[Q] My gtab needs rehab.... - G Tablet Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I gave my son a gtab in April 2011 as a birthday gift. The first thing I did was root, install CWM, and vegan tab. Nothing has been changed since then. Even my CWM is 2.5 something.
Now 1 year later it is time to update it and see what has improved. I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can answer.
I'm pretty sure I have bl 1.1. I have never used NV Flash but I think I can get it working.
I would love for the tablet to sleep and not kill the battery. That was a god send on my Nook Color when the Devs got it working. Do any current ROM's have a good deep sleep?
Am I better off staying on the 1.1 bl or moving to 1.2? If I want ICS I need to go to 1.2?
Thanks.
Steve

Yes, you will need to be on the 1.2 bootloader to run ICS. The NvFlash file you will need is in the instructions at the ICS thread (in the Gtablet > Development section). You will need to use that one, as it increases the system partition size to accommodate the larger ICS Rom and Gapps. Make sure you read the ICS threads and know what to expect, as it is a beta release. I have been running it for a few days and it looks/runs great, no serious problems so far. TeamDRH has done a great job and it will keep getting better!
Regardless, if you want to run a newer Rom you will probably want to upgrade you bootloader to 1.2. 1.1 development has pretty much ended, and even Viewsonic is finally moving to 1.2. If you aren't going to use ICS you can probably upgrade without using NvFlash, Visit this thread and follow the instructions to install the 1.1.3588 .zip to get back to stock (of course, wipe your data/cache), then just take the OTA update to get to 1.2. However, if you do decide to use NvFlash, please visit this thread first.

Related

New Update (is it safet to apply)

HI all,
I see that Viewsonic is pushing out 4349 update and i have been reading up on it. I currently use TNTlite 4.40. Is it safe to apply this or wait until it is fully tested and then apply it when it is compatible with the latest roms.
Roebeet i know that you have been testing this.. What do you think..
Let me know.
thanks
Don't touch 4349 if you are on a mod, or if you use clockworkmod
...unless you want a soft-brick your device.
I'm still testing, but right now I can tell you that if you are using clockworkmod and flash to 4349, you WILL soft-brick your device. It seems to have the same traits as the infamous 3991. Again, still testing.
I'm not sure about TNT Lite 4.4.0 yet - that's on my list of tests but I want to test VEGAn first, as that's probably the most popular ROM here.
roebeet said:
...unless you want a soft-brick your device.
I'm still testing, but right now I can tell you that if you are using clockworkmod and flash to 4349, you WILL soft-brick your device. It seems to have the same traits as the infamous 3991. Again, still testing.
I'm not sure about TNT Lite 4.4.0 yet - that's on my list of tests but I want to test VEGAn first, as that's probably the most popular ROM here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good Roebeet.. Let us know.. I am going to hold of on the update until we hear from you..
i upgraded from stock 3588 and everything works flawlessly.
Confirmed as bad as 3991. I will write up a new post with details, warnings and suggestions.
Roebeet,
Plainly said -- VS always has been oriented to stock and has said the alternate ROMs
will void your warranty.
It seems apparent to me that this update is designed to work on top of the other "stock"
software they hope you are running (and probably aren't).
Stock rules in their world.
Rev
P. S. -- I just remembered -- somebody asked earlier about the "Enhancements"
on this ROM. I don't know, but I do remember trying it on 3991 and it semi-bricked
my tablet.
It has same brick issues with enhancement. How hard is it gonna be to get the Roms working with it? Specifically vegan 5.1.1?
I did it over stock, and I now have a clock/calendar, with nothing else working.
cd112 said:
Sounds good Roebeet.. Let us know.. I am going to hold of on the update until we hear from you..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can this be reverse engineered? Meaning can we flash back to our previous rom before the update by nvflashing?
This is very similar to UAT 3991, so far
The good thing about that is that we a month of experience that we can apply, here. I've been tested my own mods that I added a failsafe into and, so far, that failsafe is working. But I have a lot more testing to do -- I haven't even LOOKED at this update yet.
That failsafe, btw, was adding the 3588 bootloader as part of the flash process. That way, if someone was on 3991 (or now 4349) and flashed to TNT Lite 4.4.0 for example, the bootloader gets downleveled so that way it shouldn't soft-brick. Same should apply if you flash from stock 4349 to 3588, or vice versa.
Keep in mind that clockworkmod is about the worst thing you can use, between 1.1 and 1.2 based ROMs. It doesn't flash the bootloader, which is required.
edirector said:
Can this be reverse engineered? Meaning can we flash back to our previous rom before the update by nvflashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never-mind i nvflashed and am restoring gtab back to the way she was. I couldn't deal with not having market and my favorite apps. Also I lost sound. VS did well for those whose gtab wasn't running smoothly but as for mine she was sweet before the update running like a fine tuned engine. Much faster than with the update. She hit the desktop on a dime.
For the rest enjoy your update! I just got my dream girl back.
How about if you are on a total stock gtab can you upgrade to 4349 -THEN Root the device? or is it not supported yet?

[Q] CWM/nvflash bootloader questions

I'm trying to do my very first mod to my gtab. I've posted some questions already but have more before I proceed. I'm running bootloader 1.2-4349. Do need to set up nvflash before I attempt flashing to a different ROM? Is there a CWM that is specific for my bootloader? I've searched for these answers on the forums but was unable to find them. I found many posts about these subject but no one answred them directly. Any help is much appreciated.
NVFlash is never needed to flash a rom. It's a tool typically used to recover from a "softbrick." It CAN be used to flash a rom, but there are much safer alternatives. In fact, NVFlash is considered to BE the alternative to the regular methods.
starting with 4349, 1.2 bootlaoder, you can use the stock recovery to flash just about any of the 1.2 roms.
Which Rom are you interested in? The only roms that do not have a 1.2 equal are the gingerbread type roms. For instance, if you wanted Vegan 5.1.1, then Brilliant Corners is the 1.2 alternative. That's what I'm running. It's got to be one of, if not THEE, most complete rom available right now.
most 1.2 rom information is located at Slatedroid, not here.
I suggest that you check out the new website created by a user here (GoodIntentions). It's a "G-Tablet for Dummies" website. It contains a ton of useful information for beginners like yourself.
There IS a CWM that is specific to the 1.2 bootloader, but becuase the recovery on stock 1.2 has more options than the stock recovery used on 1.1 bootloader, it's not absolutely necessary. It's a good tool to have, but not necessary.
Your basic flashign technique for a 1.2 rom is as follows...download the .rar file the coincides with the rom you want. Unzip it to the root of your G-Tablet's memory. Restart the G-Tablet while holding down the volume up key. The tablet will boot into the stock recovery, and use the files you unzipped to flash the new rom. The rar file will contain to objects, a file called update.zip, and a recovery folder with a "command" file in it. What will happen when booting into recovery is that the tablet will first check to see if there is a recovery folder present. Think of this as a PC checking the floppy drive for a boot image before booting from the hard disk. If it sees the recovery folder, it will, by default, run the command file within it. The command file will unpack and install (flash) the rom image from the update.zip file.
With most of his roms, Roebeet has included the 1.2 CWM image in the package. It will not install automatically. There are threads available (on slatedroid) that contain instructions on how to activate the 1.2 CWM. There are various methods, if one doesn't work the first time.
If you are dead set on flashing a 1.1 rom, you'll first need to downgrade back to firmware 3588, which is a 1.1 bootloader firmware. Gojimi has posted instructions on XDA on how that is done.
So, your first step, is research the roms on XDA, Slatedroid, and other Android Tablet forums to find which one would best suit your needs.
As a beginner, I highly suggest that you steer away from the honeycomb roms, as they are still in alpha status and mainly used for testing and troubleshooting. In other words, they won't work perfectly, so to save yourself headaches, wait until your more comfortable with a more polished rom. ALL HC ROMS ARE 1.2 BOOTLOADER ROMS
The gingerbread roms are pretty stable, and from what I hear, pretty fast, but they lack a few things, namely full hardware acceleration. At the same time, if your heart is set on streaming netflix movies, then these might be the best choice for you. THE MOST POPULAR GB ROMS ARE 1.1 BOOTLOADER ROMS
The Froyo roms, while the most prehistoric are the most stable, most complete, and less "buggy" of all the roms. There are many varieties, based on various tablet user interfaces. FROYO ROMS CAN BE EITHER 1.1 OR 1.2 BOOTLOADER ROMS...BUT, the 1.2 branch has more of them, and there are 1.2 equalivents to just about all of them, so sticking with 1.2 for a Froyo rom is the best option because you'll still have the advanced stock recovery if you decide to stick with it.
That being said...why not mess around with the stock 4349 firmware to get a feel for the tablet a bit more? Check some things out. Get Titanium Backup and practice a bit with backup up apps and restoring them (you'll use this a LOT, especially if you rom jump trying to find the best one for you). Find out what you want the tablet to do, based on the stock firmware limitations. Some people are still using stock and not finding it too horrible. Spend a week with it, see what else you want it to do, and ask again when you know what you want out of your G-Tablet. And above all, ENJOY...you just entered a whole new world of personal computing...don't rush into anything and end up regretting your purchase.
P.S...I highly recommend you check out "G-Tablet for Dummies"
DarkHorse281 said:
I'm trying to do my very first mod to my gtab. I've posted some questions already but have more before I proceed. I'm running bootloader 1.2-4349. Do need to set up nvflash before I attempt flashing to a different ROM? Is there a CWM that is specific for my bootloader? I've searched for these answers on the forums but was unable to find them. I found many posts about these subject but no one answred them directly. Any help is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out my website written for beginners. It will explain everything you need to know.
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/
Added by edit.
Make sure you read my page on flashing a rom.
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/rom.htm
Also, check out my page on CWM.
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/clockworkmod.htm
Much appreciated...awesome!
You guys are both awesome and a credit to the anroid community. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you help. I didn't go into much depth on this thread because I had already written one earlier in the day that shared my background and future intentions for my gtab. I didn't want to sound repetative plus I realize people don't care to read a novel in these forums. So I figured short and sweet I might get a better response, and I was right. Anyway, I hear what you're saying about messing around with the stock firmware TJ. The truth is I've had the tablet now for 3 weeks and I've played with it constantly. I have to say it's not as bad as I thought it would be but it lacks so many things that I've come to love about my Samsung Galaxy Indulge. Many people make fun of or pick on Metropcs and make fun of them as a company, but I have to say here in Florida they're great. I love my phone even though its not the top of the line galaxy phone. And their 4g service is fast in my neck of the woods. Having had such a great experience with that android device, I would really like to make something awesome out of my gtab. I want to use the 4g on my phone to connect to the internet and turn this tablet into a completely mobile multimedia device (Xvid, Avi, Mp3, Netflix, Hulu). I would also like to get the gps software put on it so that I can put my google maps app from my phone on it. Once I am be to get the phone rooted and the wifi or usb tethering up I can use it for navigation as well. I also miss the Android Market. I would love to get that back up and running on my tablet so that I can download some of the apps that I'm familiar with. I really like the dolphin browser on my Indulge and would love to have it on my tablet. I had it for a while on the gtab but had to do a factory reset because of something my kids did and now that I'm back to having nothing on my tablet I thought now would be a good time to try a different ROM. Besides it seemed a little glitchy anyway. Sorry about the novel guys, but now that you know a bit about me and what I want to use my tab for, which ROM do you think will suit my needs? Do you still think that Brilliant Corners is going to cover what I'm wanting out of my gtab? I'm going to check out GoodIntentions' web site and maybe I will get a clue. Thanks for your help guys. I hope to hear back soon.
P.S. One additional question. What's up with the bluetooth pairing? I can't get this thing to pair with any phones. I've tried mine and my gf's and it absolutely will not work.

[Q] Noob. Was hoping to flash CM7 on my Gtab but I messed up recovery mod!

I got a gtablet, and I wanted to flash it with CM7. I tried the first step of putting clockwork recovery on it, but I think I messed up, because now I can't get into recovery mode at all now! I press the volume + and everything, and it says recovery key pressed, but just sits there. What can I do?
Please? Can someone help me? I'd really appreciate it. I really wanted someone else to do it for me but no one will. I really want to use this for school so I really need to get it done!
I too am a noob, but the search tool is your friend....maybe this will help you out, if not you're on your own until one of the experts chimes in.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1243317&highlight=recovery
I've been trying to read other posts, but I can't seem to get nvflash on my tablet either.
Google "Gtablet for Dummies" It's creator is a member here, Goodintentions"
it is chalk full of information for newbs.
If your Gtablet is new, then it was packaged with bootloader 1.2 (firmware 1.2.4349)
Cyanogen is a 1.1 bootloader based Rom...the CWM that you tried to install was probably also a BL1.1 version.
I suggest that you read the entire Dummies site to learn as much as you can before softbricking again...
I'll give you a history so that you'll understand, and not just DO, but you'll know why you are DOING.
The Viewsonic Gtablet is a derivative of tablets all produced by a Chinese company called Malata. Similar tablets are the Advent Vega (Hence VegaN roms) and the Notion Ink Adam. For some strange reason, the Gtablet was originally shipped to customers with a bootloader that we call 1.1. The firmware versions originally all started with 1.1.xxxx. The LAST firmware version update that Viewsonic released to it's users was 1.1.3588. Some people here, and elsewhere call it the "bridge" firmware, since you can flash 1.1 roms on it, and also upgrade your firmware to the newer bootloader from it.
In April, users hounded Viewsonic to release SOMETHING to let us know that they are still paying attention to us. Well, they released an update called 1.2.4349. Notice the 1.2...yea, it's the new bootloader. Many users assumed that it was a "locked" bootloader, since using our existing roms and CWM versions would softbrick our devices.
It was found, though, that we could in fact, use the 1.2 bootloader for different versions of our favorite roms, as well as newer, more improved roms. The thing is, the NI Adam already used the 1.2 bootloader. Next thing you know, Adam developers are working on Honeycomb to run on the adam...with just a few tweaks, we could run it on the Gtablet...without the 1.2 bootloader, this wouldn't have been assumed to be possible easily.
Viewsonic actually PULLED the 1.2 firmware a mere 24 hours after it was released. Luckily, some smarter people than I saved it so that it was still available to download. Even though it was pulled, Viewsonic was starting to package it with new Gtablets that were sold. So, every tablet sold before May, would have 1.1 on it, while those sold after had 1.2 on it. This confused things even more. 4349 does have bugs, though, so we're now pushing Viewsonic to release a FIXED version of the 1.2 firmware.
So, that's the story...we were all on 1.1, and had a fun time with the 1.1 mods...then they threw that 1.2 on us, and people got confused beyond belief. It's to the point, though, that a quick NVFlash can bounce you from one to the other and back again...
Gtablet for Dummies lays it all out for you in simple to read instructions (hence, dummy...not saying you ARE one, but one COULD understand it)

Loving this Dev support but a little overwhelmed and in need of help.

I came from motorola phones so I'm used to locked bootloaders and the methods of hacking them. I've had the Rezound for almost 3 months now, and I'm currently running cleanROM 2.3. A few days ago I see we had a new ics leak, and from what I'm guessing, the rom bases have been updated for it. I'd like to flash the rooted leak, and install an ics rom, but I have a few questions. If I'm on ics already, what steps should I take? Do i have to go back to gb, and relock, or can I flash it through the current rom I'm on? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Insidious said:
I came from motorola phones so I'm used to locked bootloaders and the methods of hacking them. I've had the Rezound for almost 3 months now, and I'm currently running cleanROM 2.3. A few days ago I see we had a new ics leak, and from what I'm guessing, the rom bases have been updated for it. I'd like to flash the rooted leak, and install an ics rom, but I have a few questions. If I'm on ics already, what steps should I take? Do i have to go back to gb, and relock, or can I flash it through the current rom I'm on? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't have to go back to gb, but you do have to relock. as for the full instructions, they're somewhere on in the forum. searching helps. as for me, i'm got gonna update mine yet, so that's as far as i can help
Insidious said:
I came from motorola phones so I'm used to locked bootloaders and the methods of hacking them. I've had the Rezound for almost 3 months now, and I'm currently running cleanROM 2.3. A few days ago I see we had a new ics leak, and from what I'm guessing, the rom bases have been updated for it. I'd like to flash the rooted leak, and install an ics rom, but I have a few questions. If I'm on ics already, what steps should I take? Do i have to go back to gb, and relock, or can I flash it through the current rom I'm on? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong section bud, we have a Q & A
check out the 1st/2nd post on Wildstang's Twizted rom page. Very friendly instructions.
@mods - 'shut erdown
Ian
Here is the link from CleanRom to prepare you for new base ROMs:
http://www.scottsroms.com/showthread.php/856-HOW-TO-Prepare-for-CleanROM-4-0-Update?p=6527
It will take a while to flash and make sure you do reboot to boot loader the 2nd time so it flashes clean, but I would suggest backing up your SD card and internal storage. Good luck. I love the new leak, in the form of Clear ROM.
I'm having a bit of trouble updating my Rezound. I got the file named correctly and HBOOT detects it, however it loads/checks the RUU (blue/gold bars on the right) and then just goes back to the normal HBOOT menu without any error message or anything changing. I have relocked my Rezound.. Unsure of what else I can do. Any ideas?
You need to enter bootloader a second time for it to complete the full install.
It still isn't doing what it should be. It goes through loading/checking and then back into the normal bootloader menu. I then tried going into fastboot and back into bootloader, and the same process happened again. I also tried rebooting bootloader after it did the load/check process, but i'm not making any progress. By that, I mean it does the same exact thing.
After going through it the second time, what was the screen showing for your radio and hboot versions? Can't remember what the updated #'s off the top of my head but the radio should not be the .95### version.
Figured out the issue. I used an md5 checker and it came out wrong. guess I should try redownloading.. Must have gotten cutoff or something?
Sorry I got back so late, but thanks for the help everyone! Sorry about my post placement, I'm used to Droid forums and their Rezound section doesn't have a Q&A. Searching does help, but like I said, all of this dev support is a bit; overwhelming coming from a phone with little dev support, so people who can break it down for me are awesome.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Some advise
I will chime in and say that it is definitely worth it. As said before in the CleanROM thread Scott has a very detailed step by step guide. Just a few pointers before you jump in.
1) make sure you have a card reader for your computer that you can connect your removable micro-SD card to. Trust me, if you screw up somewhere in the process, having a reliable way to access the SD card is a life saver.
2) before flashing always wipe/factory reset 3 times, some think it is overkill, but if you end up with some odd glitch or bug when you just wiped once, you will most likely have to wipe and flash again to get rid of the bug...so of course you are actually saving time and hassle by just doing it 3 times in the first place.
3) make sure your battery is full or almost full before you start the process, you will avoid many problems by not having your phone battery die in the middle of a flash or update.
4) read, read and read again all the information and the instructions on what you are going to be doing, then make sure you understand and are comfortable Before you actually start. Reading through the forums and knowing beforehand what others have experienced, and the fixes, will make your life 100% better while you play with your phone.
All that said, the new RUU is awesome, better radio reception, better battery life for most (once you drain and recharge a few times), and ICS is very cool on the Rezound. Happy flashing people and hope you like ICS as much as I do.

nvflash question...

Ladies and gentlemen,
I'm getting my viewsonic g tab tomorrow and have been reading the threads about nvflashing bootloaders. My question is (if my tablet comes with bl1.1) can I just nvflash from bl1.1 to bl1.2? I ask this because it seems some of the folks here either don't want to upgrade their bootloaders to 1.2 because theyre either too scared of bricking or "like" (?) bl1.1 but I like the rom branch and veriety of the 1.2 bootloaders. Thanks in advance folks.
BTW, I have read the guide on nvflashing (very great write up and summary of nvflashing the g tab) and it covers everything except if you can nvflash back and forth between the 2 bootloaders. This is my first tablet and please excuse my noobness on the subject of nvflashing. I know most topics regarding cwm and how to use it and have owned, rooted and flashed MANY ROMs on a total of 4 android phones. Thanks again.
You should be just fine to nvflash to 1.2. Many consider it "safer" to flash to the stock 1.1 TnT first but if your tablet comes with 1.1 you will already be there. Once you are on 1.2, you probably will not want to go back, but it is possible.
However, if your tablet comes with 1.1 you could also just take the OTA update to get to 1.2 and not have to nvflash. Then you can install CWM and a rom. Check out this site for lots of good info if you decide to use nvflash, and also make sure you read this thread. Backup your .bct file and use it any time you use nvflash. Some roms will require you to nvflash to change the size of the system partition (ICS for example).
Also, be sure to use the correct version of CWM:
CWM v08 - use for bootloader 1.1 only
3028 rev.5 - use for bootloader 1.2 only
5504 touch - use for ICS rom only (is included in the nvflash file found in the ICS thread)
BTW - if you do take the OTA update to get to 1.2 make sure you have the stock recovery installed NOT CWM.
OK, so my understanding here is; tab comes with 1.1-update to 1.2 with ota (no cwm, install after update)--> tab comes 1.2-downgrade with tnt 1.1 tool then nvflash back to 1.2 w/cwm? Hope that sums it up. And my whole point here is to end up with 1.2 w/cwm so I can start flashing bl1.2 branch ROMs. I think I'm pretty sure what I'm doing now. Thanks bud.
Yep, except that if the gtablet comes w/ 1.2 already there is no need to downgrade, and you only need to nvflash if you are going to use a rom that requires it. Just install CWM and then your rom of choice.
Thank you again daggerdave. My g tab didn't show up today. Tracking says tomorrow. Excited to have my first tablet!!!!

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