I now have proof that the Nook Tablet is efuse locked and bootloaders signed. We can only boot signed bootloaders, kernels, and ramdisks from microSD.
Don't buy this if you expect any real development to happen on it. The only possible way is through kexec, and that's a lot of trouble to go through considering all the other tablet options.
For what it's worth, the u-boot in the recently posted update image from the Kindle Fire does not appear to have the signed header that the one on the NT has.
Things I learned in the process:
-USB boot is enabled, as is SD boot
-I can boot from a microSD if I format it the same as for Nook Color (modified CHS, fat on p1) and copy the MLO, u-boot, and boot.img renamed to flashing_boot.img
-There is a serial port inside that will let you at the u-boot console and a shell after the OS boots
-x-loader is signed. A known-good x-loader on microsd will not even execute, and the next item in the boot list checked (emmc)
-u-boot is signed. I know this because a known-good u-boot from Pandaboard that should be close enough to boot causes x-loader to take the code path where the secure ROM call with a pointer to the image returns nonzero
-kernel and ramdisk are signed individually in the boot.img. I can modify a byte in the boot.img on the microsd that's in the middle of the kernel or the ramdisk section and u-boot will fail the same exact call that x-loader uses to validate u-boot, but this time emitting a message complaining that the image is corrupt
-Comparing the first part of u-boot grabbed from the NC, NT, and the KF, shows that the signature that's at address 0 of the KF and NC versions is seen about 300 bytes into the NT version, with some unknown junk above. I assume that's the signature, and that the call to the secure ROM returns the image pointer (which is passed by reference, a good clue) plus the size of the header.
Wait.. Nook Touch or Nook Tablet?
DarkDvr said:
Wait.. Nook Touch or Nook Tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tablet. I blame BN's marketing.
what about this?
http://code.google.com/p/pandroid/downloads/detail?name=u-boot.bin&can=2&q=
That's certainly... interesting. Definitely not the direction I assumed they would go given those quotes from the B&N guys that have been thrown around.
I'll hold off any true disappointment until more people have had more time to poke at this thing. Nothing against you pokey, and thanks for your investigations so far.
diamond_lover said:
what about this?
http://code.google.com/p/pandroid/downloads/detail?name=u-boot.bin&can=2&q=
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close enough to the one for Pandaboard minimal Linux, which I tried.
pokey9000 said:
Close enough to the one for Pandaboard minimal Linux, which I tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope we can find a workaround, there will be a way to do that, because they installed android in some way.
BTW, have you tried a bootable SD card? I think it's the right path to follow.
EDIT: I see you can't boot by sd card.. what about if you try some file from Nook Color?
pokey9000: what kind of a response you can get when trying to boot your test SD in BB Playbook, I wonder?
diamond_lover said:
I hope we can find a workaround, there will be a way to do that, because they installed android in some way.
BTW, have you tried a bootable SD card? I think it's the right path to follow.
EDIT: I see you can't boot by sd card.. what about if you try some file from Nook Color?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me, I've tried every trick used when we figured out how to boot on the NC.
might need some combination of keypress while the thing powers on...
I bet BN built-in some backdoor 'boot off SD' mode. This would allow them to grab the Nook Tablets and reformat the onboard space/memory however they see fit.
This was done in the past with the NC.
discothan said:
might need some combination of keypress while the thing powers on...
I bet BN built-in some backdoor 'boot off SD' mode. This would allow them to grab the Nook Tablets and reformat the onboard space/memory however they see fit.
This was done in the past with the NC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, but it sounds like the problem is not with it blindly skipping the SD card but with it not seeing a signed image on the SD card. In that case B&N might just be providing their stores with SD cards with a properly signed image that doesn't need any other tricks
If B&N really is requiring signed images to boot from the SD card, I guess there might a different method to change the bootloader - after all, most (all?) phones won't boot off of a SD card, and it is still possible to change bootloaders on many of them.
BUT, I don't think this device is going to have nearly the same dev support as a year ago to discover/crack the bootloader issue.
I'll wait a little bit longer, but the quick progress rooting the Kindle Fire makes me think that that might be my next device to replace my lost Nook Color.
Sorry B&N - you might have lost me!
jasoraso said:
If B&N really is requiring signed images to boot from the SD card, I guess there might a different method to change the bootloader - after all, most (all?) phones won't boot off of a SD card, and it is still possible to change bootloaders on many of them.
BUT, I don't think this device is going to have nearly the same dev support as a year ago to discover/crack the bootloader issue.
I'll wait a little bit longer, but the quick progress rooting the Kindle Fire makes me think that that might be my next device to replace my lost Nook Color.
Sorry B&N - you might have lost me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreeed. there's so many low-cost devices out there and devs are going to have to pick "sides": kindle fire, nook tablet, and who can forget the hp touchpad
Considering most people havent had this in their hands more than 24 hours, I think it's a bit premature to make any calls.
That being said, I'll be holding on to my $$ a wee bit longer it seems.
I really hope it can be rooted and then be able to put ICS on it. I guess I will hold onto my money a little longer also.
Even though I want the NT more, I would get a KF since it can be rooted.
DarkDvr said:
Fill your heart with patience, people =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's all just take a deep breath and not get carried away, this stuff hasn't been out for a week yet.
Nuenjin said:
Let's all just take a deep breath and not get carried away, this stuff hasn't been out for a week yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't even "officially" out at all yet
so far I am happy with it but root would be nice.
I thought it was officially out today?
Ellerbestyle said:
I thought it was officially out today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official date is 18/11
Related
***UPDATE***
I am removing this tutorial from general public view. if you read the warnings/disclaimers and are still interested you will need to read the links below and go about it yourself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
first off credit for this idea go to all the people/sites linked below. IF credit is missing where due please notify me and i will resolve. This is just a gathering of other posts and steps that worked for me.
This will wipe your device. backup anything and everything before proceeding.
If you are not willing to take it upon yourself to research any problems that arrise and fix them yourself DO NOT ATTEMPT.
If you are unwilling to wipe your stock Firmware DO NOT ATTEMPT.
If you are unwilling to start with a fresh nookie color SDcard NO NOT ATTEMPT.
If you are unable to fix your problems or want to revert to stock you can do so following the link at the bottom of the page
This is for advanced users. Make sure you read and reread everything before attempting anything! I take no responsibility and offer no promise of support if you make yourself a $250 B&N brand paperweight. keep in mind the nc is hard to brick (know from experience) but anything can happen, so be warned and proceed with caution.
if something below is not clear visit the links provided and look for your answers there. they are there and the more you read and learn the more sense this will make. if you are still unable to find help post here and i will try to get you going.
now on to the good stuff. I just wanted to gather the various posts and links that i used to gt a fully working froyo running on my nc from the internal memory (emmc) and present them in a step by step guide for others wanting to run NF from their internal memory and have no need for B&N stock. Flash is working if you install the proper apk. this is not installed out of the box. After installing to your EMMC you will be able to use any sdcard as you normally would in android. I am using a 16gb card with no problems.
***steps removed... see top of post***
helpful links:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10254900&postcount=138
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10747294&postcount=2
nookdevs steps for creating nookie froyo sdcard:
http://nookdevs.com/Nookie_FroYo:_Burning_a_bootable_SD_card
nookie froyo thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=883175
nookdevs nookie froyo tips:
http://nookdevs.com/NookColor:_Nookie_Froyo_Tips
wipe nc to stock: (download the images and run the commands from an adb shell.)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=919353
Flash back to clean stock ROM (nook devs) http://nookdevs.com/Flash_back_to_clean_stock_ROM
1. first you will want a fresh NF sd card. I tried to use my seasoned nf card and ended with a brick... if you have google apps installed you will not be able to get past the android screen and will have to reimage as stated above. create your fresh nf sdcard following the steps at nookdevs here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As we say in french, you must call a cat a cat. Your NC wasn't bricked at all. You simply needed to touch each corner of the screen one at a time when on "touch the android" screen, starting with the top left corner, then clockwise.
Would have saved you some time
If I were you (if I may..), I'd put all the links the bottom of the post. Would make reading easier. As for my code to copy sdcard content, go on and post it directly. Opening multiple pages only makes things more complicated. No problem. As for the Volume keys and gapps, it could be ambiguous, those add-ins aren't required at all. Simple leave a link to nookie tips on nook devs for those who want it?
But of course, this is your post..
Sam
samuelhalff said:
As we say in french, you must call a cat a cat. Your NC wasn't bricked at all. You simply needed to touch each corner of the screen one at a time when on "touch the android" screen, starting with the top left corner, then clockwise.
Would have saved you some time
If I were you (if I may..), I'd put all the links the bottom of the post. Would make reading easier. As for my code to copy sdcard content, go on and post it directly. Opening multiple pages only makes things more complicated. No problem. As for the Volume keys and gapps, it could be ambiguous, those add-ins aren't required at all. Simple leave a link to nookie tips on nook devs for those who want it?
But of course, this is your post..
Sam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the touching four corners. no go. several roms required that back when i was using a D1... I couldnt for the life of me figure it out so just scrapped and started from scratch.
thanks for your input. i planned to clean this up a bit, was just in a rush writing the original. Thanks again for your help. couldnt have gotten this far without your steps to start off.
Eager to try this out ... but will it be able to see a non-NF SD card I enter in? Will it recognize it, and let me see it as mass storage when the Nook is plugged into my PC?
Very well written, just copy and paste the code into the console for the most part ... Runs nice and fast, I have a few FC's to clean up but that is due to me not factory resetting the NC prior to doing this as I am an impatient person! I must say it is very nice not to have the B&N notification bar at the bottom of the screen.
So if this is really 2.2, does it have flash?
theyownus said:
I used 0.5.9 and replaced the vold file with the one from 0.5.8 making sure to maintain executable permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a) What vold file? Searching for "0.5.8 vold" on this board produces no hits.
b) Executable permissions on what? This "vold" file or something else?
Don't want to be "that guy" but date should read 1/20/2011.
Thanks gonna give this a shot.
What happens to the Media partition?
Also, slightly random: Why doesn't adb ever seem to work over USB with my Nook Color? 2.1 ROM, Nookie Froyo on SD 0.5.8 or 0.5.9, it never sees a device. By contrast, it works fine on my G2.
starkruzr said:
Also, slightly random: Why doesn't adb ever seem to work over USB with my Nook Color? 2.1 ROM, Nookie Froyo on SD 0.5.8 or 0.5.9, it never sees a device. By contrast, it works fine on my G2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re-run ADB configuration. Make sure id is 0x2080.
How do we fix the SD card error. I am unable to do anything with the SD card.
samuelhalff said:
Re-run ADB configuration. Make sure id is 0x2080.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. This is INSANELY important and this is the first time I've ever seen mention of it. Every other post simply assumes your ADB "just works." I have been endlessly frustrated by the lack of working ADB on this thing such that every time I do something with my NC I have to find a way to first install ADBWireless.
http://fineoils.blogspot.com/2010/11/pokey9000-has-got-self-booting-image.html
The instructions to get it working are in here, folks. Can these instructions be put in a sticky somewhere? This is about the least-obvious thing I can think of.
Is there any improvement in speed and reliability running this from the emmc as opposed to a class 6 uSD?
"extract them to their respective folders"
Nothin but bootloop
theyownus said:
first off credit for this idea go to samuelhalff
links:
original steps from samuelhalff http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10747294&postcount=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a great idea. If only someone had talked about this weeks ago... Anyway now that it seems people are going to be trashing their nooks trying to do this, it's probably simpler for one to just boot into SD and...
[Replace the files in /system]
It would also be a good idea to clear out /data and /cache or there will likely be bootloops when froyo boots with the old data stuff still around.
That's off the top of my head and totally untested. Seriously. It probably doesn't work, and is totally unrecommended. Anyone who types "rm -rf *" in their emmc system is saying goodbye to their stock OS and will have to live with their decision. All GPL disclaimers apply.
Note also that IOMonster has a nice bootable clockwork SDcard that does all kinds of things, and automating this type of migration is only a matter of time now.
Update: Actually the steps aren't THAT different. /just sayin'.
fattire said:
What a great idea. If only someone had talked about this weeks ago... Anyway now that it seems people are going to be trashing their nooks trying to do this, it's probably simpler for one to just boot into SD and...
Somewhere in there it would be a good idea to clear out /data and /cache or there will likely be bootloops when froyo boots with the old data stuff still around.
That's off the top of my head and totally untested. Seriously. It probably doesn't work, and is totally unrecommended. Anyone who types "rm -rf *" in their emmc system is saying goodbye to their stock OS and will have to live with their decision. All GPL disclaimers apply.
Note also that IOMonster has a nice bootable clockwork SDcard that does all kinds of things, and automating this type of migration is only a matter of time now.
Update: Actually the steps aren't THAT different. /just sayin'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same reaction reading the post. Not only is it unfair to you, because I have read your post before attempting anything, but it's also unfair to me because it suggest that he did most of the practical work..
Anyway does it really matter? People who don't regularly read the forum often don't give a Jack of who's responsible for what. Those who do willl know you were first in line. Anyway, I understand your frustration I should have said something. I was just fed up. Sorry.
Please know that my original post recomanded doing dd's of all partition. That way reverting back to stock was easy. My post also mentionned emptying data.....
What do mean steps aren't that different?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
samuelhalff said:
I had the same reaction reading the post. Not only is it unfair to you, because I have read your post before attempting anything, but it's also unfair to me because it suggest that he did most the practical work..
Anyway does it really matter? People who don't regularly read the forum often don't give a Jack of who's responsible for what. Those who do willl know you were first in line. Anyway, I understand your frustration I should have said something. I was just fed up. Sorry.
What do mean steps aren't that different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I just mean it's all the same idea-- out with the old, in with the new. Nothing particularly genius about it. In any event, it's not really a matter of credit. We all stand on the shoulders of giants. I was just amused is all... so let's just have fun, eat, drink, be merry, and dance in the rain.
It may turnout that English isn't the OP's native language. Although it isn't mine either..
Nothing really seems genius once you get to understanding it.. but as a newcomer, I still had a bit of trouble getting the sdcard to mount..
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
So I've been doing this android flashing business a long time
And I've got a real mess on my hands. I'll be ****ing with this for the rest of the night! Thanks!
From mobileread I found this amazing post:
the Nook Tablet is still bootable from SD. The rep said that while they think only 3% of sales of the NC go to people who want to root it, they are still sales they wouldnt otherwise have. And they aren't interested in removing the ability to root for those who want to do that. I was pleasantly surprised how ok they are with rooting. Plus, he said they have to keep the boot from SD option. When someone brings a messed up device into a B&N store, they can wipe the device clean and restore it to its original condition by booting the system from an SD card (by using the OS on the card to restore the system on the device).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG the monkey hitting my head XD
Edit - Not yet found the way to bypass bootloader.
Oh man, I'm really starting to like B&N management.
Smart, smart, smart.
Stuff like this is why I still bought B&N books on my rooted nook.
Perhaps wishful thinking on my part, but I thought I could take a bootable CM7 uSD from my NC and put it in the NT. No dice. It just boots up into the Nook OS. The same card works on my NC.
yeah i tested it out myself today with no luck. when i get mine i'm gonna try an install just to see what happens. maybe you need to run the installer on the device you want? i know that doesn't make sense but i'll have mine tomorrow so if it works i'll post back here. but the boot from sd was invaluable when i deleted the boot file on my nc. and i've seen people get sold on the tablet based on how easy the nc was to root and tinker with. but the stock experience is nice enough that i won't NEED to root it right away.
smatticus said:
yeah i tested it out myself today with no luck. when i get mine i'm gonna try an install just to see what happens. maybe you need to run the installer on the device you want? i know that doesn't make sense but i'll have mine tomorrow so if it works i'll post back here. but the boot from sd was invaluable when i deleted the boot file on my nc. and i've seen people get sold on the tablet based on how easy the nc was to root and tinker with. but the stock experience is nice enough that i won't NEED to root it right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it wouldn't even run the installer. I created a fresh bootable uSD using the image from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000957
Then dumped the latest CM7 NC nightly on it, put it in the NT, and turned it on. The NT just went straight into the Nook OS.
Just to make sure nothing was wrong with it, I put it in my NC. The installer started up, CM7 installed, and after a reboot I was in a fresh install of CM7. Next I took the uSD, put it in the NT, and restarted it. Still didn't work.
lionclaw said:
Unfortunately it wouldn't even run the installer. I created a fresh bootable uSD using the image from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000957
Then dumped the latest CM7 NC nightly on it, put it in the NT, and turned it on. The NT just went straight into the Nook OS.
Just to make sure nothing was wrong with it, I put it in my NC. The installer started up, CM7 installed, and after a reboot I was in a fresh install of CM7. Next I took the uSD, put it in the NT, and restarted it. Still didn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method can't simple directly used with NT, we need edit something like autonooter or supernooter to work with the new hardware.
Btw try the supernooter file please.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=871940
lionclaw said:
Perhaps wishful thinking on my part, but I thought I could take a bootable CM7 uSD from my NC and put it in the NT. No dice. It just boots up into the Nook OS. The same card works on my NC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
smatticus said:
yeah i tested it out myself today with no luck. when i get mine i'm gonna try an install just to see what happens. maybe you need to run the installer on the device you want? i know that doesn't make sense but i'll have mine tomorrow so if it works i'll post back here. but the boot from sd was invaluable when i deleted the boot file on my nc. and i've seen people get sold on the tablet based on how easy the nc was to root and tinker with. but the stock experience is nice enough that i won't NEED to root it right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This won't work because each version of CM is tailored to work for the specific device in question, based on the hardware that device has. The NC does not have the same hardware as the NT, therefore you can't use the version of CM built for the NC on the NT. CM has drivers built-in in order to communicate with the device in question, and the drivers for communication with the NC cannot be used to communicate with dissimilar hardware on the NT.
We will just have to wait until the CM devs rebuild CM to include the drivers for the NT.
Solidsnake726 said:
Stuff like this is why I still bought B&N books on my rooted nook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. They've bought my loyalty. The NT also just shot straight to the top of my Christmas list as a result of this.
I just got ahold of my Nook Tablet today. I can't wait until the developers get going on this. I definitely will still support B & N for allowing this to be done.
Honestly, B&N is way better off letting users hack away at it. It makes it a hot sales item, resulting in free advertising and better company image (good for shareholder confidence). Also, hopefully they learned from Sony on how NOT to provide an "open" system--giving freedom then taking it away.
It appears that it may only boot signed code..
also, I'm not able to open build.prop on the device using a file manager or when I transfer it to my local machine..
Hopefully some devs will pick it up soon and let us know where we stand
I don't have the machine yet, but why doesn't the superoneclick program work for the Nook tablet as well? Has anyone tried?
jamus28 said:
I don't have the machine yet, but why doesn't the superoneclick program work for the Nook tablet as well? Has anyone tried?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it don't work.
Don't panic people. Just because a bootable card does not boot up the Tablet does not mean it will not boot from a card. A whole new CWR will need to be created for the tablet.
Even without root right now, most everything is available.
Obviously we are still missing the android market, but almost all other gapps are currently working, home replacements as well.
I know this doesn't work as well as CM, but it is definitely a huge improvement over what we had yesterday morning.
diamond_lover said:
From mobileread I found this amazing post:
OMG the monkey hitting my head XD
Edit - Not yet found the way to bypass bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with your quoted text: There's a difference between "booting from SD" and "booting ANYTHING from SD".
B&N can allow the former in order to permit unbricks at the store (signed B&N images) without allowing the latter (unsigned images).
need to look at the xft/mlo boot file on sdcard
hello. I think that the NT might boot from SD but is not seeing the right MLO file on the card. If I remember from the OMAP 3 boot sequence, the MLO has to be put on the sdcard first. The reason is that the MLO is the very low level boot code that get into the internal SRAM of the chip. TI provided a tool to convert the xft image to an MLO file and added some kind of magic number so that the chip accepted it as valid for execution. You do not want to use the NC MLO on a NT. that might kill the OMAP. The first thing to do is get the OMAP4 XFT source code and covert it to an MLO using the OMAP 4 TOOL and put it on an sdcard on the first sector to see if the NT will take it.
Just my 2 cents
Fifcic said:
hello. I think that the NT might boot from SD but is not seeing the right MLO file on the card. If I remember from the OMAP 3 boot sequence, the MLO has to be put on the sdcard first. The reason is that the MLO is the very low level boot code that get into the internal SRAM of the chip. TI provided a tool to convert the xft image to an MLO file and added some kind of magic number so that the chip accepted it as valid for execution. You do not want to use the NC MLO on a NT. that might kill the OMAP. The first thing to do is get the OMAP4 XFT source code and covert it to an MLO using the OMAP 4 TOOL and put it on an sdcard on the first sector to see if the NT will take it.
Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is true, BN needs to follow Amazon and release the source code for NT.
discothan said:
If this is true, BN needs to follow Amazon and release the source code for NT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought they did, there is a link in the NT developer forum I believe.
This issue was resolved by Meghd00t's new REPART.IMG file. See this post on that thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=26060323&postcount=151cool:
I have the 8gb model Nook Tablet and (mistakenly) tried to flash CWM & CM7a to the EMMC of my tablet. At that time, there were no warnings about how the internal flash version would brick the NT8.
Now, my tablet will not boot to ANYTHING on the internal memory. I do NOT get the stock "reset" warnings - or even a flash of light. No matter how I try to boot it (with or without cable, with or without the Nook button) or how long I hold the buttons down, it still remains with a BLACK SCREEN.
However, the SDCard will boot properly.
I followed the instructions on this thread ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1515788) precisely to reset the BootData. I did NOT receive any errors. However, it still will not boot internally.
I then tried sigmabeta's process to flash CM9 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25661314) to the internal emmc (which is supposed to work on NT8). The flash process (via SD/CWM) went properly and I did not receive any errors. However, I still cannot get anything to boot (except my SDCards).
If I put my CM7a (bootable) SDCard (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1481826) into the NT8, it boots and runs great! Likewise meghd00t's recovery/CWM sdcard boots and runs properly.
I can do ADB & FASTBOOT and I have even done the dd to download my partitions (for backup) and then dd copies from online onto the device's partitions. Still no joy.
However, even after dd'ing a downloaded copy of p5 to the device, ADB still reports my TRUE serial number? It seems that the dd to part5 did not take?
The only other thing that I have found, that seems significant, is the fact that when I am in CWM, I cannot mount the EMMC. I can ADB/shell into the device but that did not allow me to mount the emmc either.
Any ideas how I can get this thing to boot internally? How can I force the device to mount the emmc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have tried all the unbrick methods out there with no luck, then throw it to the wall and see it is fixes .
~ Veronica
Final "fix"
lavero.burgos said:
If you have tried all the unbrick methods out there with no luck, then throw it to the wall and see it is fixes .
~ Veronica
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure that I have tried ALL of them, that is why I am still searching. Also, people come up with new ideas that have not previously been published.
Thanks for all YOUR help. Especially the dd to fix bootdata.
Sure wish someone would come up with a solution for this problem. There seems to be quite a few of us who are looking for answers.
Sent from my Nook Tablet using XDA
I have been reading for a while and I didn’t want to the answer because the answers are already in the Dev. area. I rather have people do some research and learn to solve their own problem rather than listen to someone else that might misled to do something even worse.
NT already has a recovery in place; factory restores (eight failed boot method). Most people do not know this and try something in an environment that they are not familiar with, Ubuntu. If you are using Windows, then you can resolve it in Windows. You do not need to repartition, format, or delete partitions. I have learned that many people like to format things apparently.
The most common problem seems to be; my NT does not turn on or my nook only boot with sdcard. It is not technically true; your NT actually turns on. The backlight just doesn’t turn on because you format/replace the x-loader/bootloader. X-loader loads the bootloader. You know the bootloader work if you see the “n” logo screen. If your NT restart after the "n" logo screen, it mean bad recovery.img/boot.img.
How did this happen? You flash the wrong MLO file to your x-loader, you used an old CWM (experimental one) and formatted your sdcard or you like to format things.
How do I resolve this? First thing is to make a proper CWM sdcard, one with proper partition table. You can compile your own CWM recovery when you compile CM7. Second, flash stock 1.4.2 rom, which contain the latest x-loader, bootloader, boot, and recovery files that works on both 8GB/16GB NT. This will restore your NT to stock android gingerbread.
If you happen to format the rom partition, you need to restore it with a backup and perform the eight failed boot method. This will restore your proper rom partition data along with the stock android. It is all in my thread in the Dev. area.
If you happen to screw up your partition table, obviously this will not help you until you fix your partition table.
Existing solutions
succulent said:
I have been reading for a while and I didn’t want to the answer because the answers are already in the Dev. area. I rather have people do some research and learn to solve their own problem rather than listen to someone else that might misled to do something even worse.
NT already has a recovery in place; factory restores (eight failed boot method). Most people do not know this and try something in an environment that they are not familiar with, Ubuntu. If you are using Windows, then you can resolve it in Windows. You do not need to repartition, format, or delete partitions. I have learned that many people like to format things apparently.
The most common problem seems to be; my NT does not turn on or my nook only boot with sdcard. It is not technically true; your NT actually turns on. The backlight just doesn’t turn on because you format/replace the x-loader/bootloader. X-loader loads the bootloader. You know the bootloader work if you see the “n” logo screen. If your NT restart after the "n" logo screen, it mean bad recovery.img/boot.img.
How did this happen? You flash the wrong MLO file to your x-loader, you used an old CWM (experimental one) and formatted your sdcard or you like to format things.
How do I resolve this? First thing is to make a proper CWM sdcard, one with proper partition table. You can compile your own CWM recovery when you compile CM7. Second, flash stock 1.4.2 rom, which contain the latest x-loader, bootloader, boot, and recovery files that works on both 8GB/16GB NT. This will restore your NT to stock android gingerbread.
If you happen to format the rom partition, you need to restore it with a backup and perform the eight failed boot method. This will restore your proper rom partition data along with the stock android. It is all in my thread in the Dev. area.
If you happen to screw up your partition table, obviously this will not help you until you fix your partition table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I do appreciate it and I will be trying some of your suggestions later today when I get home.
One problem (that seems to be easing up a bit) is the fact that few posters distinguish WHICH version of the NT that they are working with. The NT16 "solutions" became the NT8 "problems." It would be great if everyone posted WHICH version they have.
The other issue is (as you stated) when you follow a guide to fix an issue, it CAN mess up your device even worse that it was. Then, you have TWO issues to deal with - rather than just one as before. I am afraid that is where I am now.
One question: You mention "compiling" CWM. Are you referring to the technical term of compiling code into an executible? Or, are you simply referring to the process of putting a working image onto an SDCard? I can do the latter without issue but I have never compiled code.
I do use Ubuntu Linux so many of the Windows driver issues are moot for me. However, I do have a dual boot with XP in on the other side - just in case I need to do some Windows-only stuff.
I really appreciate the help. I am no novice but I am not a developer either. I can usually search, read, try, and work out the problems that I (and other less technical users) experience. That is what my website is all about - translating the really "tech" jargon into everyday language for non-techies to follow. But this one has stumped me (and at least a few others) for the past couple of months.
succulent said:
I have learned that many people like to format things apparently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my NookTablet using Tapatalk
I've noticed this as well. People really need to do more reading before randomly selecting/flashing things.
Hi! So I'm wondering if anyone know if there is\have been any development for
the Tizzbird Stick N1 (M\G) ?
We have this Android-stick in stock at my store, but I'm not sure if I'm going to get it or not yet. Depends the development, as I'd really like to see the capabilities for it. I believe it's a lowbrand tho. so I might be out of luck.
Anyone know anything?
I searched the forums, and did a google search. Didnt find much.
regards,
Dag M.
Hi there!
I own one of those, and there are a handful of (german-speaking) people activly posting in this forum http://forum.tizzbird-tv.de/ about the Tizzbird N1. - The problem with that forum is that they heavily censor it - as soon as anyone posts info on how to "get in", or if someone asks uncomfortable questions - those posts gets deleted.
They sell it really cheap for 30€ (not all the time, but twice for one day @ redcoon) and although the Wifi-Chip (or the drivers for it) are really crappy, the media player part is really nice.
update: I've did a little research, and here is a little list of relevant links about the tizzbird n1:
==== Marketing Product Pages ====
http://valueplus.co.kr/english/product/product_player_n1.html
http://www.tizzbird.com/eng/index.php?mm_code=719&sm_code=755
http://tizzbird-tv.de/tizzbird/tizzbird-n1.html
==== Official Firmware ====
http://www.tizzbird.com/eng/index.php?mm_code=726&sm_code=727&board_search_head_word=stick+n1
http://download.tizzbird-tv.de/TizzBird_N1G_update_GMS_V3_20_13072719.tzbird
==== German Support Forum (posting info about root-access prohibited) ====
http://forum.tizzbird-tv.de/viewforum.php?f=11
==== GPL-Code for Tizzbird N10, N20 & N30 - but not for N1? ====
http://www.tizzbird.com/eng/index.php?mm_code=752&sm_code=754
==== Kernel Sources ? ====
http://www.cnx-software.com/2012/03...k-n1-android-ics-hdmiusb-dongle-media-player/
http://www.cnx-software.com/2012/07...hips-tcc8925-mini-pcs-cx-01-z900-tizzbird-n1/
https://github.com/cnxsoft/telechips-linux
Yeah, the pretend to be "community friendly and supportive" but once you actually start digging in, they get quite agressive and boot you out.
Anyways, I got a N1 a couple of days myself now (snagged it for 30 bucks at another RedCoon sale ) and I am surprised.
Got it pretty much only to tinker around with it and this thing suits more perfectly for that than I imagined.
Esp. that fact they used a simple SD card as "internal flash storage" - my guess is because a simple SD is cheaper than an actual eMMC flash chip, but it's so cool on so many levels for us.
I already found out how to replace the 4GB SD with a bigger one (have a 16GB in mine ATM).
I'll post some more details about it here later, got a few things I want to test and/or prepare first (thinking of some "easy to use cloning script"), but long story short:
You need to copy the bootloader to the very end (last few blocks) of the SD you want to use.
Once the BL is at the proper place it already boots from the new SD again, to be sure everything is as it's supposed to be one should apply an update via USB (I'm not 100% sure about a possible pointer to the BL that needs to be corrected, which the update does).
After that the partition information has to be edited to make the userdata partition larger and you're done.
thanks for the info HellcatDroid!
It would be great if you could elaborate on how to put the bootloader at the end of the sd-card.
Also I would love to get info how to get root into the stock firmware, that crippled down root-firmware that they allow to exist in the official tizzbird forum doesn't really satisfy my needs
I did it via a hex editor, but it should be doable with a few "dd" commands as well - that's one of the things I still want to try, find the propper dd params to copy the BL over.
If you dumped the original SD into a file using dd, at the very end of the image file you will find the bootloader and the very last block of the SD is a "header" telling the bootrom of the N1 a few things about it, so it can properly locate and load it.
So what you got to do is to copy those last ~230k from the image to the end of the new SD card.
As said, I'll try to write a small shell script that does it.
The rooting is even more easy (Stonecold would kill me if he'd read this, lol):
For when running on Linux (no can do on Windows, as Windows doesn't know the ext4 FS):
Since you got the SD in your PC anyways already, just mount partition 2 (e.g. if the SD is sdc on your PC, mount /dev/sdc2).
That is the partition where the Android system is sitting on.
Then just copy over the files needed for root to where they need to go, chown/chmod them properly, unmount and done
I used the "update-supersu.zip" I had for my Nexus7 to grab the required files.
But I'm planning to make a simple rooting script as well.
So if all goes as planned it'll come down to
- insert original SD
- run script 1
- insert new SD
- run script 2
- to root run script 3
brilliant! I would love to see those scripts
way easier than start tinkering with that stuff myself
One thing I wonder about - over at the official forum you said that a simple dd copy didn't work - is that if the target sd-card is bigger or also for an sd-card of equals size? because with equal size simple dd copy of the sd-card should still work, even if some things need so be exactly at the end.
Yup, just a dd didn't work because the new SD card was larger and the bootloader ended up being somewhere in the middle of the card instead of at the end.
While your thought of "dd to equal size cards" is totally correct, it might still fail due to the fact every card is not 100% exact same size counting down to last byte.
There ususally is a tiny size difference (a few bytes to kbytes) between cards, even if they are supposed to be same, so the bootloader might end up truncated or not exactely at the end.
If, however, the size of the cards is 100% the same, down to the last byte, then yes, a simple dd clone would work.
HellcatDroid said:
... There ususally is a tiny size difference (a few bytes to kbytes) between cards, even if they are supposed to be same, so the bootloader might end up truncated or not exactely at the end. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh! Didn't know that. I thought same marketing size means not the same size they write on the box, but at least the same size between those that are marketed with the same GB numbers on their stickers.
OK, here we go, I slapped together a few scripts for prepping a new (and larger) SD card to work in the N1 and while having the SD in the PC to aplly some root.
* hints at attachment of this post
The scripts might still have problems and not work on any Linux out there, but it's a start.
If there's more people interested and joining in on this I might continue but for now I got what I wanted - more storage and root.
Hi
I think I destroyed my MiniSC cand! The N1 is dead. I tried to insert the card in a linux and gparted did not see anything. What can I do?
thank you for your help
somade said:
Hi
I think I destroyed my MiniSC cand! The N1 is dead. I tried to insert the card in a linux and gparted did not see anything. What can I do?
thank you for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post how you got there? what did you do to the sd-card that destroyed it?
Hi.
If you got a dump from a working state of the SD you can just dd it back onto the card.
If you don't, it can still be recovered but might need bit more work.
Two options:
find someone who gives you a dump of their card and use the write-card script from my above post to write it to your SD.
Problem with this: a working dump contains copyrighted code, like the bootloader, it technically it's "not OK" to share it
we come up with another script that only contains an "empty" image (i.e. only partitioning information) and that takes the bootloader and recovery from the official update and gets the card into a state that it boots into recovery and lets you install a working system using the official update from USB (option in the recovery menu)
Option 2 would be nicer, IMO.
I'll try to make up said script
Thank you for your immediate answer!.
Actually I dont know what has happened, maybe the sharp instrument I used to remove the plastic cover scratch it...But now when I put it in a card reader the led of the reader switch off and the card is heated!!!. And also when I put it in the N1 the blue led turns off!.
So I bought a new empty micro Sd .
Waiting for your script to partition the new card and then boot in recovery mode and install a firmware....
Because I am not expert to linux please give me a lot of details how to do this.
Thanks again!
HellcatDroid said:
we come up with another script that only contains an "empty" image (i.e. only partitioning information) and that takes the bootloader and recovery from the official update and gets the card into a state that it boots into recovery and lets you install a working system using the official update from USB (option in the recovery menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think the bootloader is even part of the offical updates? wouldn't it be "best practice" to leave the bootloader partition alone as long as possible (and normally firmware updates don't need to change the bootloader)
update: something else I've just found, those might be kernel sources for our Tizzbird N1:
http://www.cnx-software.com/2012/07...hips-tcc8925-mini-pcs-cx-01-z900-tizzbird-n1/
-->
https://github.com/cnxsoft/telechips-linux
Yep, the bootloader is in the update - at least in the 3.20 one.
And yes, usually the bootloader shouldn't be touched because that's usually the one thing that can "perma-brick" Android devices.
However, sometimes the manufacturer updates it (fixing bugs, adding functionality) - on my Nexus7 they updated the bootloader on pretty much every update and also Samsung updates their bootloaders every now and then (and every single update flashes the current one).
Last, not least, on the N1 the bootloader isn't on a partition but at unpartitioned space at the very last blocks of the SD (=> reason for a simple dd to a larger card not booting).
Ohyay at the possible kernel sources!
It'd be so cool if that's really sources able to build a kernel for the N1 with - I think we might be able to even get custom recovery (CWM and the likes) on the N1 if those sources work
OK, while trying to recreate a working SD card w/o using a dump of a working one I found out a few more things - some of them still need figuring out if we wanna do it properly.
There seem to be TWO bootloaders!
A stage1 bootloader of ~1kB size located at the third and second last block of the SD. If it's missing the N1 can't boot and it looks like ARM code (haven't tried to disassamble it yet), I assume the bootrom loads and executes that piece of code which in turn parses the header (see below) and load/starts the stage2 bootloader (the one also found in the FW update).
The very last block of the SD is a "header block" with some information beeing parsed either by the bootrom or (more likely) the stage1 bootloader.
The headerblock contains (among numerous other unkown data) the size of the ("stage2") bootloader (the one that then actually loads and boots the Linux kernel of the Android OS, this is also the one contained in the FW update) and the usable size of the SD card! (everything works fine though if the SD size is wrong and a proper FW update updates the header during writing of the bootloader and also sets the correct size).
Also, the headerblock has a checksum of which I have no clue on how it is generated.
All that is just educated guesses and might be totally off, but for now it looks like it's not too far off.
So, for now we can assume the following boot sequence:
Boot-ROM
-> loads stage1 bootloader from fixed position "SDsize - 3 blocks" (1 block = 512bytes)
stage1 bootloader at fixed position on SD
-> checks checksum of headerblock (?), gets size of stage2 bootloader from headerblock, locates stage2 bootloader based on it's size and loads/executes it
stage2 bootloader on variable position on SD
-> base initialisation of hardware
-> checks for recovery trigger (the red button on the remote control) and boots kernel from partition 6 if trigger present
-> boots kernel from partition 1 if recovery was not triggered
-> enters fastboot mode when booting the kernel fails
Kernel
-> loads base drivers and boots up the system
you're brilliant Hellcat!
And did you also find both bootloader stages inside the firmware updates?
Another question that came to my mind while reading your post (fastboot..)
Is there a way to use the Tizzbird as USB-slave? So to make use of adb and fastboot and such stuff? Okey adb could also be used via network I guess..
somade said:
Hi
I think I destroyed my MiniSC cand! The N1 is dead. I tried to insert the card in a linux and gparted did not see anything. What can I do?
thank you for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somade, do you have a linux running on your pc? If no, download and get a knoppix running. and then contact me via pm. I have the original n1 image so no problem to recover the n1.
sebastian.heyn said:
Somade, do you have a linux running on your pc? If no, download and get a knoppix running. and then contact me via pm. I have the original n1 image so no problem to recover the n1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to our rouge and non-censored Tizzbird N1 forum Sebastian!
I wonder if you found us here, if the German Tizzbird support also already knows about us
update: I just remembered, I've sent you the link as PM over in the official forums, thats how you landed here.
Sharing your sd-card image might be a copyright violation, and if you're profile name is strongly linked to you're real identity you should definitly be cautious with such things on public forums...
kaefert said:
And did you also find both bootloader stages inside the firmware updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, unfortunately the stage1 bootloader is not in the update :-/
kaefert said:
Is there a way to use the Tizzbird as USB-slave? So to make use of adb and fastboot and such stuff? Okey adb could also be used via network I guess..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it works, even officially XD
Go to the TizzBird settings -> "System Settings" -> "Advanced Settings"
It has an option "OTG Mode" there, set it to "Debug".
If you have your N1 connected to your PC via the micro-USB port (and hence your PC powering the N1!) you can use ADB and fastboot just as usual
I have not yet tried if that option is persistant, i.e. it survives a power loss.
When booting the kernel fails it should fall back to fastboot mode, so flashing a new kernel w/o pulling the SD should be possible - need to test this a bit more, though.
What works is, if you're rooted and and you fire the command "reboot bootloader" from a root shell, that gets you into fastboot mode no matter what (given you applied above mentioned setting first).
But needing a running system to get into fastboot mode kinda defeats the purpose of it - this aint Ouya which is a total fail when it comes to fastboot XD
---------- Post added at 09:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------
kaefert said:
I wonder if you found us here, if the German Tizzbird support also already knows about us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eventually they will, I'd say.
And I'd love to see their faces when they do XD
Summary
Uses an external micro sd as "internal storage". Accomplished by a ramdisk edit to the boot image. The bootloader must be unlocked to use this tool and unlocking the bootloader will erase all personal data, game saves, etc on your device. For devices that already have their bootloader unlocked there is an option to transfer the current data to the external microsd card.
Considerations
-The bootloader needs to be unlocked. The unlocking procedure erases all data on the device. If games saves, etc, are important use a tool that can back them up first.
-If you already have an unlocked bootloader the script allows you to transfer the data over and it should be like nothing ever happened but an increase in space. However, scripts are not perfect, nor can I take in to account every situation that might arise. If you have an unlocked bootloader and your data is important, please, please, please make a backup before trying this script.
-Micro SD card quality. All data will be read and written to the micro sd card. Not all cards are created the same. Many have very poor write performance, especially 4K writes. I tested about 6 or 7 cards and found the Samsung EVO+ as the best performing card. I didn't test the SanDisk extreme but it will likely be good as well. Increasing the size available is of no use if the speed is terrible and the tablet is laggy.
-Drivers. You must have fastboot and ADB drivers already set up and ready to go. The drivers are always a pain because so many different computers have different setups, previous drivers installed, conflicting drivers, etc. I attached the NabiLab2017 drivers to the post, even they can be buggy but provided an option if you choose. More about driver setup can be found here https://forum.xda-developers.com/nabi-2/general/nabi-information-t3229119
Procedure
ONLY FOR NVIDIA NV08B
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aka8nUu7qQY
Video with data transfer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbxqtzV33jI
ADB and fastboot drivers setup and tested
Micro SD card you want to use installed
Device connected and booted to Android
Unzip and run convert.bat
________________________
Thanks (again) @aicjofs for all the work you continue to do on these Nabi Dreamtab HD8s. TWRP, fsck fixes, stock 137 TWRP backups, and now this (which cures my biggest gripe about these tablets).
My kids are rough on them, but, because of the work you do, I've been able to keep them going & they grow with my kids. I just picked up 2 more refurbs from eBay today for $50 each. I'll be applying this internal storage fix as soon as they arrive.
I'm a Linux guy, not Windows. Would it help if I contributed a bash script that mimics your convert.bat? I'd have to assume that adb & fastboot are already installed & running, but I could probably script most of if from that point.
jvonhoff said:
Thanks (again) @aicjofs for all the work you continue to do on these Nabi Dreamtab HD8s. TWRP, fsck fixes, stock 137 TWRP backups, and now this (which cures my biggest gripe about these tablets).
My kids are rough on them, but, because of the work you do, I've been able to keep them going & they grow with my kids. I just picked up 2 more refurbs from eBay today for $50 each. I'll be applying this internal storage fix as soon as they arrive.
I'm a Linux guy, not Windows. Would it help if I contributed a bash script that mimics your convert.bat? I'd have to assume that adb & fastboot are already installed & running, but I could probably script most of if from that point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely contribute, I don't do this for fame or money, just try to help others. Any and all additions are always welcome.
It should be easy enough to convert as most of the magic happens on the tablet itself, I think I only pushed a couple files to the tablet and made the ramdisk changes on the tablet too to keep the file size down. Weird how TWRP, the kernel, the tablet itself is all done in Linux but I only make windows scripts/apps.
I have quite a few of these tablets too, 5 maybe?. Kind of weird because Fuhu/Nabi screwed up that fsck thing so many people dump the tablet for next to nothing because they seem like garbage and crash all the time with loss of all the kids data but they are really a solid tablet. Try and find a screen of the HD8 quality on a modern kids tablet for $50. Shame about the crappy source code, if I could have got the camera to work right in the kernel I think I would have pressed on with the lollipop ROM and instead lost interest. This mod though breathes a lot of life into it still though. I have 3 of these running the mod and the kids still use it all the time with 64GB cards as their main storage and have had no issues.
aicjofs said:
Any and all additions are always welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've attached my attempt at a bash script for the swap. I got time to run one of my tablets through the gauntlet with this version, and only hit a snag at the check for fsck. Since I was that far, I just fixed the bug & applied the rest by hand. So, beware.
aicjofs said:
if I could have got the camera to work right in the kernel I think I would have pressed on with the lollipop ROM and instead lost interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you there. I was hoping to see you get Lollipop going (even w/o a camera), just to have the battery saver. But, Greenify does a pretty good job keeping the battery going a while. So, again, thank you, and let me know if this script needs fixing.
Thanks for the work on this tablet. I am trying to salvage our dreamtab with your method. Unfortunately, I have a card inserted but the convert.bat never gave me any information about the sdcard like it did for you in the youtube video. Any idea what I might be doing wrong?
Thanks again!