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This entire series of articles is deprecated! Newer ROMs and advanced procedures have replaced (or made obsolete) the information in these articles. This article is retained only for archival purposes.
Please check out our NEWER series of articles on the ViewSonic G-Tablet: http://raywaldo.com/series/gtab-2/
Installing ClockworkMod Recovery for 1.2 Bootloader
——
Warning!
If you have the STOCK version of 1.2-4349, it still may not work with some of the newer HoneyComb ROMs for the GTab (system partition must be enlarged to hold their larger files)
Important!
We STRONGLY urge you to return here & flash our version (created by Roebeet).
If you have the 1.1 version bootloader, then you must use our “NVFlash for Dummies” guide to upgrade to bl1.2 before attempting to flash Honeycomb. Thanks to Roebeet for his work to make all of this stuff work. Visit his forum post to give him your vote of thanks.
The process below will prepare your GTab for flashing any ROM based on the GTab 1.2-branch bootloader.
ClockworkMod 1.2bl
——————-
1. Download the ClockworkMod & ROM files
- Download Clockworkmod (GTablet 1.2 dev branch) from our downloads page (or here).
- Download a compatible ROM (bl.1.2 branch) from our downloads page. Note: I presently recommend FlashBack for the GTab. Visit our Flashback page to download it: http://raywaldo.com/2011/10/flashback-9-0-for-gtab/
2. Connect the USB
- Power on the G-Tablet (if it is not already on)
- Attach the USB cable from your computer to the GTab
- Click on the Orange Ball in the notifications area of the GTab
- Click on the “USB connected“
- ANSWER: “Activate USB Transfer” & “Activate now”
- If necessary, repeat this step – until the USB connection is recognized
3. Check Your Computer
- An Icon or a window should appear on your computer desktop, open it and view the files of the INTERNAL MEMORY (14gig) of the GTab.
- If a file named “update.zip” is on the root “/” of the device, then rename it to updateold.zip.
- If a folder on the root is named “recovery” then rename it to “recoveryold”.
4. Find Downloaded Files
- Open the gtab.cwm.??????.rar file.
- Inside the file will be a folder named “recovery” & a file named “update.zip”
- Copy both the folder & the update.zip file to the root of the INTERNAL (14gig) memory (DO NOT copy to a folder & do NOT copy to a removable SD card). (Note: If you see a file named “command” then you opened the folder – go back up one level and copy the FOLDER with the file.)
5. On the GTab
- Click on “Deactive USB transfer“
- Disconnect the USB cable
- Power off the GTab – by holding the POWER BUTTON down until a dialog appears – select POWER OFF – and OK.
6. Activate ClockworkMod Recovery
- Hold the Volume plus (+) button and ALSO press the Power button
- Continue holding BOTH buttons until some small text appears in upper left corner of the GTab’s screen.
- Release the buttons and the ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery should execute.
- If the menu is BLUE, then you must select the “Reboot system” and press the POWER button to install CWM Recovery. If the menu is orange, just go to the next point.
- ORANGE MENU (see the screenshot above) - Once the GTab boots into the CWM Recovery, a TEXT menu of options will be displayed on the upper left side of the GTab display. The bottom line should report “ClockworkMod Recovery v3.0.2.8 (GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5)” (or newer).
- Use the volume +/- buttons to move up or down in the list of menu items, click on the home button (NOT the power button as with the stock recovery) to select an item. Finally, use the back arrow to go back to the previous menu.
7. Create Backup With ClockworkMod (CWM) (Optional)
- From the CWM menu, select “BACKUP & Restore” — then “Backup” & allow CWM to complete the backup process.
- Press the back key to return to the main menu
8. Clear Data (This will delete all data on the device!)
- On the Main CWM Menu, select ”Wipe data/factory reset” & press home to execute
- Select “Yes — delete all user data”
- Select “Wipe cache partition“
- Select “Yes – Wipe Cache”
- Select “advanced” and then “Partition SD Card” & execute (Answer 2048 to the first and 0 to the second option.)
- Wait until it is finished – this step takes a couple minutes. Press the back key to return to the main CWM menu
- The following steps may not be absolutely necessary but they are HIGHLY recommended. If you chose NOT to wipe the device, just skip to the “Connect USB” step.
- Select “mounts and storage” then “format /cache” and execute
- Select “format /data” and execute
- Select “format /system” and execute
- Press the back key to return to the main CWM menu
9. Connect USB
- Connect the USB cable between the GTab and your computer
- Select “mount USB storage”
10. Flash the new ROM
- On your computer, find the ROM file that you downloaded
- Copy the ROM file (still in ZIP format) to the root of the internal memory (14gig) of the GTab.
- In ClockworkMod, select “Unmount USB storage” & execute
- Remove the USB cable from the GTab.
- Press the back key to return to the main CWM menu
- Select “install zip from sdcard” & execute.
- Select “choose zip from sdcard” and press home.
- Use the volume controls to locate & select the zip file that you copied to the root & use HOME to execute it.
- Select “Yes”
- When the GTab finishes with the installation, it will report “Install from sdcard complete.”
11. Press the back button to get to the main menu & press HOME to “reboot system now“
Warning!
- NOTE: It will take from 4 to 7 minutes for the GTab to initialize and open up to the Android “Welcome” screen so BE PATIENT! Later boots take less than a minute.
- After you log into your Google Acct, Android Market will begin restoring your apps and settings. Continue to BE PATIENT, this process can take several hours. In the mean time, your GTab will be very sluggish and sometimes even NON-responsive. Just let it do “it’s thing” until all the apps are installed. Then it might be good to reboot. After which, everything should be very responsive.
ClockworkMod 1.2branch and your new custom ROM are now installed
Important!
Visit our “Tips for Android Users” to get started using Honeycomb.
Comments? We listen to you…
- G-Tab Rooting (update)
- GTab – USB Host Functions
- Viewsonic GTab Android Tablet
- Installing ClockworkMod Recovery
- Downgrade GTab Bootloader
- GTab benchmarks
- Upgrade to 1.2 Bootloader?
- New Version ROM
- Updated Netflix on GTab
- Check Bootloader Version on GTab Before Root!
- Rooting a ViewSonic G-Tablet
- When Things Go Wrong
- Flashing a Custom Rom
- Netflix on GTab
- New Guide for Rooting the ViewSonic G-Tablet
- Battery Drain on G-Tablet
- HoneyComb on GTab!
- ClockworkMod 1.2bl & Honeycomb on GTab
- GTabComb vs Illuminate HC vs Flashback HC
- ROMs for the GTab
- gTab – Trials and Tribulations
- FlashBack for GTab
426 comments
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Kevin
April 5, 2012 at 11:44 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray,
You mention “Continue ONLY if you have flashed the 1.2-4349 firmware”. Wil lthis process work if my firmware verison is 1.2-5699 or do I need to downgrade to the 4349 version?
Thanks,
Kevin
Ray Waldo
April 5, 2012 at 4:15 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Although I have not used that particular bootloader firmware, I am confident that ClockworkMod would work fine on it. However, some of the newer ROMs require a larger system partition than the OEM setup provides. That is the reason that we suggest using our bootloader version (installed with the NVFlash procedures.)
You may wish to simply TRY flashing CWM and a new ROM onto your existing BL. If it works … FINE. If it does NOT (goes into a boot loop and gets stuck), then you just revert to the same NVFlash procedure to clean it up and start again. No harm and not much wasted time.
david
February 13, 2012 at 12:49 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray
I was just on team DRH website and it gave me two links, one for the actual rom, and one for the gapps, and i was trying to use this guide to flash that ROM but it doesn’t explain how to flahs the gapps, can you help me out,
Thanks
David
Ray Waldo
February 13, 2012 at 1:29 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All Roms, Kernels, Gapps, etc that are distributed as a zip file can normally be flashed with CWM. Use the same process for each. However, the ROM will often flash OVER the others – replacing them. Kernel & Gapps zip files can (normally) be flashed over ROMs without data loss.
Note that KERNEL zips MUST agree with your bootloader version 1.2bl must be created for 1.2.
Gapps come in several varieties – based on the type of device.
To be safe, use everything from the same source; E.g., from FB team, DRH, etc.
david
February 13, 2012 at 3:06 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry to keep bothering you, last question
do i need to go back to stock, I am using gtabcomb right now, or should i just go for it.
Thanks
David
Ray Waldo
February 13, 2012 at 4:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You can try flashing on top of the current rom but the safest plan would be to flash a kernel that is approved by the rom development team.
Stuart
January 15, 2012 at 11:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Help, Ray!
Flashing NV and Steps 1 through 5 on this page went exactly as described. But at Step 6, the gTab does not come up. Nothing on the screen at all. Neither will it come to life if I just hold the power key alone. It seems to be stuck in APX mode because all I can do is reconnect the USB and then rerun nvflash_gtablet.bat. Then the gTab will boot up again to Tap-n-tap. But if I power down and try to power back up…nothing! I have tried this using gtab.cwm.3028.1.2.branch.rev5.rar from both your site and http://www.mediafire.com/?2flqn8b10ebcq44.
Any ideas what I am overlooking? Thanks a bunch!
Ray Waldo
January 15, 2012 at 4:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are definitely in the APX mode.
Are you holding the Volume Plus button and Power button? There are two different modes: Power & Vol minus = APX (blank screen) mode. Power & Vol PLUS = recovery mode (either stock or CWM).
Hold the Volume PLUS button and then press the POWER button. When the 3 birds appear, release the power but continue holding the PLUS button until you see the line of text in the upper left corner. Then release the plus button and it should boot into recovery.
If it does not, then you must repeat the NVFlash until it does. Or, just stick with the stock Tap-n-Tap (spit)interface!
Stuart
January 29, 2012 at 2:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray, yes, I am holding Vol+ and Power, and I get nothing. Nor will it power up at all. Stuck in APX mode, it seems. I have repeated the NVFlash dozens of times now on both Windows and Ubuntu because after powering down, NVFlash is the only way to get get it powered up now. I think this may be the same symptom that Mark Cagle and Sheng report over on your NVFlash for Dummies page. Volume keys works fine after it boots to the Tap UI, so it’s not a hardware problem. Whaddya think? Something borked up in the partition resizing during the NV flash? I”m trying to read now to figure out how to get it back to an absolute stock condition — do you think that’s the next step? Not too convenient to have a tablet that can either never be powered down, or else it has to be connected to a PC to turn it on again!
Thanks,
Stuart
Ray Waldo
January 29, 2012 at 5:58 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am sorry but I cannot help.
My GTab appears to be down for the count. It is stuck in APX mode w/o ANY way to get it to real ops. I have been doing some extensive study and testing but nothing so far. I had to put it aside since I have not done much of anything else for the past week. Be sure that I will report it if I find the solution.
Don
January 15, 2012 at 10:10 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hello. It seems like I am having problems with the most basic stuff on my Gtab. My problem is the files I am putting on the tablet don’t seem to actually be there. For instance I flashed the 1.2bl flash successfully via NVFLASH from the for dummies page. The next step is to put the clockwork files on the root and shutdown and come up in recovery mode. It just stays blue. When I hook the tablet back up to the computer the files are gone. I have also made it farther before and when I pit the custom rom (.zip) file on the tablet via clockwork then try to run zip from SD card the file is not there.
Do you have any ideas on what I am doing wrong or what I should do?
Ray Waldo
January 15, 2012 at 4:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Best guess of your problem: You have an EXTERNAL SDCard in the device and you are getting them mixed up. That is why I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that everyone just REMOVE any external cards entirely.
CWM consists of a folder (with its files) and an update.zip file. If both are on the root of the INTERNAL SD Card (zip file NOT in the folder), then when you power off and power back on again, it should install the CWM recovery image.
CWM is not absolutely essential. It is easier to use than the stock recovery and it has some additional functions. However, you can install a custom rom with the stock recovery also. Just RENAME the custom rom to update.zip and place that zipped file on the root of the internal SDCard. Reboot and it should be flashed.
If not, just use the stock recovery like you would CWM – only use the POWER button to select an item. Use the volume keys to select FLASH UPATE.ZIP and then press the power button. It should take you to another screen requiring you to move to the “YES” and hit the power button again. Then it will flash the custom ROM. You can add CWM later if you want.
Don
January 15, 2012 at 10:10 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hello. It seems like I am having problems with the most basic stuff on my Gtab. My problem is the files I am putting on the tablet don’t seem to actually be there. For instance I flashed the 1.2bl flash successfully via NVFLASH from the for dummies page. The next step is to put the clockwork files on the root and shutdown and come up in recovery mode. It just stays blue. When I hook the tablet back up to the computer the files are gone. I have also made it farther before and when I pit the custom rom (.zip) file on the tablet via clockwork then try to run zip from SD card the file is not there.
Do you have any ideas on what I am doing wrong or what I should do?
Ray Waldo
January 15, 2012 at 4:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Best guess of your problem: You have an EXTERNAL SDCard in the device and you are getting them mixed up. That is why I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that everyone just REMOVE any external cards entirely.
CWM consists of a folder (with its files) and an update.zip file. If both are on the root of the INTERNAL SD Card (zip file NOT in the folder), then when you power off and power back on again, it should install the CWM recovery image.
CWM is not absolutely essential. It is easier to use than the stock recovery and it has some additional functions. However, you can install a custom rom with the stock recovery also. Just RENAME the custom rom to update.zip and place that zipped file on the root of the internal SDCard. Reboot and it should be flashed.
If not, just use the stock recovery like you would CWM – only use the POWER button to select an item. Use the volume keys to select FLASH UPATE.ZIP and then press the power button. It should take you to another screen requiring you to move to the “YES” and hit the power button again. Then it will flash the custom ROM. You can add CWM later if you want.
Mike
January 5, 2012 at 10:38 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray thanks it worked! I’m up and running. Thanks again!
Ray Waldo
January 6, 2012 at 6:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Glad it worked!
Mike
January 5, 2012 at 4:06 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I got to step 10 and now my computer doesn’t recognize the viewsonic any more. What do I do? I’m running Win 7 home ed.
Ray Waldo
January 5, 2012 at 5:12 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you got that far, you should not have any problems. Just turn both the GTab and your computer off. Then after a couple minutes, turn both back on and connect the USB cable.
The GTab should boot into CWM. (As long as you can boot into CWM, you are good.) In CWM, select Mount / Mount USB. Then your computer should recognize it and you can transfer the ROM file and continue.
Best wishes.
Ray Waldo
January 4, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
For anyone having trouble getting ClockWorkMod working on their GTab… Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE – including the first few lines where I strongly encourage everyone to NVFlash with our “NVFlash for Dummies” guide.
If you have NOT done this and you are having problems, then please follow THAT advice before trying anything else. It *IS* important!
Tyler
January 4, 2012 at 6:54 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
Thanks for the assistance. I wound up going to gtablet for dummies and they have a nvflash rom with the clockwork mod in it so it gets rid of one step. I am happy to say I have the tablet up running flashback 10.3 and I am very pleased.
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/nvflash.htm
There is a link on the page for the nvflash with cw mod. After I did that I followed their guide on updating the mod and voila.
Thanks for all your help.
Tyler
Ray Waldo
January 5, 2012 at 11:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hey Tyler – Thanks for stopping by and giving the update. I am happy that you found a fix for your problem.
Each of us is unique and our needs & desires are different. If everyone was just like me, they would all want my wife!
Each website caters to different people. I will leave your link online and perhaps someone else may find it helpful.
Come back and see us again soon…
Tyler
January 4, 2012 at 8:14 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Please post the link it is not in your previous post.
Sorry to be a pain.
Tyler
Tyler
January 4, 2012 at 8:19 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Never mind I got it.
Back to work.
Tyler
Tyler
January 4, 2012 at 8:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ok here is some of the recovery log file. Maybe this will help shed some light on what needs to be done.
I:Boot command:
E:Can’t mount /dev/block/mmcblk2
(No such file or directory)
E:Can’t mount SDCARD2:recovery/command
Command: “/sbin/recovery”
ro.secure=1
ro.allow.mock.location=0
ro.debuggable=0
persist.service.adb.enable=0
ro.build.id=FRF91
ro.build.display.id=FRF91
ro.build.version.incremental=hudson-20110325-2032_4349
ro.build.version.sdk=8
ro.build.version.codename=REL
ro.build.version.release=2.2
I can send you the file if you would like to look at the rest.
Tyler
Ray Waldo
January 4, 2012 at 10:31 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry, I don’t troubleshoot from that file. The steps in the guide just WORK (when followed closely). I have had a couple dozen people DONATE as a result of the guides here. Realizing that probably 99% of the people who have a positive result will actually donate, that means a LOT of people have used these guides and had a positive result.
Look at the comments here, only a RARE individual has has a problem and then later found the solution was to repeat the procedures. And, in those cases, I am pretty certain that they found the answer but were somehow embarrassed to admit that they had overlooked a step.
One user recently, gave up and sent their GTab to me to have it fixed. I followed these guides (I don’t do it enough to memorize everything) and in about an hour had his GTab working great. He even posted a POSITIVE review of my work.
I would like to sit down with you and walk you through each step and explain the process but that is not possible. The best advice I can give you is to repeat the entire process until it works. One caveat – Windows is a bit weird in how it requires unique drivers for USB devices. You may have a WINDOWS problem. Try the entire procedure on a DIFFERENT Windows machine. If you read my review of the Kindle Fire, you will see that *I* had that problem with it. I don’t normally do Windows (I use Ubuntu Linux exclusively) but for the Fire, there was no other comparable utility – so I tried Windows — and I had a problem. The result was that I had to go to a different Windows computer to complete the work.
Best Wishes and Happy New Year. Remember, if all else fails, you can send the GTab to me and I will fix it. Leave a private comment on the CONTACT page if you wish to do this.
Ray Waldo
January 4, 2012 at 10:43 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
There was no link because my replies are often done on my GTab and popping over to get a link and then posting it back on a comment is a bit more difficult. Also, if the link is already on the page, it seems a bit redundant.
I assume that users can recognize links on words in the text (such as the word “here” and the link attached to it.
If you are not familiar with this, look closely at the article above (or any other website) and the links usually are a different color than the rest of the text (on some sites, they are underlined). Also, if you mouse over a link, the pointer changes (in my case, from an arrow to a hand with a finger pointing to the link). If you click there, the link will send your browser to the linked address. This is standard practice on the web.
Tyler
January 3, 2012 at 6:33 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I think my issue is with
Open the gtab.cwm.??????.rar file.
What file would you recommend that I download?
The machine hangs at the loading recovery image.
It will boot up just fine to the 2.2 image that is on it.
Thanks,
Again
Tyler
Ray Waldo
January 3, 2012 at 7:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you click on the “here” link on the “download clockworkmod” line you will get the right file.
Ted
January 2, 2012 at 12:18 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Have completed all the steps for CWN and all went great but now tablet says wiping cache… Formatting cache…..cache wipe complete.
Partitioning SD Card… please wait…
It has been at this step for more than 10 mins. What did I do wrong or does it take this long to finish ?
Ted
January 2, 2012 at 12:18 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Have completed all the steps for CWN and all went great but now tablet says wiping cache… Formatting cache…..cache wipe complete.
Partitioning SD Card… please wait…
It has been at this step for more than 10 mins. What did I do wrong or does it take this long to finish ?
Ted
January 2, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry it also says Done ! Is it ready to put on a new ROM now ?
Ray Waldo
January 2, 2012 at 1:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hey Ted:
I realize that the UNKNOWN is frightening but just be patient and follow the steps in the article above. Everything should work well if you don’t interrupt it before it is finished (and you don’t skip a step).
Believe me, it is REALLY worth the effort!
Tyler
December 30, 2011 at 6:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi I’m stuck at the boot screen with the message booting to recovery image. What am I doing wrong and what should I do to fix it?
Thanks in advance.
Tyler
Tyler
December 30, 2011 at 7:45 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for the quick response. I did the nvflash and it worked just fine. Im stuck here
6. Activate ClockworkMod Recovery
Hold the Volume plus (+) button and ALSO press the Power button
Continue holding BOTH buttons until some small text appears in upper left corner of the GTab’s screen.
Release the buttons and the ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery should execute.
If the menu is BLUE, then you must select the “Reboot system” and press the POWER button to install CWM Recovery. If the menu is orange, just go to the next point.
ORANGE MENU (see the screenshot above) – Once the GTab boots into the CWM Recovery, a TEXT menu of options will be displayed on the upper left side of the GTab display. The bottom line should report “ClockworkMod Recovery v3.0.2.8 (GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5)” (or newer).
Use the volume +/- buttons to move up or down in the list of menu items, click on the home button (NOT the power button as with the stock recovery) to select an item. Finally, use the back arrow to go back to the previous menu.
The tablet boots and just hangs saying its loading a recovery image. The tablet will boot just fine to the 2.2 standard image.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Tyler
Tyler
January 1, 2012 at 9:17 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Anyone have any idea why Im getting stuck on the recovery boot?
Thanks,
Tyler
Tyler
December 30, 2011 at 6:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi I’m stuck at the boot screen with the message booting to recovery image. What am I doing wrong and what should I do to fix it?
Thanks in advance.
Tyler
Ray Waldo
December 30, 2011 at 7:38 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Tyler…
Since I can not see what you are doing, it is pretty difficult to know what you are doing wrong.
In most cases, if you are stuck in a loop, you will have to use our “nvflash for dummies ” guide to get back.
http://raywaldo.com/2011/01/nvflash-for-dummies/
Tyler
December 30, 2011 at 7:45 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for the quick response. I did the nvflash and it worked just fine. Im stuck here
6. Activate ClockworkMod Recovery
Hold the Volume plus (+) button and ALSO press the Power button
Continue holding BOTH buttons until some small text appears in upper left corner of the GTab’s screen.
Release the buttons and the ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery should execute.
If the menu is BLUE, then you must select the “Reboot system” and press the POWER button to install CWM Recovery. If the menu is orange, just go to the next point.
ORANGE MENU (see the screenshot above) – Once the GTab boots into the CWM Recovery, a TEXT menu of options will be displayed on the upper left side of the GTab display. The bottom line should report “ClockworkMod Recovery v3.0.2.8 (GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5)” (or newer).
Use the volume +/- buttons to move up or down in the list of menu items, click on the home button (NOT the power button as with the stock recovery) to select an item. Finally, use the back arrow to go back to the previous menu.
The tablet boots and just hangs saying its loading a recovery image. The tablet will boot just fine to the 2.2 standard image.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Tyler
Tyler
January 1, 2012 at 9:17 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Anyone have any idea why Im getting stuck on the recovery boot?
Thanks,
Tyler
Ray Waldo
January 1, 2012 at 1:20 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry, Tyler. I thought I responded but I guess I did not.
Since the GTab operates fine, It would not be considered in a “loop” and therefore, you probably do not need to use NVFlash.
Probably, you deleted the recovery folder, or else did not properly accomplish the ClockworkMod (CWM) portion of the guide above.
Repeat this entire guide and be very careful to accomplish each step as described. When something does not appear as described, repeat that step or start over again – until it works. CWM is easy to install, just keep trying.
Once CWM is in place and operating, you will use it for most (root) functions – backup, reflash, clearing errors, etc. NVFlash is not normally needed when CWM is operating.
kanga
December 26, 2011 at 4:58 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray
Thank you for your very prompt and helpful reply.
I mis-interpreted your instructions, which read as follows: “Use the volume +/- buttons to move up or down in the list of menu items, click on the home button (or the Power Button) to select an item. Finally, use the back arrow to go back to the previous menu.”
I assumed — and this was stupid of me — that “home button” was another name for “power button”, despite the fact that the Home button was literally staring me in the face.
Thank you again.
kanga
December 26, 2011 at 4:58 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray
Thank you for your very prompt and helpful reply.
I mis-interpreted your instructions, which read as follows: “Use the volume +/- buttons to move up or down in the list of menu items, click on the home button (or the Power Button) to select an item. Finally, use the back arrow to go back to the previous menu.”
I assumed — and this was stupid of me — that “home button” was another name for “power button”, despite the fact that the Home button was literally staring me in the face.
Thank you again.
Ray Waldo
December 26, 2011 at 8:29 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Not a problem. I THOUGHT that the power button would also operate. I guess I was mistaken. I will edit that from the article.
I trust that everything else is working well?
Kristy
December 3, 2011 at 3:39 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you so much!!! I have been struggling with changing my ROM and for whatever reason something went wrong and this was the first website after reading many that finally got me back functioning!!!!!! SO thankful
Ray Waldo
December 3, 2011 at 8:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Glad to help! Keep coming by and we will try to keep putting new information out. I expect to see some advances soon – due to the ICS code being released a couple weeks ago.
Jonathan
November 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU. I took a chance and went with flashback alpha 10.1 and it was so easy to do. Your directions are truly step by step, at first the power button was not working for select option but your instructions said home button would work and I did overlook it but thanks again. This gtablet is now running newer app market and looks so nice and very fast. Thanks again.
Jonathan
November 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU. I took a chance and went with flashback alpha 10.1 and it was so easy to do. Your directions are truly step by step, at first the power button was not working for select option but your instructions said home button would work and I did overlook it but thanks again. This gtablet is now running newer app market and looks so nice and very fast. Thanks again.
Christian
November 23, 2011 at 7:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Happy Thanksgiving, completed all steps and I thought I made it! Tried step 11 and patently waited for over 1 hour and still nothing, just the g-tablet screen. What should I do now.
Thanks
Christian
November 23, 2011 at 7:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Happy Thanksgiving, completed all steps and I thought I made it! Tried step 11 and patently waited for over 1 hour and still nothing, just the g-tablet screen. What should I do now.
Thanks
Ray Waldo
November 23, 2011 at 9:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
Try turning the device off (hold the power button until it reboots). If it fails, just keep trying the NVFlash.
Will
November 22, 2011 at 8:43 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray, just purchased my gtab with the 1.2bl and put cwm on it with fb10.1, very good tutorial have a couple of questions, first isis it worth it to go and load cyn7 since it has the full funtionality of the camera and all, or should i stick it out with fb?
Also face book app isnt working in fb10.1 keep getting fc’s on it…any suggestions?
Will
November 22, 2011 at 8:43 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray, just purchased my gtab with the 1.2bl and put cwm on it with fb10.1, very good tutorial have a couple of questions, first isis it worth it to go and load cyn7 since it has the full funtionality of the camera and all, or should i stick it out with fb?
Also face book app isnt working in fb10.1 keep getting fc’s on it…any suggestions?
Ray Waldo
November 23, 2011 at 7:21 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
CM7 is on bl1.1 so you would have to nvflash to try it. I don’t like it that much.
Facebook does not play well with any Honeycomb device. I use the browser in desktop mode.
Kelly
November 15, 2011 at 7:26 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good morning, Ray: I have been enjoying the Honeycomb 3.3 but with a minor glitch. Every sixth time or so after turning on the GTab, I have to sign back in to my Google account as if setting it up for the first time (set time, enter email and password, etc.). This morning was one of those times I had to do it, and now the “Backup and Restore” screen has been running, with the green line moving left to right, for about 15 minutes. Says I’m signed in and it’s synchronizing data but it has never taken this long. So, are there any steps I should take to 1) stop the back up process, and 2) keep this from happening (having to sign in again to set up Google)? Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.
Kelly
November 15, 2011 at 8:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Update: after watching the Backup and Restore screen for a half an hour, I hit the power switch and did a reboot. Successfully set up the Google account and successfully did the Back Up and Restore. Would still appreciate any advice on how to keep this from happening. Small, but annoying glitch
Kelly
November 15, 2011 at 7:26 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good morning, Ray: I have been enjoying the Honeycomb 3.3 but with a minor glitch. Every sixth time or so after turning on the GTab, I have to sign back in to my Google account as if setting it up for the first time (set time, enter email and password, etc.). This morning was one of those times I had to do it, and now the “Backup and Restore” screen has been running, with the green line moving left to right, for about 15 minutes. Says I’m signed in and it’s synchronizing data but it has never taken this long. So, are there any steps I should take to 1) stop the back up process, and 2) keep this from happening (having to sign in again to set up Google)? Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.
Kelly
November 15, 2011 at 8:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Update: after watching the Backup and Restore screen for a half an hour, I hit the power switch and did a reboot. Successfully set up the Google account and successfully did the Back Up and Restore. Would still appreciate any advice on how to keep this from happening. Small, but annoying glitch
Ray Waldo
November 15, 2011 at 8:24 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Unfortunately, the answer for almost all weird symptoms involves the same steps. Take each step and see if it helps, if not repeat it, plus the next step. Continue until the system stabilizes and works properly.
1. In CWM, clear cache & dalvik then “fix permissions”
2. In CWM, reset to factory
3. NVFlash again and install ROM again.
Hitesh
November 12, 2011 at 1:33 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
hi i followed all the instructions below and when i selected reboot system now.. it keeps looking back to the clockworkmod Recovery i need help please
Rich
November 9, 2011 at 5:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, I am having the same issue as Susan had. All downloads start and then a error window pops up and no download. It shows that it is downloading, but it never happens. I was hoping like Susan’s that when I turned it on today, it would work. I also have an issue with some youtube videos working and some dont. more dont than do. I am new at all this and bought this to help me learn about the world of android and how it may help out in the transportation industry but right now it is not going well..:) Any guidance would be great. Thank you Sir.
Ray Waldo
November 9, 2011 at 9:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have seen the issue with downloads only once. It was when I was connecting via the (free) Wifi at the hospital. I suspect that they were limiting access to files with particular extensions (eg., ????.apk). Try using a different wifi somewhere and see if it works.
Your experience with YouTube is normal. Normally, the YouTube app will work if you don’t try to do HD. Or, you could try using the Opera browser.
Rich
November 10, 2011 at 5:32 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It is in my home. Is there a way I can change a setting in the router you think?
Ray Waldo
November 10, 2011 at 9:27 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Doesn’t sound like it is the problem. Still take it to another wifi and try.
Rich
November 12, 2011 at 6:34 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It seemed to be my google account and log-in. Once i add my outside account, it broke free. Thanks for your time.
Ray Waldo
November 12, 2011 at 8:44 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
What account are you describing as your “outside account”?
Nyemare
November 8, 2011 at 11:05 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When you are formatting the partition I know what the first number (2048) is for but why does it need to be specifically that and not larger? Also what is the second selection (0) for and why does it need to be specifically 0? I am new to Android and tablets as Hackintoshs have been my thing for a while so I am just trying to understand.
Nyemare
November 8, 2011 at 11:05 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When you are formatting the partition I know what the first number (2048) is for but why does it need to be specifically that and not larger? Also what is the second selection (0) for and why does it need to be specifically 0? I am new to Android and tablets as Hackintoshs have been my thing for a while so I am just trying to understand.
Ray Waldo
November 9, 2011 at 7:03 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good question. Check my http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/format-the-gtab/ article for answers.
Nyemare
November 9, 2011 at 11:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you for the link that cleared up a lot of questions I have about the cache but I am still wondering why you specify 2g rather than 4. I seem to run into an issue that if I install apks 14g partition they dont work and just crash so I end up having to move them back to the smaller partition. For this reason I increased the size to 4g. Will this hurt anything by having this partition size larger? I do not see why it would but again I am new to Android. Also another question has risen from your link. It talks of the regular cashe and the Dalvik cache. What is Dalvik cache and what are the differences between them and what do they do?
Ray Waldo
November 9, 2011 at 4:39 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I would recommend that you check the link for Rajeevvp (http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=2865113) and ask the really technical questions there. He is THE expert.
My take: Some apps will not run properly when moved to the SDCard. Most widgets will fail (or not even show up) when the associated app is moved to the SDCard.
I don’t believe that you will experience any issues by increasing the size of the 2Gig partition (it will reduce the 14Gig partition to 12Gig).
I don’t understand the Dalvik cache but I am certain that Rajeevvp will be able to explain it. I just use it (smile) and don’t ask questions.
Jack Thomas
October 29, 2011 at 6:14 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Pastor, Followed all the instructions to the end (to Step-10. Everything worked but, even if I choose reboot system now, I get back to the same menu again and again (Bootloop). Redid Step-9, like you mentioned to Zac Olson above, but still the same problem. I chose BL-1.2 steps. Any recommendation. Should I start from Step-1?
Ray Waldo
October 30, 2011 at 9:08 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am not certain what you did but if you have a bootloop then the simplest solution is to nvflash. http://raywaldo.com/2011/01/nvflash-for-dummies/
Kelly
October 19, 2011 at 7:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you, kind sir — Honeycomb runs beautifully on my gTab. I don’t know anything about NVFlash or whatnot but your installation was so thorough that I was able to port everything without any trouble. Thanks again and have a great day!
Ray Waldo
October 20, 2011 at 7:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are most welcome! That is why this site exists.
If you are able, you can help us continue by visiting the “tips jar” at the bottom of the page.
Anibal Guevara
October 18, 2011 at 2:54 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks a lot ….. your work its very apreciated f4 good bless you
Anibal Guevara
October 18, 2011 at 2:54 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks a lot ….. your work its very apreciated f4 good bless you
Susan
October 17, 2011 at 6:35 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Many Thanks! Your instructions for installing FB9.0 were flawless and the result is beautiful. I really love it! I only have one problem that I noticed another follower posted… I can get to the Market no problem but when I try to download any apps I get an error that says ["application" could not be downloaded due to an error.] and then it looks like it is trying to download but never does and I’ve let it sit there for a day or two trying. I don’t have any purchased apps and the apps that came with the ROM say they are not installed but they are because I can use them. It looks like it is recognizing the external SD card so I don’t think it’s due to lack of storage space unless it’s trying to put them on the internal SD storage which still has the copy of the new ROM sitting there. I followed your instructions to the tee and didn’t encounter any errors. Does this sound familiar?
Susan
October 17, 2011 at 6:35 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Many Thanks! Your instructions for installing FB9.0 were flawless and the result is beautiful. I really love it! I only have one problem that I noticed another follower posted… I can get to the Market no problem but when I try to download any apps I get an error that says ["application" could not be downloaded due to an error.] and then it looks like it is trying to download but never does and I’ve let it sit there for a day or two trying. I don’t have any purchased apps and the apps that came with the ROM say they are not installed but they are because I can use them. It looks like it is recognizing the external SD card so I don’t think it’s due to lack of storage space unless it’s trying to put them on the internal SD storage which still has the copy of the new ROM sitting there. I followed your instructions to the tee and didn’t encounter any errors. Does this sound familiar?
Ray Waldo
October 17, 2011 at 7:27 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As I told the other user, check the “tips for android users” for a link to download Market 3.1.5.
Or, visit Settings, Applications, Manage, ALL – then locate the Market and STOP it. Clear the Data and reboot. Execute the Market, sign in and try it.
Susan
October 22, 2011 at 9:25 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I really appreciate your guidance and like I said before, most everything is working beautifully. I followed both instructions… stop, clear, reboot & execute AND downloaded the Market 3.1.5 file from your link & installed it but still not luck. The market won’t even start to download. It bombs with the same error everytime. What I learned is that I can download an .apk outside of the market and install it no problem. I used file manager to locate apps in system/data that came with the FB9 ROM. I was able to install Netflix, Flash, & Opera with no problem.
(
/
P.S. I bought the gtab for my Father (93 years young!). He only wants one to play Solitaire. LOL! If anyone knows where I can download a safe solitaire .apk file outside of Market, I’m willing to settle for that right now.
Ray Waldo
October 22, 2011 at 3:51 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Congratulations to your Dad! He has a few years on my (I am just 67).
The only problem that I have experienced with the new Market was due to a “stray” app that was left on the SD Card when I flashed a new ROM and Android somehow got it confused with my installed apps. That may be your problem.
Visit Settings, Applications, and then uninstall your side-loaded apps and try the market after each has been uninstalled. If/when it starts working, you will have fixed the issue.
The only side-loaded apps that I use are the Amazon app store and the apps that I get from them. (Plus the occasional “hacked” app but none of those are necessary for me.)
The only other suggestion is boot into CWM Recovery. “Reset to factory” and wipe both caches. Reboot SYSTEM (not “recovery”) and try it. You will lose any desktop and configuration that you have done but (since you are just starting) that should not be a great loss.
Susan
October 23, 2011 at 11:48 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, You must have said a little prayer for me because when I turned my gtab on this morning, Wa-La!, all the apps I had last tried to download were all installed! The last thing I did was remove the external SD Card thinking that if there was something wrong with it and the download was trying to save it there that it could have been causing the problem. So I downloaded another app from the market and it went like LIGHTNING. I re-inserted the SD Card and was STILL able to download apps, so… I do beleive in miracles (but not so much when it comes to computers). LOL. I stil don’t get how to use the external SD card… I cannot ‘see’ it in the folder list from the computer or when browsing the File Manager app. When I remove it and re-insert it the gtab displays ‘preparing external storage’ so I know the system recognizes it. I will search your Tips section for how to use SD cards. Maybe that will shed some light. I could not have done this without you so I hope that my modest donation helps keep the ‘Bishop of Technology’ around to help others. All the best my friend! You have made my Dad a very happy ‘gtab’ man.
Ray Waldo
October 23, 2011 at 2:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Don’t question answers – just accept them
It could have been a problem with your Internet connection or Wifi. If the GTab cannot connect, the the Market will not work. Or, (likely) if Android was restoring the apps from your account, then everything looks pretty dead until they are all downloaded and installed.
The external SDCard is most valuable when you want to transfer music/video from PC to GTab. Just pop it in the PC transfer or sync, then return to the GTab and the deed is done! Each ROM may use a different designation for the external card: SDCard2, EMMC, etc. View the card from your PC (and/or create/copy a recognizable file on the card). Then put it back into the GTab, use a file manager to look at all the folders in the /MNT directory (off the root.) The “FORMAT” article describes the various memory partitions on the GTab.
Another way to find the designation is Settings, Storage, and scroll down until you see the right sized card. (With Flashback 10.0, it is called “MicroSD”.
Thank you for your generous donation! It is appreciated.
Tell your dad that, if he likes Spider Solitaire, the app from Odesys (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.odesys.spider.ads&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiY29tLm9kZXN5cy5zcGlkZXIuYWRzIl0.) is a REAL TIME WASTER! I spend way too much dead time there
Kenny Baskin
October 15, 2011 at 12:45 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, I’ve enjoyed reading through the material on your site. Got my new G-tab in the mail today. Tried the 2.2 but quickly saw the same things other folks have complained about. Started through the process of updating to Honeycomb. I am stuck at trying to open the gtab.cwm.3028.1.2.branch.rev5.rar file with winzip but keep getting this error: “Cannot open file; does not appear to be a valid archive”.
I tried downloading the file again but keep getting the same result. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Kenny
Kenny Baskin
October 15, 2011 at 12:45 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, I’ve enjoyed reading through the material on your site. Got my new G-tab in the mail today. Tried the 2.2 but quickly saw the same things other folks have complained about. Started through the process of updating to Honeycomb. I am stuck at trying to open the gtab.cwm.3028.1.2.branch.rev5.rar file with winzip but keep getting this error: “Cannot open file; does not appear to be a valid archive”.
I tried downloading the file again but keep getting the same result. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Kenny
Ray Waldo
October 15, 2011 at 6:07 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It is not a zip file. Evidently you are using Windows and it does not support rar archives. You must download a program that can open the rar.. Google “extract rar archive ” to see what is available. I think 7zip is one program that does.
Otherwise, make certain that you did get the complete file. I believe that the file is about 150mb.
Kenny Baskin
October 15, 2011 at 9:57 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ah ok. I’ll give that a try. The file I downloaded was only 4.1mb so I’ll check that too. Thanks!
Zac olson
October 13, 2011 at 10:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi,
I tried to “flash” my gTab with ClockworkMod Recovery and then also with GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5 but when the download process is done and i reboot, it takes me right back to the ClockworkMod Recovery page (where you navigate with buttons only) any suggestions on how to run a regular reboot?
Thanks
Zac olson
October 13, 2011 at 10:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi,
I tried to “flash” my gTab with ClockworkMod Recovery and then also with GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5 but when the download process is done and i reboot, it takes me right back to the ClockworkMod Recovery page (where you navigate with buttons only) any suggestions on how to run a regular reboot?
Thanks
Ray Waldo
October 14, 2011 at 7:02 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry but your description is not accurate enough to make a decision. “GTab 1.2 and Ni Adam rev5″ sounds like Clockworkmod. Is that as far as you got?
Did you flash a rom? If so, which one? What guide did you use? What steps did you follow?
With the little that you told me, I would suggest that you start at step 9 (above) and try again.
After the install finishes, be sure to select “reboot SYSTEM now. ” If you “reboot recovery” it may get stuck in a bootloop.
Gowtham
October 8, 2011 at 12:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray,
I followed all the steps and when I tried to enter my network password in the final step, it doesn’t give the keyboard to enter the password. So did something causing it to reboot and finally I got to home page. When I am trying to install any apps from Market, I keep getting message “Error processing purchase.”. I tried to install several different apps but the result is same.
I can go to youtube and web though. Even the camera is not working. When I try to access camera I get a message saying “The application Camera has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again.” Please tell me what to do.
Thanks,
Gowtham.
Gowtham
October 8, 2011 at 12:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray,
I followed all the steps and when I tried to enter my network password in the final step, it doesn’t give the keyboard to enter the password. So did something causing it to reboot and finally I got to home page. When I am trying to install any apps from Market, I keep getting message “Error processing purchase.”. I tried to install several different apps but the result is same.
I can go to youtube and web though. Even the camera is not working. When I try to access camera I get a message saying “The application Camera has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again.” Please tell me what to do.
Thanks,
Gowtham.
Ray Waldo
October 8, 2011 at 7:40 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Congratulations! However, I am sorry that you are having difficulties with the market. Did you consider the FIRST step: “Continue ONLY if you have flashed the 1.2-4349 firmware ‘bootloader 1.2) using our .NVFlash for Dummies’ guide.”
If NOT, that could explain your difficulties. It will also likely pose problems for the future. This is NOT the same as the version of 1.2-4349 that came stock on the GTab. So, if you did not, then now is the time to go back and do everything RIGHT.
If you DID accomplish the 1st step, then I don’t know why you should be having difficulties. That certainly is not NORMAL. If that is the case, then you could try some of the answers in the “When Things Go Wrong” article.
Short list: in CLOCKWORKMOD…. Reset to Factory; Clear the Cache; Advanced / Clear Dalvik; Advanced / Fix permissions. Then reboot and see if that helps. It will force a new logon onto the Android Setup.
Ray Waldo
October 4, 2011 at 4:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You seem to be giving conflicting results. If you are using the computer to talk to the GTab and NVFlash (via USB) then you must have the APX mode working. Yet you say that you cannot do so???
When you say that the GTab “stays on and works fine” what do you mean? Visit the settings, about Tablet and report the version numbers.
There are three ways to power on the GTab:
Try these and see which works.
Ray Waldo
October 4, 2011 at 4:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You seem to be giving conflicting results. If you are using the computer to talk to the GTab and NVFlash (via USB) then you must have the APX mode working. Yet you say that you cannot do so???
When you say that the GTab “stays on and works fine” what do you mean? Visit the settings, about Tablet and report the version numbers.
There are three ways to power on the GTab:
Try these and see which works.
Tom Pisarski
October 4, 2011 at 1:12 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, Good afternoon! After having a good nights sleep, and being
a younger man. Ha Ha. I have come to the same roadblock! Maybe I can explain things mre clearly. 1)gpad will turn on by using the file NVFLASH_gtab that has been downloaded into my laptop,while it is firing up the screen in the upper left corner reads “NVFLASH recovery mode /NV3P. When I disconnect the usb cable gtab stays on and works fine.When I shut down gtab it will not fire up unless I go thru the same procedure again. This seem to be the only way the screen will come on? 2)I cannot get gtab to go into apx mode,3)laptop wont recognize nvidia card or drivers so I can’t get to gtab internal sd drive? I have been trying to restore to factory and start over but can’t understand how to get there. I hav all the correct files downloaded on to the c drive in the proper folders on my laptop running windows 7. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again Tom Pisarski.
Ray Waldo
October 3, 2011 at 9:33 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Quote: “Dear Ray. Hmmm. Lets see bought new gtab last friday.I have been working all day today sucessfully? Got past nvflash stopped for lunch.It’s 605pm and my gtab will not turn on / power up.Its just dead,dead,dead. battery was at 83% charge. I’am a 64 year old novice. What did I do wrong??? Please help did everything that was listed step by step and things were going fine. was ready to install CM… Gtab wont power up! Thanks Tom Pisarski”
First, let me say that I am several years OLDER than you so you don’t get an slack for age (grin).
You did not give me much to work from. I can assure you that you did NOT do “everything that was listed step by step” and still get a dead GTab!
It is hard to say what happened but my best guess is that you are still in “APX” mode. That is the “dead” mode that you use when you connect the computer and use NVFlash. My suggestion is to HOLD the power button down for at least a MINUTE or until the GTab flashes some light.
When the GTab comes on, if it is in recovery (blue menu), the you are exactly at the correct place to start on this article.
Ray Waldo
October 3, 2011 at 9:33 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Quote: “Dear Ray. Hmmm. Lets see bought new gtab last friday.I have been working all day today sucessfully? Got past nvflash stopped for lunch.It’s 605pm and my gtab will not turn on / power up.Its just dead,dead,dead. battery was at 83% charge. I’am a 64 year old novice. What did I do wrong??? Please help did everything that was listed step by step and things were going fine. was ready to install CM… Gtab wont power up! Thanks Tom Pisarski”
First, let me say that I am several years OLDER than you so you don’t get an slack for age (grin).
You did not give me much to work from. I can assure you that you did NOT do “everything that was listed step by step” and still get a dead GTab!
It is hard to say what happened but my best guess is that you are still in “APX” mode. That is the “dead” mode that you use when you connect the computer and use NVFlash. My suggestion is to HOLD the power button down for at least a MINUTE or until the GTab flashes some light.
When the GTab comes on, if it is in recovery (blue menu), the you are exactly at the correct place to start on this article.
Ray Waldo
October 3, 2011 at 9:10 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
@Mark: Too many links down, there is no way to reply to your last questions.
I tried to answer your more common questions on my http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/how-to-flash-honeycomb-on-a-gtab/ article. Check it out for more.
The only question that I did not answer was concerning the new install. The old Tap-n-Tap did not work with the Android Market and all custom roms DO. So, any apps that you may have downloaded from other sources will be available according to the policies of those sources.
When you flash any custom rom, it includes any apps that the developer chose to include. Almost all custom roms (except CyanogenMod) also include all of the major Google Apps.
Android setup includes a backup/restore function that is often used to install apps automatically but unless they were previously backed up, they cannot be restored.
Simple answer – Go ‘fer it! Until you TRY, the questions will continue to mount.
Ray Waldo
October 3, 2011 at 9:10 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
@Mark: Too many links down, there is no way to reply to your last questions.
I tried to answer your more common questions on my http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/how-to-flash-honeycomb-on-a-gtab/ article. Check it out for more.
The only question that I did not answer was concerning the new install. The old Tap-n-Tap did not work with the Android Market and all custom roms DO. So, any apps that you may have downloaded from other sources will be available according to the policies of those sources.
When you flash any custom rom, it includes any apps that the developer chose to include. Almost all custom roms (except CyanogenMod) also include all of the major Google Apps.
Android setup includes a backup/restore function that is often used to install apps automatically but unless they were previously backed up, they cannot be restored.
Simple answer – Go ‘fer it! Until you TRY, the questions will continue to mount.
mark
October 1, 2011 at 11:46 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The instructions got me running, but I’m having a problem with the market. Oh, I should say I’m a rookie at this stuff and appreciate the work being done and published by everyone. I changed over from the 1.1. bootloader and have had it running for a while with the gtabcomb_b3.3_b1.2, but my market account isn’t connecting on the g tablet. Before I did this change over and upgrade, the market wasn’t connecting either and wasn’t allowing it to upgrade apps. I went online to the market on my account and the tablet isn’t listed as a device, but my phone samsung phone is listed twice. I thought this was standard with the market not recognizing the tablet.
When I go into the market, my only app showing is google maps and gets an error message when I try to upgrade. And get an error when I try to install any application. I know there was a market fix on the older roms that I had to run everyone once in a while, but didn’t know if that is the same thing on the newer roms. Can you help me out?
Thanks
Ray Waldo
October 1, 2011 at 1:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You shouldn’t have to use any hacked version of the market.
The fact that the gTablet is not registered proves that the problem is your settings on the market site.
Go into Clockworkmod recovery and do the following commands:
1. Reset to factory
2. Clear the cache
3. Advanced / clear the dalvik cache
4. Advanced / fix permissions
Then reboot and sign into android setup and be sure that the address is correct. Also wait for wifi to connect before you go any further. This usually involves entering your account info twice. Then take all the defaults in setup unless you KNOW you should answer differently.
HotMods
October 10, 2011 at 10:34 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I was running into the same problems as Mark. The Market was working and then stopped. I followed your instructions and went into Clockwork Mod Recovery, Reset to Factor, Cleared the Cache, Cleared Davlik Cache and Fixed Permissions.
On Reboot, I am now only rebooting into the Clockwork Mod Recovery. I know there are some instructions here for that so off to find that answer.
Ray Waldo
October 11, 2011 at 7:56 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Clockworkmod has two DIFFERENT menu options to reboot. On the lower menus, the line reads, “reboot into recovery ” – not what you are looking for.
On the main menu, choose… “reboot system. “
mark
October 1, 2011 at 11:46 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The instructions got me running, but I’m having a problem with the market. Oh, I should say I’m a rookie at this stuff and appreciate the work being done and published by everyone. I changed over from the 1.1. bootloader and have had it running for a while with the gtabcomb_b3.3_b1.2, but my market account isn’t connecting on the g tablet. Before I did this change over and upgrade, the market wasn’t connecting either and wasn’t allowing it to upgrade apps. I went online to the market on my account and the tablet isn’t listed as a device, but my phone samsung phone is listed twice. I thought this was standard with the market not recognizing the tablet.
When I go into the market, my only app showing is google maps and gets an error message when I try to upgrade. And get an error when I try to install any application. I know there was a market fix on the older roms that I had to run everyone once in a while, but didn’t know if that is the same thing on the newer roms. Can you help me out?
Thanks
Ray Waldo
October 1, 2011 at 1:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You shouldn’t have to use any hacked version of the market.
The fact that the gTablet is not registered proves that the problem is your settings on the market site.
Go into Clockworkmod recovery and do the following commands:
1. Reset to factory
2. Clear the cache
3. Advanced / clear the dalvik cache
4. Advanced / fix permissions
Then reboot and sign into android setup and be sure that the address is correct. Also wait for wifi to connect before you go any further. This usually involves entering your account info twice. Then take all the defaults in setup unless you KNOW you should answer differently.
mark
October 3, 2011 at 10:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’m still having issues on my account. It says “Can’t establish a reliable connection to server”. I later tried to create a new account and it says “Your new Gmail account was successfully created, but there was a problem adding it to your accounts on this device. You can try again, or try manually logging into the account, or skip account creation for now”
Any clues what’s missing here?
Ray Waldo
October 4, 2011 at 6:16 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You can not change the market account without a reset to factory. In settings – applications – select the market and clear data. If that doesn’t fix it, a reset would be my next suggestion. Then you could try the new account. Use clockworkmod to do the reset. The option in settings has caused problems for some users.
mark
October 4, 2011 at 10:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Brilliant! Now time to play and reload all the apps. Thanks so much!
Ray Waldo
October 5, 2011 at 7:40 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I assume that you got it working? Glad to help.
HotMods
October 10, 2011 at 10:34 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I was running into the same problems as Mark. The Market was working and then stopped. I followed your instructions and went into Clockwork Mod Recovery, Reset to Factor, Cleared the Cache, Cleared Davlik Cache and Fixed Permissions.
On Reboot, I am now only rebooting into the Clockwork Mod Recovery. I know there are some instructions here for that so off to find that answer.
Ray Waldo
October 11, 2011 at 7:56 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Clockworkmod has two DIFFERENT menu options to reboot. On the lower menus, the line reads, “reboot into recovery ” – not what you are looking for.
On the main menu, choose… “reboot system. “
HotMods
October 11, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I did try that and it still kept coming back into Recovery mode. However, I went all the way back and NVFlashed the GTab and reinstalled the ROM using the instructions here. Everything worked.
I reinstalled all the apps, one at a time. Trying to use the Install all button provided an error that forced the My Apps window to close. I finally closed up late in the night and picked back up this morning.
Only one app seemed to be missing from my previously installed apps – Angry Birds. Not a hugely important deal but I had to go to the market, search for an install that app. So that worked, problem with the market issue solved, or so I thought.
I went to install one other app that basically started my issues with the Market. I was trying to load the DC Comics app, that I have on a Windows 7.5 phone working flawlessly. This time, I got the same error that started the whole reinstall process on the Market.
Purchase Cancelled
Error processing purchase.
When I go to the online market, it does not recognize any devices registered. I am at a loss now at the next steps, if any.
Ray Waldo
October 11, 2011 at 10:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As I noted in a couple of other recent comments, the Google Market is undergoing some changes that may reject the Viewsonic G-Tab. It sounds like you may be facing that issue.
My advice when something like that happens is to FORCE power off (hold the power button until the device shuts off). Then power it back on. If it is an issue with the ROM, that will probably clear it and start the market working properly.
If it is indeed an issue that the Market (proper – not your app) is causing the problem, then I have no way to know about that – other than the normal contacts that you and everyone else has on the web.
HotMods
October 12, 2011 at 11:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I found a tip on the XDA Developer site that lead me to a new Market App. It is located at http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/09/29/download-updated-android-market-for-honeycomb-includes-in-app-review-publishing/. What I tried to do was download directly to the GTAB but that did not work and the download kept failing.
So I downloaded to my Windows PC, connected the USB, started USB Sharing on the GTAB, copied to the GTAB and installed the new Market App.
After install, I tried loading the new Market App and it kept timing out. I rebooted and since then have been able to get downloads to work. It appears this new Market app is working for me on the GTAB where the one that comes with Zyhong’s build for GTABComb did not.
This is my experience so far. Your mileage may vary.
Ray Waldo
October 12, 2011 at 1:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I saw that yesterday. The one I saw was the same version as in FB9.0.
Thanks for the update.
HotMods
October 31, 2011 at 6:06 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It has been 2 weeks with the new market app and all is still well. In fact, the entire GTAB has been more stable and reliable since going through the steps of NVFlashing and installing the new market app.
Peaty
October 1, 2011 at 9:46 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’m having the exact same issue as Linas, I’m stuck in the Clockwork mod recovery mode (V3.0.0.8) after flashing GtabComb_b3.3_bl1.2.zip. I’ve tried powering off etc but it’s just staying in the loop. any suggestions?
Peaty
October 1, 2011 at 11:20 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Looks like I got it now, despite your best efforts to warn me otherwise. I failed to FIRST nvflash the modified 1.2-4349 image. After I did that and went through the procedure again. It’s now booting up fine, thanks for such a great helpful site.
Peat
Ray Waldo
October 1, 2011 at 12:55 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ain’t I good? Even while I was working in my garden, I was fixing your gtab!
I am glad it’s working.
Linas
September 29, 2011 at 9:32 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I’m new to both tablets and android, and I really appreciate your clear instructions. I recently purchased a gtab and tried to follow your ClockworkMod and custom ROM (Honeycomb) instructions. I believe I did everything correctly, including beginning with the NV Flash, but I got to step 10, where you say to reboot and wait 4 to 7 minutes for the system to initialize. My gtab won’t stop bringing up the ClockworkMod interface–and I’m stuck there. I feel sure I’m overlooking something simple–maybe a command or something. Can you help? Thanks in advance.
Linas
Ray Waldo
September 29, 2011 at 10:12 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that you have held the power button until the GTab turns off entirely? If not, then that is the FIRST step. Then power it back on and see if it goes into the Android setup. (Sorry about not mentioning that previously.)
Did you follow the first instruction to nvflash the modified 1.2-4349 image?
Also what VERSION of clockworkmod does it display when the menu is displayed?
What color is the menu?
Did you download all the files from links on this website?
Until I learn more, my advice is to repeat the NVFlash procedure to the 1.2-4349 image. Then install CWM and GtabComb b3.3 bl1.2.
Linas
September 30, 2011 at 9:22 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Did you follow the first instruction to nvflash the modified 1.2-4349 image?
Yes.
Also what VERSION of clockworkmod does it display when the menu is displayed?
v3.0.2.8 (GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5)
What color is the menu?
Orange.
Did you download all the files from links on this website?
Yes.
Until I learn more, my advice is to repeat the NVFlash procedure to the 1.2-4349 image. Then install CWM and GtabComb b3.3 bl1.2.
Will do.
Ray Waldo
September 30, 2011 at 10:12 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Rather than a full NVFlash, since you have the correct CWM installed, just use that.
Do the following in CWM:
1. Reset to factory
2. Clear the Cache
3. Advanced/Clear Dalvik
4. Advanced/fix permissions
Reboot. It should work.
If that fails, then follow the instructions in this article before you NVFlash again:
http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/format-the-gtab/
Linas
September 30, 2011 at 10:31 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Your advice did the trick! Thanks a million for providing this resource.
Linas
Ray Waldo
September 30, 2011 at 2:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
A “million” is not necessary! $5, $10, or $20 is fine
Mark
October 2, 2011 at 10:26 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
am I correct in assuming that there is no easy way to install anything other than Honeycomb if you have the 1.2 bootloader?
The whole process is confusing because I set out to try and install Cyanogen mod 7 and caused a problem with my bootloader. Now I can’t even bring it up any more. After finding your site I’ve learned a lot but am not even sure what I can do any more.
Is 2.3 Gingerbread not a valid option for me?
Ray Waldo
October 2, 2011 at 2:16 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The most important consideration is the bootloader version that you have installed.
If you can still get into clockworkmod, what version number does it show? If it shows version 3.0.2.8, then you can flash almost any gTablet rom that is based on the 1.2bl. This is generally the honeycomb roms.
If cwm is at version…. Bekit.0,8 then you can flash almost any gTablet rom from the 1.1bl branch. This is generally the gingerbread or earlier roms.
If you see a menu with blue text when you are in recovery mode and no mention of clockworkmod or version number, then you have the stock recovery. It is probably 1.2bl but that is not certain.
If you have the stock recovery – or, if you are in a boot loop (stuck at some point) then you should follow our “nvflash for dummies ” guide here http://raywaldo.com/2011/01/nvflash-for-dummies/ This will guide you through the process of installing either bootloader. Although I recommend the 1.2bl branch, the (dashed out) instructions still work to install the 1.1bl version. That would be the best path if you want to flash CM7.
Mark
October 2, 2011 at 3:32 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Now it’s a bit confusing for me…
You said: “If you see a menu with blue text when you are in recovery mode and no mention of clockworkmod or version number, then you have the stock recovery.”.
I was in a semi-brick state and had to do the nvflash steps you recommended and now I have my system back. But here’s what’s confusing. I have a menu with blue text but the first line does have a version number: “Android system recovery ”
I’m assuming this is the stock 1.2 boot loader but I really have no idea. I did complete the nvflash for dummies and it broke me out of the semi-brick state. By semi-brick state I mean I broke my bootloader and couldn’t get it to work in recovery mode any more but my system was still operational.
So can you tell where my system stands now and what options are available for me? I thought Gingerbread sounded the most stable for me since everything seemed to be working there.
This is a bit confusing at this point.
Thanks for all of your help. I appreciate you. I was also a software and support guy for a large ministry and I undestand how important technology is for reaching people.
Mark
Mark
October 2, 2011 at 3:35 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry but that message should have read “Android system recovery 3E” with the 3E being inside of the angle brackets. I think those were treated like html and stripped in my last comment.
Mark
Ray Waldo
October 2, 2011 at 7:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As I said, the blue text says you still have the stock recovery.
Assuming that you flashed the 1.2-4349 image then you have exactly followed instructions and you are ready to start on the guide on this page.
After you install clockworkmod you can flash any gTablet rom in the 1.2bl branch. That includes almost all honeycomb roms. If you want cm7 then there is a dev who creates a 1.2bl version. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1144847
Mark
October 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions.
I do have a couple more if you have the time to answer.
1) My stock GTab never allowed me to connect and create a Google Market account. It appears you have one already. How do you create a Google Market Account?
2) Once I flash the Honeycomb rom is it like a fresh install on Windows? In other words do I reinstall everything and are all of my files on the internal SD card gone?
3) What doesn’t work on the Honeycomb rom ? I’ve heard the camera and a couple of other things. Anything significant?
Mark
October 3, 2011 at 6:21 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I missed asking one other question.
1)How do I get the google apps like Gmail..etc. I’ve noticed some of the other roms they are seperately downloadable. Are they in this rom already?
George Gibbs
September 28, 2011 at 11:53 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
how/where do I find my browser configuration and change the ‘user agent’ to desktop? I’ve looked at settings without success and Dev tool>package browser>browser without finding a ‘useragent’ setting to change. Sorry if this question is too elementary.
George
Ray Waldo
September 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry that I missed your comment, George.
For the native browser in Honeycomb, click on one of the “menu” buttons: For the GTab, the Hardware button should work or, in the upper right corner is an icon with several parallel lines, OR (if you have enabled the “labs” quick controls – which I like) swipe from the right or left edge and then select the parallel lines icon.
- then Settings – Advanced – User Agent String.
For other browsers it will be slightly different so you just have to search in the settings. I generally look at ALL of the setting s on the apps that I use to see if there are any functions that my not be turned on – that should be.
George Gibbs
September 28, 2011 at 5:13 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
I just completed the Clockwork Mod and honeycomb installation that you recommended and it went fine. I’m now using Gtabcomb_b3.3_bl1.2. I’m trying to set up my email account and my home cable company internet provider is only providing my server information as pop3. They had no information on security type or port number so I couldn’t proceed. I’m not sure where to go to get this… I’ve just guessed but thats not getting the job done. Thanks for the guide for rooting the gtab its working great!
George
Ray Waldo
September 28, 2011 at 7:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All android stuff works best with an email acct ending in gmail.com
Seriously, get a gmail acct and just forward the isp mail to gmail until you get everyone to start using the GMail address.
Also, you have to have a gmail acct for the market and other services. You can do it with a Google acct tied to your isp mail. But what happens when you deecide to move to a new isp?
Once you have a gmail address, you can switch isp every day if you want. But your email address remains the same.
Ray Waldo
September 28, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If your isp’s tech support does not know such minor details as the pop3 port number that they are using, then you should find a different isp. If they do know and are unwilling to give you that info, then you should get another isp.
But, if you do not have alternatives, then just sign on to your gmail account (on a desktop computer), go into the settings, and under accounts, try to add the isp account. Gmail often has the defaults for major isp’s in its database.
Set it up to import all the mail from the isp account and then tell gmail that you want to SEND mail with that address also. GMail is smart enough to know that mail coming from the isp account should be replied to with the same address. Or, you can tell it to send all replies with your gmail account. That way, your contacts will get your new gmail address and start using that.
George Gibbs
September 28, 2011 at 5:13 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
I just completed the Clockwork Mod and honeycomb installation that you recommended and it went fine. I’m now using Gtabcomb_b3.3_bl1.2. I’m trying to set up my email account and my home cable company internet provider is only providing my server information as pop3. They had no information on security type or port number so I couldn’t proceed. I’m not sure where to go to get this… I’ve just guessed but thats not getting the job done. Thanks for the guide for rooting the gtab its working great!
George
Ray Waldo
September 28, 2011 at 7:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All android stuff works best with an email acct ending in gmail.com
Seriously, get a gmail acct and just forward the isp mail to gmail until you get everyone to start using the GMail address.
Also, you have to have a gmail acct for the market and other services. You can do it with a Google acct tied to your isp mail. But what happens when you deecide to move to a new isp?
Once you have a gmail address, you can switch isp every day if you want. But your email address remains the same.
George Gibbs
September 28, 2011 at 8:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks Ray,
I have a gmail account but have preferred to use my cable provider server account thats what most of my contacts are used to.
Why do the web pages like this one (Bishop of tec) and news pages open so differently on the gtab? I get horizontal lines of titles information with no introductory or ‘home’ page look. There are no photos or vertical columns. I much prefer the look of the web pages that I get with windows.
I’ve tried to download Netflix a couple of time into gtabcomb system and get the green lines dashing saying download with no completion. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help
George
Enough for now.
Thanks for your help
George
Ray Waldo
September 28, 2011 at 10:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
That is your choice about email. And, to be realistic, it is indeed YOUR choice. What your contacts like is irrelevant – all email accounts work with all others. Actually, I have my isp account merged into my gmail account so that I only check gmail to see all of my mail. And, if you send to my isp address, when I respond, GMail will use my isp address to reply to you. But to set that up, you need to know the same details of your email account that you mentioned in the previous comment.
The display that you see for this and many other sites is the MOBILE theme that I have. It is primarily for smart phones. As I said in the previous comment, you need to go into your browser’s configuration and set the “user agent” to “desktop.” Then, you will see the site as you would on a desktop computer. (The default for almost all browsers on tablets is “tablet” – and that triggers most web sites to send the “mobile” version. The mobile version is trimmed down to send primarily text to save mobile data and speed up the connection on slow networks.
Ray Waldo
September 28, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If your isp’s tech support does not know such minor details as the pop3 port number that they are using, then you should find a different isp. If they do know and are unwilling to give you that info, then you should get another isp.
But, if you do not have alternatives, then just sign on to your gmail account (on a desktop computer), go into the settings, and under accounts, try to add the isp account. Gmail often has the defaults for major isp’s in its database.
Set it up to import all the mail from the isp account and then tell gmail that you want to SEND mail with that address also. GMail is smart enough to know that mail coming from the isp account should be replied to with the same address. Or, you can tell it to send all replies with your gmail account. That way, your contacts will get your new gmail address and start using that.
HotMods
September 26, 2011 at 10:28 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I followed your directions completely and everything seemed exactly right except for one instruction at Step 4.
Step 4 says:
■Open the gtab.cwm.??????.rar file. (so far so good)
■Inside the file will be a folder named “recovery” & a file named “update.zip” (that too was correct)
■Copy both the folder & the update.zip file to the root of the INTERNAL (14gig) memory (DO NOT copy to a folder & do NOT copy to a removable SD card). (Note: If you see a file named “command” then you opened the folder – go back up one level and copy the FOLDER with the file.) – this was the step that tripped me up just a bit. In the folder was a file called command, but also a folder called Restore and the update.zip file. There was no sub folder. So I ended up following your instructions and copying the Restore folder and Update.zip.
I then got to step 6 and had a blue colored folder. I followed the steps for Blue Folder even though I knew I did not have a SD CArd installed and received an error message. Restarting (repeating the last bullet for step 5) brought me right back into the TNT menu.
So I went back and redownloaded the gtab.cwm….rev5.tar file thinking it may have been corrupted and started back at step 3. The same results were there when I opened the RAR file with the Update.Zip, Restore folder and Command file. So I copied the Update.Zip and Restore Folder, then I copied the Command file into the Restore folder.
Then in Step 6, I saw the Orange Menu and everything else worked as stated.
I want to say thank you for such a great walk through. Today I received the GTablet, my first android device and appreciated the thoroughness of this site.
HotMods
September 26, 2011 at 10:28 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I followed your directions completely and everything seemed exactly right except for one instruction at Step 4.
Step 4 says:
■Open the gtab.cwm.??????.rar file. (so far so good)
■Inside the file will be a folder named “recovery” & a file named “update.zip” (that too was correct)
■Copy both the folder & the update.zip file to the root of the INTERNAL (14gig) memory (DO NOT copy to a folder & do NOT copy to a removable SD card). (Note: If you see a file named “command” then you opened the folder – go back up one level and copy the FOLDER with the file.) – this was the step that tripped me up just a bit. In the folder was a file called command, but also a folder called Restore and the update.zip file. There was no sub folder. So I ended up following your instructions and copying the Restore folder and Update.zip.
I then got to step 6 and had a blue colored folder. I followed the steps for Blue Folder even though I knew I did not have a SD CArd installed and received an error message. Restarting (repeating the last bullet for step 5) brought me right back into the TNT menu.
So I went back and redownloaded the gtab.cwm….rev5.tar file thinking it may have been corrupted and started back at step 3. The same results were there when I opened the RAR file with the Update.Zip, Restore folder and Command file. So I copied the Update.Zip and Restore Folder, then I copied the Command file into the Restore folder.
Then in Step 6, I saw the Orange Menu and everything else worked as stated.
I want to say thank you for such a great walk through. Today I received the GTablet, my first android device and appreciated the thoroughness of this site.
HotMods
September 26, 2011 at 10:32 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Just to add here, I searched and read many sites and this by far has been the most helpful to a newbie Android User. Thank you for your passion, Ray. I plan to spend some time with this device, testing it and will be providing my experiences in this and other forums. I want to be able to give back to others as you have given to so many.
Ray Waldo
September 27, 2011 at 7:22 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Welcome to Android! I am convinced that it is the best mobile operating system available. And, thank you for your feedback.
As I said in an earlier comment, I need to update the guide relating to the steps where you had problems.
I do have a passion for helping and sharing my knowledge and experience. Positive feedback, such as yours, and an occasional donation keep me going.
HotMods
September 27, 2011 at 4:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Not sure how best to post/ask these questions about what I am finding with the GTABComb_b3.3_bl1.2. Is it best to post here or directly on the dev site? I searched both here and on XDA Developers and could not find a direct hit on this question/concern.
One example is that the Battery Use indicator under Settings –> About Tablet –> Battery Use does show a graph of the battery length and % remaining during that time. I love the graph, but it does not show WHAT is using the power. It says Battery usage data not available. Is that something to provide to the dev of the ROM or post here as a question on maybe I am not doing something right?
I will add that the battery life has been good so far. Since initially setting this up yesterday out of the box for the first time, updating the ROM to GTABComb I have used it on and off and I have about 20 hours on the battery. Not all in use, but that is still pretty good in my opinion. That is probably about 3-4 hours of heavy use, copying files via USB, connected to internet wireleslessly, listening to music, playing some Angry Birds of course just to test.
So the battery is working well, just wanted to see what was using the most to see what I should do to conserve further.
HotMods
September 27, 2011 at 5:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Nevermind, Ray. I found the answer on xda about the Battery Use. Zyhong says he is considering that for the next build. Back to digging in.
Ray Waldo
September 27, 2011 at 6:21 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Glad you found the answer. I have been “out of pocket” for a while.
Dan
September 25, 2011 at 6:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray:
I have stumbled upon another issue. When I downloaded the GTabComb beta 3.3 zip file or the file from the alpha link, I couldn’t find update.zip or the recovery folder. I downloaded tried to use Honeycomb alpha 6.0 which has both files in the RAR zip file, but my gtab soft-bricked and NVflashed the system. Your advice is much appreciated.
Thank you,
Dan
Ray Waldo
September 25, 2011 at 9:14 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
No problem. GTabComb is installed with ClockworkMod.
You were on the right track. If you had NOT tried to open the zip file, you would have been fine.
NOW, since you bricked the device, you will have to NVFlash again. Not a big deal, just repeat the steps you did PRIOR to opening the zip file and trying to find the update.zip.
INFO: To install a rom with the (blue menu) stock recovery, it MUST be named update.zip. However, when you install CWM (yellow menu), one of the benefits is that you can flash a rom that is NOT necessarily named update.zip.
If you have CWM installed, just copy the gtabcomb.zip file (or whatever it is named) to the root and then follow step #10 above.
If you still have the stock recovery, you can rename the GTabComb.zip file to update.zip THEN copy it to the root of the GTab and “flash update.zip”. But you are MUCH better off by installing CWM.
Ron
September 22, 2011 at 11:15 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
There has been talk on XDA about bl1.2-5274 and most recently bl1.3-5303 for Hannspad and others. Has anyone run these new bootloaders with the gTab yet? I am now using 1.2-4349 with Flashback 8.0. I moved from 1.1 with gTabComb 3.3 in the hope that Flashback will continue to evolve – especially Flash support which crashes unexpectedly, camera for Skype and BT for tethering to my phone.
Ray Waldo
September 22, 2011 at 4:39 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have not been following those discussions. What are others saying the value might be?
From my perspective:
First, unless (and until) ROMs are developed to support it, a newer bl would be useless.
Second, AFAIK, the boot loader provides very few functions directly to the user. When you were using GC b3.3 on 1.1bl, it worked and did exactly the same as my version on 1.2bl. There was no functional difference.
Ron
September 22, 2011 at 11:15 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
There has been talk on XDA about bl1.2-5274 and most recently bl1.3-5303 for Hannspad and others. Has anyone run these new bootloaders with the gTab yet? I am now using 1.2-4349 with Flashback 8.0. I moved from 1.1 with gTabComb 3.3 in the hope that Flashback will continue to evolve – especially Flash support which crashes unexpectedly, camera for Skype and BT for tethering to my phone.
Ray Waldo
September 22, 2011 at 4:39 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have not been following those discussions. What are others saying the value might be?
From my perspective:
First, unless (and until) ROMs are developed to support it, a newer bl would be useless.
Second, AFAIK, the boot loader provides very few functions directly to the user. When you were using GC b3.3 on 1.1bl, it worked and did exactly the same as my version on 1.2bl. There was no functional difference.
philip
September 13, 2011 at 10:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
last question. confused which rom serves gtab best? should i stay with cm7? oh and how can i check to see what bl i have. sorry to ask lame questions..thanks again
philip
September 13, 2011 at 9:38 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
hi ray, awhile ago i rooted cyanogen 7 now would like to go with honeycomb..can i use rom manager..or is it not that easy..tks philip
Ray Waldo
September 13, 2011 at 9:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Nope. You must go through the entire NVFlash and switch (back?) to the 1.2bl branch. But it is not painful. Visit the link at the top of this page “Strongly urge you to flash our version…” and start there.
Fran
September 13, 2011 at 6:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
My wife bought a gtablet for her work and we found out we need to be able to run either internet explorer or google crome. Do you have a solution for me? Thanking you in advance, Fran
Ray Waldo
September 13, 2011 at 9:52 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Internet Explorer is WINDOWS only (afaik). Chrome is available on most platforms and the native browser in the HoneyComb rom (GTabComb b.3.3) is closely related to Chrome. I find that most sites THINK that it is Chrome.
So, the only suggestion that I can offer for the GTab – or any other tablet on the market today – is to flash HoneyComb and try the native browser. Start with the above article and just follow the instructions, you should do fine.
If the website in question does not work with the HC native browser, there are quite a few other browsers in the Android Market (most are free). You could try any of them.
I don’t think that you will find Internet Explorer or TRUE Chrome on ANY tablet on the market today. The nearest would be the Google “Chromebook” by Samsung or Acer.
Fran
September 13, 2011 at 6:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
My wife bought a gtablet for her work and we found out we need to be able to run either internet explorer or google crome. Do you have a solution for me? Thanking you in advance, Fran
Ray Waldo
September 13, 2011 at 9:52 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Internet Explorer is WINDOWS only (afaik). Chrome is available on most platforms and the native browser in the HoneyComb rom (GTabComb b.3.3) is closely related to Chrome. I find that most sites THINK that it is Chrome.
So, the only suggestion that I can offer for the GTab – or any other tablet on the market today – is to flash HoneyComb and try the native browser. Start with the above article and just follow the instructions, you should do fine.
If the website in question does not work with the HC native browser, there are quite a few other browsers in the Android Market (most are free). You could try any of them.
I don’t think that you will find Internet Explorer or TRUE Chrome on ANY tablet on the market today. The nearest would be the Google “Chromebook” by Samsung or Acer.
Jerry
September 12, 2011 at 6:41 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray, and thank you for posting these instructions. This is my first post here, so I wanted you to know that I appreciate your work and you sharing it.
I have successfully installed honeycomb on a gtablet using your instructions a couple of weeks ago and am very pleased with it.
I’m having some issues with the second one I just obtained for my son, however. I just received it this week and only powered it on to check the bootloader and to make sure all functions were working, and went to the task of putting honeycomb on.
I used the same method (with one exception that I’ll explain) as before (using nvflash as you suggested (both devices had the 1.2 bootloader initially, so I used the 1.2-4349 based image.) I then continued with your instructions on the link:
http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/clockworkmod-1-2bl-honeycomb-on-gtab/
All seemed to be going the same as with the first installation until I reached step 6, and there I got the blue menu, which I don’t remember happening with the first unit. I moved through that by “update form SD card” as you indicated, and then backed up (step 7).
For this device, I chose to formate the SD card, which I did not do the first time around with the other gtablet. When I finished the process, I found that this unit is stuck in a boot loop (at the 3 birds, it reloads the recovery image, without me holding any buttons down).
I then went to your “When things go wrong” and repeated the first step (which involved formatting the SD card) and wiping some data, and still got the reboot loop.
So, I proceeded to step 2, but since those instructions pertain to the 1.1 bootloader, I simply repeated step one and loaded this rom on with the USB storage menu. When I tried to install this, however, I received an error stating that this ROM could not be installed.
I did notice that when the honeycomb ROM (I used GTabComb) was installing, the progress bar did not move past about 15 or maybe 20%, and then I got the message saying that the install was complete.
Now, then, I’m looking for advice for what to do next. Should I repeat the entire process, starting with the nvflash step. It is, of course, possible that I’ve made an error along the way, so I’m guessing that’s where I should start, but would appreciate any advice you may have.
Thanks again,
Jerry
Ray Waldo
September 13, 2011 at 1:24 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry Jerry… I have been out of town and I am a bit rushed right now. I will try to figure out your situation later. Until then, perhaps another user here will have the answer?
Lastly, just start another NVFlash and step through each step slowly. When we have already done something, it is easier to MISS a step…
Jerry
September 20, 2011 at 6:21 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray.
I repeated the process, and was successful this time. I did not format the sd card this time, but I also could have missed another step, so I am not sure that caused the problem. Likely it did not, since it sounds like that is actually the preferred method. Thanks again for the information and the help.
Another related question:
I obtained an SD card for the external slot in the tablet, formatted it and inserted it. The tablet recognizes it and displays an icon indicating that external storage is present.
It does not behave exactly as I expected, however, in that I can “copy” files to it but not “move” files to it.
Also, it appears that I cannot directly access the external SD card from the computer, when I connect to it via usb. Is this “normal” or is there something I need to configure or change in order to access the external microsd card?
(Note: The only way I have figured out how to connect the tablet to the computer via usb is through the recovery mode… I’m using linux, and I can mount the tablet as an external drive in that mode. I have not tried to connect using a computer with a Windows OS.)
Thanks again,
Jerry
Ray Waldo
September 20, 2011 at 7:14 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Glad it is working! USB Connection to the external sdcard is a problem. See the “tips for Android ” article for possible solutions.
jesse
September 10, 2011 at 6:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
got the blue screen… why …. does it say not to put update on sd card in step 3… and then IF BLUE SCREEN UPDATE FROM SD CARD??? SO CONFUSING ….. (unacceptable language redacted)
Ray Waldo
September 10, 2011 at 6:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Please revise your comments to g-rated and I will respond. Otherwise, figure it out for yourself and don’t expect your comments to be published.
jesse
September 10, 2011 at 6:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
got the blue screen… why …. does it say not to put update on sd card in step 3… and then IF BLUE SCREEN UPDATE FROM SD CARD??? SO CONFUSING ….. (unacceptable language redacted)
Ray Waldo
September 10, 2011 at 6:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Please revise your comments to g-rated and I will respond. Otherwise, figure it out for yourself and don’t expect your comments to be published.
B.Trizzy
September 10, 2011 at 2:19 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
after about a week of searching i found your step by step, and after reading over it i come to realize that it was the only tutorial that i felt completely safe following, and BY FAR the easiest instructions to follow, I Sincerely Thank You for your hard work as well as all the people that went into providing the files. Keep, doing what your doing Ray because you’re doing an EXCELLENT job!!
Thank you again!
B.Trizzy
September 10, 2011 at 2:19 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
after about a week of searching i found your step by step, and after reading over it i come to realize that it was the only tutorial that i felt completely safe following, and BY FAR the easiest instructions to follow, I Sincerely Thank You for your hard work as well as all the people that went into providing the files. Keep, doing what your doing Ray because you’re doing an EXCELLENT job!!
Thank you again!
Ray Waldo
September 10, 2011 at 4:29 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Mark
September 3, 2011 at 8:31 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
…So far the best step-by-step I’ve found for my 1.2 ver G Tablet. One small comment about a missing step. At step 6 the new recovery mod has not yet been installed, therefore you will not see the message shown in step 6 until you use the factory recovery to actually do the update and install the files loaded in step 4. I continue now at step 6…..
Mark
September 3, 2011 at 8:31 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
…So far the best step-by-step I’ve found for my 1.2 ver G Tablet. One small comment about a missing step. At step 6 the new recovery mod has not yet been installed, therefore you will not see the message shown in step 6 until you use the factory recovery to actually do the update and install the files loaded in step 4. I continue now at step 6…..
Ray Waldo
September 4, 2011 at 7:54 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When I did that step, it just installed when I turned the GTab back on. If you did not turn the device OFF (step 5) then, yes, you would have to UPDATE. However, it should do that automatically when you turn it off and then back on again.
If that is not correct, then someone will have to explain it so that I can correct the guide. Until then, I will highlight the TURN OFF portion of step 5.
Steven
September 1, 2011 at 2:14 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, thanks for publishing this. I followed the instructions twice, and reformatted once to get back to where I hit a snag. I am following your path for “Installing ClockworkMod Recovery for 1.2 Bootloader.” The point at which I am bombing out, or failing to comprehend, is after the last Step 10 – bullet point 12. I am able to start/restart the gtab just fine. But Windows 7 will not see the device AND the extra 4 or 8 GB micro SD card I have put into it. Windows only sees the device. I have tried removing the cards, putting the cards back in, in several different patterns, and still it will not see the new cards. When I go to setting, it doesn’t see the card as extra memory either. Only if I go to the file explorer will I see the files.
I tried to follow your path to the other websites about downloading the vold.fstab files, but it doesn’t work with the 1.2 bootloader pathway.
So here is my question: What do I need to do to see the extra memory card and load stuff on to it?
Appreciate the help and the effort for this website!
Steven
Ray Waldo
September 1, 2011 at 6:44 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you got the rom installed then you did well!
It is a common issue that you cannot see the external memory from your computer. If that is a real problem for you, visit the “tips ” article for a possible solution.
The wifi file explorer application (market) does it over Wifi: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer&feature=search_result
Recommended
Steven
September 1, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks Ray, it’s not the end-all for needing the extra memory card in the unit, but it was a major reason why to buy a gtab in the first place: explandable memory, and ability to run Android.
As a follow-up question if you don’t mind, in all of the instructions, it always refers to the “sdcard.” So that means a portion of the internal flash memory on the device becomes the “sdcard” correct? Also, under Step 8 it states, “Select
“advanced” and then “Partition SD Card” & execute (Answer 2048 to the first and 0 to the second option.)” Why are we partitioning the 2048 and 0? Does that segment out the specific portion on the interal memory to run the OS and leave the remaining 12GB or so of memory for everything else?
Thanks again, this has been an interesting process.
Steven
Ray Waldo
September 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All of my guides assume the sdcard to be the internal memory. However, some roms may refer to the external. That is why I say to remove the external when following my guides.
For more information see the format article: http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/format-the-gtab/
Dave Sass
September 1, 2011 at 9:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have never been able to access the external memory card via the USB cable and Windows computer. (Only the SD Card) (Which, yes, is the internal 16GB of memory the GTAB uses) It is partitioned for different data.
Just get an external card reader, load up whatever files you want on your external card and the GTAB will recognize them. I use it exclusively for pictures/music/media files. The media applications on the GTAB instantly recognizes them.
Some people, I guess, have been able to read the card from their computers via the usb interface, but I have never been able to figure it out. To me, it’s not a big deal. I just use it for the media I want to show or play and load them externally with an external card reader.
Ray Waldo
September 1, 2011 at 3:28 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I think that cm7 addresses both sdcard via usb.
Steven
September 3, 2011 at 12:15 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
New problem… my camera isnt recognized. It says:
The application Camera (process com.androoid.camera) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again.
Any tips???
Ray Waldo
September 3, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
camera does not work on any Honeycomb version that I know of. Neither is there any hardware acceleration. Flash does not work right. See the “tips” article.
Juvat
August 31, 2011 at 7:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks again for the instructions. I was able to get-r-done.
Juvat
August 31, 2011 at 7:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks again for the instructions. I was able to get-r-done.
uid0
August 30, 2011 at 9:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/clockworkmod-1-2bl-honeycomb-on-gtab/
Ray,
THANK YOU for these step-by-step instructions. It is much easier than reading through forums.
I ran into this problem twice now… In step 6, I rebooted into CW, but the CW that appeared was the old (green) CW. I’m not sure how that would be possible, but it did. I didn’t realize it. I then skipped step 7 (because I didn’t need a backup. I’m not sure what that does anyway.) I went directly to step 8 and when I tried the “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”, it displayed a white wrench and screwdriver on a black background. After that, I powered it off by holding down the power button. Waited a couple seconds and then held Vol+ and powered on. This time it came up into the new CW (blue). I was then able to do all the other things you listed.
The first time this problem occurred, I nvflashed the device because I didn’t realize the CW wasn’t working correctly. The second time, I did what I described above. Now I’m running GtabComb 3.3. Sweet!
AL
uid0
August 30, 2011 at 9:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/clockworkmod-1-2bl-honeycomb-on-gtab/
Ray,
THANK YOU for these step-by-step instructions. It is much easier than reading through forums.
I ran into this problem twice now… In step 6, I rebooted into CW, but the CW that appeared was the old (green) CW. I’m not sure how that would be possible, but it did. I didn’t realize it. I then skipped step 7 (because I didn’t need a backup. I’m not sure what that does anyway.) I went directly to step 8 and when I tried the “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”, it displayed a white wrench and screwdriver on a black background. After that, I powered it off by holding down the power button. Waited a couple seconds and then held Vol+ and powered on. This time it came up into the new CW (blue). I was then able to do all the other things you listed.
The first time this problem occurred, I nvflashed the device because I didn’t realize the CW wasn’t working correctly. The second time, I did what I described above. Now I’m running GtabComb 3.3. Sweet!
AL
Ray Waldo
August 30, 2011 at 9:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Glad you were able to figure it out and it is working for you.
I tried to make the guides “noob-proof” but something always gets confused. You found the secret though – just keep trying until it works!
Proud of you!
tazguy
August 29, 2011 at 5:53 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray
thank you so much. I followed your directions to the letter and got myself upgraded to a 1.2 BL, then i went to the FLASHBACK ROM. I cant belive how much faster it is than the stock 1.1.
i do have one question. do i have to do the market fix, my market does not show netflix, and when i googled searched and went to it, it says it is not compatible?
thanks
Tazguy
tazguy
August 29, 2011 at 5:53 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray
thank you so much. I followed your directions to the letter and got myself upgraded to a 1.2 BL, then i went to the FLASHBACK ROM. I cant belive how much faster it is than the stock 1.1.
i do have one question. do i have to do the market fix, my market does not show netflix, and when i googled searched and went to it, it says it is not compatible?
thanks
Tazguy
Ray Waldo
August 29, 2011 at 6:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Market is fine. See the “tips” article for netflix.
don law
August 28, 2011 at 4:24 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Bishop, just reporting in, no more freeze ups in the heat since I lowered the clock speed to 1000, will try 1200 next but weather is cooling quick so cant say for sure it will be a valid test. I am using CPU Master free from the market as sugested.
Don
Ray Waldo
August 28, 2011 at 7:52 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have been using 1200 since I figured out what the problem was. The only time I had a lockup was with flashback.
quinn12
August 28, 2011 at 1:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Right out of the box thanks to Woot. I followed all directions for FB 7.2 and am now staring at Android 3.0 for the last hour. Please help. I’m going nowhere fast. Thank you
quinn12
August 28, 2011 at 1:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Right out of the box thanks to Woot. I followed all directions for FB 7.2 and am now staring at Android 3.0 for the last hour. Please help. I’m going nowhere fast. Thank you
Ray Waldo
August 28, 2011 at 8:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sounds like you did not NVFlash – as the dev’s instructions (on xda) and mine here both tell you. Flashback is too large for the stock system partition & NVFlash fixes that. See my “NVFlash for dummies guide.
If you do not want to NVFlash, then flash gtabcomb. I use it & prefer it to fb. It will fit on the stock system partition. You can just rename it to update.zip and flash with the stock recovery. I recommend using clockworkmod though.
quinn12
August 28, 2011 at 3:02 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you Ray. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I will try this solution immediately.
Quinn
August 28, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
good evening Ray,
Great job on all your work btw. Anyway, I installed the HC Flashback, no errors on install. Rebooted. It’s been on the Android 3.0 screen with the black dice for the last 30 min. Is this normal? This Gtab is 1.2 BL and brand new out of the box. Please help because I’m stuck. Thank you
dano10
August 26, 2011 at 6:55 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray, just want to thank you for the detailed instructions. I had pretty much bricked my gtab from trying to install CM7 and decided to use your nvflash instructions to change to BL1.2 and then installed Flashback. I dloaded both the latest Flashback and GtabComb so I might switch back and forth between then to check them out. I know you kinda favor GtabComb. Flashback just booted up and I’m setting stuff up now. I want something that is stable and pretty much everything working. I don’t want to be really flashing all the time. Just not enough hrs in the day. In step 4 on RAR files, you might mention if people need an rar extractor to go to download.com and get rarzilla, it’s free and does the trick. Also in step 8 clear data, you have format /cache twice, not sure if you meant to do that. Also in step10 3rd line, should be just Unmount, remove the execute cause you have instructions couple lines down to run the zip. Just minor things. BTW I’ve been a sw developer for 30yrs and work with midrange servers these days running RedHat Linux. I run Mepis Linix at home along with Win7 on some new laptops. I couldn’t get the nvflash to update on Mepis so had to use Win7. Some lib/lib.so.6 file missing or something. Just fyi…
thank u very must for all the instructions on your website, well done sir. ….dan
Ray Waldo
August 27, 2011 at 7:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
thanks for the notes I will edit the article as soon as I can.
Things like that can slip in when I am writing from memory but they can be confusing for new users.
dano10
August 26, 2011 at 6:55 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray, just want to thank you for the detailed instructions. I had pretty much bricked my gtab from trying to install CM7 and decided to use your nvflash instructions to change to BL1.2 and then installed Flashback. I dloaded both the latest Flashback and GtabComb so I might switch back and forth between then to check them out. I know you kinda favor GtabComb. Flashback just booted up and I’m setting stuff up now. I want something that is stable and pretty much everything working. I don’t want to be really flashing all the time. Just not enough hrs in the day. In step 4 on RAR files, you might mention if people need an rar extractor to go to download.com and get rarzilla, it’s free and does the trick. Also in step 8 clear data, you have format /cache twice, not sure if you meant to do that. Also in step10 3rd line, should be just Unmount, remove the execute cause you have instructions couple lines down to run the zip. Just minor things. BTW I’ve been a sw developer for 30yrs and work with midrange servers these days running RedHat Linux. I run Mepis Linix at home along with Win7 on some new laptops. I couldn’t get the nvflash to update on Mepis so had to use Win7. Some lib/lib.so.6 file missing or something. Just fyi…
thank u very must for all the instructions on your website, well done sir. ….dan
Ray Waldo
August 27, 2011 at 7:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
thanks for the notes I will edit the article as soon as I can.
Things like that can slip in when I am writing from memory but they can be confusing for new users.
Michigan Joshua
August 25, 2011 at 6:54 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hey Ray,
I have been following your instructions and successfully installed CM7 back a couple of months ago and today I used them install GTabComb (after having put NVFlash and a new CWM first). But I have a problem. Nothing is downloading from the Android Market, and it seems to be having trouble signing in to things like Google Talk. It keeps saying download/log in failed. I know it has Internet connectivity, and it is logging in to my Google account. I can access my mail and so on.
Do you have any ideas about this?
Thanks!
Ray Waldo
August 26, 2011 at 8:31 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
With a good flash, the market will not be a problem. You probably didn’t clear everything. Boot into CWM & do a reset to factory. Then clear both caches & reboot. If you still have problems, flash GtabComb again.
Michigan Joshua
August 26, 2011 at 8:54 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I just did a clean try at it again based on your instructions from step 8 onwards and that did the trick. Thanks again!
Josh
August 25, 2011 at 4:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have a problem, guys.
I flashed my gtab using Ray’s awesome instructions a few months ago. I decided to sell the gtab today and went into the settings and did a factory reset. It gives you the option to “Delete contents of the SD Card” when you do this, too, which I checked and hit OK.
Now it is stuck in an infinite boot sequence. I did the NVFlash instructions again and used its default options which I hoped would put the original out of the box configuration on there, but all it did was change the boot logo/animation back to “gtablet” instead of the cyanogenmod7 android skateboard animation…. but it is still stuck rebooting forever.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Josh
August 25, 2011 at 5:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Also, I should note, that I did the volume up + Power and it acts like it is going to boot into the recovery module but then it flashes the big exclamation sign with the triangle and reboots.
When I do volume down + Power it goes into the black screen which lets me run the aforementioned NVFlash utility and it seems to talk to the gtab just fine and copy files… it is just that nothing ever happens except infinite reboots afterwards. I am going to cry…. lol
Boss Man
August 26, 2011 at 8:19 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am not sure how the reset in SETTINGS actually works. It may not be appropriate with a custom rom since you would have cwm which is a better option.
Nvflash is the next step.
Josh
August 25, 2011 at 4:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have a problem, guys.
I flashed my gtab using Ray’s awesome instructions a few months ago. I decided to sell the gtab today and went into the settings and did a factory reset. It gives you the option to “Delete contents of the SD Card” when you do this, too, which I checked and hit OK.
Now it is stuck in an infinite boot sequence. I did the NVFlash instructions again and used its default options which I hoped would put the original out of the box configuration on there, but all it did was change the boot logo/animation back to “gtablet” instead of the cyanogenmod7 android skateboard animation…. but it is still stuck rebooting forever.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Josh
August 25, 2011 at 5:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Also, I should note, that I did the volume up + Power and it acts like it is going to boot into the recovery module but then it flashes the big exclamation sign with the triangle and reboots.
When I do volume down + Power it goes into the black screen which lets me run the aforementioned NVFlash utility and it seems to talk to the gtab just fine and copy files… it is just that nothing ever happens except infinite reboots afterwards. I am going to cry…. lol
Boss Man
August 26, 2011 at 8:23 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It sounds like you are booting into the STOCK recovery – which is what should happen if you did the Nvflash. However, you probably got a bad flash. Just repeat the NVFlash to stock 1.2–4349.
Jason
August 25, 2011 at 7:30 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Try nvflash again.
Boss Man
August 26, 2011 at 8:19 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am not sure how the reset in SETTINGS actually works. It may not be appropriate with a custom rom since you would have cwm which is a better option.
Nvflash is the next step.
Jason
August 23, 2011 at 10:23 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Can you suggest the most stable ROM out there for the GTab? I’m looking for something that isn’t lacking things like camera and bluetooth. It would be great if it were honeycomb.
Jason
August 23, 2011 at 10:23 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Can you suggest the most stable ROM out there for the GTab? I’m looking for something that isn’t lacking things like camera and bluetooth. It would be great if it were honeycomb.
Ray Waldo
August 24, 2011 at 7:31 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good question Jason. We are all looking for the same thing. Unfortunately, it appears that all hc roms for the GTab suffer from the same major flaws.
However, Cyanogenmod 7.0.3 for gtab (gingerbread 2.3.3) is very stable and has all the functions that hc is missing. Our guides include the links for it. A few people have reported that CM7 is not as responsive as hc but I found it very speedy.
Jason
August 25, 2011 at 7:29 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I saw you post one spot that it wasn’t a good idea to put a 1.2 version of cyanogenmod but another spot where it seemed to contradict this. Is there a GOOD stable version of cyanogenmod 7 for 1.2 bootloader?
Ray Waldo
August 26, 2011 at 8:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
good question. It is the march of progress! Over time, I have come to understand that we need to move to the 1.2bl. If you want CM7 then it doesn’t matter that much. But to switch to 1.2bl now will give you options later.
As to which version is stable, I can’t advise since I no longer use CM7.
Bharat
August 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I was seriously looking for good tablet which I can afford. However, I was not able to buy any due to value for money option. Ipad is good but comes with restrictive and monopolistic system.There were no good alternatives with Android in lower price range with powerful processor. I read about G tablet which is powerful hardware but comes with very poor TapnTap UI. However, after reading few reviews I came to know that it is possible to flash custom ROM. These ROMS are provided and supported by brilliant Android enthusiast. There was another problem that I did not understand the whole process in complete form due to available information on internet was in bits and pieces. I came across your article and my problem was resolved. I understand whole XDA things and Android ROMs. Immediately, I bought G tablet from Amazon in $259.99 which is a very good deal. I flashed my G tablet on fist day with Gtabcom 3.3 by following your article. It was all smooth and my Gtablet got on Honeycomb. Now, We have three android devices runs on Android Froyo 2.2, Cynagenmod 7 and Gtabcomb 3.3.
Thank you very much for compiling the entire process with great accuracy. All other articles are also very helpful to learn about Android ROMs. Thank you once again.
Ray Waldo
August 23, 2011 at 4:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are very welcome Bharat! Another satisfied “customer!” Glad I did not have to give you your money back
.
Loften
August 21, 2011 at 7:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Whew! I finally got my gtablet to install honeycomb. I love this interface. I was hot on getting an iPad2 but my son sold me on android tablets. Gonna get one for my son, too.
Ray Waldo
August 21, 2011 at 8:57 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks Loften.
Android: more powerful, more good-looking, more adaptable, cheaper… What is there NOT to like?
Go Android! Go GTab!
Loften
August 21, 2011 at 7:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Whew! I finally got my gtablet to install honeycomb. I love this interface. I was hot on getting an iPad2 but my son sold me on android tablets. Gonna get one for my son, too.
Ray Waldo
August 21, 2011 at 8:57 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks Loften.
Android: more powerful, more good-looking, more adaptable, cheaper… What is there NOT to like?
Go Android! Go GTab!
Ray Waldo
August 21, 2011 at 7:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
@Kelly – had to start a new thread.
The two lines are ok. Your recovery is probably in blue text – that is the STOCK recovery. You can use that to flash the GTabComb ROM. Just rename the rom file to “update.zip” and copy it to the root. Boot into the recovery and have it install the zip.
You can get CWM (before or after flashing GTabComb), download this file: http://www.mediafire.com/?2flqn8b10ebcq44, then use it to start at step 2 above.
A call will not be a problem. I want to see you get your GTab working.
Kelly
August 23, 2011 at 5:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I did try your suggestion but still was not having luck. Was going to call you but my stubborn streak had me digging around the Internet for one last time. Found a version of NVFlash with CWM included in it, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Was FINALLY able to get the GTab into CWM mode, and from there I followed your directions to the letter. I am happy and relieved to say that I successfully got Honeycomb working on my GTab. Thanks so much for your patience!
Ray Waldo
August 23, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Most excellent! And. You can say, “I did it my way!”
bill
August 16, 2011 at 6:43 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
In step 8 it says to format cache twice, once in the beginning and once at the end. Is that correct?
Ray Waldo
August 16, 2011 at 8:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It is often suggested to clear the cache at the start and again at the end. I am not absolutely certain that it is essential but it only takes a few seconds and it will not hurt anything. so… do as you wish.
bill
August 16, 2011 at 6:43 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
In step 8 it says to format cache twice, once in the beginning and once at the end. Is that correct?
Ray Waldo
August 16, 2011 at 8:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It is often suggested to clear the cache at the start and again at the end. I am not absolutely certain that it is essential but it only takes a few seconds and it will not hurt anything. so… do as you wish.
Kelly
August 16, 2011 at 5:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK, Ray, I have a real newbie question for you regarding Step 4 above. You wrote:
4. Find Downloaded Files
Open the gtab.cwm.??????.rar file.
Inside the file will be a folder named “recovery” & a file named “update.zip”
Copy both the folder & the update.zip file to the root of the INTERNAL (14gig) memory (DO NOT copy to a folder & NOT to a removable SD card).
When I open the gtab.cwm.rar file with WinZip, it shows me the 3 files/folders inside. You want me to copy the folder and the .zip file, but how do I do that without extracting the .zip file? Do you want the update.zip file copied over exactly as is without unzipping it? If so, can you tell me how to do that? I have been all over WinZip help and the Internet and I am stumped. Or, am I being really stupid and I’m supposed to extract the files and then copy them over (which I know how to do)? I did this all yesterday but did not successfully get Honeycomb on my GTab. I have started from scratch and have completed NVFlash for Dummies and all the other steps. Thanks!
Ray Waldo
August 16, 2011 at 5:16 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are not stupid. It is unclear to me at times whether an un-zip program will allow moving a file from the compressed version without specifically extracting first. Most software WILL allow it. So, just drag the file and folder from one window to another.
If the software does not allow drag-n-drop, then extract the files onto your computer and then copy them over.
Yes, the zip file should be copied exactly – without extracting.
Kelly
August 17, 2011 at 9:21 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As far as I can tell, and someone here correct me if I am wrong, WinZip doesn’t allow drag-n-drop. I also tried copy & paste (using Windows 7 for only the 3rd day). Will investigate more later today or tomorrow since I don’t have time to do it now, but just wanted to thank you for your quick response. Will keep you posted on my progress
Ray Waldo
August 17, 2011 at 10:03 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I could not say. If it has “win” in the name, I avoid it like the plague!
Check out my posts on Ubuntu Linux.
Kelly
August 18, 2011 at 12:54 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I figured out how to extract the files from WinZip, and I copied them over to the GTab, but now I’m having a problem with CWM. When I follow the steps to activate CWM, it instead activates an Android System Recovery (perhaps from my first failed attempt to install Honeycomb?)and in the lower left of the screen it says, “Installing update..” but nothing is happening. I have been through “When Things Go Wrong” and I have flashed the tablet several times and started from scratch, but I’m not getting anywhere. I was trying to go back to CyanogenMod7 but I guess I need to downgrade to 1.1? I currently have 1.2-4349.
Kelly
August 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I forgot to add that now whenever I turn on my GTab, I get a screen with a green “lock” symbol on the bottom right, the time/date, etc. but an unresponsive screen. This is what I got when I first tried to install Honeycomb, but the screen and my buttons don’t respond.
Ray Waldo
August 18, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sounds good! Honeycomb installs a lockscreen. Just drag the padlock icon out of the circle to start hc.
Kelly
August 18, 2011 at 7:06 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
So it turns out I did get the installation of Honeycomb right. Too bad I didn’t know about the padlock icon. I thought the frozen touch screen was a sign of something gone wrong. See my post in the “Help” section because I’ve really made a mess of my GTab and have spent hours trying to fix it. I’m hopelessly lost
Ray Waldo
August 18, 2011 at 6:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If the recovery menu is blue, it is the stock recovery that was installed with 1.2-4349. Go back to step 3 (above) if you want cwm recovery. It should not effect your rom install (no guarantees).
Kelly
August 20, 2011 at 10:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Some good news to report: I have revived the tablet with 1.2. I don’t understand why 1.1 wouldn’t bring it back to life, but then again, I’m not tech savvy so…
Bad news: Still can’t get it to go into CWM. Have repeated the steps, but it still brings me to an android recovery. When I try to reset to factory settings from that screen, the tablet freezes up with a “tool” screen (but no progress).
So, I run the 1.2 again, and now have what appears to be the Honeycomb screen: “Android System” in the top left corner, green lock in the bottom right, date/time, connected to network, etc. When I drag the green lock up, I now get the original GTab home screen (as in “out of the box” home screen). I guess this will do for now, as I now have a working tablet, but I don’t think it’s the Honeycomb system (or is it??). In “About Tablet” I have the following: Android OS version 2.2; Tap UI version 1.2-4349; Kernel version 2.6.32.9-00001-g0e0c333-dirtyhudson@tapntapsvd #1
More good news: it’s a beautiful day and I’m going to the beach. The GTab has consumed enough of my time for now.
Ray Waldo
August 20, 2011 at 3:27 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
No, you are in the STOCK 1.2 Tap-n-Tap. But that is GOOD! From there, you should have no problem getting a working Honeycomb going.
You can start at step 1 above and it should go easy. Just follow each step and don’t skip. If you have problems, when you get back from the beach, give me a call. The number is on the HELP – CONTACT page.
Kelly
August 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Back again with an update. I followed the steps above exactly, as I have been, but it is still coming up with an android recovery system and not cwm. I even thought that maybe there was some confusion created by recoveryold and updateold so I deleted those from the root directory. Again, tablet appears to be working in its original state, but I can’t get cwm: when I press Power + VolUp I see two lines of text: Line 1 “Recovery key detected” and Line 2 “Booting recovery image.” I can call you if possible but don’t like to bother people with my problems. Sorry for clogging up the comments with my lack of tech savvy. Will consider having my brother or someone look at it. Thanks much for your patience.
Bob Krause
August 19, 2011 at 1:00 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Kelly, you are correct that WinZIP does not allow drag and drop.
BTW, Win 7 and Vista both treat ZIP files as compressed folders and will open them natively…and they support drag and drop for those files. Unfortunately, you do still need an extraction program like WinZIP for RAR and TAR files.
bill
August 16, 2011 at 4:40 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
On step 2 and 3, I’m getting the proper screens on the G-tab abd after clicking “Activate Now” get a screen that says USB active on tablet. But nothing is happening on the computer side. I do get the “tone” when I plug in and unplug the usb cable but that’s all. I did successfully follow the NVflash for Dummies procedure prior to this.
bill
August 16, 2011 at 4:40 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
On step 2 and 3, I’m getting the proper screens on the G-tab abd after clicking “Activate Now” get a screen that says USB active on tablet. But nothing is happening on the computer side. I do get the “tone” when I plug in and unplug the usb cable but that’s all. I did successfully follow the NVflash for Dummies procedure prior to this.
Ray Waldo
August 16, 2011 at 5:28 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Check the “when things go wrong” guide for advice about how to get Windoz to recognize the USB connection.
don law
August 14, 2011 at 9:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, had a couple of freezes the other day when it was really hot here, running 3.3 and bl 1.2. I remember you had a similar problem early on and you dropped the clock speed from 1.4? to 1.2? and this seemed to solve the freezes. Whats your latest thoughts on this and how do you change the clock speed?
Thanks
Don
Ray Waldo
August 15, 2011 at 8:00 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am still convinced that heat buildup is the cause of lockups. Higher clock speeds and heavier workloads (flash, etc) all cause the CPU to heat up. If you have a carbon fiber cover (like I do) then it will not dissipate the heat as readily. If the environment is hot (in a parted car, in the sun and then you get in and turn it on…) that will set the device up for overheating.
HOW: With the CM7 Gingerbread, there was a setting for CPU speeds. That is not available on most of the Honeycomb versions. However, the two HC ROMs that I recommend both will abide by the settings in an external app such as SetCPU or CPUMaster (both from the Market).
don law
August 14, 2011 at 9:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, had a couple of freezes the other day when it was really hot here, running 3.3 and bl 1.2. I remember you had a similar problem early on and you dropped the clock speed from 1.4? to 1.2? and this seemed to solve the freezes. Whats your latest thoughts on this and how do you change the clock speed?
Thanks
Don
Ray Waldo
August 15, 2011 at 8:00 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am still convinced that heat buildup is the cause of lockups. Higher clock speeds and heavier workloads (flash, etc) all cause the CPU to heat up. If you have a carbon fiber cover (like I do) then it will not dissipate the heat as readily. If the environment is hot (in a parted car, in the sun and then you get in and turn it on…) that will set the device up for overheating.
HOW: With the CM7 Gingerbread, there was a setting for CPU speeds. That is not available on most of the Honeycomb versions. However, the two HC ROMs that I recommend both will abide by the settings in an external app such as SetCPU or CPUMaster (both from the Market).
don law
August 15, 2011 at 10:58 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks Ray, cpumaster (free version) is really easy to use. Set the speed down to 1000 and will work up. Its cool here today but is getting hotter later on in the week. Will report back my findings. I do not have a cover for the Gtab but have a leather one on order. It will be interersting to see if there are any differnces once the cover is fitted.
Great job Ray, thanks again
Don
John
August 14, 2011 at 6:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Had a hung gtab … followed instructions … all worked fine until the Clockwork Mod installation. It’s hung up now on Step 6. At the bottom it says
Finding Update Package
opening Update Package
Installing update …
And then it has just stuck there. I’ve got a menu at the top that I can navigate, but no report on the bottom line about a version number
Help, please
John
August 14, 2011 at 6:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Had a hung gtab … followed instructions … all worked fine until the Clockwork Mod installation. It’s hung up now on Step 6. At the bottom it says
Finding Update Package
opening Update Package
Installing update …
And then it has just stuck there. I’ve got a menu at the top that I can navigate, but no report on the bottom line about a version number
Help, please
Ray Waldo
August 14, 2011 at 8:45 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You *DID* NVFlash the 1.2-4349 stock image satisfactorily before coming to this page? If not, follow the instructions about “NVFlash for dummies.”
If you did complete that, then it is difficult to imagine where you are.
Regardless, just start over. Be VERY careful to complete each item exactly.
Bill
August 11, 2011 at 8:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, thanks for the email earlier. Just one thing I’m confused about right now. If I start with a new G-tab running 1.2 and I follow the steps in “New guide to rooting” I don’t see a mention of installing NVFlash. Am I missing something or is that A) Not necessary, or B) only necessary if you have a problem? Thank you!
Bill
August 11, 2011 at 8:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, thanks for the email earlier. Just one thing I’m confused about right now. If I start with a new G-tab running 1.2 and I follow the steps in “New guide to rooting” I don’t see a mention of installing NVFlash. Am I missing something or is that A) Not necessary, or B) only necessary if you have a problem? Thank you!
Ray Waldo
August 11, 2011 at 8:27 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am (right now) working on that. You will likely have the STOCK version of the 1.2 boot loader. The STOCK system partition is only 200meg and some of the newer Honeycomb ROM exceed that. Therefore, you will save yourself some trouble by STARTING with the NVFlash we recommend – which creates a 250meg system partition.
Bill
August 11, 2011 at 8:48 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you! I can’t wait to get my hands on the G-tam and start modding. I’ve read (and agree with) your comments about “getting out of the boat”. I’m just waiting for the “boat” to arrive. *LOL* I’m trying to follow each instruction as if I were actually doing it but when you don’t have the device and aren’t getting it’s “feedback” it makes it that much harder to follow the process. Thanks again for being so incredibly helpful.
Trevor
August 8, 2011 at 12:51 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I jsut followed the instructions and have a nice installation of Honeycomb on a 1.2 bootloader (upgraded from 1.1) on a GTablet. They only quirk I can see so far is that when I try to launch the Market application, I am held at the loading screen then it brings me back to the Home screen. I can’t seem to launch the Market.
Any ideas?
Ray Waldo
August 8, 2011 at 12:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Before you invest any more time in it (and eventually have to do this anyway), I suggest that you follow the “Format the GTab?” guide and then install CWM again and finally re-flash the ROM. It will take you less than an hour and save you days of headaches.
Jason
August 4, 2011 at 8:25 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for all the info. I went through your instructions and now have HC running. My problem is that when I go to the web it prompts me to download flash. When I do, it brings up the market and when I hit install it pops up that no special permissions are needed, brings up google maps (for some reason) and it fails to download. BTW when I try to update google maps it also fails the download. I am connected to my network and signed in with google account so I’m at a loss as to what the problem might be. I may not have described it well enough but does anyone have any ideas?
Ray Waldo
August 4, 2011 at 8:34 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When things go wrong article-
Try a reboot.
If it still fails, clear cache and dalvik.
It it still fails, reset to factory.
Jason
August 4, 2011 at 8:25 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for all the info. I went through your instructions and now have HC running. My problem is that when I go to the web it prompts me to download flash. When I do, it brings up the market and when I hit install it pops up that no special permissions are needed, brings up google maps (for some reason) and it fails to download. BTW when I try to update google maps it also fails the download. I am connected to my network and signed in with google account so I’m at a loss as to what the problem might be. I may not have described it well enough but does anyone have any ideas?
Ray Waldo
August 4, 2011 at 8:34 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When things go wrong article-
Try a reboot.
If it still fails, clear cache and dalvik.
It it still fails, reset to factory.
Vien
August 4, 2011 at 10:08 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray,
I have went thru and upgraded from cwm0.8+3588 to stock3588 to stock4359. I checked the fw version with 4359 and it does say correctly 1.2-4359. But when I try to go to recovery mode, I would get the “android system recovery utility 3e”. I assume this is correct and went ahead installing cwm3.0.2.8. I did not perform a reboot to check whether stock4539 would boot or not; but went ahead and install Flashback HC rom.
But when I reboot, gtab would alway boot to cwm.
Any idea why? and how to fix this?
Thanks,
Vien
Vien
August 4, 2011 at 10:08 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray,
I have went thru and upgraded from cwm0.8+3588 to stock3588 to stock4359. I checked the fw version with 4359 and it does say correctly 1.2-4359. But when I try to go to recovery mode, I would get the “android system recovery utility 3e”. I assume this is correct and went ahead installing cwm3.0.2.8. I did not perform a reboot to check whether stock4539 would boot or not; but went ahead and install Flashback HC rom.
But when I reboot, gtab would alway boot to cwm.
Any idea why? and how to fix this?
Thanks,
Vien
Ray Waldo
August 4, 2011 at 11:14 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Visit “when things go wrong” article.
Dave Sass
August 2, 2011 at 10:18 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I had a weird problem yesterday with HoneyComb on BL 1.2. I started getting FC on the application launcher. I went in and cleared cache – then it went to CWM and I got in a boot loop. It would not load the ROM. I was forced to completely wipe the tablet – go back to stock and start over.
Now it is working again but I found that the Google market did not restore my previous applications like before. I had to try and manually install them all. Some applications just will not install at all. I have to go to Amazon market place to try and install the ones that the Google market won’t install.
Have you heard or seen this problem before? I still think this ROM is unstable and has some weird quirks to it.
Let me know if you have any thoughts. At least I am getting good practice in restoring the ROM.
Practice I would prefer not to do.
Dave Sass
August 2, 2011 at 10:18 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I had a weird problem yesterday with HoneyComb on BL 1.2. I started getting FC on the application launcher. I went in and cleared cache – then it went to CWM and I got in a boot loop. It would not load the ROM. I was forced to completely wipe the tablet – go back to stock and start over.
Now it is working again but I found that the Google market did not restore my previous applications like before. I had to try and manually install them all. Some applications just will not install at all. I have to go to Amazon market place to try and install the ones that the Google market won’t install.
Have you heard or seen this problem before? I still think this ROM is unstable and has some weird quirks to it.
Let me know if you have any thoughts. At least I am getting good practice in restoring the ROM.
Practice I would prefer not to do.
Ray Waldo
August 2, 2011 at 9:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I recommend that you do ANOTHER full wipe and new install. Your Google Account should not have changed and when the install goes well, your apps will probably be restored.
Dave Sass
August 3, 2011 at 9:27 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I actually did do a complete wipe and format before putting the HC ROM on again. Google Market shows all of the apps – but it would not automatically restore them for me. I also found several applications that would not load at all. Vitalplayer is one of them.
I still get FC’s on the application loader when it first boots up.
Go figure – I think there are still some bugs in this HC ROM. Not enough to make me want to go back. I hope they continue to enhance and improve it.
When it does work – it is very responsive vs. CM7. I still find a lot of videos don’t play properly, the camera does not work, and many applications have graphics issues.
Ray Waldo
August 3, 2011 at 10:13 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Check the “format gtab” article. I am 99% certain that if you follow the instructions you will have a good install.
Farrell Turner
July 30, 2011 at 9:33 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Did the upgrade to HC. Much more responsive. Very pleased. Only issue I’ve found is the camera won’t work. Any ideas?
Farrell Turner
July 30, 2011 at 9:33 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Did the upgrade to HC. Much more responsive. Very pleased. Only issue I’ve found is the camera won’t work. Any ideas?
Ray Waldo
July 30, 2011 at 9:59 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have read that some apps will still be able to use the camera but just not the native app.
Logan
July 29, 2011 at 6:40 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, I just got the Gtab today and have been reading about your work all week. I followed all the steps exactly and had no issues. However, after the final restart…it froze on the “gtablet” screen! Any suggestions?
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 8:14 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you followed the steps exactly, then you should not have had a problem. It is possible that you just did not leave the G-Tablet long enough. It takes about 6 minutes to do the first boot. Power the GTab off and then on again and leave it for 10 minutes. If it boots up, you are fine. If not, then you are in a “boot loop” that is also sometimes called a “soft brick.” Not to worry, it can be restored.
Most such problems are the result of either flashing a ROM that does not have the same bootloader version as the device. The HARDWARE does not matter. It is a matter of WHICH bl is installed. Most new G-Tablets come with bl1.2 and the guide (above) should be appropriate. However, if you downloaded the version for bl1.1, then you would probably have a “boot loop” such as you describe. Also, if your G-Tab has the bl1.1, then you must use the bl1.1 version ROM.
To fix it, visit our “NVFlash for Dummies” page and follow the instructions. It will walk you through the entire process. I recommend that you CHOOSE the bl1.2 version and follow that branch. I further suggest that you install Zyhong’s b3.3 / bl1.2 Honeycomb ROM. This can be fixed in about 30 minutes but it will probably take you a couple hours. Do not start until you can dedicate your time and effort to that extent. Then do not rush it and do not skip any steps!
don law
July 29, 2011 at 9:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Logan, have faith and listen to the Bishop he is a master at this and it does work. Read through all the posts on this subject. I had exactly the same ASSUMED problem but if you followed the instructions it is a matter of patience. Believe in the Bishop.Please report back and let us know how you get on. Check that you dropped the zip file in the Internal memory, I didn’t do that the first time and it also caused the situation you are in. Don
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 10:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good point about the zip file. Thanks for helping.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 3:45 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I can’t sideload any apk. I found a Netflix apk on XDA but when I try to install it I get “Application not installed”. I tried some game apk’s also and they all fail to install.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 3:45 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I can’t sideload any apk. I found a Netflix apk on XDA but when I try to install it I get “Application not installed”. I tried some game apk’s also and they all fail to install.
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 4:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Did you turn on “Unknown Sources” under Application Settings?
If you have it ticked, then you must have a problem. Try the standard Wipe Cache, Dalvik and see if that helps. If not, you may have to reflash or even WIPE EVERYTHING (recommended) and reflash.
don law
July 29, 2011 at 3:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Anyone having trouble with bluetooth connecting with 3.3 and 1.2bl? I can pair but not connect, tried various devices, all have the same issue. Don
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 5:02 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I haven’t tried BT since coming to Honeycomb. I will try that soon and report.
don law
July 29, 2011 at 5:35 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Weird, tried connecting with a mac and it said I was paired but not connected , similar message on the mac. However when my wife clicked on the gtab on her mac it said send so she sent me a document which I received ok. Just for the record I hate macs hence the gtab purchase, my wife is a mac lover, good job we have a spare bedroom at times….
don law
July 31, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Got BT working. It seems you need a “helper app” for my Dual XGPS to work. For the record Bluetooth GPS Provider (https://market.android.com/details?id=de.mobilej.btgps)
works with the viewsonic gtablet rooted with HC 3.3 BL2.1 but Bluetooth GPS (https://market.android.com/details?id=googoo.android.btgps) does not work, and indeed that is the one Dual XGPS150 recommends…………………………….
Interestingly (or not) once you choose the gps reciever the setting to make this work are
Force gps position-Enabled
Automatically switch bluetooth off-Enabled
Automatically stopservice if GPS is turned off-Enabled
Report raw HDOP values as accuracy-Enabled
GPS base error-3 (no idea what this means)
DGPS base error-2.5(no idea what this means either)
GPS Type-other
Hope this may help someone else
Don
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 1:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Wahoo……it works! And it’s in the process of downloading my apps.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 2:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Market says that Netflix is not compatible with GtabComb. Do we need to use a hacked version?
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 4:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Check the “Tips” page. There is a link to Netflix version 1.3 that works great with Zyhong’s HC.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 1:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Wahoo……it works! And it’s in the process of downloading my apps.
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 2:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You will like it!
I have determined that the lockups that I was experiencing were due to the overclocking. So, I bought SetCPU and dropped the max back to 1200. I suspect that it will be better.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 2:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Market says that Netflix is not compatible with GtabComb. Do we need to use a hacked version?
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 4:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Check the “Tips” page. There is a link to Netflix version 1.3 that works great with Zyhong’s HC.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 1:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’m in the process of doing this right now but thought I should post a note before I forget the details. Step 6 show the Gtab booting into CWM but for me it booted into the stock recovery. From there I had to “apply update.zip” and then reboot. Am I missing that in the steps?
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 1:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you did steps 4 and 5 then (in my case) step 6 is accurate. Before step 4, it has stock recovery and will only flash an update.zip file. You can rename a standard rom zip to that and it should flash ok. However, you will still have the STOCK recovery and CWM is so much better.
Terry
July 29, 2011 at 1:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’m in the process of doing this right now but thought I should post a note before I forget the details. Step 6 show the Gtab booting into CWM but for me it booted into the stock recovery. From there I had to “apply update.zip” and then reboot. Am I missing that in the steps?
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 1:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you did steps 4 and 5 then (in my case) step 6 is accurate. Before step 4, it has stock recovery and will only flash an update.zip file. You can rename a standard rom zip to that and it should flash ok. However, you will still have the STOCK recovery and CWM is so much better.
don law
July 29, 2011 at 12:57 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN, guess that gives my age away……….. Well all up and running with honeycomb 3.3, the problem I had at Line 9 on http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/clockworkmod-1-2bl-honeycomb-on-gtab/
was LACK OF PATIENCE. It took a good 5 mins for my computer to read the internal card on the gtab, I thought I had a problem and tried a reboot to no avail, as I DID NOT WAIT.Nature called and when I came back BINGO there Gtab was. Followed the Bishops instructions and every thing worked as described believe it or not……. thanks Bishop. One thing that was disconcerting is when I looked at the root directory once I could see it there was absolutely nothing in it. This gave my poor old heart a stir but carried on like a trooper and dropped the zip file in, of course you all know thats normal but for the first timer, well, the laughs on me I guess. A big thank you to all involved, I learned a lot but mainly being patient was the key.
Kindest regards Don
don law
July 29, 2011 at 12:57 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN, guess that gives my age away……….. Well all up and running with honeycomb 3.3, the problem I had at Line 9 on http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/clockworkmod-1-2bl-honeycomb-on-gtab/
was LACK OF PATIENCE. It took a good 5 mins for my computer to read the internal card on the gtab, I thought I had a problem and tried a reboot to no avail, as I DID NOT WAIT.Nature called and when I came back BINGO there Gtab was. Followed the Bishops instructions and every thing worked as described believe it or not……. thanks Bishop. One thing that was disconcerting is when I looked at the root directory once I could see it there was absolutely nothing in it. This gave my poor old heart a stir but carried on like a trooper and dropped the zip file in, of course you all know thats normal but for the first timer, well, the laughs on me I guess. A big thank you to all involved, I learned a lot but mainly being patient was the key.
Kindest regards Don
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 1:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Proud of you, Don!!
It is just a matter of trust. Some folks are convinced that they will drown rather than walk on water. Actually, it is GETTING OUT OF THE BOAT that is the problem for most people.
Dave Sass
July 29, 2011 at 9:07 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I took the plunge last night and upgraded to GtabComb 3.3 with BL 1.2. (note your link still points to the 3.2 release not the 3.3) Everything went surprisingly well. There were only a couple of minor glitches, (which were my fault) Once installed, I was amazed how much more responsive my Gtab was with Honeycomb ROM. My biggest worry was always recovering my applications; mainly my paid ones. I can happily report that every single application was restored by both the Google Market and the Amazon Market. All of my paid applications still work! The whole process was a lot easier than I anticipated. I really liked the automatic restore process that Google has set up – Very convenient.
You are right that the new interface takes some getting used to. Netflix works fine and I was also able to play some flash videos through the Opera browser. My external Micro SD card was recognized and the content, (except for the mpeg 4 videos) were all retrieved automatically. The volume level on all applications is higher which is a nice change.
These guys have done a very nice job with this ROM. I am much happier with it than CM7. This ROM is very stable as I exercised it very aggressively and only had one FC the entire evening with no lock ups.
Thanks for all the hard work you did pulling all this information together. Without it – it would have been a daunting task. The developers really need a big thanks here – they have really shown what this hardware is capable of. I can’t wait until they get the remaining things fixed in it.
(Camera, Video acceleration, etc.) I’m sure that won’t be long.
Dave Sass
July 29, 2011 at 9:07 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I took the plunge last night and upgraded to GtabComb 3.3 with BL 1.2. (note your link still points to the 3.2 release not the 3.3) Everything went surprisingly well. There were only a couple of minor glitches, (which were my fault) Once installed, I was amazed how much more responsive my Gtab was with Honeycomb ROM. My biggest worry was always recovering my applications; mainly my paid ones. I can happily report that every single application was restored by both the Google Market and the Amazon Market. All of my paid applications still work! The whole process was a lot easier than I anticipated. I really liked the automatic restore process that Google has set up – Very convenient.
You are right that the new interface takes some getting used to. Netflix works fine and I was also able to play some flash videos through the Opera browser. My external Micro SD card was recognized and the content, (except for the mpeg 4 videos) were all retrieved automatically. The volume level on all applications is higher which is a nice change.
These guys have done a very nice job with this ROM. I am much happier with it than CM7. This ROM is very stable as I exercised it very aggressively and only had one FC the entire evening with no lock ups.
Thanks for all the hard work you did pulling all this information together. Without it – it would have been a daunting task. The developers really need a big thanks here – they have really shown what this hardware is capable of. I can’t wait until they get the remaining things fixed in it.
(Camera, Video acceleration, etc.) I’m sure that won’t be long.
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 9:21 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hey, great report Dave! Thanks.
Keep the “Bishop” on “quick dial” and check back often. Things are changing quickly for us in the world of Honeycomb.
Dave Sass
July 26, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Am I right in my assumption that the only bootloaders that are available for the Gtab were developed by Viewsonic? To me this is where a lot of my confusion came in for me. I was thinking that you could update the BL just by installing the new CWM version 3 release. This is not the case. The CWM utility just sits on top of the bootloader. The only way to get the newer 1.2 bootloader is to NVFlash one of the original stock images back.
It also appears that you need to Format and completely wipe the device when going from BL 1.1 to 1.2. (So that you don’t run into compatibility issues between the ROMS and the bootloaders)
If you do this you will lose all your applications, backup images, etc. So – backing the SD card to your PC is imperative before you do this. I found that my Windows 7 PC could not backup up all the files as some of the system files had file names that were too long from Android. I’m not sure if these file names are important to restore as they seem to be associated with the previous ROM. (I.E. you wouldn’t want to restore those anyway)
I’m also assuming you are probably best not restoring apps back with a product like (Titanium) but doing individual new install downloads and installs just to be safe. (I am also assuming I can get access to the downloads from the Market and Amazon for the paid apps that I have) I would imagine that there are a lot of differences between the two ROMS that would cause a problem.
If you did attempt to use Titanium I would assume you would need to copy back some of the folders from your backup on your PC? This – also is not clear to me at this point in time. What folders do you need to copy back over to HC to restore applications and data?
Am I right in my understanding and assumptions here?
When I go through this I’d be happy to write up a “Things you should Know” before upgrading your Bootloader and ROM that I have learned that may be helpful to others on your site. (The things I was confused on as I didn’t understand the structure of the Android OS prior to attempting to convert)
Let me know if you would be interested in wanting me to write this up. I might attempt to do the conversion this weekend if I can find some time.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 11:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are correct on all the assumptions except the long filenames (already answered).
I understand your hesitancy on all of this but it is unwarranted. Some of this just has to be done OJT (old military term for On the Job Training). You just have to do it. You already have a full, overall understanding. To know every detail prior to start is not likely.
For the “choices” in the following list, just assure that the bootloader for all choices is the same 1.1 OR 1.2
The process for a complete and successful change:
ENJOY!
Dave Sass
July 26, 2011 at 2:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Can you point me to the long file names discussion?
Also – If I decided to restore some applications from Titanium backup – how do you know what folders to copy back over to the SD card after you format the card. I’m not sure if this is documented anywhere – but then again – I haven’t looked.
I do like to plan things ahead of time because it saves me a lot of grief when running into problems with a major conversion like this. I do agree that there isn’t any training like OJT. I certainly wouldn’t want airplane pilots to jump in a cockpit without some pre-planning and education though.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 3:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I responded to your previous question about the long file names.
I don’t really use (or recommend) TB.
Usually, it requires both teaching/reading and experience to enable us to do what seems impossible. But, studying and contemplating did not get Peter over to Jesus – He had to step out of the boat. The the Lord solidified the water.
Dave Sass
July 26, 2011 at 9:51 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Thanks for the info: I am learning more by the day.
One question I’m confused on. I have been using Titanium backup for my backup/restore needs. I am pretty sure it stores it’s backups on the internal SD card.
If I do a format of the SD card to 2048/0 won’t all the backups be wiped out by the format?
So – I should backup the internal SD card to my PC – but I have found not everything can backup due to long file names. Maybe these aren’t necessary?
Then do I just copy the folders back to the SD card again after the new ROM is flashed and restore from Titanium backup?
Let me know if this logic makes sense. Or will the copy cause conflicts from the 2.3 OS to the 3.0 HC OS.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 11:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Correct on everything EXCEPT the long file name not being important. They will NOT work after being truncated. I don’t know what OS you are using. Ubuntu and most newer Windows os will read/write long filenames.
Suggestion: Load a copy of Ubuntu (my review on this site) on your computer as DUAL – Boot (you choose Ubuntu or Windows at boot time). It will fix your problem and you probably will never return to Windows. Besides EVERYTHING about Ubuntu (that I use) is totally free – including all the full-fledged software.
Dave Sass
July 26, 2011 at 3:22 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK – sorry I missed this the first time around. I am using Windows 7 32bit. Doesn’t make sense to me why it wouldn’t store the long file names. Go figure. I thought Windows 7 handled those quite well – and XP for that matter.
I haven’t messed with Linux in a long while. Now you have me interested in doing the dual boot thing. Maybe it’s time to take another look.
I know Linux runs a lot faster because there isn’t as much bloat and the security issues are much less.
Dave Sass
July 26, 2011 at 9:51 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Thanks for the info: I am learning more by the day.
One question I’m confused on. I have been using Titanium backup for my backup/restore needs. I am pretty sure it stores it’s backups on the internal SD card.
If I do a format of the SD card to 2048/0 won’t all the backups be wiped out by the format?
So – I should backup the internal SD card to my PC – but I have found not everything can backup due to long file names. Maybe these aren’t necessary?
Then do I just copy the folders back to the SD card again after the new ROM is flashed and restore from Titanium backup?
Let me know if this logic makes sense. Or will the copy cause conflicts from the 2.3 OS to the 3.0 HC OS.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 11:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Correct on everything EXCEPT the long file name not being important. They will NOT work after being truncated. I don’t know what OS you are using. Ubuntu and most newer Windows os will read/write long filenames.
Suggestion: Load a copy of Ubuntu (my review on this site) on your computer as DUAL – Boot (you choose Ubuntu or Windows at boot time). It will fix your problem and you probably will never return to Windows. Besides EVERYTHING about Ubuntu (that I use) is totally free – including all the full-fledged software.
Dave Sass
July 26, 2011 at 3:22 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK – sorry I missed this the first time around. I am using Windows 7 32bit. Doesn’t make sense to me why it wouldn’t store the long file names. Go figure. I thought Windows 7 handled those quite well – and XP for that matter.
I haven’t messed with Linux in a long while. Now you have me interested in doing the dual boot thing. Maybe it’s time to take another look.
I know Linux runs a lot faster because there isn’t as much bloat and the security issues are much less.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 4:12 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ubuntu all the way! ZERO security issues – Very few viruses are even WRITTEN for Linux and they are squashed quickly. Updates are automatic and new software is selected from a “market” and downloaded/installed much like in Android.
I installed it as dual boot with Win7 on a couple of NEW computers a couple weeks ago. I believe both users are now using Ubuntu exclusively.
Did I mention that the OS, the software, the upgrades, etc… are free?
Chris
July 26, 2011 at 7:41 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Well shucks, Ray. Based on your earliest comments of bl 1.1 and HC, I wiped my new gTab’s bl 1.2 w/stock ROM and went that direction.
Uh oh, now it sounds like bl 1.2 is the way to go?
We’ll look forward to keeping posted on your comments for the latest set-up you have.
In the meantime, I am finding the bl 1.1/HC 3.0.2 to be quite stable now overall and may move it along some time in the future. (We’ll let you be the ‘guinea pig’).
Thanks!
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:32 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
That’s what it looks like to me now. But there does not appear to be any immediate value if you are not having problems. Stay with what you have.
Karl Bishop
July 26, 2011 at 7:27 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Any ideas on this? Followed instructions fine, but on final boot my gtab loops on the smashing Android logo. Tried twice to same results. Performed a clean flash in between to ensure a clean slate as well. Only questionable areas is on repartition step (I chose 4g/256m), and when formatting you show formatting /cache twice. Tried that and /boot (only entry not mentioned above). Thanks for the guide and any ideas you might have.
Karl Bishop
July 26, 2011 at 8:09 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK. Tried install again using the 2048/0 setting of the repart, and everything came up wonderfully. Guess third times the charm. Thanks again for the write up!
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:42 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Yep! Necessary : nvflash to stock, full format of system , and repartition SD card.
Karl Bishop
July 26, 2011 at 7:27 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Any ideas on this? Followed instructions fine, but on final boot my gtab loops on the smashing Android logo. Tried twice to same results. Performed a clean flash in between to ensure a clean slate as well. Only questionable areas is on repartition step (I chose 4g/256m), and when formatting you show formatting /cache twice. Tried that and /boot (only entry not mentioned above). Thanks for the guide and any ideas you might have.
Karl Bishop
July 26, 2011 at 8:09 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK. Tried install again using the 2048/0 setting of the repart, and everything came up wonderfully. Guess third times the charm. Thanks again for the write up!
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:42 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Yep! Necessary : nvflash to stock, full format of system , and repartition SD card.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 9:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It’s me again. Yes I like talking to myself.
So – this is what I’m assuming if I’m currently on the 1.1 bootloader with the CM7 Rom.
#1. I will have to NVFlash to the 4349 Tap N Tap stock Image. (The same one that was on my Gtab to begin with)
#2. Then start with your procedure to install the version 3 CWM with BL 1.2. This will root the device and then I follow on to the rest of the process (Format SD card, Reset device, install HC etc.)
I got confused as I thought I could upgrade to the 1.2 bootloader simply by copying the version 3 CWM files to the root of the SD card with the 1.1 BL. Now I realize that isn’t the case.
(I got confused from your instructions when you stated to make sure you had a compatible ROM with the 1.2 BL. I assumed that the HC ROM I was going to install was compatible so I was ok. It appears that if you have the 1.1 BL you have to image to the stock 4349 Tap N Tap image which has the 1.2 BL. You might want to clarify this somehow as it really threw me off. You have to really dig into the NVFLASH for dummies to figure out you need to upgrade your image before you start this process. Maybe it’s just me – I don’t know.
So – now I believe I have to revert back to the original 4349 image again to do your HC process with the 1.2 bootloader. In other words – you cannot upgrade to the new bootloader without NVFlashing the 4349 Tap N Tap image back. Am I right here?
Isn’t there a way to upgrade the bootloader without having to NVFlash back to Tap N Tap again?
Now – my next concern. I have purchased many many applications that are currently on my CM 7 Rom. I read your backup blog, but am still confused about how I would restore those applications back. If everything is wiped on my device – how can I restore them on a new ROM?
Will I have to reinstall them all again? You mentioned that some of the applications might not work. I also might have to repay for the applications all over again? That doesn’t seem right. I have a couple of the license codes from the purchase but not for all of them. It seems to me that I would have to contact all those Companies again and get new download links again? That sounds like a major pain.
This certainly gives me concern to pause.
Maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehill here – but this whole process seems more complex than I first thought.
I’m adventurous, but when it comes to spending money all over again……
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:23 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All very good points.
You are correct about moving from one bootloader to another. Two important things : nvflash to stock and do a complete wipe of the system partition. It is also good to repartition the SD card.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 9:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
It’s me again. Yes I like talking to myself.
So – this is what I’m assuming if I’m currently on the 1.1 bootloader with the CM7 Rom.
#1. I will have to NVFlash to the 4349 Tap N Tap stock Image. (The same one that was on my Gtab to begin with)
#2. Then start with your procedure to install the version 3 CWM with BL 1.2. This will root the device and then I follow on to the rest of the process (Format SD card, Reset device, install HC etc.)
I got confused as I thought I could upgrade to the 1.2 bootloader simply by copying the version 3 CWM files to the root of the SD card with the 1.1 BL. Now I realize that isn’t the case.
(I got confused from your instructions when you stated to make sure you had a compatible ROM with the 1.2 BL. I assumed that the HC ROM I was going to install was compatible so I was ok. It appears that if you have the 1.1 BL you have to image to the stock 4349 Tap N Tap image which has the 1.2 BL. You might want to clarify this somehow as it really threw me off. You have to really dig into the NVFLASH for dummies to figure out you need to upgrade your image before you start this process. Maybe it’s just me – I don’t know.
So – now I believe I have to revert back to the original 4349 image again to do your HC process with the 1.2 bootloader. In other words – you cannot upgrade to the new bootloader without NVFlashing the 4349 Tap N Tap image back. Am I right here?
Isn’t there a way to upgrade the bootloader without having to NVFlash back to Tap N Tap again?
Now – my next concern. I have purchased many many applications that are currently on my CM 7 Rom. I read your backup blog, but am still confused about how I would restore those applications back. If everything is wiped on my device – how can I restore them on a new ROM?
Will I have to reinstall them all again? You mentioned that some of the applications might not work. I also might have to repay for the applications all over again? That doesn’t seem right. I have a couple of the license codes from the purchase but not for all of them. It seems to me that I would have to contact all those Companies again and get new download links again? That sounds like a major pain.
This certainly gives me concern to pause.
Maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehill here – but this whole process seems more complex than I first thought.
I’m adventurous, but when it comes to spending money all over again……
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:23 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All very good points.
You are correct about moving from one bootloader to another. Two important things : nvflash to stock and do a complete wipe of the system partition. It is also good to repartition the SD card.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:29 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Backup and restore are not terribly difficult. Try this – do a factory reset and then reboot. You will have to go through Android setup but you will see the auto restore work. The only apps that may not restore will be some free apps. You will risk nothing but your time.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 8:26 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Some additional info on my confusion.
It appears to me that you cannot use this procedure if you are on BL version 1.1 which I am. If that is the case how do I upgrade to the newer Bootloader? I’m just lost here.
I had it originally with the Tap N Tap Rom that came with my Gtab. Do I have to NVFlash back to that and then somehow root and install the modified CWM?
I just don’t get this bootloader stuff. My understanding is it is equivalent with flashing a new Bios on a PC. But doing that on a PC is easy. On this – not so…….
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 8:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I tried your instructions above from BL 1.1 with cyanogenmod stable 7.03. (Attempting to get HC on my Gtab with BL 1.2)
No matter what I tried I could not get the version 1.2 bootloader to flash. I even tried to NVFLASH just the CWM module with the 1.2 bootloader and even that didn’t work. It seems there is something not working right on my Gtab.
Am I right in assuming that I can extract the update.zip and recovery folder to the root of my SDCARD with the current 1.1 bootloader and then when booting with the vol up – it should upgrade the bootloader to the 1.2 version? If so, something is not working right on my Gtab. It keeps coming up with the old CWM module as before.
Do you know of another process for me to get the bootloader and CWM upgraded?
If so – please let me know. I’m giving up for the night. I suppose I could keep the 1.1 version of the bootloader and upgrade, but I’d rather upgrade to the 1.2 version as you suggested.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 8:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
I tried your instructions above from BL 1.1 with cyanogenmod stable 7.03. (Attempting to get HC on my Gtab with BL 1.2)
No matter what I tried I could not get the version 1.2 bootloader to flash. I even tried to NVFLASH just the CWM module with the 1.2 bootloader and even that didn’t work. It seems there is something not working right on my Gtab.
Am I right in assuming that I can extract the update.zip and recovery folder to the root of my SDCARD with the current 1.1 bootloader and then when booting with the vol up – it should upgrade the bootloader to the 1.2 version? If so, something is not working right on my Gtab. It keeps coming up with the old CWM module as before.
Do you know of another process for me to get the bootloader and CWM upgraded?
If so – please let me know. I’m giving up for the night. I suppose I could keep the 1.1 version of the bootloader and upgrade, but I’d rather upgrade to the 1.2 version as you suggested.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 3:01 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Another quick question. When doing the “format” on the device – do you need to select the partition sizes? Like 2048/0 or does it do this by default? I don’t remember doing a format when I initially installed CM. Maybe that’s because I had to do a NVFlash.
Would the NV Flash have formatted the SD card this way anyway? I know my CM 7 is very slow and I get a lot of FC’s. I’m wondering if it ever got formatted correctly.
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 5:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Partition SD Card:
You are correct that I failed to place the size values in the Guide. I have now done that. You are also correct that 2048 and 0 are the appropriate values. That means that it will create a 2gig (2048meg) partition for the program storage and a 0 byte partition for cache (not needed).
No, NVFlash will only work on the SYSTEM & DATA partitions in the main memory. “Partition SD Card” works on the 16Gig internal SD Card.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 3:01 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Another quick question. When doing the “format” on the device – do you need to select the partition sizes? Like 2048/0 or does it do this by default? I don’t remember doing a format when I initially installed CM. Maybe that’s because I had to do a NVFlash.
Would the NV Flash have formatted the SD card this way anyway? I know my CM 7 is very slow and I get a lot of FC’s. I’m wondering if it ever got formatted correctly.
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 5:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Partition SD Card:
You are correct that I failed to place the size values in the Guide. I have now done that. You are also correct that 2048 and 0 are the appropriate values. That means that it will create a 2gig (2048meg) partition for the program storage and a 0 byte partition for cache (not needed).
No, NVFlash will only work on the SYSTEM & DATA partitions in the main memory. “Partition SD Card” works on the 16Gig internal SD Card.
Terry
July 25, 2011 at 12:39 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Are you seeing any diffences between the 1.2bl version of HC and the 1.1bl version you previously had loaded? Any more stable now? Do apps that wouldn’t load before load now?
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 2:17 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
QuickOffice stated that their policy was to refund if I was / am unsatisfied. But I got the pro version for $10. The HD version is $20.
I also see that SwiftKey no longer works. They too now have a tablet-enabled verion so you MUST use it. I suspect that we will see a lot of that.
Terry
July 25, 2011 at 12:39 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Are you seeing any diffences between the 1.2bl version of HC and the 1.1bl version you previously had loaded? Any more stable now? Do apps that wouldn’t load before load now?
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 2:17 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
QuickOffice stated that their policy was to refund if I was / am unsatisfied. But I got the pro version for $10. The HD version is $20.
I also see that SwiftKey no longer works. They too now have a tablet-enabled verion so you MUST use it. I suspect that we will see a lot of that.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 2:54 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have the tablet version and it works well. I’m assuming it will work with the new HC ROM?
Terry
July 25, 2011 at 12:38 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, does this mean you’ve cancelled plans to revise your instructions for flashing HC on the 1.1bl?
Terry
July 25, 2011 at 12:38 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray, does this mean you’ve cancelled plans to revise your instructions for flashing HC on the 1.1bl?
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 2:10 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All guides – both for 1.1 & 1.2 – are updated and correct at this time.
I have not had enough time with the 1.2bl version to make any judgement. But my thinking is that they are going to be the same in all respects. That just makes sense.
However, I believe that the full wipe / format cleared the problems. And since I believe the 1.2 branch is the future, I believe I made the right choice. This is my recommendation.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 10:43 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Thanks for the instructions. I’m currently on BL 1.1 using Cyanogenmod stable 7.0.3.
I assume this process will work in my situation? Is there anything I need to take into account? Is it necessary to wipe the entire device or format the SD cards before doing this?
Also – I assume that if I do a complete backup and image of my current configuration that I will need to back those files up to my PC before starting the process to move towards Honey Comb?
My understanding at this point in time is that Netflix works on HC, but Flash and the camera still don’t work? Is that correct?
I’m wondering if I should take the plunge now or wait a while longer before going to HC. My use with the tablet is more “recreational” so I don’t depend on it for my day to day computer.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks again for making this site better by the day.
Dave
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 2:26 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Do a clear cache on your browser – to assure that you have my latest version and follow all the instructions – including the FORMAT.
You should be fine.
Make backups but do not use them – configure everything as if you just got the device.
Go for it now.
Dave Sass
July 25, 2011 at 10:43 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Thanks for the instructions. I’m currently on BL 1.1 using Cyanogenmod stable 7.0.3.
I assume this process will work in my situation? Is there anything I need to take into account? Is it necessary to wipe the entire device or format the SD cards before doing this?
Also – I assume that if I do a complete backup and image of my current configuration that I will need to back those files up to my PC before starting the process to move towards Honey Comb?
My understanding at this point in time is that Netflix works on HC, but Flash and the camera still don’t work? Is that correct?
I’m wondering if I should take the plunge now or wait a while longer before going to HC. My use with the tablet is more “recreational” so I don’t depend on it for my day to day computer.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks again for making this site better by the day.
Dave
Ray Waldo
July 25, 2011 at 2:26 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Do a clear cache on your browser – to assure that you have my latest version and follow all the instructions – including the FORMAT.
You should be fine.
Make backups but do not use them – configure everything as if you just got the device.
Go for it now.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 9:32 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
That’s what it looks like to me now. But there does not appear to be any immediate value if you are not having problems. Stay with what you have.
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 11:37 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are correct on all the assumptions except the long filenames (already answered).
I understand your hesitancy on all of this but it is unwarranted. Some of this just has to be done OJT (old military term for On the Job Training). You just have to do it. You already have a full, overall understanding. To know every detail prior to start is not likely.
For the “choices” in the following list, just assure that the bootloader for all choices is the same 1.1 OR 1.2
The process for a complete and successful change:
ENJOY!
Ray Waldo
July 26, 2011 at 3:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I responded to your previous question about the long file names.
I don’t really use (or recommend) TB.
Usually, it requires both teaching/reading and experience to enable us to do what seems impossible. But, studying and contemplating did not get Peter over to Jesus – He had to step out of the boat. The the Lord solidified the water.
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 5:02 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I haven’t tried BT since coming to Honeycomb. I will try that soon and report.
don law
July 29, 2011 at 5:35 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Weird, tried connecting with a mac and it said I was paired but not connected , similar message on the mac. However when my wife clicked on the gtab on her mac it said send so she sent me a document which I received ok. Just for the record I hate macs hence the gtab purchase, my wife is a mac lover, good job we have a spare bedroom at times….
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 8:14 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you followed the steps exactly, then you should not have had a problem. It is possible that you just did not leave the G-Tablet long enough. It takes about 6 minutes to do the first boot. Power the GTab off and then on again and leave it for 10 minutes. If it boots up, you are fine. If not, then you are in a “boot loop” that is also sometimes called a “soft brick.” Not to worry, it can be restored.
Most such problems are the result of either flashing a ROM that does not have the same bootloader version as the device. The HARDWARE does not matter. It is a matter of WHICH bl is installed. Most new G-Tablets come with bl1.2 and the guide (above) should be appropriate. However, if you downloaded the version for bl1.1, then you would probably have a “boot loop” such as you describe. Also, if your G-Tab has the bl1.1, then you must use the bl1.1 version ROM.
To fix it, visit our “NVFlash for Dummies” page and follow the instructions. It will walk you through the entire process. I recommend that you CHOOSE the bl1.2 version and follow that branch. I further suggest that you install Zyhong’s b3.3 / bl1.2 Honeycomb ROM. This can be fixed in about 30 minutes but it will probably take you a couple hours. Do not start until you can dedicate your time and effort to that extent. Then do not rush it and do not skip any steps!
Ray Waldo
July 29, 2011 at 10:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good point about the zip file. Thanks for helping.
don law
July 31, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Got BT working. It seems you need a “helper app” for my Dual XGPS to work. For the record Bluetooth GPS Provider (https://market.android.com/details?id=de.mobilej.btgps)
works with the viewsonic gtablet rooted with HC 3.3 BL2.1 but Bluetooth GPS (https://market.android.com/details?id=googoo.android.btgps) does not work, and indeed that is the one Dual XGPS150 recommends…………………………….
Interestingly (or not) once you choose the gps reciever the setting to make this work are
Force gps position-Enabled
Automatically switch bluetooth off-Enabled
Automatically stopservice if GPS is turned off-Enabled
Report raw HDOP values as accuracy-Enabled
GPS base error-3 (no idea what this means)
DGPS base error-2.5(no idea what this means either)
GPS Type-other
Hope this may help someone else
Don
Dave Sass
August 3, 2011 at 9:27 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I actually did do a complete wipe and format before putting the HC ROM on again. Google Market shows all of the apps – but it would not automatically restore them for me. I also found several applications that would not load at all. Vitalplayer is one of them.
I still get FC’s on the application loader when it first boots up.
Go figure – I think there are still some bugs in this HC ROM. Not enough to make me want to go back. I hope they continue to enhance and improve it.
When it does work – it is very responsive vs. CM7. I still find a lot of videos don’t play properly, the camera does not work, and many applications have graphics issues.
Ray Waldo
August 8, 2011 at 12:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Before you invest any more time in it (and eventually have to do this anyway), I suggest that you follow the “Format the GTab?” guide and then install CWM again and finally re-flash the ROM. It will take you less than an hour and save you days of headaches.
Bill
August 11, 2011 at 8:48 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you! I can’t wait to get my hands on the G-tam and start modding. I’ve read (and agree with) your comments about “getting out of the boat”. I’m just waiting for the “boat” to arrive. *LOL* I’m trying to follow each instruction as if I were actually doing it but when you don’t have the device and aren’t getting it’s “feedback” it makes it that much harder to follow the process. Thanks again for being so incredibly helpful.
Ray Waldo
August 16, 2011 at 5:16 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are not stupid. It is unclear to me at times whether an un-zip program will allow moving a file from the compressed version without specifically extracting first. Most software WILL allow it. So, just drag the file and folder from one window to another.
If the software does not allow drag-n-drop, then extract the files onto your computer and then copy them over.
Yes, the zip file should be copied exactly – without extracting.
Ray Waldo
August 17, 2011 at 10:03 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I could not say. If it has “win” in the name, I avoid it like the plague!
Check out my posts on Ubuntu Linux.
Kelly
August 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I forgot to add that now whenever I turn on my GTab, I get a screen with a green “lock” symbol on the bottom right, the time/date, etc. but an unresponsive screen. This is what I got when I first tried to install Honeycomb, but the screen and my buttons don’t respond.
Ray Waldo
August 18, 2011 at 6:50 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sounds good! Honeycomb installs a lockscreen. Just drag the padlock icon out of the circle to start hc.
Kelly
August 18, 2011 at 7:06 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
So it turns out I did get the installation of Honeycomb right. Too bad I didn’t know about the padlock icon. I thought the frozen touch screen was a sign of something gone wrong. See my post in the “Help” section because I’ve really made a mess of my GTab and have spent hours trying to fix it. I’m hopelessly lost
Kelly
August 20, 2011 at 10:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Some good news to report: I have revived the tablet with 1.2. I don’t understand why 1.1 wouldn’t bring it back to life, but then again, I’m not tech savvy so…
Bad news: Still can’t get it to go into CWM. Have repeated the steps, but it still brings me to an android recovery. When I try to reset to factory settings from that screen, the tablet freezes up with a “tool” screen (but no progress).
So, I run the 1.2 again, and now have what appears to be the Honeycomb screen: “Android System” in the top left corner, green lock in the bottom right, date/time, connected to network, etc. When I drag the green lock up, I now get the original GTab home screen (as in “out of the box” home screen). I guess this will do for now, as I now have a working tablet, but I don’t think it’s the Honeycomb system (or is it??). In “About Tablet” I have the following: Android OS version 2.2; Tap UI version 1.2-4349; Kernel version 2.6.32.9-00001-g0e0c333-dirtyhudson@tapntapsvd #1
More good news: it’s a beautiful day and I’m going to the beach. The GTab has consumed enough of my time for now.
Kelly
August 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Back again with an update. I followed the steps above exactly, as I have been, but it is still coming up with an android recovery system and not cwm. I even thought that maybe there was some confusion created by recoveryold and updateold so I deleted those from the root directory. Again, tablet appears to be working in its original state, but I can’t get cwm: when I press Power + VolUp I see two lines of text: Line 1 “Recovery key detected” and Line 2 “Booting recovery image.” I can call you if possible but don’t like to bother people with my problems. Sorry for clogging up the comments with my lack of tech savvy. Will consider having my brother or someone look at it. Thanks much for your patience.
Ray Waldo
August 23, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Most excellent! And. You can say, “I did it my way!”
Ray Waldo
August 23, 2011 at 4:08 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are very welcome Bharat! Another satisfied “customer!” Glad I did not have to give you your money back
.
Jason
August 25, 2011 at 7:29 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I saw you post one spot that it wasn’t a good idea to put a 1.2 version of cyanogenmod but another spot where it seemed to contradict this. Is there a GOOD stable version of cyanogenmod 7 for 1.2 bootloader?
Ray Waldo
August 26, 2011 at 8:31 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
With a good flash, the market will not be a problem. You probably didn’t clear everything. Boot into CWM & do a reset to factory. Then clear both caches & reboot. If you still have problems, flash GtabComb again.
Ray Waldo
August 26, 2011 at 8:35 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
good question. It is the march of progress! Over time, I have come to understand that we need to move to the 1.2bl. If you want CM7 then it doesn’t matter that much. But to switch to 1.2bl now will give you options later.
As to which version is stable, I can’t advise since I no longer use CM7.
quinn12
August 28, 2011 at 3:02 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you Ray. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I will try this solution immediately.
Ray Waldo
August 28, 2011 at 7:52 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have been using 1200 since I figured out what the problem was. The only time I had a lockup was with flashback.
Ray Waldo
September 1, 2011 at 6:44 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you got the rom installed then you did well!
It is a common issue that you cannot see the external memory from your computer. If that is a real problem for you, visit the “tips ” article for a possible solution.
The wifi file explorer application (market) does it over Wifi: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer&feature=search_result
Recommended
Steven
September 1, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks Ray, it’s not the end-all for needing the extra memory card in the unit, but it was a major reason why to buy a gtab in the first place: explandable memory, and ability to run Android.
As a follow-up question if you don’t mind, in all of the instructions, it always refers to the “sdcard.” So that means a portion of the internal flash memory on the device becomes the “sdcard” correct? Also, under Step 8 it states, “Select
“advanced” and then “Partition SD Card” & execute (Answer 2048 to the first and 0 to the second option.)” Why are we partitioning the 2048 and 0? Does that segment out the specific portion on the interal memory to run the OS and leave the remaining 12GB or so of memory for everything else?
Thanks again, this has been an interesting process.
Steven
Ray Waldo
September 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
All of my guides assume the sdcard to be the internal memory. However, some roms may refer to the external. That is why I say to remove the external when following my guides.
For more information see the format article: http://raywaldo.com/2011/07/format-the-gtab/
Ray Waldo
September 1, 2011 at 3:28 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I think that cm7 addresses both sdcard via usb.
Ray Waldo
September 3, 2011 at 7:05 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
camera does not work on any Honeycomb version that I know of. Neither is there any hardware acceleration. Flash does not work right. See the “tips” article.
Ray Waldo
September 13, 2011 at 1:24 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry Jerry… I have been out of town and I am a bit rushed right now. I will try to figure out your situation later. Until then, perhaps another user here will have the answer?
Lastly, just start another NVFlash and step through each step slowly. When we have already done something, it is easier to MISS a step…
Ray Waldo
September 13, 2011 at 9:44 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Nope. You must go through the entire NVFlash and switch (back?) to the 1.2bl branch. But it is not painful. Visit the link at the top of this page “Strongly urge you to flash our version…” and start there.
Jerry
September 20, 2011 at 6:21 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Ray.
I repeated the process, and was successful this time. I did not format the sd card this time, but I also could have missed another step, so I am not sure that caused the problem. Likely it did not, since it sounds like that is actually the preferred method. Thanks again for the information and the help.
Another related question:
I obtained an SD card for the external slot in the tablet, formatted it and inserted it. The tablet recognizes it and displays an icon indicating that external storage is present.
It does not behave exactly as I expected, however, in that I can “copy” files to it but not “move” files to it.
Also, it appears that I cannot directly access the external SD card from the computer, when I connect to it via usb. Is this “normal” or is there something I need to configure or change in order to access the external microsd card?
(Note: The only way I have figured out how to connect the tablet to the computer via usb is through the recovery mode… I’m using linux, and I can mount the tablet as an external drive in that mode. I have not tried to connect using a computer with a Windows OS.)
Thanks again,
Jerry
Ray Waldo
September 25, 2011 at 9:14 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
No problem. GTabComb is installed with ClockworkMod.
You were on the right track. If you had NOT tried to open the zip file, you would have been fine.
NOW, since you bricked the device, you will have to NVFlash again. Not a big deal, just repeat the steps you did PRIOR to opening the zip file and trying to find the update.zip.
INFO: To install a rom with the (blue menu) stock recovery, it MUST be named update.zip. However, when you install CWM (yellow menu), one of the benefits is that you can flash a rom that is NOT necessarily named update.zip.
If you have CWM installed, just copy the gtabcomb.zip file (or whatever it is named) to the root and then follow step #10 above.
If you still have the stock recovery, you can rename the GTabComb.zip file to update.zip THEN copy it to the root of the GTab and “flash update.zip”. But you are MUCH better off by installing CWM.
Ray Waldo
September 27, 2011 at 7:22 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Welcome to Android! I am convinced that it is the best mobile operating system available. And, thank you for your feedback.
As I said in an earlier comment, I need to update the guide relating to the steps where you had problems.
I do have a passion for helping and sharing my knowledge and experience. Positive feedback, such as yours, and an occasional donation keep me going.
HotMods
September 27, 2011 at 5:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Nevermind, Ray. I found the answer on xda about the Battery Use. Zyhong says he is considering that for the next build. Back to digging in.
Ray Waldo
September 28, 2011 at 10:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
That is your choice about email. And, to be realistic, it is indeed YOUR choice. What your contacts like is irrelevant – all email accounts work with all others. Actually, I have my isp account merged into my gmail account so that I only check gmail to see all of my mail. And, if you send to my isp address, when I respond, GMail will use my isp address to reply to you. But to set that up, you need to know the same details of your email account that you mentioned in the previous comment.
The display that you see for this and many other sites is the MOBILE theme that I have. It is primarily for smart phones. As I said in the previous comment, you need to go into your browser’s configuration and set the “user agent” to “desktop.” Then, you will see the site as you would on a desktop computer. (The default for almost all browsers on tablets is “tablet” – and that triggers most web sites to send the “mobile” version. The mobile version is trimmed down to send primarily text to save mobile data and speed up the connection on slow networks.
Ray Waldo
September 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry that I missed your comment, George.
For the native browser in Honeycomb, click on one of the “menu” buttons: For the GTab, the Hardware button should work or, in the upper right corner is an icon with several parallel lines, OR (if you have enabled the “labs” quick controls – which I like) swipe from the right or left edge and then select the parallel lines icon.
- then Settings – Advanced – User Agent String.
For other browsers it will be slightly different so you just have to search in the settings. I generally look at ALL of the setting s on the apps that I use to see if there are any functions that my not be turned on – that should be.
Ray Waldo
September 29, 2011 at 10:12 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that you have held the power button until the GTab turns off entirely? If not, then that is the FIRST step. Then power it back on and see if it goes into the Android setup. (Sorry about not mentioning that previously.)
Did you follow the first instruction to nvflash the modified 1.2-4349 image?
Also what VERSION of clockworkmod does it display when the menu is displayed?
What color is the menu?
Did you download all the files from links on this website?
Until I learn more, my advice is to repeat the NVFlash procedure to the 1.2-4349 image. Then install CWM and GtabComb b3.3 bl1.2.
Linas
September 30, 2011 at 9:22 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Did you follow the first instruction to nvflash the modified 1.2-4349 image?
Yes.
Also what VERSION of clockworkmod does it display when the menu is displayed?
v3.0.2.8 (GTAB 1.2 and NI Adam rev5)
What color is the menu?
Orange.
Did you download all the files from links on this website?
Yes.
Until I learn more, my advice is to repeat the NVFlash procedure to the 1.2-4349 image. Then install CWM and GtabComb b3.3 bl1.2.
Will do.
Mark
October 2, 2011 at 10:26 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray,
am I correct in assuming that there is no easy way to install anything other than Honeycomb if you have the 1.2 bootloader?
The whole process is confusing because I set out to try and install Cyanogen mod 7 and caused a problem with my bootloader. Now I can’t even bring it up any more. After finding your site I’ve learned a lot but am not even sure what I can do any more.
Is 2.3 Gingerbread not a valid option for me?
Linas
September 30, 2011 at 10:31 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ray:
Your advice did the trick! Thanks a million for providing this resource.
Linas
Ray Waldo
September 30, 2011 at 2:13 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
A “million” is not necessary! $5, $10, or $20 is fine
Peaty
October 1, 2011 at 11:20 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Looks like I got it now, despite your best efforts to warn me otherwise. I failed to FIRST nvflash the modified 1.2-4349 image. After I did that and went through the procedure again. It’s now booting up fine, thanks for such a great helpful site.
Peat
Mark
October 2, 2011 at 3:32 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Now it’s a bit confusing for me…
You said: “If you see a menu with blue text when you are in recovery mode and no mention of clockworkmod or version number, then you have the stock recovery.”.
I was in a semi-brick state and had to do the nvflash steps you recommended and now I have my system back. But here’s what’s confusing. I have a menu with blue text but the first line does have a version number: “Android system recovery ”
I’m assuming this is the stock 1.2 boot loader but I really have no idea. I did complete the nvflash for dummies and it broke me out of the semi-brick state. By semi-brick state I mean I broke my bootloader and couldn’t get it to work in recovery mode any more but my system was still operational.
So can you tell where my system stands now and what options are available for me? I thought Gingerbread sounded the most stable for me since everything seemed to be working there.
This is a bit confusing at this point.
Thanks for all of your help. I appreciate you. I was also a software and support guy for a large ministry and I undestand how important technology is for reaching people.
Mark
Ray Waldo
October 2, 2011 at 7:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As I said, the blue text says you still have the stock recovery.
Assuming that you flashed the 1.2-4349 image then you have exactly followed instructions and you are ready to start on the guide on this page.
After you install clockworkmod you can flash any gTablet rom in the 1.2bl branch. That includes almost all honeycomb roms. If you want cm7 then there is a dev who creates a 1.2bl version. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1144847
Mark
October 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
OK, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions.
I do have a couple more if you have the time to answer.
1) My stock GTab never allowed me to connect and create a Google Market account. It appears you have one already. How do you create a Google Market Account?
2) Once I flash the Honeycomb rom is it like a fresh install on Windows? In other words do I reinstall everything and are all of my files on the internal SD card gone?
3) What doesn’t work on the Honeycomb rom ? I’ve heard the camera and a couple of other things. Anything significant?
Ray Waldo
October 4, 2011 at 6:16 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You can not change the market account without a reset to factory. In settings – applications – select the market and clear data. If that doesn’t fix it, a reset would be my next suggestion. Then you could try the new account. Use clockworkmod to do the reset. The option in settings has caused problems for some users.
mark
October 4, 2011 at 10:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Brilliant! Now time to play and reload all the apps. Thanks so much!
Ray Waldo
October 11, 2011 at 10:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
As I noted in a couple of other recent comments, the Google Market is undergoing some changes that may reject the Viewsonic G-Tab. It sounds like you may be facing that issue.
My advice when something like that happens is to FORCE power off (hold the power button until the device shuts off). Then power it back on. If it is an issue with the ROM, that will probably clear it and start the market working properly.
If it is indeed an issue that the Market (proper – not your app) is causing the problem, then I have no way to know about that – other than the normal contacts that you and everyone else has on the web.
HotMods
October 12, 2011 at 11:49 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I found a tip on the XDA Developer site that lead me to a new Market App. It is located at http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/09/29/download-updated-android-market-for-honeycomb-includes-in-app-review-publishing/. What I tried to do was download directly to the GTAB but that did not work and the download kept failing.
So I downloaded to my Windows PC, connected the USB, started USB Sharing on the GTAB, copied to the GTAB and installed the new Market App.
After install, I tried loading the new Market App and it kept timing out. I rebooted and since then have been able to get downloads to work. It appears this new Market app is working for me on the GTAB where the one that comes with Zyhong’s build for GTABComb did not.
This is my experience so far. Your mileage may vary.
Kenny Baskin
October 15, 2011 at 9:57 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Ah ok. I’ll give that a try. The file I downloaded was only 4.1mb so I’ll check that too. Thanks!
Ray Waldo
October 20, 2011 at 7:47 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
You are most welcome! That is why this site exists.
If you are able, you can help us continue by visiting the “tips jar” at the bottom of the page.
Susan
October 22, 2011 at 9:25 am (UTC -6)