher and not Nook Manager. Could you please let me know if this is possible?
Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so I'm glad you asked this question because it prompted me to look more closely at the kernal issue and I found that there is an appropriate kernal for the Glowlight!
CAUTION: before you do this, use NookManager to make a backup of your device.
For audio playback:
You will need a CWM card to flash the zip. You can make a card from one of the two files at: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...od-based-recovery-fixed-backup-issue.1360994/. There is a "2 gb" file and one for "128 gb". The card you choose should have at least the capacity mentioned in the file name. Download the file, unzip and burn the image to an SDcard. DO NOT try to install CWM directly onto your device. This will destroy the one fail-safe that makes the NST so hard to kill: the factory image.
Next, download the CWM-flashable USB Audio zip from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/cwm-usb-audio-enabler.3139603/
The kernal in this zip is based on 1.2.x so it will work with a Glowlight. It includes multitouch, enables FastMode (with the appropriate app), and USBHost. It is overclocked, so you may want to install some kind of CPU regulator to calm it down. It will not work with the NoRefresh app.
If you would prefer a kernal that is not overclocked and works with NoRefresh (but not FastMode), you can download the zips here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/nstg-kernel-multitouch-usb-host-kernel.2846867/#post-54803848. Unzip the files. Open (not unzip) the CWM-flashable USB Audio zip and inspect the contents (WinRAR allows this kind of thing, not sure about other archiving software). In the "boot" folder you will find the two kernal files. Drag the replacement files you downloaded into this folder (within the archive) and set the overwrite to "storage" or "store". You don't want any more compression going on. Then close the archive.
Once you have the CWM-flashable zip set up the way you want it, copy it to the CWM card. Power down the NSTG, insert the CWM card, power up and wait for completion of boot. This is the button function layout for CWM:
Button layout:
Both Buttons on the left: BACK
Upper button on the right: UP
Lower button on the right: DOWN
n button: SELECT
Power button: TOGGLE DISPLAY
Once you've flashed the zip, you'll need to reboot. If there is a message about possibly losing root, etc., just say no. I've been down that road before.... By attempting to fix a non-existent problem it will create that very problem. So don't let it "fix" nothing.
You need some hardware to make all of these changes actually do something. Also a little software. As far as the hardware, you need an OTG cable (e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-...48?hash=item365c5af32c:g:LmEAAOSwa6heLwTo)and a USB-C audio thingy (e.g. https://www.ebay.com/p/94253551?iid=383621510193 or https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sabrent-Us...259335?hash=item42166fae07:g:v~kAAOSwG5ZekgAB). Both are available on ebay or Amazon and are not expensive. Some audio gizmos include volume control buttons, some don't. I have one of each, but don't use the one with the buttons because it's full of LEDs and the whole USB Host thing drains power anyway, so who needs a bunch of lights?
Some people have had issues with USB Host. I suspect it's because of the OTG cables. The first one I got just did not work. The USB socket on the NSTG is not exactly an industry standard and the cheap OTG cables are not precision instruments. I finally got one that fits well but I have another (right-angle model) which sticks out half-way when fully inserted. It works, but it's worrisome. Also, do not let the cable and audio gizmo dangle. Everything should be on a flat surface. If you put stress on the USB jack and make it unhappy, you're going to have trouble doing something very important: charging. I speak from experience.
Now the software. To activate USB Host (and Audio) you need one or two apps. @Renate NST has a USB Host app as well as an Audio Control app. Both are needed for Audio and are useful if you need to troubleshoot. They can be downloaded from her signature link.
I have found that with a good OTG cable I never have initialization issues with USB Host (on all three devices I own). So I wrote a little one-touch toggle app to turn USB Audio on and off. There are screen prompts to tell you when to connect and disconnect things. Version 4 of the app displays on-screen volume controls as well. You can find that here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/app-nst-g-usb-one-touch-toggles.3172213/. The same functionality is also built in to my QuickTiles app, although with nicer screen prompts
If you get this working and are interested in audio recording with the NSTG, there are a few more things to do, but we'll leave that alone for now.
nmyshkin said:
Wow...I seem to spend a lot of time trying to help people get going with their NST only to find out half-way through the process that they have a non-US device. This changes a great deal. There are advice and hints scattered all over in various threads and it seems like maybe it would be a good idea to get it all in one place. Here.
When B&N abandoned UK devices the current firmware was 1.2.1 but this is not the same as the 1.2.1 firmware on the US version of the device. The main difference is that the URLs used to contact B&N servers were different, the default dictionary was Oxford, and the Settings had actual localization options (or perhaps I should say "localisation") for various countries/languages. This allowed the user to see familiar language in the on-screen system.
The problem
Someone who gets a used non-US device will probably get it reset or want to reset it before doing anything else. And then you are stuck because you can't get past much before it gives an error since it can't contact non-existent URLs. You can't update to FW 1.2.2 because non-US devices will not accept the update.
B&N's "answer" to this dilemma has been reported joyfully on the Mobilread forum. They suggest you skip registration altogether (known as "Skip OOBE") and use the device for reading side-loaded books. What they don't tell you is that skipping registration results in a device with markedly shortened battery charge life. A logcat of such a device shows that the system is constantly churning away, trying to figure out why it can't contact B&N.
Options
I'm not saying that what I present here is exhaustive. There are probably people a lot more clever than I who have come up with other approaches. Still, in order from least good to most good:
Note: if you cannot get to the "Welcome" screen or are stuck on some other screen such as "Network error", you will need to do a "soft reset" before pursuing options 1 or 2 (for option 3 it does not matter because you will be booting from various cards). To perform a soft reset, power down, then power up again but as soon as you see the "Read Forever" screen, press and hold the two lower hardware (page-turn) buttons until a prompt appears. Follow the screen directions. This will eventually leave you at the "Welcome" screen.
1. Take B&N's advice. To skip OOBE:
a. Turn on the device and let it boot to the "welcome" screen.
b. Hold down the top right hardware button on the front of the device and slide your finger from left to right across the top of the screen. A "Factory" button should appear in the top left corner of the screen. Tap it.
c. Once again, hold down the top right hardware button and tap the bottom right corner of the screen.
d. A "Skip OOBE" button should appear. Tap it and the device will complete initialization.
e. If you wish to root the device (which is presumably running FW 1.2.1), you can use the updated Nook Manager package which will still work with FW 1.2.1
Note: this configuration may give errors when you attempt to connect to a WiFi source and you will experience a shorter usable charge time.
2. Improve on B&N's advice.
If you follow these steps you will eliminate the inordinate power drain caused by skipping registration--but at a cost: the "guts" of the B&N system. This means you will need to select and install a reader app, dictionary, file manager and launcher of your own. I have done this and it works fine, but it does involve a little tinkering.
a. Follow steps in #1 above (including rooting).
b. Install (side-load via your SD card or use ADB) apps for a reader, dictionary (if wanted), file manager and launcher. There are many choices, but these were mine: AlReader, ColorDict3, ES File Explorer, ADW Launcher.
c. Use NookManager to remove all B&N apps (one of the options). Note that the original NookManager package does not do a proper job of this, so be sure you are using one of the updated versions.
Note: to my knowledge there is only one working reader app besides the stock Reader that can handle Adobe DRM protected epubs. Mantano 2.2.3 Premium (activated or not)
3. Convert your device to US firmware and update to FW 1.2.2
a. Go here and follow the directions.
b. Select one of the updated versions of NookManager for FW 1.2.2 that are given here.
c. Download the FW 1.2.2 update from B&N: https://su.barnesandnoble.com/nook/nook2/1.2.2/351e26527e80156183e74be2da2ce89f/nook_1_2_update.zip
d. Power on the device and at the "welcome" screen connect it via USB to your PC. Drag the update zip to the "Nook" drive that you will see. Allow the device to sleep. Come back awhile later. If the update zip is no longer visible on the Nook drive then the update has been done.
e. Register your device. Remember you don't need to use a credit card, just an email address.
f. Use the updated NookManager card to root and perhaps customize your device.
Note: it has been reported that you will not be able to purchase books from B&N. Also, you will have a Merriam-Webster US-English dictionary instead of the Oxford dictionary. And....localization is locked in the Settings app to "US", with no other options.
g. If you prefer the Oxford dictionary, you can download a copy of the UK 1.2.1 update zip at the bottom of the region changer page.
The dictionary files are located in /system/media/reference/ . Compare what's there with what's on your device and replace. Be sure the file permissions are set the same as what was there before. Reboot.
h. You will need ADB access (either via USB or WiFi) to see the complete localization menu. Connect to the device via ADB and type:
adb shell
am start -n com.android.settings/.LocalePicker --ez hideDevLanguages false
Select the language you prefer. This may cause a reboot.
If you don't have/want ADB, you can install my Nook Settings app. It gives full access to the LocalePicker. If you don't want the app, you can uninstall it after making the Locale change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heads up, this link https://sites.google.com/site/xcdguides/nook/nookregion on option 3 no longer works but it is archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20210821235751/https://sites.google.com/site/xcdguides/nook/nookregion and the dropbox download on that page works fine still and is https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwtz0wi6kpb1d3u/nook_region_changer.zip
alexhorner said:
Heads up, this link https://sites.google.com/site/xcdguides/nook/nookregion on option 3 no longer works but it is archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20210821235751/https://sites.google.com/site/xcdguides/nook/nookregion and the dropbox download on that page works fine still and is https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwtz0wi6kpb1d3u/nook_region_changer.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I noticed the site was down just today whilst trying to help another UK individual. Fortunately I had archived the image zip some time ago against a day such as this. And I, too, referred him to the Wayback machine archive, but I didn't think to test the direct dropbox link. That was clever.
Good grief. Is nothing sacred?!
nmyshkin said:
Thanks. I noticed the site was down just today whilst trying to help another UK individual. Fortunately I had archived the image zip some time ago against a day such as this. And I, too, referred him to the Wayback machine archive, but I didn't think to test the direct dropbox link. That was clever.
Good grief. Is nothing sacred?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Self host FTW!
alexhorner said:
Self host FTW!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yah....my Mediafire account is almost full now with all the NST and Nook Tablet stuff I'm trying to save from oblivion. Hope there's room for this one more.
nmyshkin said:
Wow...I seem to spend a lot of time trying to help people get going with their NST only to find out half-way through the process that they have a non-US device. This changes a great deal. There are advice and hints scattered all over in various threads and it seems like maybe it would be a good idea to get it all in one place. Here.
When B&N abandoned UK devices the current firmware was 1.2.1 but this is not the same as the 1.2.1 firmware on the US version of the device. The main difference is that the URLs used to contact B&N servers were different, the default dictionary was Oxford, and the Settings had actual localization options (or perhaps I should say "localisation") for various countries/languages. This allowed the user to see familiar language in the on-screen system.
The problem
Someone who gets a used non-US device will probably get it reset or want to reset it before doing anything else. And then you are stuck because you can't get past much before it gives an error since it can't contact non-existent URLs. You can't update to FW 1.2.2 because non-US devices will not accept the update.
B&N's "answer" to this dilemma has been reported joyfully on the Mobilread forum. They suggest you skip registration altogether (known as "Skip OOBE") and use the device for reading side-loaded books. What they don't tell you is that skipping registration results in a device with markedly shortened battery charge life. A logcat of such a device shows that the system is constantly churning away, trying to figure out why it can't contact B&N.
Options
I'm not saying that what I present here is exhaustive. There are probably people a lot more clever than I who have come up with other approaches. Still, in order from least good to most good:
Note: if you cannot get to the "Welcome" screen or are stuck on some other screen such as "Network error", you will need to do a "soft reset" before pursuing options 1 or 2 (for option 3 it does not matter because you will be booting from various cards). To perform a soft reset, power down, then power up again but as soon as you see the "Read Forever" screen, press and hold the two lower hardware (page-turn) buttons until a prompt appears. Follow the screen directions. This will eventually leave you at the "Welcome" screen.
1. Take B&N's advice. To skip OOBE:
a. Turn on the device and let it boot to the "welcome" screen.
b. Hold down the top right hardware button on the front of the device and slide your finger from left to right across the top of the screen. A "Factory" button should appear in the top left corner of the screen. Tap it.
c. Once again, hold down the top right hardware button and tap the bottom right corner of the screen.
d. A "Skip OOBE" button should appear. Tap it and the device will complete initialization.
e. If you wish to root the device (which is presumably running FW 1.2.1), you can use the updated Nook Manager package which will still work with FW 1.2.1
Note: this configuration may give errors when you attempt to connect to a WiFi source and you will experience a shorter usable charge time.
2. Improve on B&N's advice.
If you follow these steps you will eliminate the inordinate power drain caused by skipping registration--but at a cost: the "guts" of the B&N system. This means you will need to select and install a reader app, dictionary, file manager and launcher of your own. I have done this and it works fine, but it does involve a little tinkering.
a. Follow steps in #1 above (including rooting).
b. Install (side-load via your SD card or use ADB) apps for a reader, dictionary (if wanted), file manager and launcher. There are many choices, but these were mine: AlReader, ColorDict3, ES File Explorer, ADW Launcher.
c. Use NookManager to remove all B&N apps (one of the options). Note that the original NookManager package does not do a proper job of this, so be sure you are using one of the updated versions.
Note: to my knowledge there is only one working reader app besides the stock Reader that can handle Adobe DRM protected epubs. Mantano 2.2.3 Premium (activated or not)
3. Convert your device to US firmware and update to FW 1.2.2
a. Go here and follow the directions.
b. Select one of the updated versions of NookManager for FW 1.2.2 that are given here.
c. Download the FW 1.2.2 update from B&N: https://su.barnesandnoble.com/nook/nook2/1.2.2/351e26527e80156183e74be2da2ce89f/nook_1_2_update.zip
d. Power on the device and at the "welcome" screen connect it via USB to your PC. Drag the update zip to the "Nook" drive that you will see. Allow the device to sleep. Come back awhile later. If the update zip is no longer visible on the Nook drive then the update has been done.
e. Register your device. Remember you don't need to use a credit card, just an email address.
f. Use the updated NookManager card to root and perhaps customize your device.
Note: it has been reported that you will not be able to purchase books from B&N. Also, you will have a Merriam-Webster US-English dictionary instead of the Oxford dictionary. And....localization is locked in the Settings app to "US", with no other options.
g. If you prefer the Oxford dictionary, you can download a copy of the UK 1.2.1 update zip at the bottom of the region changer page.
The dictionary files are located in /system/media/reference/ . Compare what's there with what's on your device and replace. Be sure the file permissions are set the same as what was there before. Reboot.
h. You will need ADB access (either via USB or WiFi) to see the complete localization menu. Connect to the device via ADB and type:
adb shell
am start -n com.android.settings/.LocalePicker --ez hideDevLanguages false
Select the language you prefer. This may cause a reboot.
If you don't have/want ADB, you can install my Nook Settings app. It gives full access to the LocalePicker. If you don't want the app, you can uninstall it after making the Locale change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would you recommend I copy and replace the dictionaries from the original 1.2.1 firmware file? It does not appear to be a zip file even though it is labelled as such
alexhorner said:
How would you recommend I copy and replace the dictionaries from the original 1.2.1 firmware file? It does not appear to be a zip file even though it is labelled as such
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a vague recollection that it can't be cracked by simply Windows. I believe WinRAR or 7zip will work. I'm downloading a copy from my archive as I type and will give it a shot. I know it can be/has been done.
Yep, WinRAR. I'll just extract the dictionary file and attach it here. Or not. Mmm....too big.
So....you'll need either WinRAR or 7zip to do the job.
nmyshkin said:
I have a vague recollection that it can't be cracked by simply Windows. I believe WinRAR or 7zip will work. I'm downloading a copy from my archive as I type and will give it a shot. I know it can be/has been done.
Yep, WinRAR. I'll just extract the dictionary file and attach it here. Or not. Mmm....too big.
So....you'll need either WinRAR or 7zip to do the job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had some trouble with 7Zip too, but after opening 7Zip on its own and manually selecting the file, it extracted.
I took the ox_en_GB.db file (the only one in there) and placed it in /system.media/references and 644'd it which is what the other files in that directory were. Nothing to replace, just add. No idea if it works or how to test it, but at least the file is there if I ever wish to use it.
Managed to get the system locale changed fine with NookSettings too, so now thats all good!
alexhorner said:
Had some trouble with 7Zip too, but after opening 7Zip on its own and manually selecting the file, it extracted.
I took the ox_en_GB.db file (the only one in there) and placed it in /system.media/references and 644'd it which is what the other files in that directory were. Nothing to replace, just add. No idea if it works or how to test it, but at least the file is there if I ever wish to use it.
Managed to get the system locale changed fine with NookSettings too, so now thats all good!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to test the dictionary is to load up an ebook, long-press on a word, select "Look up" and see what happens.