hi,
I have a ton of questions and have been reading alot on xda. but the more that I read the more questions that I have. i DO NOT WANT TO BRICK THIS THING! which is why i writing to you before even attempting this. 1.When I install tnt lite, can I simply jump to the latest edition or do i need no install each earlier version and then keep upgrading?
2.Do I need to root the gtablet before I even start installing roms? 3.Do I need that clockwork mod thingy mijigy to install? 4.when you guys talk about bringing a file to the foot of the folder or sdcard (what the heck do you mean?) 5. tnt lite or vegan same install process?
I have this idea in my head that all i have to do to install a rom is to download it to my normal computer extract, transfer to the device, turn off device, and turn on while pressing volume + at the same time and then it does everything automatically. Am I correct? if I do this will I brick it!
Q's may seem dumb but I'm just a broke med student who needs this for school! I don't have $$$ to spend on a ipad and i need something with longevity!
thanks in advance
oh and to that Ehunyadi guy , I'm a big fan of your reviews on youtube and I'am buying a gtablet primarily because I have seen your videos.!
later! and thanks again
1. TnT Lite. Just install 2.4.0 - it's a "base image", which means you can layer it right over any build, including stock.
2. All the mods are pre-rooted. You just flash using the same recovery tool that VS uses for their own updates.
3. It's not required for TnT Lite, but I would recommend it for the VEGAn build. The latter is more of a beta so we assume that anyone using it has clockworkmod already.
4. That's only if you use standard recovery. If you use clockworkmod, then you don't have to do any of that.
5. Slightly different, as the TnT Lite rar file has the update.zip and recovery folders in the rar (again, it assumes you have standard recovery). The VEGAn zip in an update.zip itself and it assumes that you are going to use clockworkmod.
I built out TnT Lite and I'm one of the modders for the VEGAn build. My recommendation is to use TnT Lite first as it's a bit more stable, and then maybe look at the VEGAn build when you want something snappier but a little less stable.
thank you so much, well I'll try to install the clockworkmod and then tnt lite 2.4.0 thanks mr. roebeet!
p.s. i didn't thank you earlier , sorry for that!
by choosing vegan mod? Is there a greater chance of avoiding the boot loops?
I just went from TnTLite to VEGAn and am catching up on the Data2loop updates. Is there an update.zip format for this or is it unstable for VEGAn a well? My quadrant scores from the install seem to indicate that it was not part of the current build.
Here is the dataloop in update.zip format.
roebeet said:
Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?h2zesah4r6l8owq
Tested on VEGAn beta 5.1, also the prototype was tested on TnT Lite with no issues. They share the same busybox, so I expected them to both work. I have been told that this will NOT work on zPad (clean), and cm6.x is unknown.
Basically, I took Chenglu's adb script and altered it slightly, ripping out busybox and altering the shell script to use the one we already have in place. Seems to work fine. And this is an update.zip file, no adb needed. The zip runs very quickly, like 1-2 seconds (it's just copying two files and altering perms on them).
Caveats: It takes a really long time to reboot, like 3 to 4 minutes. Just let it finish. The 2nd reboot took maybe 10-15 seconds longer than usual, and the third reboot seemed to be normal time.
EDIT: Also, as always -- USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I heard at least one user who had an issue with this. Given what it's doing, I don't even know if I would add this to a TnT Lite supplement - it might have to be in a base image only. Backup your data first, please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0B5.1 using Tapatalk
First...appologies to those who get frustrated with the newb who shouldn't attempt this if they have to ask how....
I am fortunate to own a GTAB that came already loaded with Vegan 5.1.1 and so I have not had the opportunity to do any tinkering myself. I have read the sticky on CWM and the process seems simple enough. I have read through the threads on the various ROMS but have not read of anything that seems complete enough or enough of an upgrade to make me want to switch from Vegan..... until Calkulin.
Of course the ROM I want is the one that seems to stray from the simple use CWM method. Specifically as it relates to backup and recovery. Right now Vegan is very stable and does everything I want it to do. So, why change... because from what I have read, Calkulin's ROM does everything, is stable, and does it with overclocking built in. And I can't help myself.
If my Tab goes all Charlie Sheen with this upgarade, I need to be able to find my way back. I can use CWM to make a backup of my current setup however I am concerned that all the other steps for this ROM ( using Calkulin's format and nvflash) will obliterate my backup and my CWM install for that matter.
I can use a search function. I am not asking to be spoon fed. Vegantab 5.1.1 is arguably one of the most installed ROMS on the GTAB and I'm sure there are many people who will want to take this route to Calkulin. If someone has made this jump, I think that they would be helping out many here by posting a step by step or at the very least, a what to be careful of post.
crutzulee said:
Calkulin's ROM does everything, is stable, and does it with overclocking built in. And I can't help myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not support overclocking, as none of the kernels do at this time (unless that has changed since last night). Honestly, unless you want to tinker for the sake of tinkering, I'd leave Vegan on there.
Um, Calkulin gTab 1.1 doesn't require anything special to flash it. It was about as easy as it gets. Use CWM recovery to run his format all.zip, his rom update.zip, and if you want a custom kernal update.zip. Reboot and you are done.
Make a backup and copy your cwm file to a PC as a backup. I would use the format all if switching from vegan to a tnt lite varient. Also I would invest in titanium backup. It will save all your apps and data that you can back up on PC and restore after a new rom is flashed.
That said, I say stick with vegan. I love to tinker but I always come back to vegan 5.1.1.
Good luck
OK, I totally suck....
My head got turned inside out. I confused Calkulin' s format all zip with the one in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=974422
and started to think that this process was a lot more involved. I guess researching too much is not always a good thing.
@ramerco I suppose you have flashed from Vegan to Calkulin's. I guess his format all.zip doesn't take CWM off like the one from the other post? Is switching back and forth as easy as choosing your backup?
crutzulee said:
OK, I totally suck....
My head got turned inside out. I confused Calkulin' s format all zip with the one in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=974422
and started to think that this process was a lot more involved. I guess researching too much is not always a good thing.
@ramerco I suppose you have flashed from Vegan to Calkulin's. I guess his format all.zip doesn't take CWM off like the one from the other post? Is switching back and forth as easy as choosing your backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been switching from TnT-Lite/VeganB511/Vegan7 GB/Calkuin's multiple times just using CWM backup/restore with no issue.
Remember to do 3 wipes before restore or flashing firmwares:
- Wipe data/factory reset.
- Wipe cache.
- Wipe Dalvik cache
@rickyt63 Are you doing these three wipes instead of Calkulin's format all or in conjunction with it.
Also to those who have tried both Vegan 5.1.1, Vegan 7 and Calkulin can you give your brief comparisons of these three? Pros, cons, which do you prefer? Why?
I also have been doing a lot of switching between 5.1.1 tnt lite vegan ginger experimentals just using CWM like above - you just need to do a factory reset wipe cache and the dalvic cache. I think it helps to wipe dalvik cache again after the ROM is flashed. Calkulins Rom is by far the fastest and when you flash clemsyn's froyo v3 kernel on top of that you get a great result. Titanium backup allows you to easily restore all your apps and settings even after a factory reset
Clemsyn said that he has a new kernel tweaked just for calkulins rom which he may release soon.
Thanks for the clarification, rocky3. The guy I bought the GTAB from used CWM to erased all his user data before he gave it to me but I know that I either have Titanium backup on there or have the .apk in my download folder.
I'm off to learn more. Thanks again!
crutzulee said:
@rickyt63 Are you doing these three wipes instead of Calkulin's format all or in conjunction with it.
Also to those who have tried both Vegan 5.1.1, Vegan 7 and Calkulin can you give your brief comparisons of these three? Pros, cons, which do you prefer? Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not use Calkulin's format when switching roms. Only 3 wipes.
Here are some thoughts about Roms: They're all fast and stable IMO.
1) TnT-Lite V4.2.5: Quadrant score ~ 2400.
- Pro: Fast and stable. Did not delete media from sdcard2.
- Con: boot up seems a little slow due to sdcard2 scanning, but after scanning it's fast.
2) Vegan V1B5.1.1: Quadrant score ~ 2600-2700.
- Pro: Fast and stable. A tad faster than TnT-Lite.
- Con: media delete from sdcard2. fixed: create a ".nomedia" file in sdcard2.
3) Calkulin V1.1: Quadrant score ~ 2600-2700.
- Pro: Fast and stable. A tad faster than TnT-Lite. Monster Madness run flawlessly.
- Con: media delete from sdcard2. fixed: create a ".nomedia" file in sdcard2.
4) Vegan7 Ginger Bread Experimental
- Pro: Fast, Nice Ginger Bread UI
- Con: Audio still clunky, some games don't work properly vs. TnT-Lite/Vegan V1B511
BTW, I use TnT-Lite or Vegan V1B511 as daily driver.
Hope this help.
Rich, thanks so much for your reply! When I look at your evaluation of vegan 5.1.1 and calkulin and I couple that with Butch's advice here and elsewhere, it makes my decision easy. For now, I will stay put with Vegan.
At some point, I will have to nvflash back to stock in order to take a viewsonic update ( I assume this will be the only way to get a honeycomb based rom, if that is even in the cards for the gtab). At this point, it doesn't seem that there is anything out there worth risking what I have now... a perfectly stable rom which does everything I need it to do with a full market.
I still get the itch to change up my tab even though I love where I'm at with VEGAn beta5.1.1, so I started changing themes, bootanimations and boot logos. There are some pretty cool themes made by gto777 that flash with cwm or metamorph. You can find those in the apps and themes thread. Awesome boot animations can also be found there along with instructions on how to load them. If you already know that nvflash is in your future you may want to get a little practice in with it early by changing your boot logo. Nothing made me happier than getting rid of the birds on boot and changing it out for a nvidia tegra2 logo. Its a fun task and there have been people posting their custom boot images for use on the sticky thread in the above mentioned section. Thinking I may re do mine this weekend, saw someone had put their name, number and email on the boot logo. Pretty cool feture as the boot logo survives through rom flashing. Seams pretty handy in cases of loss or theft.
Anyway hope this helps with the flashing itch. Have fun!
OK, so it seems that today's announcement puts honeycreams even further out of our reach.
I can't see myself making changes just for cosmetic purposes. I would only change for either a performance increase or greater compatability with newer software.
It seems that vegantab 5.1.1 will be it for me for a while until maybe the gingerbread version is fully baked.
Recently I installed UrkuDroid 0.7 on my Archos 101 but unfortunately didn’t works fine on it by now.., perhaps I did it something wrong but I got a lot of force closes with that version.
I followed every step wrote on first page with normal package UrukDroid_0.7-Install.rar (md5sum: 785fd119d3079d4369e60208cb260c30)
Now I think test Aditional files like UrukDroid-0.7-kernel.tbz2, for see if with it everything works better.
I tried install SetCPU disabling interactive governor in urukconfig and selecting ondemand on SetCPU but without any favorable results for fix force closes.
I await now for UrkuDroid 1.0 Release, because I guess that would be a great ROM, of course better than original ROM.
But until then.., exist some way for install original ROM to Archos 101 again?
I haven’t any copy, (everything was overwritten L )
If someone knows where can I download original ROM, and how can I install it again.
I test downloading firmware from Archos’s page but didn’t works, or I did it something wrong because UrukDroid continues starting.
Thanks in advance.
6/5/2011 EDIT : Going to alter this post for two reasons. First, the information inside is pretty old news and stale for most, and not even very relevant for new users. Second, there is STILL confusion between these two branches that needs to be ironed out, imo.
6/20/2011 EDIT: Added some links to the assorted mods (and google searches for anything not on XDA, to abide by the rules). Also, goodintentions has a new site up that is VERY helpful for new user questions. It is here: http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com (I assume this link is OK to advertise, as it hasn't been pulled by the moderators yet).
If you are considering modding your new GTAB, I would suggest reading this. It's going to be a long read, but you'd rather not brick your device, right?
Some Terminology Pre-Reqs to Understand
"Soft-brick". The device is not booting up properly anymore, but is potentially fixable by using a tool called "nvflash".
"APX Mode". The is a low-level mode on the GTablet where you can makes repairs and un-brick the device.
"Nvflash". This is the name of the actual tool you use, when you are in APX mode.
"Clockworkmod". This is an alternate recovery tool. It adds a few things that the 1.1-based stock recovery does not have, such as full image backups, wiping user data and SD repartitioning. The 1.2-based stock recovery is a little better, but clockworkmod still has more options than 1.2 standard recovery
"/data partition". This is the area on the device where all your user data and user apps reside. A factory reset will wipe this area.
"/sdcard partition". This is the area on the device where all your content resides. It's also the area that gets mounted on your PC.
"Data wipe" or "User data wipe". This is a factory reset -- all user apps and data will be erased. Content in the device's /sdcard is not touched.
"SD repartition". This is a data wipe and a wipe of /sdcard. So both areas are erased.
"ROM" as defined for use should be considered a BOOT ROM. This is the base program running on your tablet, like an operating system it is the first line of code to load and while not every rom is a full replacement of the viewsonic operating system only one can be loaded at a time. (thanks mERRIL!)
"Kernel" as used here is the tablets details and settings written out so the software knows how to interact with the hardware. This is where things like overclocking can be done, along with changing the way your backlight or wifi utilizes power. (thanks mERRIL for both of these!)
Two Development Branches, and How to Check which version you have
This is the FIRST thing any new Gtablet user should check imo, before you attempt to mod your device. Viewsonic / US Merchants released a new development branch with a new bootloader and kernel (which they later pulled), and older mods do NOT play nice with it. There have been reports that at least a few TigerDirect users have gotten 4349 OOTB.
So, to check which branch you are on if you are on STOCK: Go to Settings -- About Tablet -- Tapu UI Version. If your firmware starts with "1.1", then you are on the 1.1 (old) branch. If your firmware starts with "1.2", then you are on the 1.2 (new) branch. Also an obvious difference between the two is that the 1.2 branch adds a lockscreen to the tablet.
The "Two Cliffs" analogy
Try to think of these two branches as two cliffs. If you are on either side and want to mod your device, the safest way is to use a mod that is built around the branch you are on. Here on XDA Developers site, most of their mods and custom kernels are based on the 1.1 branch (as of this writing 6/14/11 EDIT: That seems to be changing). For 1.2 based mods, there are several options but most of them are not posted here on XDA. So you have options regardless of which branch you are on. There is no advantage of using one over the other, except possibly vendor support - 1.1 is still the ROM offered by the vendor, given that their one released 1.2 ROM was pulled.
It is possible to jump from 1.1 to 1.2, and back again. But think of this as a bridge between the two. I have done extensive tests in the last month on this, and it does work MOST of the time if you follow directions. But even when doing everything right , there is still a small chance that you will "fall of the bridge" and into the abyss (soft-brick). And if you attempt to jump between them with clockworkmod, you will fall for sure, 100% of the time. Think of clockworkmod as a "bridge that is out".
The most sturdy bridge, going on my own testing, is the one based on build 1.1-3588 full stock. This makes sense because this is what Viewsonic would want you to be on, before jumping to 1.2. The reverse (1.2-4349 stock, for example) is also fairly sturdy. But again, it is a higher risk than staying within the same branch.
I'm on a 1.2-based stock ROM. What are my modding options?
If you are on the 1.2 branch, there are actually quite a few options right now. The challange for a user is finding them and understanding that you have to be careful if you try to use a 1.1 mod instead (see the "Two Cliffs Analogy", above).
The current 1.2 based options on XDA (as of 6/16/11) are:
- Calkulin+Clemsyn 1.5ghz Froyo Combo VERSION 6
- Beasty's 2.2.1 ROM (Adam) + Clemsyn ver 11 1.5ghz kernel
- Clem / roebeet Honeycomb alpha combo (this is a Clem creation and is actually forked from my own HC port)
- Honeycomb Android Illuminate for The Gtablet
- Gingerbread Rom Collection for Bootloader 1.2 (these are CM7 ROMs ported to the 1.2 bootloader)
The current 1.2 based options NOT hosted on XDA (as of 6/16/11) are:
- Honeycomb for GTAB - Flashback
- Century Eyes (Froyo based "EDEN" port)
- Mountain Laurel (Froyo based "TapnTap" port)
- Brilliant Corners (Froyo based "VEGA"/"Viewpad" port)
- Bottle of Smoke Honeycomb port
Pershoot and Clem both have 1.2 kernels that you can use, as of this writing. Not all of that information is here, some are on other sites.
I'm on a 1.1-based stock ROM. What are my modding options?
On XDA, there are still a number of mod options and customized kernels, at your disposal. Again, a 1.1 to 1.1 mod should be fairly safe to attempt. If you need to jump to 1.1 from 1.2, I would recommend reading the modder's post to see if there are instructions for 1.2 jumpers.
The current 1.1 based options on XDA (as of 6/16/11) are:
- VEGAn-Tab Froyo Build
- ZPad Clean v3.0 for gTablet
- VEGAn-TAB GingerEdition
- G-Harmony Gingerbread 2.3.4 with Honeycomb elements
- Calkulin's G-Tab [ 3991 l Battery Saver script w/ Profiles ]
- Evervolv | GRJ22/Android 2.3.4
- Gingerbread-gtab-deck
- GtabComb for Bootloader 1.1 Gtablet\Zpad T (this is a zyhong creation and is actually forked from my own HC port)
- TNT Lite Froyo (similar to Calkulin's ROM, and currently retired)
- gADAM Froyo (currently retired, as well)
The current 1.1 based options NOT hosted on XDA (as of 6/16/11) are:
- Cyanogenmod 7.x
There are also a few custom kernels for 1.1, specifically the ones by Pershoot and Clemsyn, here at XDA.
OK, so I've confirmed that I'm on one dev branch but I want to use a mod that's on another dev branch - what do I do?
My suggestions:
1- Read the modder's first post, for possible instructions.
2- If there are no instructions for branch jumpers, DO NOT assume that it's safe to jump. Ask the modder first, to be sure.
I am generalizing here, but the older 1.1 mods might not have instructions for 1.2 users, as 1.2 didn't exist at the time the mod was created. Imo, the SAFEST way to jump to a mod that's on another branch is to use stock. So 3588 stock to 4349 stock (using standard recovery) to go up, and 4349 stock to 3588 stock (using standard recovery) to go down. The main reason why it's the safest is because stock has the bootloader image in there, which is required to jump.
Also, gojimi has a post with instructions for 1.2 to 1.1 downleveling: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1036956
I attempted a 1.1 to 1.2 (or vice versa) jump, and now I'm stuck at the birds. Is this a soft-brick?
Yes, it's a soft-brick if you are stuck at the birds. You'll need nvflash the device to fix it. There is information here on XDA on how to do that, or you can find this on other tablet sites.
I attempted a 1.1 to 1.2 (or vice versa) jump, and now I'm stuck at the GTablet screen, or I'm boot looping. Is this a soft-brick?
Probably not - more likely is that you just need to do a data wipe, or a SD repartition if that does not work.
I have a Hannspad (or an Olipad) - does this apply to me?
I believe that it does, going on what I've read. Both these devices seem to be based on the TapUI, and the 1.2 development branch. So attempting a 1.1 GTAB ROM will likely have the same pitfalls. Also keep in mind that even 1.2-based GTAB ROMs have issues. for example, the Hannspad can boot a 1.2-based ROM (like "Bottle of Smoke") but the side keys won't work because the hardware is different. I don't have these devices myself, but I am going on third-party information.
Roebeet, can I safely install over the 3588 Stock Enhancement and Market Fix? I hate to lose the Market but definitely don't want to deal with a brick right now. Another user indicated he/she installed the update over a similarly configured machine and it worked but then applied the Stock Enhancement and Market fix and soft bricked.
I appreciate all the work you do for other users, including me.
interesting!!!
I love my devs!!! Seriously you guys rock!!!
P.S. I am sticking with Vegan GingerEdition
Great post and good info roebeet - stickied for the immediate future.
MSU_Sparty said:
Roebeet, can I safely install over the 3588 Stock Enhancement and Market Fix? I hate to lose the Market but definitely don't want to deal with a brick right now. Another user indicated he/she installed the update over a similarly configured machine and it worked but then applied the Stock Enhancement and Market fix and soft bricked.
I appreciate all the work you do for other users, including me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tested all scenarios, as there are just too many of them. I specifically picked VEGAn as I know that's a very popular ROM and I could see new stock users flashing to that.
Rule of thumb: If you are going from a 1.1-based ROM to a 1.2-based ROM (or vice versa) and use clockworkmod, you will soft-brick your device.
Great work! More coffee for Roebeet
I guess ... better stick to TNT Lite 4.4 for now.
I am curious about (not in any hurry tho)
cwm+TnT Lite 4.4 ->fixrecovery.sh -> stock 3588 ->OTA 4349
--
msu_sparty.
I ran 3991 for a good while during the time the Wooters needed help.
I tried to install the Enhancement Pack on 3991 and it semi-bricked my
G-Tablet.
I wouldn't try it until someone tests it for sure -- unless you want to
be the tester!!!???
Rev
cbay said:
Great work! More coffee for Roebeet
I guess ... better stick to TNT Lite 4.4 for now.
I am curious about (not in any hurry tho)
cwm+TnT Lite 4.4 ->fixrecovery.sh -> stock 3588 ->OTA 4349
--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cwm+TnT Lite 4.4 ->fixrecovery.sh -> OTA 4349. This might work. Haven't tested it yet, but I will. It worked for build 3991, so it might work with 4349.
EDIT: One test, one success. Again, YMMV.
As a new tab owner where do I find the build number please?
Thank you
roebeet said:
cwm+TnT Lite 4.4 ->fixrecovery.sh -> OTA 4349. This might work. Haven't tested it yet, but I will. It worked for build 3991, so it might work with 4349.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does fixrecovery.sh also add/enable the OTA updater? Or is there a update.zip for 4349 somewhere?
thanks for all the work,
--
Can 3588 enhancement be loaded with gapps for android market?
SoCal2 said:
As a new tab owner where do I find the build number please?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go to settings-about device
butchconner said:
msu_sparty.
I ran 3991 for a good while during the time the Wooters needed help.
I tried to install the Enhancement Pack on 3991 and it semi-bricked my
G-Tablet.
I wouldn't try it until someone tests it for sure -- unless you want to
be the tester!!!???
Rev
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you point me in the right direction to unbrick this thing? It semi-bricked mine, and I don't know where to start.
SoCal2 said:
As a new tab owner where do I find the build number please?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings about
Thank god I was impatient and installed vegan 5.1.1 before this happened! Was waiting for ota 3588 before root as I was on 3389 this morning. I'm sure you guys won't be long figuring out if there anything worthwhile here.
cbay said:
Does fixrecovery.sh also add/enable the OTA updater? Or is there a update.zip for 4349 somewhere?
thanks for all the work,
--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it does not. All it does is flashes back 3588 recovery which is the recovery needed to flash between a 1.1-based and 1.2-based ROM.
yay! what we all knew to be the case a month ago is finally confirmed.
SoCal2,
The version number etc. is at Setting/About.
Rev
just lou,
A good start would be to read this thread. If you can do this procedure, it will NVFlash you back to stock version 2638 -- which we call bekit 1105 a lot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=861950
Once you get to 2638, you can set up wifi and it will fairly quickly bring you an OTA Update notice and you can move up to 3588 -- and you can go where you want
from there.
Rev
Well best I recall mine was running 3588--whatever upgraded when I got it a couple weeks ago.
Sae the upgrade a few minutes ago, and opted to load it.
Now sits at "home", shows current (working) time, that I have linksys, that it is charged ((86%) and that sound is on.
Nothing else works. Oh yes, there is lower right hand icon showing an open padlock.
This came up after upgrade. I've powered off and on a couple of times.
Any recommendations?