So, here's a little back story for my frustration.
I asked for the G-tablet for X-mas because of the hardware, and I didn't actually receive the present until just a few hours ago. My PC is refusing to boot Linux at all, so i'm stuck on Win 7, my Samsung Intercept is refusing to root, so no custom rom there... and now I think I broke my G-Tablet.
(I rooted/flashed a ROM on the Vibrant, G1 and mt3g[several times] before this)
I was looking for how to install the custom ROM for the last few days anticipating today, I read Android Police's Guide (it won't let me post the link) several times before actually having the tablet, and I thought I had it down. After installing CW Recovery, I tried booting into recovery mode, which didn't work. It got up to the caution symbol and rebooted. So i figured it could be a boot problem.
I installed ROM Manager because of the useful "boot to recovery" button, but that lead me to the same problem. I looked at all the supported devices on the website and it was listed, but when I tried to flash the ROM inside of ROM Manager, it asked me to confirm if it was a Vega. I was a bit confused with what to do and decided to click accept anyways.
It said it was booting into recovery to complete the process but didn't, so in about a minute, I decided to shut down and boot into recovery myself, and it didn't help. It just cycles though the first two splash screens.
I don't know what to do. =(
Can I somehow hard reset it or something to start over?
mr.frankm said:
So, here's a little back story for my frustration.
I asked for the G-tablet for X-mas because of the hardware, and I didn't actually receive the present until just a few hours ago. My PC is refusing to boot Linux at all, so i'm stuck on Win 7, my Samsung Intercept is refusing to root, so no custom rom there... and now I think I broke my G-Tablet.
(I rooted/flashed a ROM on the Vibrant, G1 and mt3g[several times] before this)
I was looking for how to install the custom ROM for the last few days anticipating today, I read Android Police's Guide (it won't let me post the link) several times before actually having the tablet, and I thought I had it down. After installing CW Recovery, I tried booting into recovery mode, which didn't work. It got up to the caution symbol and rebooted. So i figured it could be a boot problem.
I installed ROM Manager because of the useful "boot to recovery" button, but that lead me to the same problem. I looked at all the supported devices on the website and it was listed, but when I tried to flash the ROM inside of ROM Manager, it asked me to confirm if it was a Vega. I was a bit confused with what to do and decided to click accept anyways.
It said it was booting into recovery to complete the process but didn't, so in about a minute, I decided to shut down and boot into recovery myself, and it didn't help. It just cycles though the first two splash screens.
I don't know what to do. =(
Can I somehow hard reset it or something to start over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you still boot into your main ROM or not? IF so, just reinstall recovery - Clockwork Mod 0.8 works, I don't know about later versions or ROM Manager, I don't trust them, based on what I see on the forums.
If you can't boot into recovery OR boot normally, then you have to use APX mode and nvflash to reflash your G Tablet. That completely wipes and rewrites everything on the tablet.
EDIT: If indeed it sounds like clockwork isn't installed and stock recovery is still working, see the instructions in the next post to install clockwork mod 0.8. No need to resort to nvflash.
Step 1.
Download ClockworkMod v08 (This version has been found to work best...the newer version causes some issues with some ROMs.)
The file needed is cwmod_v08.zip at http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=458883&d=1291787239
Step 2.
Unzip the downloaded file to your microSD card. After unzipping, your microSD card should contain a folder called recovery, and a file named update.zip. (This cannot be done using the internal memory with this download.)
Step 3.
Turn off your device.
Step 4.
Press the power button and the Volume+ button at the same time and release them when the Viewsonic splash screen pops up. You should see "Detect a recovery key pressed" pop up in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 5.
Watch it install. Your tablet will reboot when installation is complete. And you can access the bootloader by booting the device holding the power and volume+ buttons.
mr.frankm said:
So, here's a little back story for my frustration.
I asked for the G-tablet for X-mas because of the hardware, and I didn't actually receive the present until just a few hours ago. My PC is refusing to boot Linux at all, so i'm stuck on Win 7, my Samsung Intercept is refusing to root, so no custom rom there... and now I think I broke my G-Tablet.
(I rooted/flashed a ROM on the Vibrant, G1 and mt3g[several times] before this)
I was looking for how to install the custom ROM for the last few days anticipating today, I read Android Police's Guide (it won't let me post the link) several times before actually having the tablet, and I thought I had it down. After installing CW Recovery, I tried booting into recovery mode, which didn't work. It got up to the caution symbol and rebooted. So i figured it could be a boot problem.
I installed ROM Manager because of the useful "boot to recovery" button, but that lead me to the same problem. I looked at all the supported devices on the website and it was listed, but when I tried to flash the ROM inside of ROM Manager, it asked me to confirm if it was a Vega. I was a bit confused with what to do and decided to click accept anyways.
It said it was booting into recovery to complete the process but didn't, so in about a minute, I decided to shut down and boot into recovery myself, and it didn't help. It just cycles though the first two splash screens.
I don't know what to do. =(
Can I somehow hard reset it or something to start over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could become a professional gadget breaker with all the broken stuff you have
Clockwork never got installed if you are seeing the ! and then it reboots. I would not fool with rom manager, or any of the other stuff. Your tablet is NOT a Vega. The vega rom is used as a base to build stuff for the G tablet but it is not the same.
Get clockwork installed. You need to find Clockwork.8 ... You will have an update.zip file, and a recovery folder with a command file inside it. You can install it from the internal sdcard, or an external. You just need to look at the command file with a text editor like notepad and see if it lists sdcard, or sdcard2. If you want to install from internal, sdcard.. From external, sdcard2. The command file does not have an extension. If you do not have one in your clockwork package then download one of the other roms. Most of them will have it. Or even the stock rom package. They are all the same.
Go to SDX and we'll help you with the Intercept. Follow the info hear and the G will be rockin.
webosb said:
Step 1.
Download ClockworkMod v08 (This version has been found to work best...the newer version causes some issues with some ROMs.)
The file needed is cwmod_v08.zip at http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=458883&d=1291787239
Step 2.
Unzip the downloaded file to your microSD card. After unzipping, your microSD card should contain a folder called recovery, and a file named update.zip. (This cannot be done using the internal memory with this download.)
Step 3.
Turn off your device.
Step 4.
Press the power button and the Volume+ button at the same time and release them when the Viewsonic splash screen pops up. You should see "Detect a recovery key pressed" pop up in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 5.
Watch it install. Your tablet will reboot when installation is complete. And you can access the bootloader by booting the device holding the power and volume+ buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure I wrote that... I don't care that your reposting it...just link where you got it from next time.
Anywho, keep in mind that it's nearly impossible to completely brick these things. Follow this guide, step by step, from start to finish. You will need a microSD card with a way to get files onto it (microSD slot on computer/SD slot with microSD -> SD adapter)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
But that's the problem, I can't boot. This is the only thing I've actually broke. =/
I press Vol + and Power, I get the "detect a recovery key pressed", the android screen comes up, and the I get the Yield Sign for about 2 seconds before the boot cycle resets.
I can't get into anything. at all. I thought I was following a propper set of instuctions I'll be glad to follow @scsione889's guide here on XDA, but atm, i can't.
mr.frankm said:
But that's the problem, I can't boot. This is the only thing I've actually broke. =/
I press Vol + and Power, I get the "detect a recovery key pressed", the android screen comes up, and the I get the Yield Sign for about 2 seconds before the boot cycle resets.
I can't get into anything. at all. I thought I was following a propper set of instuctions I'll be glad to follow @scsione889's guide here on XDA, but atm, i can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That yield sign is part of the stock recovery, you should still be able to install clockworkmod from microSD. Try it.
mr.frankm said:
But that's the problem, I can't boot. This is the only thing I've actually broke. =/
I press Vol + and Power, I get the "detect a recovery key pressed", the android screen comes up, and the I get the Yield Sign for about 2 seconds before the boot cycle resets.
I can't get into anything. at all. I thought I was following a propper set of instuctions I'll be glad to follow @scsione889's guide here on XDA, but atm, i can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really have managed to mess up recovery.. You can use Nvflash to get all the way back to stock. Just use caution.. The only 2 tablets I know of that may have actually been completely bricked have been from folks that ran the incorrect batch file in Nvflash... It is really simple to use though... Guide is here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950&highlight=nvflash
scsione889 said:
That yield sign is part of the stock recovery, you should still be able to install clockworkmod from microSD. Try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I got it to recognize it, I didn't take recovery and update.zip out of the cwrecovery folder so it didn't work before. I just got it to "unpackage" for a second. but the same boot cycle happened.
I have to run out now for a bit, I'll try the flash later. Thanks for the help so far.
As mentioned before you need a microSD to put the CM recovery on. It also needs to be the .8version of clockwork. AndroidPolice is alright but you really should stick to the xda forums for this kinda thing. It only took me 5 mins to flash clockwork and get the VEGAn build up and running. I wish you the best of luck with your tab. It really is a nifty device....once you're running a custom ROM lol.
Edit: you can hard reset...unfortunately viewsonic failed to make a hole in the case to be able to reach it
Sent from my VEGAn G-Tab
Go figure, nvflash won't work because the APX driver won't install and the SDK won't install either because it doesn't recognize the JDK as installed although I installed it like 5 times.
I am a very disgruntled Ubuntu user stuck on Win 7 and I will not take it anymore.
I just finished backing up a few files and i'm blowing it up...
Happy New Years everybody, and I'll let you know what happens next year!
mr.frankm said:
Go figure, nvflash won't work because the APX driver won't install and the SDK won't install either because it doesn't recognize the JDK as installed although I installed it like 5 times.
I am a very disgruntled Ubuntu user stuck on Win 7 and I will not take it anymore.
I just finished backing up a few files and i'm blowing it up...
Happy New Years everybody, and I'll let you know what happens next year!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy New Year! I hope!
Hello,
I flashed my GTab with TNT Lite a while back, but I was going to switch to Vegan. When I try to go into recovery mode, I get the message in the corner "Recovery Key Detected" but it won't go into CWM. I've got the update.zip and Recovery folder (with command file) in the root of my sdcard. I opened the command file to check the file path, and it's to the internal sdcard, not sdcard2. I even put those files on sdcard2 just in case, but still no go.
Any ideas? CWM 0.8 worked like a charm the first time around when I flashed to TNT Lite 4.2.1, but I just can't get into recovery anymore. I redownloaded it, and erased and put new versions of the update.zip and recovery folder on the sdcard (when the existing ones didn't work), just in case, but still no go.
I can still boot into my ROM, so I also tried "Reboot into recovery mode" from CWM inside the app, but it reboots to the Viewsonic splash screen and hangs there.
Any help would really be appreciated.
Hey, so I ran into the same problem as the first post (with the recycling boot screens). I flashed TNT-Lite onto it, and it worked for a few hours before the problem happened. I NVFlashed it, and at the very least I know the recovery screen is different than after I flashed it, but the yield sign only lasts a few seconds and then the problem persists.
Does NVFlash actually unroot? If so, can I return this to viewsonic and get a replacement? If not, am I screwed?
I got mine running again that same day. I also figured out that the reason Clockwork 0.8 wouldn't work anymore, was because I installed the market version in TNTLite.
But if you follow the NVFlash instructions, start to finish, it should get you back into the original stock ROM. And then from there, you can put Clockwork 0.8 back in place, and re-flash with whatever you want. With the G-tablet, it seems like you gotta go back to stock every time you wanna re-flash, or even upgrade from say TNTLite 4.2.x to 5.x, etc.
Here's the post I followed to NVFlash it properly:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950
Is that what you did? It should have brought you back to stock.
-Timm
HTC EVO 4g - Fresh EVO 3.5
Viewsonic G-tablet - Vegan 7-Ginger
mr.frankm said:
Go figure, nvflash won't work because the APX driver won't install and the SDK won't install either because it doesn't recognize the JDK as installed although I installed it like 5 times.
I am a very disgruntled Ubuntu user stuck on Win 7 and I will not take it anymore.
I just finished backing up a few files and i'm blowing it up...
Happy New Years everybody, and I'll let you know what happens next year!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To NVFlash using windows 7 shouldn't be a problem I actually used it today and I'm running windows 7 home edition maybe you need to update your PC and try a linux live CD to run linux on a PC it has more drivers available for equipment and saves someone who doesn't understand linux alot of headache as it uses the CD as your hard disk and it sets it self up just make your system boot from the CD first.
Sent from my Bottle of Smoke using XDA Premium App
TimmSpinn said:
I got mine running again that same day. I also figured out that the reason Clockwork 0.8 wouldn't work anymore, was because I installed the market version in TNTLite.
But if you follow the NVFlash instructions, start to finish, it should get you back into the original stock ROM. And then from there, you can put Clockwork 0.8 back in place, and re-flash with whatever you want. With the G-tablet, it seems like you gotta go back to stock every time you wanna re-flash, or even upgrade from say TNTLite 4.2.x to 5.x, etc.
Here's the post I followed to NVFlash it properly:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950
Is that what you did? It should have brought you back to stock.
-Timm
HTC EVO 4g - Fresh EVO 3.5
Viewsonic G-tablet - Vegan 7-Ginger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really it depends on your boot loader branch and its good practice to ensure that everything installs as the Rom develoer intends.
Sent from my Bottle of Smoke using XDA Premium App
While I was checking my emails i rediscovered this thread... lol
I'm a linux user, I got ubuntu 10.10 on my laptop running, again, months ago.
But now I don't touch it and use my tablet or phone 98% of the time. (this is 2% other on an XP desktop)
I also share the same recovery mode issues, but after reading the rest of this topic, I think I might feel adventurous enough to try that honeycomb... >.>
stuck cant get into cwm and is stuck on the tapntap logo
after i nvflash the tablet it wont boot. it gets stuck on the tapntap logo after a few seconds it turns the screen black. and even cant get into cwn it just get stuck on the view sonic logo. i need help
Ok, I did a NVflash using method on site and now the birds come on then gtab like it going to load and then off. Just continues the pattern. I tried to run Cwm through an eternal sd but it is not picking it up. I hold the recovery key and power button but it doesnt change the pattern. Can anyone help me.
Not enough info to help, but if you are using cwm, then why are you using nvflash? Or vice versa. Nvflash back to 3558.
You need to do a data wipe. Since you're looping you'll need to load CWM during your nvflash. Replace part9.img in your nvflash folder with recovery.img from the ClockworkMod install zip. Then do the nvflash. Then boot into recovery and clear cache, data, etc. When you reboot after that it should work fine.
Similar Issue
I'm experiencing a similar issue after loading Honeycomb. The system ran well for a while, then got stuck at the viewsonic boot screen. Recover does not load so I cannot perform a data wipe. Any thoughts?
You likely need to nvflash.
I tried NVFlash, but my PC won't detect the device anymore either. I also tried CWM for SD, but the tab still just sits at the Viewsonic boot screen
Update
I tried again from another PC and nvflash is working. It appears I have a usb issue on my first machine.
Hi.
I was installing Clockwork Mod externally onto my Viewsonic G Tablet. It started to install and was taking awhile I left the room and when I came back the tablet was off. I turned it back on and now my tablet won't go into recovery mod. It opens just fine, but I can't get it to open into recovery mod or Clockwork Mod. Just freezes up when every I power and +.
How can I fix Clockwork Mod or remove Clockwork Mod?
X that. I thought I would give a factory reset a try. So I went into settings and factory reset the thing. Well it restarted and when it got to the viewsonic birds it says "booting recovery kernal image" and never change. I have some how bricked the unbrickable G Tablet. Only my luck. Murphy's Law.
No you haven't. Factory reset uses recovery mode to perform it's operation so if ClockworkMod didn't install properly it will just hang. You need to nvflash a good recovery partition image onto the tablet then the factory reset will be able to complete and things should be fine.
NVflash back to stock and start over.
Does Nvflash give any indication that it's working? I'm trying to load Clockworkmod after dorking it up with Rom Manager, and I get
"Nvflash started" and a blinking cursor on the next line as a result. I can't tell if it's doing anything, or just sitting there.
Edit: 2 hours later when I gave up, it did detect when I unplugged the USB cable.
K J Rad said:
No you haven't. Factory reset uses recovery mode to perform it's operation so if ClockworkMod didn't install properly it will just hang. You need to nvflash a good recovery partition image onto the tablet then the factory reset will be able to complete and things should be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I do this? I did the nvflash, then the factory reset, installed clockwork, when I try to start in cw mode, it still says "booting recovery kernel image" under "detect a recovery key pressed", then has the update looking box, then boots right into stock rom. Please help!!!
EDIT: I think I got this figured out by following the instructions here (In case anyone else has this problem).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1058649
Nvflash should give you plenty of feedback in the dos shell or terminal window you're running it in. If you aren't getting any then it isn't working properly. That could be a driver issue under windows or possibly the tablet not being in APX mode when you start the process.
I'll try to keep this to the point and not too noobish. I've been a lurker for awhile and had Vegan Tab Ginger Edition on my Gtab awhile now. I tried to re-flash with this rom (Flashback - Honeycomb 10.1) the other day and that's when the problems have started. I used clockwork mod from this (Install clockwork, a rom, and market) thread back when I first re-flashed my device. I followed the guide for that rom and it seemed to be successful until it rebooted. I believe it just sat at the ViewSonic screen and didn't go any farther... I looked for NVFlash and set that up and was able to flash the recovery rom from here (I think..). I tried the hotkey to boot back into the recovery and the screen said android but had the exclamation point. I tried installing a later version of clockworkmod but it seems to be stuck in an installation loop unless I boot into TapnTap and remove the update.zip and recovery folder. So my questions are, is it possible to go back completely stock or to "square one" so I can get a later version of clockworkmod, then put either that Honeycomb rom or a newer version of VeganTAB (or even CyanogenMOD) on it? Also, how do I tell what bootloader I've got? I've had this tablet for at least a year and I know it was before the newer bootloader was released that had so many issues. Last but not least, When I try the shortcut to get it to boot into NVFlash mode it doesn't recognize the key... Here's hoping I didn't wear out the volume - button. :/
Thanks
dreamersrevenge said:
I'll try to keep this to the point and not too noobish. I've been a lurker for awhile and had Vegan Tab Ginger Edition on my Gtab awhile now. I tried to re-flash with this rom (Flashback - Honeycomb 10.1) the other day and that's when the problems have started. I used clockwork mod from this (Install clockwork, a rom, and market) thread back when I first re-flashed my device. I followed the guide for that rom and it seemed to be successful until it rebooted. I believe it just sat at the ViewSonic screen and didn't go any farther... I looked for NVFlash and set that up and was able to flash the recovery rom from here (I think..). I tried the hotkey to boot back into the recovery and the screen said android but had the exclamation point. I tried installing a later version of clockworkmod but it seems to be stuck in an installation loop unless I boot into TapnTap and remove the update.zip and recovery folder. So my questions are, is it possible to go back completely stock or to "square one" so I can get a later version of clockworkmod, then put either that Honeycomb rom or a newer version of VeganTAB (or even CyanogenMOD) on it? Also, how do I tell what bootloader I've got? I've had this tablet for at least a year and I know it was before the newer bootloader was released that had so many issues. Last but not least, When I try the shortcut to get it to boot into NVFlash mode it doesn't recognize the key... Here's hoping I didn't wear out the volume - button. :/
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most probably you flashed a 1.2 ROM on a 1.1 Bootloader.
If you have a year old gtab you are most probably on a 1.1 Bootloader.
Bootloader/ROM table here
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/rom.htm
I havent had to do this myself, but from what I hear the best place to figure out how to fix in your case would be
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/
code red section.
Awesome, thanks, I'll check that out.
I tried the battery disconnect trick and let it sit like that overnight. Unfortunately it still refuses to boot into APX mode. Maybe I should try and short the capacitors out too?
Even if you soft brick the gtab, APX mode usually still works. When you press the - volume button and then the power button, do you see the 3 birds shows up and then the screen black out, if so it is normal.
Do a adb devices to see if you can see the gtab.
I'll see what I can do with it tonight, hopefully I Can get it un-bricked so I can throw a better ROM on it and make it usable again.