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Hi all,
I am new to android. First time using it and really know nothing about it.
Bought the G tab at woot. I am knowledgeable with computers, so I hope that helps. Over 50, so need your help here.
I have spent a decent amount of time looking through these forums and there is so much information here, it is hard to discerne what is relevant for me.
I did the OTA update. I do not have an sd card, so all will be through the usb to my home computer.
I have played with the gtab a bit, but I figure, before I go and do a bunch of setup for the family and download apps that if I am going to root it, I may as well do it now. Those of you with experience using it don't like viewsonics version, so I assume that these ROM's must be so much better.
From this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842004
it reads that if I have stock gtab, I can simply install TnTLite 4.4 without clockworkmod. I assume then that without colckworkmod, I can't clear the cache or datafiles. Do I really need nvfLASH? I read it and it sounds a bit confusing.
I read that you should repartition the gtab. I looked and can't find out how to do this. Is this before or after you run the mod?
For the market fix, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
I follow the link to download the zip file. When I download apps from the computer, where on the gtab do they go to unzip them?
What does sideload mean? What do you mean when you say make sure that market is working with your google id? do i need a gmail account?
On a side note, the gtab will not load up my yahoo mail account? hmmm, is that correct? My wife has an old aol account that she uses and she said she can't respond to emails, that is true also?
Thanks in advance,
Kozmokrmr
Lots of questions... let's see what we can do here...
Yes, You can setup TnTLite 4.4 without ClockworkMod. However, CWM is included in the install as part of the 3588 Recovery Pack. You can actually switch it in and out as needed for the purposes of clearing caches and wiping data.
Repartitioning is one of the advanced functions of ClockworkMod. You will not likely find it necessary unless you're doing lots of modding (or are particularly anal about procedure, like I am...).
It doesn't really matter where you download or unzip files to as long as you know where they are. I leave them in the default download folder or create a folder for the particular project on one of the sdcards. Sideloading consists of downloading an app's .apk file to the tablet then installing it without using the market. Most file managers (including the one included on the gtab) do this with a click or two.
Yes you will need a gmail account to make the market work. When you start it the first time it will ask for your gmail credentials to log in.
There is a Yahoo mail (and IM) client/app. Not sure about AOL. But either can be accessed through the web browser.
All that being said... if you are planning on using the "Family" accounts setup that comes stock on the G Tablet you'll want to try that before loading any custom ROM. They all replace the contacts app which is required for that to work. I'm not sure if any of the custom ROM's supports any kind of multi user setup.
Thank you K J Rad
To enter clockworkmod, then just use the power and volume up to access clockworkmod from 3588 update? Then do the data and cache clearing? Is clockworkmod, just a tool to do a few system functions?
Ok, then I won't worry about repartitioning.
Hmm, alright, I guess I'll just give the sideloading a go and see what happens.
About NVFlash, should I worry about it or is it only for the guys who switch out roms and play around with it? I figure, once I install a mod, other than maybe updating the rom, I won't be yanking around with it like this anymore.
Ok, then we'll get a few gmail accounts. Thanks.
The internet on the gtab wouldn't access my yahoo. Possibly I need to upgrade yahoo to the paid version to get the pop account.
The AOL account could be read, but she couldn't reply to any emails. Possibly the same problem there.
No big deal about the family accounts, we don't need them. Its not an issue.
The people here I read that have issues (not booting up, stuck in a loop, etc.) have what? done a step wrong, played around a bit too much or just one of those odd software flukes that catches some guys?
So there really is a BIG difference in the stock rom and the modded roms's, yes?
Thanks again.
Power and Volume Up enter "Recovery Mode." If ClockworkMod is installed then that is what you will get. Otherwise you'll get the stock recovery. 3588 does not install CWM. There is a very good thread "Stickied" in the development section about installing Clockwork, ROMs, etc. Once you've got that installed the instructions for installing TnTLite 4.4 and switching between the two types of recovery are in the stickied TnTLite thread. I usually do a data wipe before and after installing a ROM (it works for me... YMMV).
Knowing how to nvflash could be the difference between nirvana and complete disgust. It may never come up but if it does then you will be thrilled that you know how.
Once you have the market installed and working download a better browser. I use Dolphin HD and it works with my Yahoo account just fine (after you tinker with it's settings a bit...). Probably work fine for AOL also. If not, try Opera Mobile.
Any number of things can cause the issues you'll see posted about here. I've suffered magic number mismatch, boot loop, FC's... the whole gamut. If you get comfortable with the tools then you'll be able to recover from anything. Good practices will also lead to greater success. For example, when I'm flashing to a new ROM I do the following:
1) Cache and Data wipe.
2) nvflash to Factory install.
3) Update to 1.1-3588 build.
4) Data wipe (probably not necessary but wth...)
5) Proceed with update.
For experimental builds I modify that to include repartitioning.
Following this procedure has reduced my occurances of unexpected issues to near zero (I don't always remember to do every step...).
Yes... the custom ROMs are "Better" but better is subjective. I like TwoTapsX for its speed and stability though it does suffer from a few video artifacts from time to time. TnTLite is a good solid daily driver for the average user. VEGAn is popular with a lot of power users. Each has its tradeoffs and even the stock ROM has some advantages (easy to use custom interface, decent basic set of integrated apps, settings optimized to reduce confusing options).
Welcome and enjoy.
Folks,
I just got a Galaxy Note 1717 the other day and i'm still learning. I'll probably root it once ICS comes out for it on AT&T, but i'm still a bit confused about what that *means*. The threads i've read on it here and there seem to make some assumptions that as a linux user i'm not making properly.
When you root an android phone what actually happens?
If i root an android phone does that mean:
a) I've allowed acess to the root user by either changing the sudo rules or setting home to /root instead of /bin/false or /bin/nologin?
b) when i'm using the phone i'm doing so as the root user instead of [whatver user i am when it's not rooted. I don't know what name user 1000 has becuase i can't find the passwd file and probably wouldn't have the rights to it even if i could]
or is it some other thing that's actually happening when you root a phone?
As a Gentoo linux user i find this a bit confusing, even if it is a linux/gnu based system.
A) would mean that various programs are able to acces the root user when they need to.
b) would mean that i'm essencially logged in as root all the time, which in the linux word is a THOU-SHALT-NOT.
Thanks,
Bearcat
From a practical point of view, when you root, you are able to give some apps superuser permissions.
Now this means
Apps like Titanium backup can remove vendor installed apps, which is otherwise not possible.
Phone locator kind of apps can turn on and turn off GPS radio. You do not have to manually enable it.
From a linux users perspective, you can fire up terminal and do a rm -rf / . But do not do that!
Thanks.
So, to clarify: if i root my Note and then fire up mxplayer and watch a movie ,then fire up pageonce to look at my bank accounts, does that mean that i've just done both of those things as the root user?
Here's a more technical explanation of how root works that answers some of your questions:
http://cjix.info/blog/misc/how-rooting-works-a-technical-explanation-of-the-android-rooting-process/
Quick answer to your question - no. things are only run as a su if they need to, or rather, if the app has some functions that need it. Eg - titaniums access to /system needs root access, so the app fires up with su permissions. Only apps that need root access get it, and you have to allow the app the access.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Thanks for the link jr67, i'l read that over.
New Ion? thanks for the clarification. I understand it more now, and think i'll root my phone after ICS comes out for AT&T on the note.
Its very worth it, if even only for titanium. First thing you should do is backup everything.
Ooh and the paid version is the single most worth it app ever. Many apps ive paid for and havent touched really, TB's paid differences you use every time.
Edit - titanium, root explorer and wifi kill are the only apps I have that use root access. Just fyi
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Wow! Titanum back up looks fantastic! Granted, i don't know what all the terms mean (dalvik? Isn't that a Dr. Who thing? :") ). I grabbed ES File explorer but Root Explorer looks even better.
Side question: Is there any such thing as updating a rom once i have one installed, or do i have to backup, re-flash and restore with each update that comes out for a particular rom?
Android is programmed in Java. since Java cannot be run, but needs a virtual machine, we use the dalvik vm. When you install cwm, you will have the option to clear it, and you probably should, depending.
As for updates, it all depends on what the dev tells you to do. Example: cm9 nightlies only require cache and dalvik wipes, however the roms I run usually require a full wipe. It can suck, but there are ways to make it better.
Look into the advanced restore function of cwm. I've never used it, but I know done swear by it
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Thanks. I don't know what cwm is (at least anything more than it's some sort of rom). I'l look it up.
It replaces the stock recovery, and allows the user to interact with it. i think its hosted at clockworkmod.com as well
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA
Hello,
Is there a way to make SuperSU/SuperUser less slow? I mean, on a virgin rom it's already not so fast, but after you install your apps, it can takes minutes before the pop-up asking for root rights comes, if it comes..!! So is there a way to "fix" that? It's a pain, having to reboot sometimes cause of that!
Thanks.
goja said:
Hello,
Is there a way to make SuperSU/SuperUser less slow? I mean, on a virgin rom it's already not so fast, but after you install your apps, it can takes minutes before the pop-up asking for root rights comes, if it comes..!! So is there a way to "fix" that? It's a pain, having to reboot sometimes cause of that!
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Set it to automatically grant permissions and turn notifications off, but remember that this is very insecure way so don't install any untrusted apps.
I've thought of that, but i'm not sure it would help : If it waits, let's say 2minutes, for showing pop-up asking for rights, then it would also wait 2minutes before automatically allowing apps...
2 minutes?? It should show immediately, so there is something wrong in your rom. Try to wipe cache and dalvik cache and fix permissions.
Man, this is not in MY ROM, this is in ANY roms... Seems that the more apps installed (=the more process running) the slower it'll be!
I agree. I have the same problem. I'm running CM13 (Marshmallow) on my old S3 i9300, and I flashed SuperSu (beta) for it. It work well, but its slow to grant permissions even when its meant to do so automatically. I've set it to start at boot, but this hasnt done much. Any fixes??
Same problem also here with every rom that I used it. Root in cm roms is almost instant.
same here on a custom cm12.1 rom
What the heck are you guys talking about? 2 minutes?! That is just plain wrong. I won't say impossible, cause you obviously have problems, but I have never seen that behavior you're talking about, and that is absolutely not caused by SuperSU or Superuser. Even my 7 years old HTC HD2 asks for, or grants root in 2 seconds max. Tell your developers to fix their ROMs.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
Can it be that "Clean Master" or some other memory management software is pushing SuperSU back. Try uninstalling any memory management software.
never had issue having to wait for 2min either and ive rooted almost 50 diffrent phone from ics to lollipop to my current headache oppo mirror 5 still superSU still doing its job
I can confirm this is a real problem, but can also confirm it goes away with tweaking.
On aosp, it's important to disable the native su in dev options.
In anything else, for instance touch wiz, I have learned that system less root is evil, and mount separate name spaces is the devil.
Now, when installing prerooted rom, kernels etc, it's imperative to get your supersu set up prior to installing your root apps...or it will hit the fan....well..that's dramatic. It'll act oddly and you'll never realize what's causing things to be weird.
First and foremost, uncheck mount separate blah blah and reboot. Then, attempt to install supersu to system. If it fails after reboot, twice, then you must return the check mark to mount name spaces and reboot.
Once rebooted, try the "cleanup for reinstallation" and if that succeeds in allowing you to update/reinstall from play store, try to uncheck the mount name spaces again...then attempt the system install again...should work this time...
EDIT the point of all this is to test the app and the connection with the binary. If the app can't control the binary stuff, you'll probably be seeing lag. By doing all the options and checks that tweak the binary, you will have a good supersu environment, and the lag will disappear.
When you finally get supersu to do the things with its binary without crashing, you'll notice no more lag.
Further more, disabling notifications is an ABSOLUTE MUST. From @Chainfire himself, he suggests turning off notifications to get rid of overhead, and he states that logging does not effect it much, and after HUNDREDS of man hours tweaking and fiddling with supersu in every arena, from system less, to autoroot, I could not agree more.
Throw the man some love, respect, and donations, because he's at the front of the pack, hacking the infinite combinations of phones, to couriers, to software, to user intelligence.
His app is rock solid. The billions of other x factors are to blame
2nd edit mount name spaces will cause all sorts of odd things, so I disable that always, as well as notifications.
It's important to note, you'll always have delay for root requests in the first few minutes after boot, as certain things like scripts and even supersu itself might be denying for the first few minutes.
Enabling supersu at boot might help, actually it will help, but I've never needed it after configuring my root environment properly.
When everything fails, I Uninstaller root completely, and either reflash supersu, or my prerooted kernel of choice
3rd edit. Sigh, sorry. I notice my environment is in need of tweaking nearly 100% of the time when I flash a prerooted kernel, then a prerooted rom. Even flashing the kernel again, as is sometimes required for a rom not tailored for my device, will cause things to get out of wack which I notice instantly, when I got supersu lag
check if any other app stopping it.
I always update su binary, set the access to grant and delete su app.
Its d fastest way.
Read rules before posting questions on development forum¡*
Ur thread will b moved immediately.
BatDroid said:
check if any other app stopping it.
I always update su binary, set the access to grant and delete su app.
Its d fastest way.
Read rules before posting questions on development forum�?�¡*
Ur thread will b moved immediately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
â?¦
I don't even know how to process this ?¦ try my way first¦
I'd bet anything the speed will be just as fast¦ and i forgot to mention, i always enable full logging? so full logging, no lag?vs no nothing, no app, security etc
loogielv said:
I can confirm this is a real problem, but can also confirm it goes away with tweaking.
On aosp, it's important to disable the native su in dev options.
In anything else, for instance touch wiz, I have learned that system less root is evil, and mount separate name spaces is the devil.
Now, when installing prerooted rom, kernels etc, it's imperative to get your supersu set up prior to installing your root apps...or it will hit the fan....well..that's dramatic. It'll act oddly and you'll never realize what's causing things to be weird.
First and foremost, uncheck mount separate blah blah and reboot. Then, attempt to install supersu to system. If it fails after reboot, twice, then you must return the check mark to mount name spaces and reboot.
Once rebooted, try the "cleanup for reinstallation" and if that succeeds in allowing you to update/reinstall from play store, try to uncheck the mount name spaces again...then attempt the system install again...should work this time...
EDIT the point of all this is to test the app and the connection with the binary. If the app can't control the binary stuff, you'll probably be seeing lag. By doing all the options and checks that tweak the binary, you will have a good supersu environment, and the lag will disappear.
When you finally get supersu to do the things with its binary without crashing, you'll notice no more lag.
Further more, disabling notifications is an ABSOLUTE MUST. From @Chainfire himself, he suggests turning off notifications to get rid of overhead, and he states that logging does not effect it much, and after HUNDREDS of man hours tweaking and fiddling with supersu in every arena, from system less, to autoroot, I could not agree more.
Throw the man some love, respect, and donations, because he's at the front of the pack, hacking the infinite combinations of phones, to couriers, to software, to user intelligence.
His app is rock solid. The billions of other x factors are to blame
2nd edit mount name spaces will cause all sorts of odd things, so I disable that always, as well as notifications.
It's important to note, you'll always have delay for root requests in the first few minutes after boot, as certain things like scripts and even supersu itself might be denying for the first few minutes.
Enabling supersu at boot might help, actually it will help, but I've never needed it after configuring my root environment properly.
When everything fails, I Uninstaller root completely, and either reflash supersu, or my prerooted kernel of choice
3rd edit. Sigh, sorry. I notice my environment is in need of tweaking nearly 100% of the time when I flash a prerooted kernel, then a prerooted rom. Even flashing the kernel again, as is sometimes required for a rom not tailored for my device, will cause things to get out of wack which I notice instantly, when I got supersu lag
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As he said i have dissabled notifications and worked, Thanks Man
I've had this problem on a Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016). It was because I disabled the encryption of /data. For details on how to solve it see here. I think there are probably other factors that can cause this, so this solution is probably not for everyone. But I would recommend checking your adb logcat to figure out if something is going on in the background that should not.
Since I installed SuperSu 2.79 on my klte on RR (los, android 7.1.1) the device started lagging, not a lot but enough to be annoying.
Sony Xperia SP C5306
Jellybean 4.1.2
Rooted
I'm having an issue, wherein the stock browser uninstalls itself on every boot.
The .apk is still in the 'system/app' folder but the icon is gone from the app list, and when I try to open a link, I'm told there is no application with which to perform the task.
I've deleted the app and it's .odex file, as well as the data in 'data/data' etc, and reinstalled it both manually as well as with Titanium Backup.
It works fine, (using it now in fact), but upon rebooting, it's gone again.
The only thing that has significantly changed prior to this was the installation of 'Cydia Backport'.
After uninstalling 'Cydia', I lost the browser.
I reinstalled 'Backport', hoping to regain functionality, but the issue persists.
Also, when I boot into TWRP and attempt to backup or restore, I'm informed that it was unable to 'unmount' the system.
This behavior did not pre-exist 'Cydia' either.
'Cydia Backport', is intended to insert recent Android security updates, into older OS's.
Any ideas, folks?
Is there a command somewhere in the boot script that could be doing this?
If so... Can I edit it?
I, have emulators and editors available, I just can't find the 'uninstall your browser every boot', command.
Is boot logging available somehow so I can see where the command initiates?
:-S
Solved!!!
As per usual, I slashed and burned, and raped and pillaged, and after a harrowing fight with the demon, I once again have full control of my browser (post boot), and 'Cydia' is a thing of the past. No thanks to Avast, and Malwearbytes - neither of which detected significant changes to the OS.
Why doesn't Android have an equivalent of Windows SFC???
Updated and revised, 11-29-20
In this post I am presenting a way to slightly extend the practical range of the 8 gb Nook Tablet by using microG for Google Services Framework spoofing rather than the resource-hogging GApps. Although I have tested these ROMs thoroughly on the BNTV250a, they would all likely run just fine with GApps on the 16 gb model (I currently run AOSP 7.0 with microG on my 16 gb tablet), while only CM 11 runs acceptably on the 8 gb model with GApps. Let's get that simple setup out of the way first.
I selected the unofficial CM 11 ROM with the final security patches by Chris Hoffmann [https://www.mediafire.com/?gq1y21uz11lr1c0]. It is serviceable for me. The main drawback is the old WebView (which cannot be updated) resulting in the inability of browsers to display many sites properly, including the current default skin for XDA. Despite this, I've come to feel that it's perhaps the best option, with or without GApps. Installing this ROM is easy. Flash with the recovery listed in post #2, reboot, then flash a pico GApps package from Open GApps. To run the ROM without GApps, read on.
I made a quick tour of CM 12.1, CM 13, AOSP 6.0 and AOSP 7.0, and Lineage 14.1. In the following post I'll lay out some pros, cons and hints based on my experiences. I flashed each ROM several times, trying different things, building the system from scratch each time rather than restoring apps from backup. That gave me a chance to work with each OS and see how it would perform not only during setup, but also during a shakedown/tweaking phase. What I can say about all of these ROMs is that GApps effectively kills each and every one on the BNTV250a.
Life without GApps
I, of course, tried side-loading apps without GApps. Easy, right? I thought so until I came to a few that whined about requiring Google Play Services to run. Even mundane things like the NPR News app, my local newspaper and MX Player are "GSF dependent" (Google Services Framework). Then I tried another app that would not install at all. Turns out it did a license verification check (it's free!) and saw no Google anything, so forget it. This was sort of news to me I suppose because even my lowly NST had GApps installed once upon a time, so I never encountered this issue before. You can hunt around for apps elsewhere but if you pick up an app that happens to be featured in the PlayStore, you may be out of luck no matter where you got it from. Or maybe not.
There is a project called microG by XDA member @MaR-V-iN. It consists of a lightweight set of apps (two at minimum, a third if you want location services) which provide the needed authentication to Google servers and/or inquisitive apps. There is a catch: the ROM must support "signature spoofing".
These ROMs do not have that option. You can Google "signature spoofing" to read the pros and cons. This is just information. Caveat emptor, etc. There is an Xposed module called FakeGapps which enables signature spoofing. I tried this on a few ROMs and found it worked fine. At the time I started this there was no official Xposed update for Android 7.0 and as that was one of my targets, I started looking for something else [note: Xposed has since been updated to include Android 7.0 and beyond]. That led me to Tingle by XDA member @ale5000. This is a Python/ADB based method of automatically patching framework.jar to enable signature spoofing. This seemed to me a more direct and elegant approach. Although I was intimidated by it at first, I eventually just dove in. The only thing I didn't already have was Python and that was easy enough to install. The process is basically automatic once it gets going. Unfortunately it does not work for ROMs that are odexed or deodexed. The AOSP 7.0 ROM turned out to fall in that category. Xposed must be used there.
OK, what can all this do for you? It can get you a spoof of Google Services Framework without GApps. Period. There are a few simple additions to allow for location services. It used to be that you could also enable Calendar and Contacts syncing. No more. As for PlayStore access, this is possible running microG with CM 11, but not beyond. It's just too resource intensive. For ROMs beyond CM 11 I found the Aurora Store (F-Droid) to work OK, although not always in the same way. On some ROMs you can use the anonymous Aurora Store login, on others you need to supply a Google account (email). Trial and error.
The General Process
If you have never "flashed" anything before that you can talk about at work, then you need some basic instructions for creating an SD card that will allow you to try out these procedures. The excellent instructions by @digixmax here will get you started with the SD card. You need to follow steps 1-2 to prepare the card, although the version of TWRP you use will depend on the ROM you want to try out (see second post for links). Also, the ROM itself will vary (see second post for links) and you will not want GApps (unless you are just installing CM 11 with GApps). The remainder of the steps (3-10, skipping 9) also describe the general process of flashing a ROM (or other "flashable" files like Xposed, etc.) using the SD card.
1. Flash the ROM using an appropriate recovery (I have listed the ones I used in the following post)
2. First boot, enable root, USB debugging and ADB
EITHER
3. Connect tablet to PC via USB and access via ADB ("adb devices"--some of these ROMs require that you approve PC access to the tablet via ADB, so check the tablet screen to approve that option if needed)
4. Open a command window on the PC and navigate to your Python installation directory. Because I was not sure what I was doing I just dumped the entire contents of Tingle into the Python directory. That simplified path issues for me. Type "python main.py" and select option 1. Wait for the "all done", hit CTRL-c and kill ADB server. Disconnect tablet from USB and reboot.
OR
3. Flash appropriate Xposed for the OS; reboot
4. Install Xposed installer app and FakeGApps.apk; use Xposed installer app to enable FakeGapps (signature spoofing); reboot
5. Install root file manager of choice if desired (the CM stock file managers are totally capable of the following operations if given root access; the stock file explorers of the AOSP and Lineage ROMs may allow the same, although I have had mixed results. You can always install a root file manager via ADB before continuing if all else fails) A copy of ES File Explorer is attached below.
for CM 11 without GApps but with the PlayStore:
6. Move Phonesky.apk--i.e. the PlayStore-- (old, lightweight version from a KitKat ROM: http://www.mediafire.com/file/1c2f0n3k3cwsln7/Phonesky.apk/file) into /system/priv-app; set apk file permissions to rwx-r-r.
7. Move microG component apks into /system/priv-app; set apk file permissions to rw-r-r (you need a minimum of Services Core, Services Framework Proxy for this step)
8. Reboot
9. Check microG Settings to be sure spoofing is enabled and other permissions are given; set to enable Google device registration; add an account. This process can be slow. Be patient. If you end up at a black screen, reboot and try again or see if the account is already established.
10. Open the PlayStore. Do some searching. You want to give it time to auto-update (this process may be completely silent). Exit. Check Settings>Apps>Downloaded to see if PlayStore has shown up there. If it has, then it may be updated. You can check yourself to see if the version number is higher. If there is no update, access the PlayStore again and check again. Once you have an update, you're good to go.
OR, for ROMs beyond CM 11:
6. Use root file manager to create the folder "Phonesky" in /system/priv-app. Set folder permissions to rwx-rx-rx. Use root file manager to move "FakeStore" apk into /system/priv-app/Phonesky and set apk file permissions to rw-r-r.
7. Move microG component apks into /system/priv-app; set apk file permissions to rw-r-r (you need a minimum of Services Core, Services Framework Proxy for this step)
8. Reboot
9. Check microG Settings to be sure spoofing is enabled and other permissions are given.
It's a lot, but if I could do it many times over you could do it once
In the end you'll have a tablet spoofing Google Services Framework so most apps will run without whining, but without the crushing weight of the PlayStore or the full GApps.
Contacts and Location
Life without GApps doesn't mean you have to give up these services. Just keep in mind that running background services can compromise a system that is already on the edge.
I tested the instructions that follow on a BNTV250a, using the stock Contacts and Calendar apps.
1. Contacts
There are some places in "on-line land" that describe a method for enabling contacts sync. I have not found the various methods to work any longer. It is possible to sync Contacts using DavDroid. There is only one version that will run on CM 11 and the same app will run on the other ROMs as well (attached below). However, you are adding more overhead to a device that is already pushing the limits. In the end I opted to export my contacts in vcard format and read them in as a local file. The more socially active may find this unacceptable, but it works for me.
2. Location
To enable location you will need to install an app which coordinates WiFi triangulation (something usually handled by GApps). There are two possibilities. You can get a Unified NLP apk from the microG download page. After installing the app you can check your microG settings to see if everything is OK. Then you can check Settings>Location and set it up the way you want.
If you want to use Maps you will also need to flash a maps.zip file from microG. This contains a couple of library files for Maps. As far as the Maps app itself, I have never had good performance from any version of Google Maps on my devices--until now. That's because I went fishing for an older, less bloated version that would run on the BNTV250a. It works beautifully on all my devices from KitKat to Nougat and allows pre-cache of map areas which don't expire. I've attached a copy of the apk file below.
Email
The stock Email client works great (at least for GMail accounts) and looks a lot like GMail (no surprise there). If you have your heart set on GMail, version 4.5.2--from GApps for Jellybean--seems to run just fine with a footprint of about 11 MB. I've attached a copy below.
The ROMs
Updated and revised 2-5-23
Generally I disabled any stock stuff I could that I would not use. Anything past CM 11 has a maddening issue I call "peek-a-boo keyboard", most noticeable when using the browsers. The keyboard drops out while you are typing or simply refuses to open without a struggle. You can solve this problem in CM 12 and minimize it in CM 13 by installing Simple Keyboard.
CM 11 is beginning to show expired certificates and SSL issues. You can try replacing or adding new certificates, but it's not easy and you're left with warning artifacts in the status bar. Ditto with CM 12 and CM 13, but they are not nearly as bad--for now. The stock browsers, fortunately, allow you to "ignore" security warnings which makes browsing more pleasant. You may not feel that's a great idea, but the reality is that browsing is the Achilles Heel for all these ROMS, and it's worse the higher you go. The stock browsers may give the best overall performance, whatever their shortcomings.
Because of the SSL issues, I don't recommend CM 11 any longer unless you are not going to do much in the way of internet stuff.
Note: I have noticed that both my Nook Tablets (8 and 16 GB) run better if they've been on for a bit. If yours is cranky when it gets up in the morning, pouring coffee on it won't help, but a little siesta after boot may be just the thing
CM 11 (but with issues as described above)
https://www.mediafire.com/?gq1y21uz11lr1c0
Flashed with SD-based TWRP 2.8.6.0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
This is arguably the best choice for the BNTV250a if you want something other than the stock B&N ROM. It runs smoothly enough that you could even keep the PlayStore app on it and it would still behave reasonably. It's even better without it. The only drawback with this ROM is that Android Webview cannot be updated. This means that some websites will not display properly or may simply crash, regardless of what browser you choose to use. I found the antique stock browser to be surprisingly good, but Via also works well. Also, the SSL is in need of updating, so you will run into issues with some websites and apps like OverDrive.
The lesson that this ROM taught me is that these tablets are for casual use. You can't just load them up with apps and expect them to run well. Think about what you really would like to use the tablet for. Consider older versions of apps that will probably still have more features than you will ever want but are less taxing to the system. You can see from the attached screenshot how I eventually pared my choices down. I should probably pare it down even more. Most of the apps are older versions and I've kept the total count low, certainly less than on my 16 GB tablet and other devices. You don't want to exceed about half of the internal storage capacity.
CM 12.1 (potential WiFi issue as described below)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/7zxc2e...K6-acclaim.zip
Flashed with SD-based TWRP 2.8.6.0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
Edit 9-30-22: I recently booted this up to find that it would no longer connect to my fairly new ATT router. Puzzled, I took the tablet to my local library and had no difficulty connecting there (open network, though). Next I started restoring backups of each of the other ROMs in this list and each one had no trouble with WiFi at home. I installed a fresh copy of the CM 12.1 ROM. It also refused to connect to the router. I scrounged around the web and found two more versions of CM 12.1. Neither would connect to my router. So...I'm not sure if there is some additional security ATT has built into their WPA2 authentication or what, but I mention this just to alert you that this might be a problem. I was even able to connect to a mobile hotspot generated by my Windows 10 machine (password needed). Why this new(?) problem for the 12.1 ROM only, I have no idea.
Before you start installing apps the behavior is sprightly, even on the BNTV250a. As the internal space decreases and RAM use increases, it becomes a little less so. Even so, when running well I think it comes close to CM 11 (with GApps), albeit with more lag.
The stock browser seems like the best bet (I tried many), though it can be slow.
For me this ROM has two major issues. When it is unhappy, it will simply shut down the tablet, literally turning it off. This used to sometimes happen when I ran it on my 16 GB model, so it's not the fault of the BNTV250a. The other issue is problems for apps writing to the external SD card. For a tablet with precious little internal space, you just don't want apps downloading into internal space or storing lots of data there. There is an edit to the file /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml which corrects this issue for some apps. Find the section of platform.xml below and add the last line:
Code:
<permission name=”android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE” >
<group gid=”sdcard_r” />
<group gid=”sdcard_rw” />
<group gid=”media_rw” />
This change enabled OverDrive and Kodi, for example, to download files to the external SD card. It might work for others.
Not as fluid as CM 11, but WebView issues are gone and you can access most up-to-date content (if slowly).
CM 13
https://archive.org/download/cmarchive_snapshots/cm-13.0-20160819-SNAPSHOT-ZNH5YAO0IN-acclaim.zip
Flashed with SD-based TWRP 2.8.6.0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
Never having tried this ROM on my 16 GB tablet, I was actually pleasantly surprised by its behavior on the BNTV250a. There's a funny WiFi thing where if you leave WiFi on when you shut down and then boot up again, it will not automatically connect (unless the lockscreen has come on, which is pretty fast after booting, so no biggie). Otherwise it's pretty much like CM 12 although maybe a little more stable--if you don't overdo it. The Sound Recorder app is somehow broken on the CM 13 ROM. If this is something you'd like, you can replace the broken version in /system/app/SoundRecorder with the one attached below. Make sure the permissions are rw-r-r and reboot.
Some apps can't write to the SD card (as portable storage). Kodi is an example, I'm sorry to say. I've tried many "solutions" to this problem but the only one that worked for me is to edit /data/system/packages.xml, adding the permission for each specific app you want. This is a long file and I did this using the editor from the CM File Manager. There are probably easier ways. After locating the app you want in the xml file, add this line anywhere between the <perms> and </perms> tags:
Code:
<item name="android.permission.WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE" granted="true" flags="0" />
This change will be overwritten if the app updates, so you might want to keep that in mind.
This is the ROM I've settled on for my BNTV250a (screenshot of home screen below)
AOSP 6.01 "Marshmallow"
Box
notredame.app.box.com
(you want aosp_acclaim-ota-MOB30Z.160820.zip)
Flashed with emmc-based TWRP 3.0.2-0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
This is one of the ROMs built by @amaces. The AOSP builds are very lean compared to CM ROMs so I was hoping this might perform somewhat better than CM 13. But I don't think it does.
The first big hurdle is enabling root. My thanks to @digixmax for pointing out the right tool. After first boot (or maybe even before, but I did it after) you need to flash UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip. Works perfectly.
The stock launcher is, well, funky. I replaced it with Nova Launcher but after installing a few other apps it was clear the system was under great stress. Lots of black screens and crashes. Not a good option for the BNTV250a.
AOSP 7.0
https://www.mediafire.com/?5vcw8l603d3r5sc
Flashed with emmc-based TWRP 3.0.2-0, enabled signature spoofing with Xposed
This is another ROM by @amaces and what I run on my 16 GB tablet. On that device it is virtually flawless. I really wanted to say the same for the BNTV250a, but I can't.
Enabling root for the ROM is achieved with Magisk.
The ROM appears to be odexed to Tingle and so you must flash the correct Xposed (for 7.0 and Magisk) and install the installer app along with the FakeGapps app as described in the previous post.
The stock launcher is pitiful and you need to install a root file manager to get anything done. The system is laggy and video is not smooth. Not even a potential option for the BNTV250a.
Lineage 14.1
Box
notredame.app.box.com
(there are many versions of this ROM. The link takes you to the "obsolete" folder where you need to hunt down lnos_acclaim-ota-NJH47F.180211.zip. This seems to be the only version without the shut-down bug)
Edit 2-5-23: Well...no, it does not have the classic shut-down bug (tablet reboots right after it "shuts down"). Instead, it often shuts down just fine, but occasionally locks up during shut down and has to be forced off with the power button.
Flashed with emmc-based TWRP 3.0.2-0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
This is a third ROM built by @amaces (his most recent for the NT). I didn't have much hope for this because if 7.0 was an issue, I didn't expect 7.1 to perform well.
The only native root capability is for ADB. To enable full root, you need to flash addonsu-14.1-arm.zip (attached below). I did that after first boot but perhaps it can be done along with the ROM.
Not surprisingly the ROM has the feel of CM. There appears to be a file manager but it is only a partial reflection of the native file explorer and is useless for the manipulations that need to be done, so you need to adb install a root file manager as described in the previous post.
The stock browser is complete rubbish. It looks to be Gello(?) but it is the most infuriating collection of electrons I have ever encountered. There are no navigational buttons, no bookmark button--no buttons at all! I really tried. I used gestures (some rude), I tried magic words (many of which do not appear in children's books). Nada. When I finally managed to reach my test site it was like wading through, well, Jello! So....attached below is the nice lightweight stock browser from AOSP 7.0. Navigate to /system/app/Browser and there you will find Browser2.apk. Rename it to something else and copy in the Browser2.apk attached below, setting file permissions to rwx-r-r. Reboot. If you are successful, you can delete the old, useless browser apk. To enable bookmarks, navigate to /system/app/BookmarkProvider and inside you will find the apk file. Tap to install. I don't know why this needs to be done, but it does even on AOSP 7.0. Reboot and you've got a functioning browser (rife with "peek-a-boo keyboard")
The ROM hates Kodi, crashing constantly. Video from other apps is not smooth. Not a viable choice for the BNTV250a.
For a lark I tried it on the 16 GB model and it's actually not bad, but then I saw that embedded browser videos (like YouTube, for example) were funky colors, so... It may be that later versions corrected this, but those likely have the shut-down bug. In any event, a terrible choice for the 8 GB model.
Took a bit of trial and error to get the perfect version of playstore to not give an error, but I got it working. Thank you a lot for this write-up!
Yes I am breathing life back into a BN Nook in 2020 (quarantine will do funny things to a guy). Thanks for the comprehensive guide. I had installed CM11 years ago and it kinda sucks as is, so looking forward to seeing how this shakes out. I have to re-educate myself on all the various steps like adb, installing root file manager etc, it has been a long while since I played around with android's innards!
denmalley said:
Yes I am breathing life back into a BN Nook in 2020 (quarantine will do funny things to a guy). Thanks for the comprehensive guide. I had installed CM11 years ago and it kinda sucks as is, so looking forward to seeing how this shakes out. I have to re-educate myself on all the various steps like adb, installing root file manager etc, it has been a long while since I played around with android's innards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While you're becoming familiar again with the procedures, give me a day or two to update the post. I recently redid my BNTV250a with CM 13 to try some things and then finally went back to CM 11 using the MicroG components rather than GApps. I'm really happy with it, but I have to say that the tablet (just like my BNTV250 with AOSP 7) behaves better if it's been on for awhile. It can be really cranky if you try to start using it right after boot.
So I'll update the post title to include CM 11 and add some details about CM 11 to the second post in a few days.
Hey thanks for keeping up with this thread! I installed CM11 as suggested but hitting a snag with tingle. I just dumped the tingl directory into the python folder as you did and ran main.py. This was the output.
C:\Python27>python main.py
MENU
1 - Patch file from a device (adb)
2 - Patch file from the input folder
> 1 adb
ERROR: Missing adb => ['adb']
NOTE: Only one binary per type is required
ERROR CODE: 65
Not sure what I'm doing wrong
denmalley said:
Hey thanks for keeping up with this thread! I installed CM11 as suggested but hitting a snag with tingle. I just dumped the tingl directory into the python folder as you did and ran main.py. This was the output.
C:\Python27>python main.py
MENU
1 - Patch file from a device (adb)
2 - Patch file from the input folder
> 1 adb
ERROR: Missing adb => ['adb']
NOTE: Only one binary per type is required
ERROR CODE: 65
Not sure what I'm doing wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't remember seeing the "adb" after "> 1", but I may just not remember. So, just in case and to be really clear (in case I wasn't before):
1. I assume you have adb working on your PC or you wouldn't have gotten to the Python step. Did you ever set the PATH for adb? I confess I never bothered until I tried this procedure. But you have to be able to access adb from the Python folder for this to work. If you're not sure, just cd to the Python folder and try starting adb. If it doesn't work then the PATH needs to be set. Here's a good description for Windows (scroll down to "Step 2"): https://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot-to-1586992378
2. When I said I dumped the contents of Tingle into the Python folder, I meant that literally. There is no "Tingle" folder in my Python folder,but there are a bunch of extra files that are "Tingle". Just want to be sure.
Those are my only ideas at present. I hope one of them does the trick!
Ah yes path variable did the trick! On to the next steps, I'll keep you posted!
Ok, now i am at the play store step - keep getting error "unfortunately google play store has stopped." Over and over again when attempting to open. After reboot too.
denmalley said:
Ok, now i am at the play store step - keep getting error "unfortunately google play store has stopped." Over and over again when attempting to open. After reboot too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you
1. Check microG settings to be sure everything is OK?
2. Sign in to your Google account from the microG settings (add account)?
3. Then try the PlayStore (check permissions on Phonesky folder and app)
One part I'm not clear on. I placed all of the apks where you say to (steps 6-8), once I reboot, is play store supposed to just appear? When I do self-check in microg everything is checked except playstore and the bottom two (location). I got the impression from your instructions that I'm supposed to wait for some background processes to appear.
denmalley said:
One part I'm not clear on. I placed all of the apks where you say to (steps 6-8), once I reboot, is play store supposed to just appear? When I do self-check in microg everything is checked except playstore and the bottom two (location). I got the impression from your instructions that I'm supposed to wait for some background processes to appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the PlayStore icon should appear--admittedly a very old and funky one with this old version.
The Playstore automatically updates. I wish it did not, but there is no way to stop it. But to have that happen you have to access the Playstore at least once, maybe even download an app, and leave wifi on awhile.
On my main microG settings screen I show Google device registration ON. On the self-check screen, everything is checked except the last box. I have the location stuff installed.
So if PlayStore is unchecked, something is not right. Perhaps the app got corrupted when I uploaded it. I am shut down right now but can reup tomorrow. Or you can just get another app from Apkpure or similar. I used to use something around 8.02 to get started.
I am very much stuck at this point (unless I guess I continue with regular gapps which goes against the whole point of this approach). I tried nuking and redoing the whole process with the same result. Attached screenshots of all relevant screens to show permissions/settings/etc.
Also I can't find a "phonesky.apk" anywhere, only full-blown google store apks which are much larger than the phonesky.apk you provided and so I must assume are not the correct thing.
denmalley said:
I am very much stuck at this point (unless I guess I continue with regular gapps which goes against the whole point of this approach). I tried nuking and redoing the whole process with the same result. Attached screenshots of all relevant screens to show permissions/settings/etc.
Also I can't find a "phonesky.apk" anywhere, only full-blown google store apks which are much larger than the phonesky.apk you provided and so I must assume are not the correct thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phonesky=PlayStore, just renamed--microG expects to see Phonesky
Something is not right with the app. I have to run, but here is a link to v. 8.02 which I have used in the past:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-store/google-play-store-8-0-23-release/
Rename to Phonesky before using. It will be a little more cranky but it will work to get you going. I hope.
Edit: or, if you prefer, go to OpenGapps and download a KitKat pico GApps. Extract from that zip the Phonesky app and use it.
Edit, Edit: yeah, I tried reupping a copy of the Phonesky app but when I downloaded it the file size did not match. So I changed the first post and inserted a link to a copy on my mediafire account. That downloads with the right file size.
Well, I think I'm giving up. I've redone the process three times now. I used your new Phonesky.apk this last time and I still can't get the play store to show up. Only other thing I can think to ask - if I add a google account through microg settings, is it supposed to change to indicate that account is now added? Because if I go in there it will still say "add acount" even though I can see in the regular settings under accounts that a google account is present.
edit
The only other thing I haven't yet tried is redownloading everything and maybe even using a different PC. Ah heck who am I kidding, like I've got anything better to do. I'll keep cracking at it.
denmalley said:
Well, I think I'm giving up. I've redone the process three times now. I used your new Phonesky.apk this last time and I still can't get the play store to show up. Only other thing I can think to ask - if I add a google account through microg settings, is it supposed to change to indicate that account is now added? Because if I go in there it will still say "add acount" even though I can see in the regular settings under accounts that a google account is present.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really baffled by this behavior. When you add a Google account via microG nothing changes on the microG settings page, but the account should show up in the CM11 settings under "accounts".
When you prepare the system for flashing, do you do an Advanced Wipe? I'm a little AR about this sort of thing, especially as my devices have been flashed with different OS's many times. I start with an Advanced Wipe, clearing out everything except, of course, the microSD card, and then I follow that by a regular wipe. Then I start flashing.
If you are still having trouble, let me know and I'll wipe my current system (I have a backup) and start again from scratch, downloading copies of the files I have posted to see if I can duplicate what is happening to you. Maybe Google has changed something in the time since I did my newest configuration and the microG folks have not caught up with it yet. This appears to be true for Contacts because I cannot get them to sync up or even see my Google contacts. This was not the case in the past. There is chatter about it on the microG site, but none of the "solutions" go anything beyond what I have already related and some of the conclusions are like "and it just started working..."
I did not do the advanced wipe, so let me try that. I'm also going to redownload everything and give it another go. No need to wipe your device just yet - you've already done WAY more than I expected to help! I will do this over the next few days and keep you posted.
Well I tried six different ways, full wipe, change the "group" set for the group permissions to "root" (it had been set to sdcard), redownloaded every last bit of software used in this process, used a different computer, etc etc etc. Nothing is working. Still no play store. Everything else seems to be fine except that.
So anyway, I finally just did a full wipe, flashed the CM11 unofficial that you provided in second post, and grabbed a kk gapps package and flashed that. Switched from trebuchet to nova and I've got a tablet I can live with! Working much better then the cm10 rom I had on there before (like swipe to unlock screen, wait 5 seconds....touch app drawer, wait 5-10 seconds....touch an app, wait 30 seconds....slooooooow).
Thanks for pushing me along in this direction, before I started back into this process I had completely forgotten all the little intricacies which would have gotten me hung up and possibly bricked. And all the of the other guides out there have broken links, outdated info, etc. So I'm happy with where I landed and very much appreciate the help, even if we didn't quite get there with your proposed improvements! I now have a capable e-book, backup songbook for gigs, and a spare digital mixer controller that I can clean up the personal stuff from and hand off to an assistant.
denmalley said:
Thanks for pushing me along in this direction, before I started back into this process I had completely forgotten all the little intricacies which would have gotten me hung up and possibly bricked. And all the of the other guides out there have broken links, outdated info, etc. So I'm happy with where I landed and very much appreciate the help, even if we didn't quite get there with your proposed improvements! I now have a capable e-book, backup songbook for gigs, and a spare digital mixer controller that I can clean up the personal stuff from and hand off to an assistant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you reached a point where you feel good about the outcome but sorry that you had to waste so much time.
I will run through the procedure again in the next few days. Maybe there's something that got garbled in the updating of the post. In any case I'd feel better if my instructions actually achieved the intended result.
nmyshkin said:
I will run through the procedure again in the next few days. Maybe there's something that got garbled in the updating of the post. In any case I'd feel better if my instructions actually achieved the intended result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.....I'm not sure how the error crept in, but it looks like the creation of the Phonesky folder was the issue. This is needed for ROMs beyond CM11, but there are no folders in /system/app or /system/priv-app for CM11. Thus for CM11 only, the files like Phonesky.apk are simply dropped into /system/priv-app and the permissions set as described, Then everything works as it should.
I've corrected the instructions. My apologies.