Database Users

[webOS] The HP Touchpad Guide (to homebrew/overclocking) [Mac/Windows/Linux]

Thanks to all of you that have hit thanks on my posts. You make me look good
As many of you know, there is a way to install Preware which is not unlike Cydia on the iPad. WebOS has a great homebrew community that is supported by HP. Perks include Overclocking to 1.5+Ghz, free homebrew apps, and many great tweaks. Try it out by following the directions below.
If your TouchPad isn't seen by the PC your using, download and install the WebOS SDK here.
-Download WebOS Quick install to your computer HERE
-Put your Touchpad into development mode by:
Launching Device Info and tap its top-left menu.
Selecting "Custom Application..." and typing in: ##3386633#
In the application, move the Developer Mode slider to the On position.
Tap Reset the Device.
When reset is complete, Developer mode is enabled.
IMPORTANT : DONT MAKE A PASSWORD ON DEVELOPMENT MODE OR YOU'LL HAVE TO WIPE YOUR ENTIRE PAD.
-Plug in your pad and tap charge only on the prompt (in the corner).
-Now go to quick install on your computer, launch it (you may have to update Java)
-Hit the little globe button, and wait for things to load.
-Scroll down to Preware and install it. (Your device might reboot after installation.)
-You can now install things from preware, like Uberkernel that overclocks the processor to 1.5ghz (under Kernels)
Note : to Oc, you must download the app govnah from preware.
This was done on my MacBook pro, should work with windows or anything really, as long as Java works.
To sideloade apps, install Internalz pro and you can install .ipk files, which are the same as .apk and .ipa files for android and ios.
For more info until this community grows, go to Precentral, its like XDA for webOS. Tons of good people over there. Thanks to Rootzwiki and Precentral for helping me out too.
Feel free to hit the Thanks button if I helped!
-andrewxu
NOTE
See POST 16 by Nburnes for a more detailed guide if this isn't enough.

andrewxu said:
As most of you know there is a way to install preware, which is not unlike cydia on the ipad.
To do so, download webos quick install, and put your pad into development mode. (Google both)
Plug in your pad and tap charge only.
Now go to quick install on your computer, launch it (you may have to update Java)
Hit the little globe button, wait for things to load.
Scroll to preware and install it.
Your device might reboot
You can now install things from preware, like uberkernel that overclocks the processor to 1.5ghz
Note : to Oc, you must download the app govnah from preware.
This is meant to be a quick outline, a Google search will speed things up, and will find files to download.
Links etc will be added.
This was done on my MacBook pro, should work with windows or anything really, as long as Java works.
Hit thanks if I helped.
-andrewxu :l
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks! nice guide

Is it possible to sideload the US only Kindle app via preware?

Easy as pie, thank you!
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

Awesome write up thanks..still waiting for mine in mail,ugh :0)

Inquitus said:
Is it possible to sideload the US only Kindle app via preware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After installing Preware download and install Internalz Pro. Internalz is a file explorer that will install .ipk files. Just put the Amazon app on your internal storage and install.

chadillac0000 said:
After installing Preware download and install Internalz Pro. Internalz is a file explorer that will install .ipk files. Just put the Amazon app on your internal storage and install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye ipk is available here for anyone who wants the kindle beta

The most important thing to know about installing PreWare is that when you put your phone into development mode NEVER CREATE A PASSWORD. Leave it blank, keep it blank. If you create a password you won't be able to install anything, you'll have to erase your device and start from scratch. Found this by luck on a forum post over at PreCentral - it doesn't seem to be in any of the FAQ posts around the web.

That uberkernel has me interested. How much of a noticeable performance change does it offer? Is it stable? How much of a battery life decrease can you expect? How much of a concern is overheating?

Thank you.

Precentral.net has a lot of info and more specifics.

Uberkernel is stable. Battery life is unaffected to me, still get over a day which is all that matters.
No lag Like I used to have. Now if we had enough apps in the market or whatever to fill up a page, I'd be happy.
-andrewxu :l

Thanks for the info mate, gonna grab my copy tomorrow morning

Wupideedoo said:
That uberkernel has me interested. How much of a noticeable performance change does it offer? Is it stable? How much of a battery life decrease can you expect? How much of a concern is overheating?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question about Uberkernel is what rev of Linux Kernel is it... and in theory, wouldn't this have the drivers necessary to make Android happy on this device (assuming the 2.6.x rev is similar to what 2.3.3's running)?

Why would you need to side load Kindle, the link to the app store for kindle came on my touchpad... it's in the app catalog for free...
Now, loading ipks from internal storage... darn handy. Thanks!

The HP Touchpad Guide
Well uh yea, since multiple persons have asked me for it, I decided to try my hand at this little guide writing thing. I do apologize for it looking bland. All this information is on the web. I have simply brought it together here for users of this forum. Please do read it all.
Note that this guide deals with only one manner of installing Preware onto your device. For more information, please take a look at the source links.
Important Terms
webOS – Proprietary mobile operating system running on the Linux Kernel, originally built by Palm, acquired in 2010 by HP. It is closed source with certain aspects open source under GPL.
Homebrew – Packages built by a dev or simple user for another end user. These include things such as simple to complex games, patches, tweaks, kernels, etc. These are neither directly supported nor officially condoned by HP. Some homebrew can void the warranty.
Preware – Basically the Cydia of WebOS. It allows for installing of homebrew applications, themes, patches and over 1600 Linux programs.
Kernel – Main componenet of most computer operating systems. It is the bridge between applications and actual data processiong done at the hardware level.
Luna – Basically this is what is “logged” into the device, such as springboard on iOS. It is the devices App Controller.
Palm webOS SDK – Exactly as it sounds, the SDK for webOS.
WebOS Quick Install – Program that allows for use of webOS applications that are in-testing. These are under agreement that allows for unapproved applications to be installed on Palm/HP devices. These have not been tested by Palm/HP and are installed at own risk.
WebOS Doctor – Borked your device? This tool from HP/Palm will hopefully restore it to a usable state.
Novaterm/Novacom – Allows for Windows/OSX to talk to the Linux on the webOS devices.
Feeds – Equivalint of sources on Cydia. They are the places you add if you want more tweaks, themes, kernels, applications, etc.
Gaining Developers Mode
1. Go to main screen
2. Select “Just type...” bar
3. In the bar type “webos20090606” without the quotes
4. Tap the Developer Mode icon
5. Set Developer Mode to ON
6. Don't enter a password, simply hit Submit
7. Congrats device is in developer mode for use with SDK or webOS Quick Install
webOS Quick Install
Java based program that has cross platform support. (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux)
Requires:
Java 1.6+ - Make sure you are up to date
Novacom – Will automagically be installed when your first run webOS Quick Install
DevMode Enabled
1. Download latest version here. V4.2.3 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2774158/WebOSQuickInstall-4.2.3.jar
2. Connect device in developer mode and select “Cancel” when mount as usb notification appears.
3. Run webOS Quick Install. If novacom driver isn't installed, it shall install for you.
4. Click third button on the right side (Globe icon)
5. Click on “All” box
6. Proceed to search for “Preware”
7. Click Install
8. Congrats Preware is now installed on your webOS device.
If this method creates some form of issue more information on installing Preware can be read here - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Application:Preware
Thanks for Bigjzoo - If you use Lion go to this link to download the Novacom Drivers. You won't be able to download them through QuickInstall. It will fail.
Now the fun parts really begin.
Preware
Newest version as of 8/22 – v1.7.3
Upon first launch, Preware will download and update all feeds. It will ask to associate .ipks with Preware, choose yes. You will then be greeted by a screen that has “Available Packages”, “Installed Packages”, “List of Everything”. These are all hopefully rather straight forward sounding.
In the top left corner where it says Preware, this drops down to allow for Preferances, updating/managing feeds, Luna manager, saving package list, etc.
Moving back to “Available Packages” you will find lists of things you can install. On my Touchpad it is the following:
1. Applications
2. Font
3. Kernel
4. Linux Application
5. Linux Daemon
6. Optware
7. Patch
8. Plugin
9. Service
10. Unknown
You can trawl through these on your time, but I have a list of current tweaks/apps/kernel I personally recommend installing or have installed on my device.
1. Govnah – Allows for overclocking. Simple as that.
2. Internalz Pro – Powerful file manger for webOS.
3. Preader Native Alpha – (This is an alpha so a little buggy) Allows for reading of ePub, eReader, MobiPocket, PalmDOC, plaintext, and HTML files.
4. Uberkernel – Stable kernel that allows for overclocking up to 1.5Ghz.
5. Add Launcher Tabs – Adds tabs to launcher that include, Games and Homebrew.
6. EOM Overlord Monitoring – Stops the process that Palm included that literally logs everything that you basically do on the device. Sorta creepy.
7. Ad Blocker – Blocks ads.
8. Advanced Reset Options – When holding power instead of just “Shutdown” gives option of “Airplane Mode”, “Luna Restart” (hot reboot), “Device Restart”, “Shutdown”.
9. Muffle System Logging – works with EOM Overlord to stop unnecessary logging of the system.
10. Unthrottle Download Manager – Does exactly as it sounds.
11. Faster Card animations – Makes opening app drawer very speedy. Applications and cards seem to open much faster, I highly recommend.
12. Touchplayer - Plays pretty much every video file format.
List of Packages that users may be interested in
1. Increase Touch Sensitivity and smoothness – Pretty self-explanatory.
2. Just Charge by defaulty – Instead of prompting to mount as USB when connected to PC, it will “Just charge”.
3. Remove Tap Ripple – Removes the tap ripple effect. (I personally love the ripple <3)
Overclocking
Requires:
An overclocked kernel installed
Govnah to be installed
Overclocking on these devices are a breeze.
1. Open Govnah
2. Click on "Profile"
3. Choose OnDemandTCL 1512 if you want a stable 1.5GHz clock
4. Go back
5. Congrats you are overclocked
More info on Govnah.
More advanced users may go under advanced settings choosing CPU freq scheduler, TCP congestion, etc.
I personally like 192 Mhz min, 1.7 GHz max, conservative govenor with the BFQ I/O scheduler.
Now for those looking into ridiculous overclocking (1.7 ghz+) or just running very Alpha/beta software, I recommend looking at how to set up your device with webOS Internals Testing Feeds.
Link here - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Testing_Feeds#Using_Preware
Source List
1. WebOS Internals - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Main_Page
2. How to recover (webOS Doctor how-to) - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/How_To_Recover
3. WebOS Doctor versions - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Webos_Doctor_Versions
4. WebOS Quick Install - http://forums.precentral.net/canuck-coding/274461-webos-quick-install-v4-1-1-a.html
5. Preware - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Application:Preware
6. Govnah - http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Application:Govnah

HP underclocked the processor, it's supposed to be at 1.5ghz. This solved almost any lag on the device.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Um.. what's going on? I have a touchpad. First webos for me. Preware on touchpad = root/jailbreak? Dang I don't even know what I'm talking about. Is there a word for newer than noob? That's definitely what I feel like reading this thread. If someone could point me to some info on the before and after of installing Preware I'd be thankful.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

I sent you a private message (pm). Do you know how to reply?
Jailbreaking and rooting and installing preware all allow unofficial programs to be installed on devices. These apps have more privliges than normal apps, and the ability to control things most apps can't (preventing virus and piracy).
For advanced users this is appealing, more productivity and customization can be had.
reggie cheeks said:
Um.. what's going on? I have a touchpad. First webos for me. Preware on touchpad = root/jailbreak? Dang I don't even know what I'm talking about. Is there a word for newer than noob? That's definitely what I feel like reading this thread. If someone could point me to some info on the before and after of installing Preware I'd be thankful.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

reggie cheeks said:
Um.. what's going on? I have a touchpad. First webos for me. Preware on touchpad = root/jailbreak? Dang I don't even know what I'm talking about. Is there a word for newer than noob? That's definitely what I feel like reading this thread. If someone could point me to some info on the before and after of installing Preware I'd be thankful.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1230576

[Q] Swype installs but you cant enable

I got Swype to install but the rom wont let you select it

Right, you can't access the stock android settings page to enable it. Will likely need a custom rom before this can be done.

I dont have a fire yet so this is pure speculation....
Can you sideload a home screen replacement (like launcher pro) and have better access to the settings menus? Thus allowing ability to select swype?

I installed Go Launcher Ex, which worked for me, and I was unable to access any other settings other than the customized Kindle Settings.

sanewicked said:
I installed Go Launcher Ex, which worked for me, and I was unable to access any other settings other than the customized Kindle Settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, well guess at least we know those work! Will have to wait for some devs to get other stuff working I guess (or learn ourselves).
Edit: And im guessing they disabled the function to where you can long press on a text entry field to change input methods?

big gulps huh? said:
Edit: And im guessing they disabled the function to where you can long press on a text entry field to change input methods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was going to suggest trying.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

big gulps huh? said:
Edit: And im guessing they disabled the function to where you can long press on a text entry field to change input methods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There *is* a menu for input method that has only one entry, "Kindle Keyboard".
masayang

The kb has to be enabled in settings before it will show up in the input selection menu. Of course there is no way of doing that just yet
Sent from my ADR6400L

SikYou said:
The kb has to be enabled in settings before it will show up in the input selection menu. Of course there is no way of doing that just yet
Sent from my ADR6400L
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I totally forgot about that. Oh well...

I am getting my kindle fire tomorrow and I've been looking at how to enable other keyboards. See if you can manually edit the file where settings are store: /data/data/com.android.providers/settings/databases/settings.db using an sql editor look for the field "enabled_input_methods". Type in the proper info for the keyboard you are adding and see what happens. Root is required obviously. With any luck this might work.

Swype working just fine.
Psxtreme said:
I am getting my kindle fire tomorrow and I've been looking at how to enable other keyboards. See if you can manually edit the file where settings are store: /data/data/com.android.providers/settings/databases/settings.db using an sql editor look for the field "enabled_input_methods". Type in the proper info for the keyboard you are adding and see what happens. Root is required obviously. With any luck this might work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got swype working last night after a few trials. Here's what I did (though I'm sure not all steps are necessary).
I of course first grabbed the swype APK from my ATTSGS2 and side loaded onto the fire (without root). I know you all said it wouldn't work, but this is just the way I troubleshoot issues.
Swype installed fine, but as you said I could not select it from the input options list (when you long click a text field it gives you the option to select input method).
Now, I haven't permanently rooted my fire. I quite like software updates, video, and security on my device. That said, I don't mind dabbling with the stock load a bit. I pushed zergRush out to /data/local and ran that to get a temporary root.
I then downloaded the settings.db as suggested above and used sqlite3 (included by default in Mac OS X) to edit the input methods list to add swype.
Here's a dump of the resulting field:
INSERT INTO "secure" VALUES(21,'enabled_input_methods','com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME:com.swype.android.inputmethod/.SwypeInputMethod');
If you aren't comfortable editing an sqlite database file I'm not going to walk you through it, a mistake with that file could brick your kindle.
You'll see I added Swype to the stock LatinIME.
That did the trick. After a reboot (which by the way removes my temporary root). I could select Swype. Of course upon launching the swype keyboard I discovered I was missing the swype core library. After another zergRush and an install of the library which I also found on my ATTSGS2 I got swype launched!
Great the keyboard came up .. and .. "license failure". Damn, that's the first piece of android I've seen with license enforcement.
That's okay though, I knew swype corp (now a division of Nuance) somehow gives away copies of the software. I left settings.db as is but removed the swype apk and corelibs.
Then I headed over to the swype website, signed up for the beta, downloaded the swype installer -- which by the way I had to do from my ATTSGS2 because the swype website insisted my kindle was not running android.
I side loaded the installer onto the kindle (without root), ran the installer, and everything went in smooth. I didn't even have to go back into settings.db to change the default input method -- the installer seemed to do that for me.
I'm not sure if the settings.db changes were necessary at all in fact, and if not this would be a completely safe procedure with no root required.
Some feedback would be good. I'm sure everyone would love to use this workaround to get swype running, though for most of you you'd better not touch sqlite databases directly. Its my opinion if editing that file IS necessary, then you're probably better off waiting for ROM support. Though it would of course be a violation of copyright law to distribute a ROM with swype preinstalled. Beware developers who ignore copyright law, their missing scruples may extend to other areas of software development.

I imagine at some point in the future someone will release a .apk that can modify those settings but it's good to know the settings are there and functional, just obfuscated by amazon. Also there is an android market app that lets you edit the sql database more easily but definitely not for the faint of heart.

Psxtreme said:
I imagine at some point in the future someone will release a .apk that can modify those settings but it's good to know the settings are there and functional, just obfuscated by amazon. Also there is an android market app that lets you edit the sql database more easily but definitely not for the faint of heart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked quick in the market and couldn't find one. Do you know the name?
It would be much easier than adb shuffles back and forth.

It's not free but I think it's worth it, it's called "SQLite Editor"

[email protected] said:
I'm not sure if the settings.db changes were necessary at all in fact, and if not this would be a completely safe procedure with no root required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They appear to be - just tried installing the swype beta without rooting yet and the new keyboard is not showing up.

I just used the same method to enable Swiftkey X (the non-tablet version). Works great!
My "enabled_input_methods" field is: "com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME:com.touchtype.swiftkey/.KeyboardService"
Don't forget after uploading the modified settings.db back to the device to reset the owner ("chown system.system settings.db") and permissions ("chmod 660 settings.db") on the file. And as always, back up everything you change before you do it.
I'll post a step-by-step later if I'm not too busy.

i'll make a script tomorrow to change the enabled keyboard from stock to swype for y'all
you'll have to be rooted

I got my fire now and edited the db on the device using SQLite Editor and it worked after a reboot. I tested using Simeji (Japanese IME).

Swyping this on my kindle fire ;-). Thanks for the post! I had already kindle rooted and I happened to have the beta swype account, so for me it was much easier. all I had to do was to install swype installer from their beta web site and then use SQLlite editor to modify enabled_input_methods
Off topic: looking for decent home launcher to replace kindle's. Any suggestions. Tried the Go launcher but it isn't optimized for tablet

Can't you just move Swype to system/app and then the lib to system/lib, and reboot? You don't have to enable system keyboards
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

cant disable metro ui

im trying to disable metro.in the register but there isn't RPenabled to disable it.

i want to remove it.so it goes straight to the desktop just like windows 7

I'm pretty sure this was removed in the official release.

JihadSquad said:
I'm pretty sure this was removed in the official release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was removed.
Learn metro, its actually pretty good once you get the hang of it with or without the touch

It was in fact removed well before release. "redpill" (what is controlled by the registry value you seek) is an MS-internal test mode for secret and/or experimental features. It's been present for at least a few previous beta products too, covering things like Win7's new taskbar. Only the very first public build of Win8 used the Redpill switch; everything after that had it built in.
There are third-party apps which disable TIFKAM (The Interface Formerly Known As Metro) to a lesser or greater degree, but I can't recommend any of them as I don't know what they actually do to the system. Personally, I just move the mouse to the lower-left corner (where the Start button appears usually), and then Right-click followed immediately by a Left-click. That will take you to the desktop from anywhere. Another way to do it is hit [Win]+d, the "Show Desktop" shortcut from previous Windows versions still works on Win8, and if you aren't on the desktop it will take you there.

To boot to desktop, change
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
from "explorer.exe" to "explorer.exe /select,explorer.exe"
There are other ways w/o involving external software, one of which is to set up a task that runs on desktop. To find out, Google.
As far as disabling Metro altogether (ie the hot-corners), use any of the common 3rd-party fixes like Classic Shell. They work fine. Then you'd have basically an improved Win7 with some new features.
Unlike the "embrace change" advocates here, I think the user should decide if he wants to use Metro.

Good tip on the Shell registry change, thanks!

Thanks for the shell reg change, nice find. But we do have a choice to use metro or not, MS isn't a public service made to suite our needs, its a private company that can do as it wants, whether that is what we want as users is a different story, the best way to to affect change on private companies is to vote with your wallet so to speak. I'm not arguing that metro is better or anything there are issues with win 8, but as it stands there is a choice, an buying something then complaining it isn't what you want is perhaps a little silly, an we wouldn't do it in any other market cept the movie industry of course! Nope, MS will have your money an they won't be to bothered about anything else.
Sent from my Samsung Focus S using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

>it stands there is a choice, an buying something then complaining it isn't what you want is perhaps a little silly
The OP asks if there's a way to boot to desktop, not whether he wants Metro. Please restrict the editorializing and proselytizing to appropriate threads. Thanks.
BTW, credit for the reg edit goes to another in the Win8 Dev subforum. It's a compact variation of starting a desktop task (the task in this case being Explorer itself). Explorer's parameters are below for those interested. You can vary the results by experimenting with different combinations:
/n: Opens a new window in single-paned (My Computer) view for each item selected, even if the new window duplicates a window that is already open.
/e: Uses Windows Explorer view. Windows Explorer view is most similar to File Manager in Windows version 3.x. Note that the default view is Open view.
/root,<object>: Specifies the root level of the specified view. The default is to use the normal namespace root (the desktop). Whatever is specified is the root for the display.
/select,<sub object>: Specifies the folder to receive the initial focus. If "/select" is used, the parent folder is opened and the specified object is selected.
Usage examples here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510

Guys no need to go into the shell!!
Get this app called pokki(search on google) .Install it.Once you install it click the pokki icon on desktop.Then check the boot to desktop option.If you want you can also get back the start button,thereby saying goodbye to metro altogether.
Hope this helps....
Thread Closed

e.mote said:
>it stands there is a choice, an buying something then complaining it isn't what you want is perhaps a little silly
The OP asks if there's a way to boot to desktop, not whether he wants Metro. Please restrict the editorializing and proselytizing to appropriate threads. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
e.mote said:
Unlike the "embrace change" advocates here, I think the user should decide if he wants to use Metro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...I was referring to your post above, its irrelevant we think it should do, it is what it is. There's no need to get all uppity about it. Once again, thank you for the interesting find.

>>Unlike the "embrace change" advocates here, I think the user should decide if he wants to use Metro.
>...I was referring to your post above, its irrelevant we think it should do, it is what it is. There's no need to get all uppity about it. Once again, thank you for the interesting find.
You should work on your reading comprehension. I said "the user should decide," not what I think Win8 should or shouldn't be. And you're welcome.

I'm using the classic shell add on:
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
It allows one to bypass the Win 8 UI and go directly to Windows. Plus it puts the start menu back in. I personally see no reason to try and disable the Win 8 new shell; just ignore it and stay on the desktop.
The only exception is that the new UI has some settings on my ultrabook that are not present in the Desktop interface (like controlling the GPS).

stevedebi said:
I'm using the classic shell add on:
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
It allows one to bypass the Win 8 UI and go directly to Windows. Plus it puts the start menu back in. I personally see no reason to try and disable the Win 8 new shell; just ignore it and stay on the desktop.
The only exception is that the new UI has some settings on my ultrabook that are not present in the Desktop interface (like controlling the GPS).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I found ClassicShell to be buggy and unreliable. It frequently caused Explorer to crash.
I used Start8 through the trial and it seemed decent enough (I didn't crash hourly), but by the time that it expired I felt that Metro was just fine and didn't bother.

mrappbrain said:
Guys no need to go into the shell!!
Get this app called pokki(search on google) .Install it.Once you install it click the pokki icon on desktop.Then check the boot to desktop option.If you want you can also get back the start button,thereby saying goodbye to metro altogether.
Hope this helps....
Thread Closed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or install start8
Verstuurd van mijn GT-S5660

netham45 said:
To be honest, I found ClassicShell to be buggy and unreliable. It frequently caused Explorer to crash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have it on one system, and although I haven't noticed it to cause any stability issues, I found Start8 to be more refined.
In any case, here are the top start menu/metro avoidance programs:
Classic Shell
Start8
StartMenu7
StartMenu8
Pokki
ViStart (linked but not recommended because it tries it's best to install all kinds of 3rd party toolbars)
netham45 said:
I used Start8 through the trial and it seemed decent enough (I didn't crash hourly), but by the time that it expired I felt that Metro was just fine and didn't bother.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found just the opposite. I tried Metro for a while and just found it didn't do anything objectively better than the start menu, and the hot corners kept getting in my way (several of my programs have a lot of tools/buttons at the corners and edges and I was continually activating the various hidden menus). I tried Start8 and it works perfectly.

Theres an app called "FxxkMetro.exe" (actually spelt like that). It's designed to "seek out" and terminate all running instances of Metro, completely disabling it.

[Q] Dual Booting the Dell Venue 8 Pro

How difficult would it be to dual boot / put Ubuntu on the Dell Venue 8 Pro as a secondary os?
Would grub work on this tab?
How stable would it be?
Thanks guys!

Check out this thread for the Asus T100, its a bay trail tablet so results on it will be very similar to your Dell:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2500078
Basically things are still pretty unstable as of now, I imagine someday Ubuntu/Linux will get better bay trail support.

spunker88 said:
Check out this thread for the Asus T100, its a bay trail tablet so results on it will be very similar to your Dell:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2500078
Basically things are still pretty unstable as of now, I imagine someday Ubuntu/Linux will get better bay trail support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet, thanks.
I really think that there should be individual forums for individual devices, or at least device processors making it easier to navigate... Even when searching it's still hard to ruffle through, to what you need, so w/ out an individual like your self, I wouldn't of found that.
Thanks!

Android 4.x and Windows 8.x dual boot
I know this would be considered overkill but my curiosity is simply if it can be done?. It would be cool to rock both KitKat and Windows 8.x on the same slate. Maybe the Android versions of the venue can share drivers. Who knows, I'm just putting the thought out there.

agonzalez1010 said:
I know this would be considered overkill but my curiosity is simply if it can be done?. It would be cool to rock both KitKat and Windows 8.x on the same slate. Maybe the Android versions of the venue can share drivers. Who knows, I'm just putting the thought out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would be pretty sweet with android dual boot!

ericerk said:
Sweet, thanks.
I really think that there should be individual forums for individual devices, or at least device processors making it easier to navigate... Even when searching it's still hard to ruffle through, to what you need, so w/ out an individual like your self, I wouldn't of found that.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not big enough to warrant it's own (sub) forum... maybe you can convince the admins to add one for Bay Trail devices
agonzalez1010 said:
I know this would be considered overkill but my curiosity is simply if it can be done?. It would be cool to rock both KitKat and Windows 8.x on the same slate. Maybe the Android versions of the venue can share drivers. Who knows, I'm just putting the thought out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it can be done. just takes time (and money )
someone should try to see if the bootia32 hack needs to be done for the Venue Pro line too (BIOS/UEFI only recognizes 32-bit bootloaders). or send me their device and let me play with it. microcenter has an open box venue 8 pro for $185, might be tempted to buy one now
EDIT: looks like all bay trail devices ship with 32-bit only firmware .... sigh

paperWastage said:
it's not big enough to warrant it's own (sub) forum... maybe you can convince the admins to add one for Bay Trail devices
it can be done. just takes time (and money )
someone should try to see if the bootia32 hack needs to be done for the Venue Pro line too (BIOS/UEFI only recognizes 32-bit bootloaders). or send me their device and let me play with it. microcenter has an open box venue 8 pro for $185, might be tempted to buy one now
EDIT: looks like all bay trail devices ship with 32-bit only firmware .... sigh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep me posted!! It's a pretty nifty little device

The first thing we need to do is disable secure boot on the Transformer Book. That’s pretty easy to do, with these steps. Note that you can complete these steps with the USB drive plugged in or without it — but I had a bit more luck without it.
1. Swipe from the right side of the screen to bring up the Charms menu.
2. Tap “Settings.”
3. Choose the “Change PC settings” option at the bottom.
4. On the following screen tap “Update and recovery.”
5. At the next screen, choose “recovery.”
6. Under the Advanced startup section, choose “Restart now.”
advanced startup
7. This will reboot your device to a blue screen with large icons. Choose the one that says Troubleshoot.
8. At the following screen choose “Advanced Options.”
advanced startup_02
9. Next, select “UEFI Firmware Settings.
10. Finally hit the “Restart” button.
This will reboot your device into the UEFI settings area, which looks like an old-school BIOS menu. The touchscreen and touchpad won’t work here, but you can navigate using the arrow keys and enter key on the keyboard.
11. Use the arrow keys to get to the Security tab.
12. Scroll down to Secure Boot menu and hit “Enter.
13. Make sure Secure Boot Support is selected, and hit Enter again to bring up a screen that says “Enabled” or “Disabled.”
14. Choose Disabled and hit enter.
15. Hit the Esc key.
Now Secure Boot is disabled. You could theoretically save and exit at this point. But instead, this is the time when I’d recommend plugging in the USB flash drive.
Once it’s plugged in, move on to the next step.
16. Move over to the Save & Exit tab, highlight “Save Changes and Exit” and hit Enter.
17. As the system reboots, press and hold the F2 key so that you return to the UEFI Settings menu.
18. This time when you navigate to the Save & Exit menu you should see an option under Boot Override that says “UEFI” and has the name of your USB flash drive.
19. Select that boot override option and hit enter.
If all goes according to plan, your device should now boot into a GRUB bootloader menu, giving you the option of trying or installing Ubuntu.
t100 linux_05
I strongly suggest you use the “Try Ubuntu without installing” option at this point — unless you really know what you’re doing. This will let you run Ubuntu without altering your Windows files at all.
Getting past the command line.
We’re not quite done yet though. While Ubuntu should boot up on your system at this point, you’ll probably see the Ubuntu logo for a moment or two and then get dumped out at a command prompt.
t100 linux_04
Here’s how to get past that point:
1. Type the following commands, and hit enter after each.
2. cd /
3. cd usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/
4. sudo rm vesa_drv.so
5. startx
You should see a flurry of text scroll by and then a mouse cursor will appear on screen. A moment later, you should see the full Ubuntu Unity desktop environment.
t100 linux_03
Keep in mind, you won’t be able to use WiFi out of the box, since Ubuntu doesn’t recognize the device’s wireless adapter. The screen resolution will be stuck at 800 x 600, which could look funny. And there’s no touchscreen support — so while you can detach the screen from the keyboard, you won’t be able to do much with it.
The user interface may also be a bit sluggish — in order to get the X Server to load a graphical user interface, we had to delete the vesa graphics driver. It may be possible to load an alternate driver to improve performance.
But now that we know it’s possible to get alternate operating systems to boot on the Transformer Book T100, it should also be possible for people to figure out how to configure them to take advantage of the tablet/notebook hybrid’s hardware.
How do I get back to Windows?
When you logout of Ubuntu you can shut down or restart the computer. If the system freezes (or you’re impatient), you can also press and hold the power button until the tablet shuts down.
You can then press and hold it again to restart the tablet. Unfortunately, you’ll probably be greeted by a screen with the Asus logo and the text “Preparing BitLocker recovery.”
Here’s how to get back to Windows from here:
1. Wait until you see a blue screen and choose the “Skip this drive” link at the bottom of the page.
This’ll take you to a troubleshoot screen like we saw in the section above. The only difference is you can use the keyboard and touchpad to make your selections, but not the touchscreen.
2. Choose “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced Options” again, and then select “UEFI Firmware Settings” and hit Restart.
3. Move over to the “Save & Exit” tab and select “Restore Defaults” and hit Enter.
4. Save Changes and Exit and you should reboot into Windows.
Troubleshooting tips
If step 17 and later in the “Booting Ubuntu” section, you may end up in the same Bitlocker recovery section as listed above.
The good news is that you can use the same steps to get back to Windows… but this time after you hit the “Skip this drive” section, if you have your bootable USB drive plugged in, you should also see an option to “Use a device.”
use a device
Select that option and choose the name of your drive on the next screen and you should boot into Ubuntu/GRUB bootloader instead of Windows.
Make sure to be careful when playing around with the Advanced options menus. There are some options that will reinstall Windows or even wipe your data.

Customizing LineageOS 7.1.2 App Chooser

I have a rather peculiar problem with the app choose tab that pops up whenever I try to open a file that has no app associated to it.
In older Android versions it used to be that I could just click on the name of my favourite app that would suffice to have it open up the file for me.
That has the huge advantage, that I can still choose to use a different app next time around.
That still seems to work with stock Android 7.1 on my Samsung Note 8, but not so in LineageOS 7.1.2 on my P900.
There I must actually click one of the two options of "Just Once" or "Always" - nothing else will do.
That leaves me with the incredibly bothersome task of having to navigate myself all the way through the settings menu, should I ever in haste push the "Always" button.
Is there any way or modification that would make LineageOS behave like standard Android in this way and/or an easier means to undo the effect of pushing "Always"?
Thx in advance for any help with this.

Nobody got any idea here?