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.
Related
Hello you all...
I am an idiot living in DFW area. I have had my nook color since last November and beginning of this year, I've rooted the bloody machine. I don't know what I was thinking. Everyone told me that the process takes only ten minutes or so, and it took me two full days. I should have known that I wasn't smart enough to mass with the machine and should have left it alone.BUT, I did root using the auto rooter file.
This afternoon, I decided to take my nook color back to its default setting and did the 8X thing before preregistering first. Now all I see is the scratched up "n" logo with" with the flashing "color" written beneath and the sickening green robot and the "nook color devs" logo at the bottom right.
It was a gift from my husband which means a lot to me, and I am not in position to just chunk it and buy a new one.
So, is there anyone living in the DFW area who can help me in person. I am only asking this because I am not smart enough to follow all the suggestions and directions that I will get (hopefully). I can show my appreciation to your help with small amount of B&N gift card. Please let me know if there is anyone who is smart and kind hearted to help me out.
Thank you.
ntishlias said:
Hello you all...
This afternoon, I decided to take my nook color back to its default setting and did the 8X thing before preregistering first. Now all I see is the scratched up "n" logo with" with the flashing "color" written beneath and the sickening green robot and the "nook color devs" logo at the bottom right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't do the 8x thing... be patient and try again, sometimes it seems like a 9x or 10x thing. I have done it a couple of times and just resorted not to count but to keep stopping the boot until it starts booting with the update screen.
bluepen61 said:
You didn't do the 8x thing... be patient and try again, sometimes it seems like a 9x or 10x thing. I have done it a couple of times and just resorted not to count but to keep stopping the boot until it starts booting with the update screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi bluepen61,
Unfortunately, I did see the update screen. After the update screen and the installing process was finished, I got stuck in the same screen.
I am so sickn' tired of looking at the same screen, I am very very close to
throwing the thing on the wall to be just done with it!
ntishlias said:
Hi bluepen61,
Unfortunately, I dod see the update screen. After the update screen and the installing process was finished, I got stuck in the same screen.
I am so sickn' tired of looking at the same screen, I am very very close to
throwing the thing on the wall to be just done with it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Patience, do the 8x provess again.
Sent from my NOOKcolor using XDA Premium App
First, if you were able to get the thing rooted, then you are not an idiot (even if it took you two days). If the thing boots at all (which it does by your description...it just gets stuck somewhere), then this can be fixed. Don't throw it out, and dont get too frustrated.
I know you don't think that you can do it, but I can tell you that rooting the Nook is actually harder than installing a custom operating system of returning to the stock operating system.
There is a good thread that gives you step-by-step directions to getting your device back. I can let you know which steps to follow, and we can help if you get stuck...just post here again if a step is giving you trouble and we can guide you through it. I will assume that you want to return the thing to the original stock operating system. If you want to do anything more from there, then it will be easy because you will already know how to do this.
First, go to this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1030227
Read the entire first post. If you don't understand what he is talking about, that is OK.
Now go to the section that starts with "On with the guide:" in bold letters.
For step one in this section:
Download the sd card image that is linked in the first sentence. It is a zip file, so you will have to 'unzip' it before you can do anything with it. I will assume that you know how to do this, but if not it is quite easy. If you are using Windows 7 or XP, just double click on the file like you would any other file or folder. It will open up as a folder and you will see a file with the extension ".img" in the folder. Just drag and drop this somewhere outside of the zip folder (like on your desktop). There are also specific programs for doing this - the thread references a program called 7zip that you can download and use if you like.
For step two in this section:
Now that you have the sd card image, you need to 'burn' it (or copy it) to your micro SD card. If you don't have one of these, you only need a 1gb card and they are very cheap at places like Walmart. You will obvisouly also need a way to plug this card into your computer. Hopefully your computer has a place to plug SD cards in - most newer machines do. If not, then you will also need to pick up an SD card reader that plugs into a USB port on your computer. You will need to download either one of the programs linked in this step - either "win32diskimager" of "winimage". I use the first one and it works well. Once you have that downloaded, you will need to run the program as an administrator. This is done in windows 7 by right-clicking on the icon that runs the program, and then selecting 'run as administrator'. If you are on Windows XP, it should work fine without this. Once it is running, follow the directions that they give you in the thread - there is a link there that shows you exactly how to run the program and how to select your ".img" file from above. If you have trouble with this, post the issue here.
Now go down to the section labeled "Epilogue" in bold letters. Go to step #4. You want to follow the link in that step to download the file called "update-nc-stock-1.2-signed.zip". Once you have this file downloaded, copy it directly over to your sd card that you prepared above - do not unzip it or otherwise modify it.
If you have gotten this far, then you have done the hardest part. Power down your nook, put your sd card in the device, then turn your Nook back on. You should boot into something called ClockworkMod Recovery. It will be a text-based list of commands. The volume up and down buttons lets you navigate through the commands on the screen, the nook 'N' button on the bottom front of the device is equivalent to the 'enter' button that you press to select a command, and tapping the power button will let you back up one menu screen if you select the wrong thing. You want to use the volume down button and highlight the command 'install zip from sdcard'. Press the nook 'N' button to select this option. Use the volume down button again to highlight the 'choose zip from sdcard' command, and press the 'N' button again. You shoud now see a list of all the files contained on your sdcard. Use the volume down button to highlight the file "update-nc-stock-1.2-signed.zip", then press the 'N' button again. It will ask you to verify that you want to want to do this - select the option confirming that want to proceed and press the 'N' button again. It will take a few minutes, but a message will appear when it is done. At this point, hold the power button in for 8-10 seconds until the machine turns off. Take out your sd card, then turn the power back on. You should boot into the stock 1.2 operating system and your nook is revived.
It seems like a lot, but like I said if you were able to root it then you can do this. If you get stuck, post which step is giving you trouble and we can get you through it.
which uRamdisk to Replace into touchnooter-1.6.24 to make it work on 1.1 is not clear (there are 2 of them).
The answer is ONLY /nooter/boot/uRamdisk (don't touch the one in the root)
with this configuration (and the framework.jar) i got it to work on the first boot, no need to make the 3 boots sequence.
concluding (starting from an 1.1 virgin system):
download touchnooter-1-6-24.zip
extract touchnooter-1-6-24.img
download one of those uRamdisk
download framework.jar
replace ONLY /nooter/boot/uRamdisk in touchnooter-1-6-24.img
replace framework.jar in touchnooter-1-6-24.img
write touchnooter-1-6-24.img on the SD
just 1 boot as usual to the android welcome page,
then remove the SD,
reboot,
double skip as usual
NookColorTools - disable and re-enable non market apps (uncheck and check it again),
Youtube (error 401),
Gmail
and finally...
Market (install at least 1 application with this version, search doesn't work)
now (after you have installed 1 app) eventually replace Vending.apk with this to enable search
i also putted this inside my touchnooter, the 2 .jar into the framework directory and the apk into the app but this shouldn't be necessary...
this is how it worked for me, enjoy
Since i don't have enough posts for development forum, i will post this here, may be someone can move it to the right place, i'm not used to spam, but this 10 posts rule seems to encourage new users to spam 10 posts around...
move it here if you can
I think what you are addressing is exactly apeine's problem:
changed both uramdisk ... Booted with SD in and it either locks up or goes to regular nook (on 12 tries, 10 lock ups and 2 going to regular nook)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incidentally, how long did it take to boot and work on the first try? With 1.0.1 firmware I rooted three nooks and left it for over 30 minutes on the first one without success. Then on the other two I was impatient and gave it two boots. So I never let 1.1.0 go on that long before rebooting since I assumed it was going nowhere.
Kralik said:
I think what you are addressing is exactly apeine's problem:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, that's why i wrote this, i cannot reply in the development section because i have too few posts on the forum
Kralik said:
Incidentally, how long did it take to boot and work on the first try? With 1.0.1 firmware I rooted three nooks and left it for over 30 minutes on the first one without success. Then on the other two I was impatient and gave it two boots. So I never let 1.1.0 go on that long before rebooting since I assumed it was going nowhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case it took slightly longer than a normal boot, no freeze at all, just about 1-2 minute on "Rooted Forever", then some time, may be 1-2 minutes on the nook dots screen with the dots moving (they never froze) and then the android guy page, no more than 4-5 minutes globally.
Anyway when i used touchnooter on 1.0.1 the first time, i had to reboot 2 times as you reported, same problem, more or less, may be the freezing at boot is something which happens, but not regularly
thank you for the description!
so if i understood correctly, there's no drawback with this method, everything works as it was before upgrade to 1.1.0, including the Market?
what about the installed apps, especially the non-free ones? (I've purchased OrientationControl)
can I simply download it from Market again, or should I backup the APK file and copy it back after upgrade/root?
glezmen said:
thank you for the description!
so if i understood correctly, there's no drawback with this method, everything works as it was before upgrade to 1.1.0, including the Market?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, my nook behave exactly as with 1.0.1
glezmen said:
what about the installed apps, especially the non-free ones? (I've purchased OrientationControl)
can I simply download it from Market again, or should I backup the APK file and copy it back after upgrade/root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea, never bought an app, just free ones, but to keep an .apk backup is always a safe choice
about orientation... i remember Orientation Switch and this (just in case someone wanted rotation for free)
glezmen said:
what about the installed apps, especially the non-free ones? (I've purchased OrientationControl)
can I simply download it from Market again, or should I backup the APK file and copy it back after upgrade/root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can re-install purchased apps from Market whenever you want.
Celebom said:
about orientation... i remember Orientation Switch and this (just in case someone wanted rotation for free)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the hint, I will have a look on it (especially if i can't download the app again for free )
btw 1 EUR was not a big pain (I tried ADW launcher and rotation before, but it was not really convenient)
As long as you have market working with your prior GMail account, you should have no problem redownloading both your free and paid apps.
Thanks. Worked like a charm.
I first installed Astro File Manager, which is the second one in the list under the "Productivity" -> "Top Free". This allows me to install Vending.apk (Market where the search function works), and then follow it with Titanium Backup.
Using Titanium Backup re-installed all the apps from my previous backup, plus installed the XorZone's NookTouchTools for 1.1 (jars are different from 1.0.1).
I'm not sure what the significant difference is between the firmwares, but I understanding that the screen refresh is a bit quicker, and that the battery report is more accurate (previously batt reading would fluctuate when first turned on).
As for the firmware upgrade.... my STR just did not want to download the upgrade, even though I set the screensaver to 1 hour. There could be several reason why this didn't work, such that I don't live in US, or the process of rooting had modified something (even thought I factory reset it).
In the end I just connected it using USB, and loaded it into the root directory of the my STR (a simply file copy in Windows XP). Then the upgrade started a minute after the copy.
Thanks for your guide! I've just finished rooting my 1.1 Nook Simple Touch firmware
Remember everybody :
ONLY REPLACE URAMDISK IN NOOTER/BOOT/ (OF TOUCHNOOTER .IMG FILE)
uRamdisk mirror?
Hello, guess I shouldn't have started without all the downloads but I assumed they would be somewhere? any alternative downloads for uRamdisk_rooted because all the links are broken.
Thanks
I want to root my nook simple touch - what works TODAY?
Hi all.
I find this thread interesting and helpful. I have noted that a lot of the information here, on nook developers, or in two articles I read (one in lifehacker.com and the other in Que Publishing) all contain help that includes links to files that are either not there or I can't find.
Can someone point me to a current simple solution that will allow me to root my nook and toggle between the original home screen and the better Android one?
Thanks in advance!
Halfhoff said:
Hi all.
I find this thread interesting and helpful. I have noted that a lot of the information here, on nook developers, or in two articles I read (one in lifehacker.com and the other in Que Publishing) all contain help that includes links to files that are either not there or I can't find.
Can someone point me to a current simple solution that will allow me to root my nook and toggle between the original home screen and the better Android one?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ButtonSaviour should have been installed with the Root, so just look for a transparent(translucent?) arrow button thing on the right screen, near the middle. It might be hard to hit it. The Home button on that will be like hitting the Home button on a normal Android device, and when you press the Quick Nav button, the home on that will lead to the B&N home unless you used Xor's mods to change what it leads to.
broken link..........
+1
All the links that I find on the internet for the uRamdisk_rooted file appear broken also...
Markey1979 said:
All the links that I find on the internet for the uRamdisk_rooted file appear broken also...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uRamdisk, rooted, adb wireless, fixed init, 1.1 and 1.1.2
http://code.google.com/p/nst-recovery/downloads/detail?name=uRamdisk_wireless_adb_init_1.1_1.1.2.zip
uRamdisk, rooted, adb usb, fixed init, 1.1 and 1.1.2
http://code.google.com/p/nst-recovery/downloads/detail?name=uRamdisk_usb_adb_init_1.1_1.1.2.zip
OK, I thought I saw this mentioned -somewhere- on this forum, but I've tried searching in vain.... Most likely I just can't put together the correct search phrase.
I'm currently running ManualNootered B&N 1.3. I've read very conflicting info as to whether B&N can or will update a rooted OS, but is there a way that I can prevent it? I vaguely remember someone mentioning that they had a rooted 1.2 and woke up one morning to a screwed up 1.3. My biggest concern, of course, is the upcoming 1.4. Don't want to try that until someone figures out what might be needed to apply ManualNooter.
That happened to me. I had nootered a 1.2 and it was working beautifully!
Then I turned on wifi, checked my email and got force fed the update to 1.3.
I've just found an old text file on my PC that had directions to block the update though so I tried it out, it requires that you buy the SQlite editor from the market.
It is priced a $2.99 but I feel it was worth it if it works!!
You can still side load the updates if and when you choose to also!
So I bought the editor and followed these directions:
*Open SQLite. It will scan your entire Nook and find every SQL database file there. Even the hidden ones. It only takes ~10 seconds. (You may see a message about granting super-user permissions, which is normal.)
*Scroll down to DeviceManagerService, and tap on it. Then tap on devicemanager.db.
*Tap on the "registry" entry. It's easier now if you rotate to landscape, so you can see more of the fields in each entry.
*All the entries in this table start with "com.bn.device....". Look for the one that's labeled '...fota.mode" at the end.
*In the far right Value column, you'll see "Auto". Tap on that to select it. Then go down to the Status Bar at the bottom, and tap the Menu button (3 horizontal lines), and pick Edit Field.
*You'll then see a black screen with one entry, the field editing form. You should see the field name of "value" there, and its contents will be "auto". If it turned out that your selection picked some other field (they are pretty small!), don't panic! :smileywink: Just go back and retry until you get the right one.
*Tap on "auto" and the keyboard will come up. Backspace to delete the current contents, and enter "manual" in its place. Then tap Done. Then tap Save. Until you tap Save, you've changed nothing, so poking about is fairly safe.
*You can now exit out of SQLite if you like (it's not necessary), but you're not quite done yet, so don't enable WiFi immediately. To make sure that the system is using the settings you just modified, you need to force it to reload and "see" them. So just power your Nook off and back on. After it reboots, it will use your new settings from then on. That's it.
This file was signed ~Mark, and unfortunately I didn't add the username or anything, so Thanks go to "Mark"
Another method?
I found this over on the B&N forum. I don't know if it is more or less effective than the method above. Perhaps a belt-and-suspenders approach would be best - do both.
Link:
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com...be-possible/m-p/1220616/highlight/true#M68396
And the complete OP:
Title:
Declining the 1.4 update should be possible
Text:
I am looking at build.prop from the 1.4 OS released with the Nook Tablet, with an eye to testing an edit of a system file, build.prop, to update the file and make a Nook Color look as if it is already on 1.4. So far, I'm not seeing anything which looks like a showstopper in the new build.prop for drawing elements out of it for a modded build.prop.
Once the actual update is out, I think I should be able to create a modified file very quickly that will tell the BN servers a device does not need the update as it is already running 1.4.
This is the technique I've used successfully to keep my device at 1.2, which I prefer to 1.3.
If my experiments work, I'll post both the raw build.prop, for folks with root who know how to mount /system as rw to simply copy in (after backing up their original build.prop) and as a set of Clockwork installable files. These will need to be run from a Clockwork disk but will not require rooting the device. One script will move your current build.prop and put in an edited one; a second script would remove the modified build.prop and restore your original so you can receive the update if you choose.
If you have a custom recovery in place, ie clockworkmod, it will prevent installation of the update. Your device will still download the update, but when it boots into recovery for install, it will fail. Reboot and you are back to normal. This has worked for me twice.
I got my first ereader, a lightly used NST and am thoroughly delighted with how much easier it is to read than on my phone or laptop. I was hoping to remove some of the bloatware as all my books are sideloaded using Calibre, but my version is 1.2.2. I couldn't find any reference to this new version on the Nookmanager thread. Can I still root it with this version?
Additionally, I am finding it hard to organise and find my EPUBs on it. The shelf function requires manual selection, which will take a while for a lot of books. At the moment I'm just keeping 5-10 books at a time of what I'm actively reading, but ideally I'd like to have my whole collection on there. If I were to root it, are there any library apps which would group the books by tags? A bit like how Calibre does it?
If not, what workarounds have people with large collections on the NST used?
fsa259 said:
I got my first ereader, a lightly used NST and am thoroughly delighted with how much easier it is to read than on my phone or laptop. I was hoping to remove some of the bloatware as all my books are sideloaded using Calibre, but my version is 1.2.2. I couldn't find any reference to this new version on the Nookmanager thread. Can I still root it with this version?
Additionally, I am finding it hard to organise and find my EPUBs on it. The shelf function requires manual selection, which will take a while for a lot of books. At the moment I'm just keeping 5-10 books at a time of what I'm actively reading, but ideally I'd like to have my whole collection on there. If I were to root it, are there any library apps which would group the books by tags? A bit like how Calibre does it?
If not, what workarounds have people with large collections on the NST used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.2.2?! Are you sure it's an actual NST? There is nothing past 1.2.1 for the NST that I know. Look under Settings>Device Info>About Your Nook. The model number of the NST is BNRV300.
That is really odd. It definitely has the model no you mentioned and says v1.2.2. Now that you mention it, I can't find the 1.2.2. on the B&N software updates section of their website, but found a reference to it on another forum where a user says their NSTG updated to it automatically when on wifi this January.
Should I be worried?
fsa259 said:
That is really odd. It definitely has the model no you mentioned and says v1.2.2. Now that you mention it, I can't find the 1.2.2. on the B&N software updates section of their website, but found a reference to it on another forum where a user says their NSTG updated to it automatically when on wifi this January.
Should I be worried?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know anything about software version 1.2.2. However, if you would like to try rooting it, I would start with this thread.
Minimal rooting - back to basics. If you can get a minimal root with those instructions, the other more "advanced" (or not) rooting tools should also work.
fsa259 said:
That is really odd. It definitely has the model no you mentioned and says v1.2.2. Now that you mention it, I can't find the 1.2.2. on the B&N software updates section of their website, but found a reference to it on another forum where a user says their NSTG updated to it automatically when on wifi this January.
Should I be worried?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not worry. In a pinch you could do a factory reset and return to the original firmware which is not 1.2.2 I'm sure. Then you could use the 1.2.1 update zip to get it ready for NookManager. If indeed B&N is pushing an update (I've not seen it and have used WiFi regularly) you can avoid WiFi until you've rooted with NM. If there is some kind of update it may involve security issues for those purchasing B&N books with their devices. That would explain why I have not seen it.
nmyshkin said:
I would not worry. In a pinch you could do a factory reset and return to the original firmware which is not 1.2.2 I'm sure. Then you could use the 1.2.1 update zip to get it ready for NookManager. If indeed B&N is pushing an update (I've not seen it and have used WiFi regularly) you can avoid WiFi until you've rooted with NM. If there is some kind of update it may involve security issues for those purchasing B&N books with their devices. That would explain why I have not seen it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
After creating a back up I attempted to root with NM and in the final screen everything had positive remarks except 'PackageInstaller not modified' and 'ModManager not available for 1.2.2'. I figured I needed these two, so I went through the deregistration and restore to factory settings and booted to NM to avoid connecting to wifi. Strangely, on the NM main menu, it still says the system is 1.2.2.
I'm not sure if I'm missing something. I'll try factory reset again, but I'm not sure how else to get back to 1.2.1
fsa259 said:
Thanks for your reply.
After creating a back up I attempted to root with NM and in the final screen everything had positive remarks except 'PackageInstaller not modified' and 'ModManager not available for 1.2.2'. I figured I needed these two, so I went through the deregistration and restore to factory settings and booted to NM to avoid connecting to wifi. Strangely, on the NM main menu, it still says the system is 1.2.2.
I'm not sure if I'm missing something. I'll try factory reset again, but I'm not sure how else to get back to 1.2.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two distinct "factory" operations. The one you describe just deletes user info and settings.
The other one reimages the device from a hidden and protected factory image--that won't be 1.2.2. That's the one you want. One way to get there is by eight failed boot attempts. That's very tedious. There is another way involving holding one of the buttons down during boot. Let me see if I can find it.
Edit: power down. Power up and as soon as you get anything on the screen press and hold the two bottom buttons until the factory restore dialog appears.
nmyshkin said:
There are two distinct "factory" operations. The one you describe just deletes user info and settings.
The other one reimages the device from a hidden and protected factory image--that won't be 1.2.2. That's the one you want. One way to get there is by eight failed boot attempts. That's very tedious. There is another way involving holding one of the buttons down during boot. Let me see if I can find it.
Edit: power down. Power up and as soon as you get anything on the screen press and hold the two bottom buttons until the factory restore dialog appears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, now I understand, I didn't realise there were two different options. Thank you for this.
Unfortunately it has lead to something very strange: I held the two bottom buttons on restart, went through both prompts confirming if I want to factory reset. It went through the process and at the selecting WiFi screen I restarted to boot to NM which still says the system is 1.2.2! Could it be that the forced update to 1.2.2 also wrote over the protected factory image?
Edit: I found these instructions and am keeping my fingers crossed they work to get 1.2.1 back
https://sites.google.com/site/xcdguides/nook/nookregion
fsa259 said:
Ah, now I understand, I didn't realise there were two different options. Thank you for this.
Unfortunately it has lead to something very strange: I held the two bottom buttons on restart, went through both prompts confirming if I want to factory reset. It went through the process and at the selecting WiFi screen I restarted to boot to NM which still says the system is 1.2.2! Could it be that the forced update to 1.2.2 also wrote over the protected factory image?
Edit: I found these instructions and am keeping my fingers crossed they work to get 1.2.1 back
https://sites.google.com/site/xcdguides/nook/nookregion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. That was going to be my next suggestion. I hope it works.
nmyshkin said:
Yes. That was going to be my next suggestion. I hope it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so very much for your help. 1.2.1 was installed successfully and rooting worked a breeze!
I found an old version of ES Explorer on here and I'm now just adding '.disable' to the apks as recommended on another thread here to optimise the NST.
Once again, many thanks!
Rooting with NookManager
The answer to the original thread question is "yes". See https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/general/nst-nstg-fw-1-2-2-update-t3785566
@nmyshkin ...
Its true there is a version 1.2.2 ... i just got a mailer for update ... specifies 29 June 2018 as the last date after which managing and purchases from the nook store will be blocked rescinded !!!
please respond on this thread ... HERE
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.