[Q] (Q) Does amazon intentionally break root? - Kindle Fire General

Got pushed OTA 6.2.2 today. No root, haven't tried burrito again since I'm at work. Does amazon do this on purpose?? What are the benefits of this new update?

I'm not sure it's necessarily intentional so much as they're using an update method that doesn't take root into account. Basically the update is a complete wipe and overwrite of boot and system areas. Since they start from the assumption that their users haven't touched these areas (as you'd need root to do so if I understand these things correctly), they have no concern about doing a complete wipe and reload of them.
I suppose it's at least potentially a cleaner update than doing one that just updates individual files, but it is a pain when you're not expecting it.
Of course I'm basing this on just what I've seen of the way the updates are built, someone who has looked at it more than I may be able to tell if they are deliberately trying to prevent root or if they're just inadvertently causing problems with re-rooting.
As for the updates, seems a bit smoother now, there's a full screen option in the silk browser as well as an option to encrypt traffic between the Fire and the Silk servers.

Code:
format("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/mmci-omap-hs.1/by-name/system");
mount("ext4", "EMMC", "/dev/block/platform/mmci-omap-hs.1/by-name/system", "/system");
show_progress(0.300000, 30);
package_extract_dir("recovery", "/system");
package_extract_dir("system", "/system");
From the 6.2.2 update script...
It basically formats, mounts, then applies the new system.

news from jcase: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21595398&postcount=105

oaklund8 said:
Got pushed OTA 6.2.2 today. No root, haven't tried burrito again since I'm at work. Does amazon do this on purpose?? What are the benefits of this new update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon doesn't care about your root, they care about patching exploits, or improving the functionality of the device. If root gets broken in the process, so be it.
Benefits so far are that the carousel isn't as sensitive, so its easier to scroll, and the browser had new options and seems smoother.
Sent from my rough sketch of a Vibrant on a brick.

Related

Android System Update

I was wondering, If I did a system update for my Google Android, would it require Re-Activation via google?
I don't want to update if it requires one since my Google Android Phone isn't on a data plan. I activated via Wi-Fi. Or is there an alternative to update, and not have to re-activate.
PS: While on my Google Android phone, there was a message pop-up saying that there was an update available ( I have RC29-[ or lower, not sure exactly] ) && By System Update, I mean the actual Firmware(OS)
Thanks in advance.
if your plan on modding your phone...hold off on the update...keep denying it for now....read the forum why....
Oh ok. Thanks.
teflon252 said:
if your plan on modding your phone...hold off on the update...keep denying it for now....read the forum why....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is code in the OTA script that will apply the update without your consent if you decline a certain number of times. If your running a version lower than RC30, your best bet is to delete the OTA Certificate ASAP so the update script fails whenever it tries to run.
As for the OP's question: It depends on what update your trying to apply. an OTA update from Google will not do a factory reset, but some homebrew (such as themes for example) will reset your device to factory.
):
Oh. Yikes.
I have denied it about 10 times now.
How do I delete the OTA script?
I don't want to lose homebrew options.
Now that you bring this up, how do I install homebrew & Themes?
Sk8erAndroid said:
Oh. Yikes.
I have denied it about 10 times now.
How do I delete the OTA script?
I don't want to lose homebrew options.
Now that you bring this up, how do I install homebrew & Themes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to have a MOD RC installed (preserves root). The instructions and the method for applying fonts and themes are in the other sub-forums.
--M
Sk8erAndroid said:
Oh. Yikes.
I have denied it about 10 times now.
How do I delete the OTA script?
I don't want to lose homebrew options.
Now that you bring this up, how do I install homebrew & Themes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go to the android development portion of this forum, one of the first stickies is modded firmware updates. follow the instructions and you will be good to go. do it quick before google takes your root away!

[Q] How Do You Prevent \Nook From Updating?

How do you stop the B&N firmware updates?
I’m running 1.0.0 and have no desire to have my Nook updated and lose all my hard work.
I’ve had it one day and I have rooted, installed Market, downloaded tons of apps that work on my DX and don’t have any issues yet.
Even the Demo of NFS Shift works on this thing!
Just say no to an update.
I searched xda a few days ago and found this way to prevent updates (I changed the words a bit in my personal notes) - I can take no credit for this method...
To disable OTA (over the air) updates:
Change the name of this file: otacerts.zip to anything else
To do this, get root explorer ($3) from the market
Run root explorer
Go to etc/security/otacerts.zip
Hit the little mount button near the top to change r/w to r/o
Rename the file otacerts.zip to otacerts.zip_DISABLED_OTA_UPDATES
Hit the little mount button again to change r/o back to r/w
Hopefully this will do the trick.
I'm rooted on 1.0.0 as well and have been for a few days now. I haven't been updated OTA to 1.0.1 at all. I read somewhere that once your'e rooted, OTA doesn't work. Is that true? Or should I take this precautionary step as well?
Do a titanium backup and don't worry about it either way...
Sent from my NookColor using XDA app
Don't do the above if you use the B&N Store. It'll cause your device to reset.
deleted...wrong post
Mikroft said:
Don't do the above if you use the B&N Store. It'll cause your device to reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up. I've already got a Titanium backup on my apps so I should be ok if mine resets. I'll leave mine as is for the time being.
tech_head said:
How do you stop the B&N firmware updates?
I’m running 1.0.0 and have no desire to have my Nook updated and lose all my hard work.
I’ve had it one day and I have rooted, installed Market, downloaded tons of apps that work on my DX and don’t have any issues yet.
Even the Demo of NFS Shift works on this thing!
Just say no to an update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why didn't you update to 1.0.1 as suggested in the nookdevs wiki?
Mikroft said:
Don't do the above if you use the B&N Store. It'll cause your device to reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1- Does "do the above" refer to changing the name of the OTA file or does it refer to making a Titanium backup? (I assume the first?)
2- Does "if you use the B&N Store" refer to shopping for a book on wifi or going into a physical B&N store?
So... our choice is to stop an update and loose the store or get the update and possibly lose our root?
barbo said:
1- Does "do the above" refer to changing the name of the OTA file or does it refer to making a Titanium backup? (I assume the first?)
2- Does "if you use the B&N Store" refer to shopping for a book on wifi or going into a physical B&N store?
So... our choice is to stop an update and loose the store or get the update and possibly lose our root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As in don't do the OTA file modification above if you use the B&N online store on the Nook. I don't think it's been proven either that the file mod absolutely prevents an update as sometimes it differs per device. I have the file modded but I don't use the B&N online store.
Developer To Do
Good topic. It would be great if one of this forums many great developers could solve this conundrum. Many of us who have rooted our NookColors would like to retain the rooted status but be able to use the B&N store without fear of unrooting the NC.
Mikroft said:
As in don't do the OTA file modification above if you use the B&N online store on the Nook. I don't think it's been proven either that the file mod absolutely prevents an update as sometimes it differs per device. I have the file modded but I don't use the B&N online store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the file modded and I was able to use the store to buy books just fine.
I changed the file name on 12/17 to stop updates . I "Shop" several times a week. No issues at all.
SCIONTX said:
I changed the file name on 12/17 to stop updates . I "Shop" several times a week. No issues at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SCIONTX and KitF, do you have titanium backup installed? In another thread, someone is thinking the problem might be due to installing and/or using titanium backup.
Explanation of how to avoid forced B&N Reset when using Titanium backup / restore
barbo said:
SCIONTX and KitF, do you have titanium backup installed? In another thread, someone is thinking the problem might be due to installing and/or using titanium backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the best of my knowledge, as is also discussed in the other thread on the B&N forced reset + Titanium ...
A B&N forced reset will occur if you restore an old login registration certificate for your device. This would occur if you make a full Titanium backup (including various system settings), de-register your Nook Color, (wipe, etc.), re-register (this creates a new certificate in on the Nook and in the B&N Shop itself associated with your B&N login), and then restore "too much" using Titanium.
The solution (so far) is to be very selective as to what you restore with Titanium ... i.e., I avoided restoring "anything" remotely system settings for B&N , whisper, shop, sync, etc.. There likely is only one "settings" to be avoided, but I don't know which one.
Side note: I also read that having a mismatch between your Google login and your B&N Login can confuse the B&N server and force a reset. This one does not make as much sense to me.
OK folks,please forgive me if the following questions have been answered already. I just need some clarification.
I recently side loaded apps to my NT,including Launcher Pro and Button savior so I can recal the NT launcher if I need to. I boot into Launcher Pro and I like the interface and ability to see all of my sideloaded apps in a grid view instead of having to do a search via the NT's launcher.So am I right in assuming that,technically, I have not rooted my NT? If this is the case,how do I avoid the OTA updates? As of last night,Dec 29th,I was still able to install apps and have them launch and run just fine. I really don't want the firmware update! Can someone just clarify the steps I need to take as I don't know if the work around discussed here applies to me.
meshica7 said:
[...] I recently side loaded apps to my NT,including Launcher Pro and Button savior so I can recal the NT launcher if I need to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nook TABLET (NT) or Nook COLOR (NC)? They are different devices.
If you're able to install apps from the Market, it does sounds as if you've rooted properly. I blocked updates on my NC and my wife's NT using the SQLite database edit, and have not had any problems with recent updates.
I'm very interested in this topic as I'm preparing to noot my Nook Color. But I feel that I've missed something. How do you block updates "using the SQLite database edit"?

Will rooting stock will prevent me from OTA updates?

Hello,
If I root my stock Aconia will it pose issues later when official OTA updates will be pushed? I like honeycomb as it is and don't want to have custom ROM installed but want it to be rooted.
No, rooting won't have any affect on updates. However, if you remove any stock applications / games then yes, it could (will definitely) very well cause updates to fail - otherwise, happy rooting!
I believe it won't prevent you from getting the OTA updates, but be aware that whatever incremental update you do, you lose root access and you have to root once again either with the released methods or wait for a new one to be developed (some opennings for the root process might get patched with the updates, so developers look for new creative ways to root the device).
caution after root
Rooting will not stop ota.if you do root.
Install Acer recovery/clockwork mod make good. Backups.and any system files you alter bee sure to jus5t rename and save a backup of original files.as altering files even game preloaded on your tab. Will cause issues on installing ota updates.
Go cautiously and educated and you will be fine.there is a awesome bunch of talented people in here.
They deserve our most given respect. Thanks xda developers.and the developers and advanced users here.
Hugged to all.
erica_renee said:
Rooting will not stop ota.if you do root.
Install Acer recovery/clockwork mod make good. Backups.and any system files you alter bee sure to jus5t rename and save a backup of original files.as altering files even game preloaded on your tab. Will cause issues on installing ota updates.
Go cautiously and educated and you will be fine.there is a awesome bunch of talented people in here.
They deserve our most given respect. Thanks xda developers.and the developers and advanced users here.
Hugged to all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand why do you want to have custom ROM for Honeycomb? I understand if you want it for phones becouse phones are frequently full bloat (much more then tablet), restrict tethering, very slow to update rollout due to vendor QA etc. But Tablet seems to me good from all this points of view the way it comes from a store. The only drawback is lack of root.
Some of the ROMs port over system-specific apps and libraries. For instance, the 'stock' Acer libraries won't support Netflix streaming; replace one of the files with a lib from a different tablet and bingo! Technically you can do the same thing using Root Explorer etc.; consider the various ROMs as pre-packaged replacements.
I'm personally a vanilla fan, although I will probably experiment with some 3rd party kernels in the future (not a full ROM replacement) because I like seeing how fast I can push my CPU without crashes
And as stated above, if you do anything with any of the pre-installed apps etc. once rooted (say, replace the wpa_supplicant file with one that supports ad-hoc networking) be sure to keep a backup of the original in case the next OTA checks that file.
artisticcheese said:
I don't understand why do you want to have custom ROM for Honeycomb? I understand if you want it for phones becouse phones are frequently full bloat (much more then tablet), restrict tethering, very slow to update rollout due to vendor QA etc. But Tablet seems to me good from all this points of view the way it comes from a store. The only drawback is lack of root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no custom rom installed its just currently the easier way to Do a system backup.something Acer should have giving us.but that's another topic.the cwr recovery will let you backup your system.
erica_renee said:
I have no custom rom installed its just currently the easier way to Do a system backup.something Acer should have giving us.but that's another topic.the cwr recovery will let you backup your system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MyBackupRoot will do that as well as Titanium backup without modifying boot loader and having possibility of bricking device in the process.

Nook STR update 1.0.1

Fellows,
I've seen this one on Mobileread forum.
There is an update for Nook STR, namely 1.0.1, to be delivered during the week.
Nook 1.0.1 update
As per B&N site:
"The All-New NOOK Ver1.0.1 is a minor update based on early customer feedback that includes:
Connect more easily to Wi-Fi hotspots
Improved touchscreen responsiveness
Enhanced accuracy of battery meter"
I hope this one in root friendly.
Is there a way to block it?
Well I hope it's working, cause I had to go to root my nook at my friends house, since my computer is currently broken. I don't have the guts to try it first and then spend the whole afternoon fixing it and bothering my friend again if it won't work. Is there anyone with a backup who would give it a try?
I've downloaded it. It's 103 Mb in size.
But I still don't have the guts to install it and most likely lose my root...
Whoever tried the update please let us know whether it is root friendly...
I did the update but I have never rooted. Waiting for a more specialized ROM optimized for the eink display. My only reason to root would be a better pdf app, but I am getting along fine without that for the time being.
The update does noticably improve the accuracy and response of touch functions. It seems a little snappier to bring up some of the menus and navigating to bookmarks also.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using XDA App
edit...I did some tests and found that an epub stored on an 8gb class 6 Transcend microSD has improved seek time than when stored in the built in memory. Makes me eager to see what an ext4 file system/kernel/rom could do for this device.
Apeine have you tried the update yet? I've read a blog entry out in net land and it does not sound like the update would work with a rooted nook.
Someone posted a way to do the upgrade, that is supposed to run on a "cleaned" Nook (8 boot failures). But I don't want to lose the root either...
Anyway, all my files are in the SD, so I'd just have to do the boot failure. Maybe I'll try later on.
My Nook STR autoinstalled the update over wifi - I didn't even know there was an update coming down the line. Anyway, it definitely undid my root access. I noticed it when my custom front button mapping had stopped working. I still had access to ADWLauncher and any apps I had installed except for the back and menu button in Button Savior no longer worked.
HOWEVER, Z4Root seemed to work perfectly in getting the root back. Just install Z4Root, click permanent root and let it reboot and you should be fine. Wireless ADB isn't working but I don't mind too much at the moment. I used Terminal Emulator and Root Explorer to push my custom button mapping back on the device so now I'm up and running back to where I was.
Well, so I rooted it again, and now I managed to download astro, new market again, and everything is going back to its former place. So, no major problems during update, and I get to call that tiny arrow for button saviour much faster now!
Next step, ad-hoc hack!!! Still wish there could be a way to make it automatically...
iamnotpretending said:
My Nook STR autoinstalled the update over wifi - I didn't even know there was an update coming down the line. Anyway, it definitely undid my root access. I noticed it when my custom front button mapping had stopped working. I still had access to ADWLauncher and any apps I had installed except for the back and menu button in Button Savior no longer worked.
HOWEVER, Z4Root seemed to work perfectly in getting the root back. Just install Z4Root, click permanent root and let it reboot and you should be fine. Wireless ADB isn't working but I don't mind too much at the moment. I used Terminal Emulator and Root Explorer to push my custom button mapping back on the device so now I'm up and running back to where I was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please post a link to which z4root you used?
apeine said:
Well, so I rooted it again, and now I managed to download astro, new market again, and everything is going back to its former place. So, no major problems during update, and I get to call that tiny arrow for button saviour much faster now!
Next step, ad-hoc hack!!! Still wish there could be a way to make it automatically...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you end up rooting it please?
nickveldrin, I used the touchnooter 1.6.24 again, and it went straight to the homescreen, no redoing the youtube-gmail login part, and it started working again...
I compared the v1.0.1 update's ramdisk.img and the uRamdisk used for rooting the Nook Touch.
They're the same, other than the modifications to start ADBd.
Looking at META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script, other than some firmware flashes (for WiFi), there doesn't appear to be anything that otherwise disables root?
Applied v1.0.1 to my Nook, and re-did the manual rooting process (replacing uRamdisk via noogie.img boot). Worked fine—I've a v1.0.1 Nook and am still able to ADB into the device, run Debian, etc.
So if I apply the upgrade will it return my nook to original status or will the effects of Touchnooter still be there? I didn't know about making a copy of the original root incase I ever needed to return my Nook and am now trying to back track. Or is there another way to totally remove the effects of Touchnooter?
Let's hear about the advantages the advantages of the update from those who have installed it. Anything that stands out?
coenna said:
Let's hear about the advantages the advantages of the update from those who have installed it. Anything that stands out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stuff I've noticed:
Better battery life w/ WiFi enabled (lasts an extra day or 2?)
Touchscreen feels more "responsive"
Screen refreshing is supposed to be better (as mentioned by B&N), but I haven't noticed it.
So it should be safe to update? Do you just update, boot on sd with the rooted forever screen and then you have your old apps and settings again?
Sent from my LG-P990 using Tapatalk
ravn1,
Mine didn't got that way, but I didn't wait to see how others fared on their update. I had to unroot, reboot, update and root again. Everything was lost (data was on SD, so only apps were really lost).
But I see that some others managed to update without losing everything. Look carefully on which way is better for you.
I'm going to give it a shot. I have a "control" nook STR and a rooted nook STR, so I'll be able to compare.
I noticed (in logcat) that the BN service has started to acknowledge there's an OTA update, but it immediately warns, and does not start the download/update.
com.bn.devicemanager.ACTION_ALARM_WAKEUP
SoftwareUpdateManager( 1014): Cannot prepare download directory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This suggests that the OTA update can be blocked at this stage by making the Downloads directory inaccessible, although I'm not sure currently what path it's checking.
Where can I download the 1.0.1 update now that the 1.1.0 update is the only one available on bn.com?

How to prevent updates?

Ok, they keep updating and breaking root. I hear droidwall will block it.
But what is the name I should be blocking?
Or is there a better way to stop auto updating?
Delete OTACERTS.zip in system/etc/security. You must enable r/w and have root.
When I did It, it downloaded the update in front of me but didn't update. Then I deleted the update. Now i'm still on 6.2.1 and Loving It.
Molinari said:
Ok, they keep updating and breaking root. I hear droidwall will block it.
But what is the name I should be blocking?
Or is there a better way to stop auto updating?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the otacerts.zip thing mentioned above (moved to sdcard and renamed to otacerts.bak).
However, just to be safe I am also using droidwall. With droidwall, I started out by blocking everything (default) and then unblocked things when they would not work (use the log to see what is being blocked). Be sure to actually enable the blocking and the logs (they are off by default). Some things you can be unblocked ahead of time like Market and Browser. The only potential issue with using droidblocker is that whatever is used for the OTA update might also be used by something else that needs to be unblocked.
mark_a_l said:
I did the otacerts.zip thing mentioned above (moved to sdcard and renamed to otacerts.bak).
However, just to be safe I am also using droidwall. With droidwall, I started out by blocking everything (default) and then unblocked things when they would not work (use the log to see what is being blocked). Be sure to actually enable the blocking and the logs (they are off by default). Some things you can be unblocked ahead of time like Market and Browser. The only potential issue with using droidblocker is that whatever is used for the OTA update might also be used by something else that needs to be unblocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Droidwall Doesnt work, I tried that on the 6.1 to 6.2 update because I did not want to risk a potential update. That was before we knew of the ota updates.
iroctheworld said:
Droidwall Doesnt work, I tried that on the 6.1 to 6.2 update because I did not want to risk a potential update. That was before we knew of the ota updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What were you blocking? I've only got about 6 things on my white list (not blocked). Half are market related. In any case even if it doesn't work for OTA updates, I find some apps to be a bit too 'chatty' (looking at the logs). So it does work at blocking 'unnecessary' wifi traffic.
Thanks for the rename tip!
I am still avoiding the 6.2.2 update (only time can tell, last time mine was updated about 1 week after the first posting about forced updates ...)
I am running the rooted version of 6.2.1. I flashed this after losing root from the 6.2.1 forced update.
This time I only did two "mods" for protection -
(1) un-register from Amazon (actually I never register during ROM installation)
(2) use Droidwall
I dunno which one will make me survive the forced update, but I suspect it may / will be #(1).
I only allow a few things to go through Droidwall, most of them are 3rd party apps' names. The only two additional processes necessary for normal functions are:
(1) downloads, media storage, DRM protected content storage, download manager (needed for Market downloads)
(2) search (for Google search)
The one I always worry about in Droidwall is obviously #(1). I certainly do not let things like Amazon device client platform (ADCP) to go through!
This is just my Droidwall setup. People using other apps may need to allow other Android processes through therefore I cannot guarantee Amazon update won't sneak through that way.
I only know about the otacerts.zip when I revisited the forum yesterday afte reading elsewhere about the new OTA update. This time I won't modify this file on purpose.
(fingers crossed for me, I am not out of the woods yet)
P.S. Feb 2nd and I am still clean, looks like I dodged it!

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