Related
Got my gTab yesterday. [VERY EXCITED!]
Plugged in wall outlet, waited 4 hours to charge.
Connected to WiFi.
Updated TapnTap, as instructed.
My Vist Ultimate computer didn't see the gTab when I plugged it in, at least not so I could get to the root directory.
So I went to an old XP and tried that. It worked.
Wanted to Root it, so I installed (sorry if that's not the correct word) ClockworkMod v08.
So far so good.
Then rooted TnT Lite v 4.2
Still good.
Then rooted TnT Lite suppl 4.25
STILL okay.
Then went to gMail. Added my gMail account. (An account I use for business.) It took a LONG time to do whatever it was doing. So I went to do something else, thinking it would continue doing it's thing in the background. I was wrong. It messed up, and I kept getting error messages.
Next thing I know, I'm somehow in that infinite boot loop.
It was about 2 am, and I was tired, and... panicked!
Next thing you know I'm freaking out and went hog-wild (while following directions to the letter), to get my brand new toy to work.
I did nvflash windows, still infinite boot loop. I tried putting the vanilla recovery 3588 on there. Still infinite boot loop.
Kept at things, trying everything I read, and STILL... infinite boot loop.
Then I figured it was time to try to get my Vista computer working so I wouldn't have to keep transferring stuff from the Vista to the XP to the miscroSD card to the gTab, and followed directions about APX mode.
I was delirious, exhausted and scared, and kind of went postal (in a frenzied OCD sort-of way), trying everything and anything to get rid of the infinite boot loop.
Now it won't even power up. (AT ALL!) I think I gave it a heart attack, or possibly a stroke. And that's with not even owning it for 24 hours!
I've tried the long 45 second power hold, then the short one. [Did that about 37 times.] I've tried power and Vol+. Nope. Then did a few power and Vol-, just to really freak the poor sick, dead thing out. [Like kicking the proverbial dead horse, I guess. Trying to see if there was any life left in it.] I even read to turn off the lights to see if there was a faint glow. But nope. No glow.
I will now follow the directions from another post, and will let it just sit for 24 hours (if I can survive the wait) to let the battery discharge and then see if it will boot. [After this nightmare, there is no WAY I will take off the back and hit the reset button--thereby definitely voiding my warranty.] But I hope I'm not like the woman from the forum thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=968177
If I am, and can't get this thing to power up, do you think WOOT will let me return it???? I'm so upset that I broke my new toy so quickly. If anyone has any suggestions about getting this thing to boot up, I'd appreciate it. [at this point, I'd be happy to have it boot up in the infinite boot loop!]
Oh, and one last question, how does having it turned off (because I can't turn it on) and sitting there drain the battery to the point that it needs to start fresh after a mere 24 hours with no activity? Is that typical for tablets?
THANK YOU to anyone who can offer advice on what to try next or how to remedy this problem. Please keep in mind that I am good with PCs and laptops/netbooks, but am VERY new to this whole android and tablet things, so if you send instructions, please give implicit directions (as though you are instructing a 3-year-old), without feeling as if you are insulting me. [Please believe it's what I need, and will appreciate. As will the other wooters who just turned their gTabs into brinks] And know that you will be helping Roebeet by answering my questions, because the poor guy must be exhausted from all of us lay-peoples' foibles and mess-ups. [The man seems to be a God at this site!]
Did you do what is mentioned right after step 10 in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
"If your tablet bootloops…Also may be required to get market running correctly on some ROMs...
Press and hold the power button to shut the device down. Boot back into Clockwork. Select the advanced option at the bottom, then go to “partition SD card”, for the first option select 2048, and for the second option select 0. Then, redo steps 7-10. This erases all data on your tablet, including backups."
But first... switch to decaf and get some rest... ;-)
Panic doesn't help.
It might actually be powering up but staying in APX mode. I've seen one do that. If that's the case you can still nvflash it back to normal. Let it charge for 15-20 minutes and leave it on the charger. Try to start it up and see if your pc can see it.
You maybe got the bootloop because your tab had sleep death while syncing. Was the error you got by chance something like process.acore? If so that is a classic error that happens after syncing contacts, sometimes there are empty contacts with no data that make the tab go nuts. Simply deleting the bad contacts solves the problem.
A simple wipe data/cash/davlic would have been the first place to start. Breathing helps when stuff goes wonky.
If you can get it to recovery a repartition is totally necessary. Deffinetly... and maybe some whiskey ....
Good luck.
good luck with woot return, dont even think they do it.
I wouldn't worry about the warranty. You already voided it when you rooted the device.
I'm so sorry, guys, I didn't check off the subscribe notification, so I didn't know that anyone had written.
cdavisccs28, I didn't do that while the tablet was boot looping, but somehow it went from bootlooping to complete death.
K J Rad, it wasn't charging, and wouldn't boot. [And you can probably guess, I tried numerous times.]
Mantara, the death in the middle of syncing certainly didn't help it, and, as you suggested, might have been the last nail in the coffin. The whiskey suggestion was funny! Actually I, personally don't drink, but as you might have deduced, I'm a carrier. [AKA: I've been told that I drive people to drink.]
spike378 & filterking: Yup, I think you are both correct. How I managed to spike from "excited as a schoolgirl" to "completely tanking" in less than 24 hours amazes even ME! [And I know me, and am used to me! I think that was a personal record!] [If I don't laugh about it, I'll cry!]
THANK YOU ALL for replying! Your time and concern meant a lot to me, but I think this baby is totally bricked! Elvis has DEFINITELY left the building! If I do get another one (I'll have to start saving again), I might be too afraid to play with it. I really am good with PCs and notebooks, so I might just keep staying with what I know. YOU GUYS ROCK, for trying to help me, and I really appreciate it!
Same problem. I booted the device up, and connected it to WiFi. Then it gave a popup where it asked to update to the newest version. I said okay, and let it do its thing. Then it restarted into a bootloop. So, I turned the device off, and tried to turn it back on, except -- nothing. With the USB plugged in, it's not recognized by the computer at any time after I press the power button. I've been trying to get it to boot for an hour now and it's still just sitting there with a black screen. Not even a backlight is showing. Anyone know of any solution? Or is it time to ask for an RMA from Woot!?
h.nocturna, WOW, you didn't even get to the part where you started doing everything and anything (in a frenzy) to get it to work properly! That might be a good thing, h.nocturna, because you haven't voided your warranty! You might need to send it to Viewsonic to be fixed (since it messed up while you were doing their update), but at least you can do THAT! I mailed my brand new brick to my son up in college and gave him this site, and told him to have a blast, and do whatever he wanted with it. [He's known me his whole life, and said even HE "can't fathom my destroying something so completely in less than 10 hours."] I wish you luck!
Oh, one more question that will help the masses, I'm sure. So how do you get your computer to recognize the device as a hard drive, when it is plugged in to a Windows PC (without voiding the warrenty, of course)? [Vista Ultimate does not recognize it, and neither did Windows 7.] Please give step-by-step instructions for the lay-person. [By answering this question, at least we will solve THAT problem for folks!]
badtypist,
I wrote you a fix last night and when I went to save it the Forums had been shut down and do it didn't save to post --
and I had been on the road and was exhausted and just couldn't stay up long enough to redo it if and when they came back up. Sorry.
You simply needed to find one solution and then let us get down the procedure to follow to fix it.
Several people in the past have gotten to the point where you were. I read two fixes.
One was some people were able to get the tab to start again by playing with the
power switch -- hold it for long, long times and then press a short startup, etc. Somehow they got that to reset and start.
Somewhere else in the forums -- and I have never done this with either of my tablets --
there are a few threads where someone in this kind of situation opened up
the tablet card and simply unplugged the battery for 10- or more seconds. There also
is a reset button inside the case as shown in an old thread where someone opened a
G-Tab up and took pictures.
If any of those three choices get to where you can either use power / volume - to get
into NVFlash more ---- or to where we can load CWM -- then you are in fair shape.
LOTS AND LOTS OF BOOT LOOPS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH PARTITIONING. Simply
getting into CWM and re-partitioning to 2048 and 0 and then using CWM to "Fix
Permissions" will get it working. CWM also will let you wipe the cache and wipe the
factory data, which sometimes will allow and NVFlash to come on up and work right.
You see, we were not dead by any stretch.
You might pass this on to the recipient of the tablet.
Also, so many people are trying to do so much that is over their heads -- and so many
people are borking their tablets -- that this site and the folks that can help -- just can't communicate. Sad day.
I wish you luck. Hope this helps.
Rev
EDIT: Well, I guess we missed the boat completely. Evidently she mailed of the G-Tab and checked
out for good!!!
Hi Rev! Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I TRIED to get back to you sooner, but I think this site was down, because it kept timing out and wouldn't let me get to the site OR the conversation thread! I tried a few times, then tried later, and now just tried again!
I think you guys are getting BLASTED with desperate lay-people from the over 10,000 tablets sold on Woot who have "borked" their tablets. (That's a funny word, Rev! I hope I'm using it properly! And please note, although the WORD is funny, the actual situation is NOT funny!)
Yes, I mailed the offending frustration-linked object to my son, and can't "take it back," but perhaps I will beg for and borrow enough money to try again, sometime soon! If I do, I will come back here again sine I feel I have bonded with the wonderful, sharing folks on this site. (I'm a she, by the way, not a "he.") I admire (okay, worship) the folks who help us lay-people out so we don't sit alone crying and trying to power/Vol+ in solitude!
I've read your other posts previously, Rev, and you are so wonderful to help us n00bs! So please remember "badtypist" (hopefully with good thoughts) and when you hear my name again, let's hope it's to say... THIS TIME I ROOTED IT CORRECTLY!!!!
Thanks again, for your time, Rev AND the rest of you, which wasn't wasted, because I sent my son this link and he will (in his spare time) read through it to fix HIS new tablet. [I think he kind of liked that his mom messed up! He got a VERY expensive new toy, if he can fix it.]
Perhaps I'll talk with you soon...
badtypist (and bad ROOTER. Or is it ROOTERIST? Or maybe ROOTIST? Whatever the proper term, I think we can all agree that I AM bad at it!)
Gtab Update Problems
So, I would agree with some of the posts above. I would also point out that you have two options (or some combination of the two):
1. Try to return the tablet, or put in a warranty claim (the warranty specifically does not cover modification\rooting)
2. Try to fix it yourself
I tend to choose #2 f I think the chances are better than 50/50 in my favor. Also, if the hardware is okay, you can have it fixed in 20 minutes.
The experience that the OP went through is EXACTLY why I discourage newer g-tablet owners from rushing in and flashing alternate firmware to their tablet. I am often chided for this recommendation, but I believe that it is unwise to modify a brand new tablet.
If you still want to mod it, you should have a backup plan. I save my update file to an external USB drive. You should then be able to re-install the stock update by placing it on a microSD card. You need to rename it to update.zip, and add a file that tells it to look at the microSD card for an update. I am a but fuzzy on the specifics, but that file is named "command", and I found it somewhere here in the forums.
As I plan on modding my newer woot tablet (or maybe my older Sears one). I will first set this up, and will work out the details.
Hi buzzzard, thanks for the great info! VERY helpful. I did see that video while researching the gTab, but didn't bookmark it, so I appreciate your adding it here! My son will see all your posts and will use all of your suggestions to try to raise my brand new gTab from the dead! [It wasn't even in zombie mode when I shipped it to my son, so we'll see what happens! I'll keep ya'll informed.]
wasserkapf, you are probably right about not jumping in with both feet for us n00bs. And I most certainly don't mean to be disrespectful in ANY way, but I have a (serious) question... if I'd kept the tap-n-tap and played with it for a while, how would that have changed things for me if I eventually decided to root it to a faster, better OS? [I'm not meaning this sarcastically, I really want to know what I'd have to learn in order to change the results I had, in case I ever do this whole process again, or in case others out there are (hopefully) learning by my mistakes.] What would you suggest lay-people should be learning about the gTab BEFORE attempting to root it? [The answer to this question wil help a LOT of folks!]
buzzzard,
I have always understood -- and I don't want to know bad enough to spend the time
researching it -- that the warranty is void when you load non-standard software.
And even if it were not, I have real questions about messing up a computer and then
taking it back to the seller as if it were faulty. Seems to me there is a dishonesty
component in that equation.
I think modders SHOULD accept the risk that they can trash their tablets -- and that
if they do then the loss is theirs.
Rev
P. S. -- I've tried to say this much without starting a flame war -- if you do I won't
answer you and will ask the moderator to close and hide the thread.
badtypist said:
wasserkapf, you are probably right about not jumping in with both feet for us n00bs. And I most certainly don't mean to be disrespectful in ANY way, but I have a (serious) question... if I'd kept the tap-n-tap and played with it for a while, how would that have changed things for me if I eventually decided to root it to a faster, better OS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For one, this will give you time to read up and learn more. I can tell that you are confused by all of this. You don't "root it to a faster OS". Rooting is a method to gain root privileges on the tablet. To you windows users, root is the equivalent of Administrator. There also is only one OS available for this tablet, and that is Android. Some have made modified/customized versions of Android, but it is still Android.
[I'm not meaning this sarcastically, I really want to know what I'd have to learn in order to change the results I had, in case I ever do this whole process again, or in case others out there are (hopefully) learning by my mistakes.] What would you suggest lay-people should be learning about the gTab BEFORE attempting to root it? [The answer to this question wil help a LOT of folks!]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seems to be the misperception that you have to install a custom firmware to get root privileges or Android Market access. This can be done on the stock firmware, and then makes the tablet much more useful.
butchconner, I know you weren't talking to me, but I am taking full responsibility, and am hoping my son can resurrect my gTab, and I DO hope there will be no flaming, as well. ["There's no need for flaming. It's unsportsmanlike, kind-of rude and unproductive," said the mom to all reading this thread. So please don't flame so this won't get deleted for other poor people who "bork" their gTabs.]
badtypist,
wasserkapf was around when I got my first G-Tablet -- when we were all getting started last November.
You have no idea how bad the software was back then and the things we had to do to make things work.
It wasn't a question of 10 different ROMS and whether it was fast or not -- it was a question of making it work.
But I agree with wasserkapf (and I don't mean this comment particularly at you ) that
people are trying to do too much to fast. In addition to being a minister, I also was
an exec in the IT field for 30 years. I learned to read the docs, to move slow, to make sure each step was
successfully completed before moving on, to test things that
I'm not sure of -- and a whole host of other things that IT people use to operate their
company's systems without crashing it and losing data.
I helped a guy along the way who said he was inexperienced and that his tablet was in
the same kind of situation yours ways. He had gotten his G-Tab, charged it up, and had loaded EVERYTHING he could find on it.
Three or four different ROMS including an
experimental ROM he had been warned was risky. Yet he was having to ask what
recovery was and where to look for files and other basic questions.
I think everybody should get their tablet, upgrade to the latest version of stock, install z4root and
Titanium Backup and learn to use them, then install the latest version of Angry Birds and whatever useful software they need -- and then enjoy
that for a while while they learn the ins and outs of modding.
I help people because of the kind of person I am and because I am retired and have
some time to devote. But I also will be honest and tell you this -- I don't suffer
obnoxious, foolish people well -- and there are folks I just don't help because someone gave them good advice
and they didn't listen........I help folks who need and deserve to be helped.
The alternate ROMs are nice. And it's neat to add market and other useful stuff to
your tablet. But none of those kinds of things are so important that they are worth
what some folks do.
Nuff said. I don't respond to flames. And when you have been helping people as long
as I have, then you can have your opinion.
Peace,
Rev
I did one flash...to TNT version 4xx, and I loved it...but I'm finding I'm getting lots of Google Framework errors and generally just kind of want to start from scratch, over again.....go back to the latest version of the official viewsonic roms.
Sadly I didn't use clockwork or anything so I think my original files are history
I know there are lots of threads, and I tried to follow one about snagging a rom and moving it to the Root and all it does is re-install TNT I think I am "not getting something".
Can someone walk me through this....
The force closes can be fixed by re-partitioning your sd card. Part 1 Step 7 in this tutorial:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
But partitioning will erase everything, and is usually done after installing cwm and before flashing a rom.
You really don't want to go back to stock, especially if it's only to gain stability. All the force closes will go away when the tablet is properly formatted.
If your looking to go back to stock, I like nvflash, but there are easier ways.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950
Force closing is a known issue that can be easily fixed by repartitioning your internal sd card to the right specs. It has nothing to do with your newly flashed rom.
What you need to do is back up all your data on the sdcard and then go into clockworkmod advance and repartition to 2048/0.
Added by edit.
To be honest, your original post tells me the gtab isn't for you. I say a mainstream device like the ipad is more for you. Here is why. In order to use the gtab, you need to do the following things.
(1) Install clockworkmod.
(2) Use clockworkmod to repartition to fix the force closing issue.
(3) Use clockworkmod to flash a new rom.
And you're done. The entire process takes about 10 minutes at most.
Again, steps 1-3 should take you 10 minutes at most and the device is ready for use. If you find yourself frustrated by one of these steps or that you're spending more than 20 minutes, then the gtab is not for you and you need to get a mainstream device.
goodintentions said:
Again, steps 1-3 should take you 10 minutes at most and the device is ready for use. If you find yourself frustrated by one of these steps or that you're spending more than 20 minutes, then the gtab is not for you and you need to get a mainstream device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This recommendation is of course assuming you have no determination whatsoever, and are incapable of learning anything new.
brettdwagner said:
This recommendation is of course assuming you have no determination whatsoever, and are incapable of learning anything new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, for most people this device is a toy. I use it at work, and I suspect most people don't do this. Let's admit it. Modding a device isn't for everybody.
I went into modding the gtab as a total android newbie. And yet it took me all of 15 minutes to figure out how to install clockworkmod, repartition, and flash a custom rom. Then a week after I flashed a custom kernel.
You just can't ask everybody to go through the headache of modding a device if they have neither the will nor the time.
I said 15 minutes because that was my first time ever modding an android device. After that first time, it took me about 5 minutes to do my second device.
It's a simple process to go through. If a person gets stuck on any of those 3 steps, then I think it's best that they get a mainstream device. The gtab just isn't for everybody.
HeadRusch1,
I think you can handle modding the gTab. If you understand how a file system works, can extract a zip, and have already flashed a custom ROM then your about 90% of the way to a smooth running gTab. As mentioned above, you simply missed one step.
I understand the "10 minutes or forget it" argument, however I think it's wildly inaccurate when gauging a new user's potential competency with the gTab. If you find yourself frustrated then go read some more, search for a solution, or ask a question. It should take a long time to get comfortable modifying Android devices, there are tons of loosely documented best practices, but don't bail early because it's hard.
PS.
This assumes your looking for a device to tinker with. Goodintentions is right for users who are looking for iPad equivalent. I just assume that users looking for a cheap iPad rarely make it as far as XDA. And if they have, then it's a good opportunity to encourage further exploration.
The reason I gave the 20 minutes advice is because I've seen too many people buying the gtab thinking they got an ipad. The gtab isn't mainstream at all even though it's outsold a lot of the mainstream devices out there (ahem xoom) by several orders of magnitude. Customer support for the gtab is almost non-existent. And don't hold your breath for updates from viewsonic.
I absolutely love my gtab. I am currently running vegan ginger OC to 1.2ghz. The speed on my gtab is absolutely stunning. There's no jerking at all. My touchscreen is incredibly sensitive. Viewing angle has never bothered me. I love the full size usb where I can just put a memory stick in there just like my laptop. The autocad app is extremely helpful for me. In fact, it's been a whole week since I turned on my laptop.
That said, again, this device is not mainstream. Meaning it's not for most people. I am absolutely convinced that most people would be better off with something like the ipad or transformer.
Based on my experience, there are two types of people in the world of gadgets. (1) Those who sees a problem and see the end of the world and (2) those who sees a problem and try to get around it.
An example of #1 is my friend Sarah. She wanted to use my gtab to get a feel for it. She said the touchscreen bothered her and that she was more comfortable with a laptop touchpad more. And then she said "I don't know, I think I'll be better off with an ipad." LOL. Boy is she going to be so surprised to find out the ipad also uses the touchscreen rather than an touchpad.
Anyway, another example is one of my colleagues. After I told him the autocad app doesn't work with 3-D view yet, he acted like it was the end of the world. Me, I just use the side, top, and front views in my demos. Works just fine for me.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. The point is my experiences tell me most people are better off with something like an ipad or transformer. Since those devices are mainstream, people can't say "of course you can't do this, you can't do that". With the gtab, since it is not mainstream, the smallest inconvenience means the end of the world.
HeadRusch1 said:
I did one flash...to TNT version 4xx, and I loved it...but I'm finding I'm getting lots of Google Framework errors and generally just kind of want to start from scratch, over again.....go back to the latest version of the official viewsonic roms.
Sadly I didn't use clockwork or anything so I think my original files are history
I know there are lots of threads, and I tried to follow one about snagging a rom and moving it to the Root and all it does is re-install TNT I think I am "not getting something".
Can someone walk me through this....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plug the gtablet into the computer.
Mount it for file transfer when prompted.
Check for an "update.zip" file at the root of the SD card (That's the tablet's 16gb internal memory). Delete it using your computer. That was causing TNT to be reloaded.
Here's the link to the original 3588 version they shipped with: http://tapntap.http.internapcdn.net/tapntap/viewsonic/update-smb_a1002-3588-user.zip Save it to your computer. Rename it "update.zip". Copy it to the root of the gtablet SD. Shut off the tablet. Unplug the USB cord. Restart with power & vol +
It should update.
If anyone notices a mistake, feel free to correct me. I've only flashed from stock 3588 to Vegan Ginger. So a whole 1x.
For what its worth, I tinkered and now I'm good.
Got NVFLASH working, went back to stock. Then went to Clockwork, then went to Vegan 5.1.1, then to CM7, now back to Vegan. I've found some apps that work and I'm liking it more. For the record, I own an Ipad2 as well.
Now, to those who chose to comment: You guys need to understand that many of those links are drowning in "extra information", and that is fine if you don't mind clicking hyperlink to hyperlink to do some trial and error, but now with multiple install path choices and whatnot, it gets confusing and it also means you have some time. I asked for someone, possibly someone in my shoes who has been down the path, to walk me through the steps.
Some of you did, some of you projected some assumptions with the underlying message of "RTFM".
This, too, was my first dip into the Android pool. Thanks for the help.
HeadRusch1 said:
I'm getting lots of Google Framework errors and generally just kind of want to start from scratch, over again.....go back to the latest version of the official viewsonic roms.
Sadly I didn't use clockwork or anything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had that issue and didn't have clockwork.
Solution:
1: install clockwork
2: boot into clockwork, and select 'fix permissions'.
3: reboot, tablet fixed
Curious for those of us without the proper tools or the know how to do this properly. This works for the Note but can also work for any other device.
Just study up. Read the instructions. Visit the general section and read. Flashing is easy. Best to just learn. Watch some YouTube videos. Be careful. Have fun.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
NightHawkUndead said:
Just study up. Read the instructions. Visit the general section and read. Flashing is easy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You missed the part in the OP about not having the proper tools. No amount of reading or studying or preparing can help when the tool is made for Windows and you're running a Mac (or no computer at all).
OP -- I'm sure there's plenty of people on here who do (or would help you with) flashing ROMs but a lot of that is going to depend on where you live. Best bet: Craigslist and see if you can find someone in the Cell Phones section who does that. Denver (yes... where I am) has a ton of shops that will flash custom ROMs for you - but of course they want you to pay for the privilege.
However - I would really recommend finding someone local and trustworthy. Don't EVER send someone your device, because let's be honest - you'll most likely never see it again unless you're sending it to a real business.
bmstrong said:
Curious for those of us without the proper tools or the know how to do this properly. This works for the Note but can also work for any other device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First....start off at YouTube, and watch people root the Nexus One over ADB. You'll learn a few tricks...but most importantly, you'll learn your way around the device manager and the command prompt in windows. While it may seem daunting at first...there are only a few commands you'll need to learn.
That solves the problem you'd have with rooting and installing Clockwork Mod (the basis for flashing any new ROMs.
Lastly...if you can find a valid windows installation (or you can even use a 90 day trial version of windows 7 enterprise) you'll want to install boot camp on your Mac...which allows you to run windows on your Mac. Easily.
By no means am I an android powerhouse, but I do work in IT and am handy with a device manager, various hosts, and windows and Mac.
The next best option would be to offer someone here 10-20 bucks to show you over Skype, or do it for you using go to meeting.
Remember 1 thing. Its actually hard to brick a device if you do a few things.
Only flash RC or final versions of ROMs. In general. These have been THOUROUGHLY tested. The more feedback for a ROM the better. Learn to search threads here frequently.
Don't go about customizing the software by flashing mods (until your more comfortable). Android provides a perfect host system for providing customization via the Play store. Widgets...toggles...backgrounds. Notification tweaks, and almost everything else you'll need can be found on the play store and easily uninstalled.
Lastly...always keep a backup of you're system
via Nandroid, and keep a backup of your apps with Titanium backup.
If you have any more questions....feel free to ask them here or PM me.
You can start by researching "how to do a Nandroid" and "what is clockwork recovery mod" in your favorite search engine.
If you think you can follow the simple steps of performing a Nandroid and you can find your way around Clockwork Recovery Mod....there really isn't much to worry about.
Bricking your device can usually be fixed in the case of a soft brick or boot loop. The real bricking usually happens when you flash software meant for another device, or don't follow instructions.
Once you've flashed your first ROM...you'll find that the process is remarkably similar for all mods ROMs and other packages.
Appreciate the replies. The largest problem I have is the computer itself. I have whole rooms of computers sitting across the street at KSU. Not a problem to use and my pick of OS. The problem lies in they are public and get wiped on shutdown. So no backup. Thoughts?
I've done updates across various Mobiles for years like that.
bmstrong said:
Appreciate the replies. The largest problem I have is the computer itself. I have whole rooms of computers sitting across the street at KSU. Not a problem to use and my pick of OS. The problem lies in they are public and get wiped on shutdown. So no backup. Thoughts?
I've done updates across various Mobiles for years like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly - Once you get CWM setup on the phone there's very little if any need for a computer. I'm not sure what you mean by "backup" but since you're talking about public computers - let's just run through this scenario:
Go across the street and install CWM. Now, let's say a few days later a new ROM comes out. Woohoo! Assuming you've already flashed CWM, all you need to do is shutdown your phone, backup it up in recovery. This saves to your external SD. Reboot. Download new ROM save to internal SD. Shutdown, pull external SD, boot to recovery, flash away.
If you're worried about it - buy a USB external drive and use the university computer to copy the contents of your external SD across to the hard drive every one in a while.
netsyd said:
Honestly - Once you get CWM setup on the phone there's very little if any need for a computer. I'm not sure what you mean by "backup" but since you're talking about public computers - let's just run through this scenario:
Go across the street and install CWM. Now, let's say a few days later a new ROM comes out. Woohoo! Assuming you've already flashed CWM, all you need to do is shutdown your phone, backup it up in recovery. This saves to your external SD. Reboot. Download new ROM save to internal SD. Shutdown, pull external SD, boot to recovery, flash away.
If you're worried about it - buy a USB external drive and use the university computer to copy the contents of your external SD across to the hard drive every one in a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that sounds like a plan. Hmmm. Maybe I can do this myself. Now I need to find a stock stable ICS with NFC enabled. Even better would be one to take advantage of the radio hidden by AT&T. It would be nice to have the option to pop and flop.
Exactly. Once the initial root and new recovery menu is done then you are set. Between a CWM nandroid, Titanium Backup, MybackupPro, and even Appsaver your only real limitation is set by how large your external sdcard is.
You can even use online storage sites like Minus, Google Drive, Drop Box etc to host all of the files so that you can access them anywhere.
Hmmm. What's the closest stock ICS out there right now, if I may?
I am running Flapjaxx Unofficial ICS and it is super smooth. I plan on switching to his latest though once it is finished downloading.
netsyd said:
Honestly - Once you get CWM setup on the phone there's very little if any need for a computer. I'm not sure what you mean by "backup" but since you're talking about public computers - let's just run through this scenario:
Go across the street and install CWM. Now, let's say a few days later a new ROM comes out. Woohoo! Assuming you've already flashed CWM, all you need to do is shutdown your phone, backup it up in recovery. This saves to your external SD. Reboot. Download new ROM save to internal SD. Shutdown, pull external SD, boot to recovery, flash away.
If you're worried about it - buy a USB external drive and use the university computer to copy the contents of your external SD across to the hard drive every one in a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on any Flappjaxxx ROM btw. So you pull your external sd? Have you ever had an issue or is it just a precaution?
Sent from Galaxy Note
bmstrong said:
Appreciate the replies. The largest problem I have is the computer itself. I have whole rooms of computers sitting across the street at KSU. Not a problem to use and my pick of OS. The problem lies in they are public and get wiped on shutdown. So no backup. Thoughts?
I've done updates across various Mobiles for years like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if it would help you to back up on google drive? Ive never tried it or anything but it could possibly give you some cloud space. Maybe a good option?
Yayodroid said:
I wonder if it would help you to back up on google drive? Ive never tried it or anything but it could possibly give you some cloud space. Maybe a good option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I use both Drive and Dropbox, so no worries. The larger question I have is why do I need to back some of this stuff up? I've never been a big application guy. This Note has 4? Maybe 5 apps on it, aside from the stock Google services. SMS/MMS get deleted instantly or saved into the Cloud. And email moved with my Gmail account and that gets barfed back into each Mobile I use very easily.
Titanium backup seems like a pain in the ass. All I'm after is a clean stock ICS build, a way to shut off the hard keys and replace them with soft buttons, and that MHL works. Turning this Note into a portable LTE MHL Chromebox with a fantastic screen. The option to flop and plop would be nice...
you dont have to back up, but personally i would like to have my own personal backup of stock. of course there are stock odins around here. but in your situation it might be more handy on the cloud to access anytime. you might want to use the back up to flash back to for when they release ics over the air.
Service makes some sense
If you've read many of the questions that some poeple ask on these forums, it really makes me think that certain people really shouldn't be trying some of these things themselves. Most of us have no problem reading and understanding rudimentary steps to get us going, but some people come in with little to no foundation in these matters; what we're saying really is Greek to them. I feel bad, but for these people, I encourage them to seek out someone that knows, at least on a basic level, what they are doing.
I've written looooong, detailed tutorials for people and I'm glad to do it. But sometimes even after that, I get the feeling that these people will still end up messing their phones up. I've been proven right on at least two occasion and I can't help but feel bad... So maybe a pool of people in each area capable and willing to do these kinds of things might make sense. Haven't thought through how that would work, but maybe. Hmmm...
bmstrong said:
Hmmm. What's the closest stock ICS out there right now, if I may?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using team perfections ics ucle2 objection with rc1 its great as well as fj's
sent from team perfections ics rom
Extremely interesting process and results. I still have a host of questions, why certain things are done in a certain order, what exactly some of the things do that I did, and why when I did not make a back up of anything, it said specifically that it failed, some of my apps and vids are still here in the new FJ ROM. Just a fasincinating first time experience from someone who has always used stock Nexi. The ROM isn't really my taste, I hate Apex and there is bloat apps in it. But!
I feel like the old Quantum Leap show...
You can debloat with tibu. Also, you can use any launcher you want.
Sent from Galaxy Note
I received a Nook Tablet 8GB from a friend that has it messed up pretty badly.
I have tried option 1 on the thread below and was able to boot into CWR and install the partition zip, then i used MiniTool Partition wizard to setup microsd as described, then place the update zip onto microsd.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36492731
Once i put back into nook and boot up it goes to call customer service.
I also tried the following method here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1663836
I get the green check mark and after reboot i get call customer service.
Again, im not sure what was done to this device before. Just trying to fix it for a friend. Is there anything else i can do?
Should i be using this method?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1570022
So im assuming there is no hope since there is no response? I see many threads of bricked NT's so im assuming this sort of this is quite common and thats the reason for the lack of response to this thread.
I have worked with android for 2 years now and never bricked a device. I just find it hard to believe this nook tablet cannot be repaired. But again, i have no idea what was done to it.
"Bricked" is a very loose term: without knowing more what's wrong and/or what was done with a tablet it's hard to suggest how to really fix it. Applying a wrong fix often makes the problem worse rather than better.
But it's not necessarily a total loss: until you can figure how to fix it you might try to run CM10 off an SDcard: see http://iamafanof.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/cm10-0-jellybean-sdcard-img-for-nook-tablet/, or http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2061536.
Not sure how i missed that thread but that worked great!
i was about to throw in the towel and you blessed me with that great info. Thank you so much!
I do have one question. got everything setup but when i start the tablet without usb cable plugged in it won't boot. gives me the call customer service msg. Do i have to have usb plugged in everytime i want to boot up now?
Try holding the "n" button when you power up. Press power and at that very first flicker after a few seconds, press and hold n.
bignadad said:
I do have one question. got everything setup but when i start the tablet without usb cable plugged in it won't boot. gives me the call customer service msg. Do i have to have usb plugged in everytime i want to boot up now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try what Asa suggested above, if it doesn't work then your friend's NT is like mine and many others' -- they only boot into SD with a cold boot and using a powered USB cable. Some people deem this "USB-tethered boot" behavior a manufacturing defect, but it might very well be by design by B&N to discourage people from venturing outside their content wall-garden with easy-to-use 3rd-party ROMs.
Hi Everyone, I need some serious help - thanks in advance!
I have a LG Enlighten phone - I am a tech, although I am new to the whole smartphone thing (ya, I know, where have I been lol). Anyway, as you probably know it has limited internal storage. So I have a Sandisk 32gb micro sd card installed where I move things over to it to keep space open on the internal. The phone is rooted.
Ok, things were going well - and I am not sure what happened precisely, but obviously I must have moved something over to the sd card I shouldn't have. The phone went wonky on me after a reboot. I got stuck in a boot loop I could not recover from. So I did a factory reset (power button, home, and volume up). That went just fine. I activated just fine to. Problem is after that all I get is: Sorry! the application com.android.lgsetupwizard (process com.android.lgsetupwizard)has stopped unexpectedly. please try again.
You can press the force close button a million times (I probably have) and nothing happens. I have tried EVERYTHING to try to clear this and I can't get passed it. I've spent two days online reading forums, web pages, watching youtube videos - nothing has helped. Problem is, since I did a factory reset its back to defaults (I am assuming) meaning USB debugging and mounting is turned off because it is turned off as default. I can't get passed that infernal screen to turn it back on.
I don't have any data on here that I care about I just want my phone back. I don't mind flashing the rom but for the life of me I can't get at it!
When I go into restore mode, at least with the enlighten it doesn't give you options - it just shows the picture of the android for a few seconds then reboots. No idea what it's doing there.
I tried re-formating the micro sd card thinking maybe it was picking something up from there, that didn't seem to do anything.
I have Android Studio installed, I was hoping to do something through it - but again the phone isn't mounting when plugged into my laptop (windows 7) - it was before - no doubt because that feature is turned off because of the factory reset.
If you have ideas, please speak in small words with lots of steps. Thanks.
HELP!
Pandora1331 said:
Hi Everyone, I need some serious help - thanks in advance!
I have a LG Enlighten phone - I am a tech, although I am new to the whole smartphone thing (ya, I know, where have I been lol). Anyway, as you probably know it has limited internal storage. So I have a Sandisk 32gb micro sd card installed where I move things over to it to keep space open on the internal. The phone is rooted.
Ok, things were going well - and I am not sure what happened precisely, but obviously I must have moved something over to the sd card I shouldn't have. The phone went wonky on me after a reboot. I got stuck in a boot loop I could not recover from. So I did a factory reset (power button, home, and volume up). That went just fine. I activated just fine to. Problem is after that all I get is: Sorry! the application com.android.lgsetupwizard (process com.android.lgsetupwizard)has stopped unexpectedly. please try again.
You can press the force close button a million times (I probably have) and nothing happens. I have tried EVERYTHING to try to clear this and I can't get passed it. I've spent two days online reading forums, web pages, watching youtube videos - nothing has helped. Problem is, since I did a factory reset its back to defaults (I am assuming) meaning USB debugging and mounting is turned off because it is turned off as default. I can't get passed that infernal screen to turn it back on.
I don't have any data on here that I care about I just want my phone back. I don't mind flashing the rom but for the life of me I can't get at it!
When I go into restore mode, at least with the enlighten it doesn't give you options - it just shows the picture of the android for a few seconds then reboots. No idea what it's doing there.
I tried re-formating the micro sd card thinking maybe it was picking something up from there, that didn't seem to do anything.
I have Android Studio installed, I was hoping to do something through it - but again the phone isn't mounting when plugged into my laptop (windows 7) - it was before - no doubt because that feature is turned off because of the factory reset.
If you have ideas, please speak in small words with lots of steps. Thanks.
HELP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could you just do a factory reset with the buttons on it?
or has that been tried before
---------- Post added at 07:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 PM ----------
btw, i havent been here that long but i dont think you will get much responds because this is on a general thread, i think it would be better if it was in a helping section
Phurkus said:
could you just do a factory reset with the buttons on it?
or has that been tried before
---------- Post added at 07:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 PM ----------
btw, i havent been here that long but i dont think you will get much responds because this is on a general thread, i think it would be better if it was in a helping section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
****
I mentioned that I did a factory reset - but I didn't mention I did it several times (more than that even). Again, the enlighten doesn't really give you a lot of options when you do one. It shows a picture of the android and a file folder for a few seconds - maybe 10... then it boots. there's no option, no text, no choices, nothing. A bit confusing to be honest. Then it boots up, you get the language choice and activation call (which goes through fine) and then wham! back to hell and that freakin' error message.
BTW I posted here because there is no specific forum for the enlighten phone - I didn't want to post in a forum for another phone and get yelled at. Suggestions on a forum? and thanks for taking the time to reply! :0
Pandora1331 said:
****
I mentioned that I did a factory reset - but I didn't mention I did it several times (more than that even). Again, the enlighten doesn't really give you a lot of options when you do one. It shows a picture of the android and a file folder for a few seconds - maybe 10... then it boots. there's no option, no text, no choices, nothing. A bit confusing to be honest. Then it boots up, you get the language choice and activation call (which goes through fine) and then wham! back to hell and that freakin' error message.
BTW I posted here because there is no specific forum for the enlighten phone - I didn't want to post in a forum for another phone and get yelled at. Suggestions on a forum? and thanks for taking the time to reply! :0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
***
I just thought I would post how I just resolved this. I got passed it by getting a PHONE CALL! I flipped the screen up to answer, yanked away. After the call was done I didn't do anything, the other party hung up. Then there was a REALLY long pause on the phone - the screen went black. I waited a couple of minutes, pushing the buttons did nothing. Then finally - the home screen came up. NO MORE BEING PROMPTED FOR A FORCE CLOSE! Yea! And it appear everything is working. Now before it decides to break again I want to flash the rom (I am running the bloated stock rom). Thanks for checking this out. and if you're looking at this cause you're having the same problem, I really hope what worked for me works for you too!
Pandora1331 said:
***
I just thought I would post how I just resolved this. I got passed it by getting a PHONE CALL! I flipped the screen up to answer, yanked away. After the call was done I didn't do anything, the other party hung up. Then there was a REALLY long pause on the phone - the screen went black. I waited a couple of minutes, pushing the buttons did nothing. Then finally - the home screen came up. NO MORE BEING PROMPTED FOR A FORCE CLOSE! Yea! And it appear everything is working. Now before it decides to break again I want to flash the rom (I am running the bloated stock rom). Thanks for checking this out. and if you're looking at this cause you're having the same problem, I really hope what worked for me works for you too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ayy greate job OP! glad to hear that. hope you dont do the same mistake twice
Phurkus said:
Ayy greate job OP! glad to hear that. hope you dont do the same mistake twice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol you and me both!
This was a learning experience, it was the first time ever I have had a phone with an external micro sd card which holds more data than the actual phone. Also, my first Android. So I am thrilled to have my phone back - I had been messing with it late last night when this happened and didn't sleep at all because, well, I thought I just bricked my phone!
Lessons learned:
You can move just about any app you want to the sd card, no problem - but what you don't want to move are the operating system files/apps. Nor do you want to convert them to "user apps" and move them. Or at least I don't. Since I don't quite understand how it works, and what that does. I had THOUGHT it would just mean everything would run from my sd card - maybe a smidge slower - but it would run. Well, I was wrong. lol. So I am passing that tidbit along.
Also, in the future, if anything like this happens - don't be so quick to do a factory reset, cause you now take away the ability to connect via usb... It is a last resort, not a panicked, go to move. At least not for me.
And, there is something called Rom Managers - install one on your freakin' phone. I didn't know about them. So I didn't have one. I could have resolved this whole thing sooner if I had (maybe).
Lastly, before you do too much - have someone call you or call yourself from another phone to see what happens. It fixed my problem. Of course I won't be rebooting before I flash my rom (wow, that sounds dirty lol) cause I fear the same thing happening...
That's all I wanted to share - cause that's what I learned. Sorry if this is super obvious to people - it sure wasn't to me.
Pandora1331 said:
lol you and me both!
This was a learning experience, it was the first time ever I have had a phone with an external micro sd card which holds more data than the actual phone. Also, my first Android. So I am thrilled to have my phone back - I had been messing with it late last night when this happened and didn't sleep at all because, well, I thought I just bricked my phone!
Lessons learned:
You can move just about any app you want to the sd card, no problem - but what you don't want to move are the operating system files/apps. Nor do you want to convert them to "user apps" and move them. Or at least I don't. Since I don't quite understand how it works, and what that does. I had THOUGHT it would just mean everything would run from my sd card - maybe a smidge slower - but it would run. Well, I was wrong. lol. So I am passing that tidbit along.
Also, in the future, if anything like this happens - don't be so quick to do a factory reset, cause you now take away the ability to connect via usb... It is a last resort, not a panicked, go to move. At least not for me.
And, there is something called Rom Managers - install one on your freakin' phone. I didn't know about them. So I didn't have one. I could have resolved this whole thing sooner if I had (maybe).
Lastly, before you do too much - have someone call you or call yourself from another phone to see what happens. It fixed my problem. Of course I won't be rebooting before I flash my rom (wow, that sounds dirty lol) cause I fear the same thing happening...
That's all I wanted to share - cause that's what I learned. Sorry if this is super obvious to people - it sure wasn't to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there you go OP! what i do is i have an old LG phone that i like to mess with or put apps to try them out from here. and it its good, i put it on my regualr phone.
sounds like you learned and just bumped yourself up the ladder of software knoledge today!
Phurkus said:
there you go OP! what i do is i have an old LG phone that i like to mess with or put apps to try them out from here. and it its good, i put it on my regualr phone.
sounds like you learned and just bumped yourself up the ladder of software knoledge today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---
Absolutely! I love to learn especially stuff I don't know much about - but... I wish it didn't happen in such a panic lol. Oh well, lessons learned... I wouldn't have been in a panic if it weren't my only phone, but it is. :0
I also wish it were easier to learn - it seems (at least to me) that every phone has enough unique characteristics that you really have to be specific about model and o/s. It makes searching for answers that much more difficult. What works for one person won't work for all or even most. You have to do a lot of trial and error. I suppose if I were a programmer perhaps it would be more clear to me on how these things tick. I am tho, just a tech - I fix and build stuff. Although I do have some programming ability, I would never even dream to call my pathetic scribblings code. lol Scripts yes, but really, really simple ones and thing more complex is just greek to me.
Is there any good place to see what kind of custom roms work best with the enlighten? I am thinking of putting one on there... I hate the bloatware stock rom.
Pandora1331 said:
---
Absolutely! I love to learn especially stuff I don't know much about - but... I wish it didn't happen in such a panic lol. Oh well, lessons learned... I wouldn't have been in a panic if it weren't my only phone, but it is. :0
I also wish it were easier to learn - it seems (at least to me) that every phone has enough unique characteristics that you really have to be specific about model and o/s. It makes searching for answers that much more difficult. What works for one person won't work for all or even most. You have to do a lot of trial and error. I suppose if I were a programmer perhaps it would be more clear to me on how these things tick. I am tho, just a tech - I fix and build stuff. Although I do have some programming ability, I would never even dream to call my pathetic scribblings code. lol Scripts yes, but really, really simple ones and thing more complex is just greek to me.
Is there any good place to see what kind of custom roms work best with the enlighten? I am thinking of putting one on there... I hate the bloatware stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i learned that lesson too when putting a rom on my phone, not everything works for everyone.
the best place i can think of is on here lol. i just assume the rom with the most replys and views is the most popular. you can try googleing because i know there are other mobile development forums out there that work on other roms. but i know this is the most popular forum.