This has been the most frustrating experience I have ever had with an Android device...
I was one of the lucky few who got one for $280 on Amazon and apparently it had the newest build on it that has the boot loader locked down.
I went through all the stickied guides, warnings about the locked bootloader and NVFlash. Needless to say, I have done my homework.
I tried in vain to install any ROM, but the only one that would install is TnT, which to the dev's credit it was a huge step above the stock ROM, but *shudder* that interface...
Long story, short; I managed to install CWM, fail at any install of a ROM (3 bird screen) and and ended up flashing with NVFlash to 1.0-2638, tried to flash ROM's again and again only to reflash 2638. It has been a LOOOOONG day with this thing.
I am at my wit's end.
Here is what I have 1.0-2638, no CWM and a bottle of Patron Silver...
How do I get a ROM on here...
Hey
Compusearch said:
This has been the most frustrating experience I have ever had with an Android device...
I was one of the lucky few who got one for $280 on Amazon and apparently it had the newest build on it that has the boot loader locked down.
I went through all the stickied guides, warnings about the locked bootloader and NVFlash. Needless to say, I have done my homework.
I tried in vain to install any ROM, but the only one that would install is TnT, which to the dev's credit it was a huge step above the stock ROM, but *shudder* that interface...
Long story, short; I managed to install CWM, fail at any install of a ROM (3 bird screen) and and ended up flashing with NVFlash to 1.0-2638, tried to flash ROM's again and again only to reflash 2638. It has been a LOOOOONG day with this thing.
I am at my wit's end.
Here is what I have 1.0-2638, no CWM and a bottle of Patron Silver...
How do I get a ROM on here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats sucks, and i feel for you. I am also someone that just purchased the gtablet from amazon, and have been reading the forums throughly and it clearly says to downgrade before attempting to load cwm and flashing a given rom. So i guess my question is, did you downgrade before flashing?
@Compusearch... welcome to the G-Tablet world...
before you go ahead... look though the forum and FAQ posts...
do you have a particular ROM in mind??
keep these in mind...
if you install the latest 1.2-4329 ROM, you cannot install a custom kernel... so most custom ROMs like CM will not work... there are three 1.2 based custom ROM available (can't post the links so google Century Eyes or Mountain Laurel)
if you install a Gingerbread ROM like CM7, hardware video decoding will not work...
a start up from where you are... get the 1.1-3588 ROM from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842000 and flash it with the stock recovery... it's the best base ROM... then you can flash CWM 0.8 bekit if you want to install a 1.1-based ROM (most ROMs available here) or move to 1.2-4329 and install a 1.2 based custom ROM...
you can easily nvFlash back to the 1.1 based ROM even after you move to a 1.2 based ROM...
craigacgomez said:
@Compusearch... welcome to the G-Tablet world...
before you go ahead... look though the forum and FAQ posts...
do you have a particular ROM in mind??
keep these in mind...
if you install the latest 1.2-4329 ROM, you cannot install a custom kernel... so most custom ROMs like CM will not work... there are three 1.2 based custom ROM available (can't post the links so google Century Eyes or Mountain Laurel)
if you install a Gingerbread ROM like CM7, hardware video decoding will not work...
a start up from where you are... get the 1.1-3588 ROM from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842000 and flash it with the stock recovery... it's the best base ROM... then you can flash CWM 0.8 bekit if you want to install a 1.1-based ROM (most ROMs available here) or move to 1.2-4329 and install a 1.2 based custom ROM...
you can easily nvFlash back to the 1.1 based ROM even after you move to a 1.2 based ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me, I went through all the FAQ's and Guides here. I even found a bunch of youtube video's showing how to do the installs of CWM and ROM's. I can follow along, but the end result is always the 3-bird boot screen.
I am seasoned veteran of installing ROM's: Droid, DroidX, Nook (too easy), Galaxy Tab, Captivate, HD2 (winmo7, android), MyTouch3G, and HTC Inspire. I know the procedures and concepts very well.
I think the variable that is screwing me over, is what was initially installed on my gTablet when I got it this week.
I assumed that I had 4349 as there was no available update when I checked for it over wifi. With that in mind, I did downgrade it to 3588 per:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1036956
Even with that, I could not install any ROM's other than TnT Lite.
I am wondering of the latest batches of gTablets are locked down beyond what the newest update 4349+ already does.
Technically as it stands, I have 1.0-2638 installed and that should have the unlocked bootloader and I should be able to follow this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
I would assume that logically, if I have an earlier version of the original TnT, that I can install CWM and then any gTablet ROM.
Am I wrong to assume this?
[edit] I want to be able to use the Vegan Beta 5.1.1 ROM
Stupid question but have you actually tried to install a rom after nflashing. The problem you were having before was the partition structure was wrong and nvflash should have fixed that. You can also extract "recovery.img" from bekit 0.8 zip file......
Copy recovery.img to your nvflash directory
Rename part9.img to part9.bak
Rename recovery.img to part9.img
Run nvflash again
This will flash cwm for you. Then try clearing data and flashing anather rom
Compusearch said:
Trust me, I went through all the FAQ's and Guides here. I even found a bunch of youtube video's showing how to do the installs of CWM and ROM's. I can follow along, but the end result is always the 3-bird boot screen.
I am seasoned veteran of installing ROM's: Droid, DroidX, Nook (too easy), Galaxy Tab, Captivate, HD2 (winmo7, android), MyTouch3G, and HTC Inspire. I know the procedures and concepts very well.
I think the variable that is screwing me over, is what was initially installed on my gTablet when I got it this week.
I assumed that I had 4349 as there was no available update when I checked for it over wifi. With that in mind, I did downgrade it to 3588 per:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1036956
Even with that, I could not install any ROM's other than TnT Lite.
I am wondering of the latest batches of gTablets are locked down beyond what the newest update 4349+ already does.
Technically as it stands, I have 1.0-2638 installed and that should have the unlocked bootloader and I should be able to follow this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
I would assume that logically, if I have an earlier version of the original TnT, that I can install CWM and then any gTablet ROM.
Am I wrong to assume this?
[edit] I want to be able to use the Vegan Beta 5.1.1 ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nvFlashing back to the 1.0 release will definitely downgrade your bootloader... and then I recommend upgrading to the 1.1 branch (3588)... install CWM using the stock recovery or using nvFlash (as @thebadfrog said)...
Format all partitions using CWM... and even try re-partitioning the internal SD card using CWM to 2048MB ext, 0MB swap... and then install a custom ROM
craigacgomez said:
nvFlashing back to the 1.0 release will definitely downgrade your bootloader... and then I recommend upgrading to the 1.1 branch (3588)... install CWM using the stock recovery or using nvFlash (as @thebadfrog said)...
Format all partitions using CWM... and even try re-partitioning the internal SD card using CWM to 2048MB ext, 0MB swap... and then install a custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying that now:
1. upgrade to 3588 -Done!
2. install CWM -Done!
3. re-partition SD 2048/0M -Done!
Wipe Dalvik Cache -Done, but with error "Can't Mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2"
Wipe data/factory reset -Done!
Wipe cache partition -Done!
Format SYSTEM -Done!
Format DATA -Done!
Format CACHE -Done!
Format SDCARD -Done!
4. Custom ROM - VEGAn-TAB GingerEdition STABLE RC1 - INSTALLED!!!
Thanks, Craig and Frog for the tips. This really should be added to the current FAQ.
Sadly, now that I can actually use the tablet, I am HATING the view angles on it.
For a company that prodomiately makes nice monitors and LCD's this is some BS right here.
I know that ViewSonic slapped their name on it, but seriously, who over at VS said that the screen was great and ready for production?
Yeah, the viewing angles aren't great... but it's perfect for a traveller like me... I can sit on the plane and use my tablet without anyone seeing what I'm doing!!
And ignore the dalvik wipe error!!
I wish more people would look at repartitioning as a "step" during the flashing process as apposed to a maybe. All the roms and recovery images are built off of one specific partition set and it is in my book a necessary step to make sure we are all on the same page.
Glad you got it sorted
Mantara said:
I wish more people would look at repartitioning as a "step" during the flashing process as apposed to a maybe. All the roms and recovery images are built off of one specific partition set and it is in my book a necessary step to make sure we are all on the same page.
Glad you got it sorted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have debated that for several months since discovering the different partitioning. The only real way to "brick" for real is through a bad nvflash therefore it makes since to skip that step until necessary.
I think all roms should be nvflashed anyway so you have to understand and be able to use the recovery tools to even modify your tab. But thats my own opinion
Hey all. I just got a new G Tablet and am trying to install CM7 I was following the instructions to the letter from (Since I an't post links, just google this) Cyanogenmod G Tablet Wiki Full
I got through the 'Installing ClockworkMod Recovery' part and everything appeared to finish successfully.
After rebooting the device, I tried to boot into Recovery to install CM7 and the device just freezes on the ViewSonic splash screen. The screen says 'Recovery key detected Booting recovery kernel image', but it just sits there.
I am able to boot the device into the stock OS, but I can no longer get into recovery.
What can I do?
Tap UI Version: 1,2-4349
Kernel Version: 2,6,32,9-00001-g0e0c333-dirty
Build number: FRF91
Thank you in advanced for your help. Please let me know if there is any other information you need about my device.
Andrew
The key to your post is
Tap UI Version: 1,2-4349
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're on the 1.2 bootloader, and CWM .8 will not work on it. There is a versio nthat WILL work, but I, unfortunately don't know the exact link to provide for you. I'll attempt to look it up and get back to you, though.
basically, your G-Tablet, was at some point, updated with the most recent OTA update provided by viewsonic. The update was pulled 24 hours after it was released. You're not lost with 1.2...you have many options. You can either stay on 1.2 and flash any of the many 1.2 roms...some are listed in the development section, others can be found on "another" forum.
If you need CM7, then I suggest that you follow the "foolproof flash to stock 4349" thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039000) but STOP once you've successfully flashed STOCK 3588.
3588 is on the 1.1 bootloader required for CM7.
EDIT:
I also find it interesting, it appears that pershoot's kernel has been installed already? Was this a brand new out of the box G-Tablet, or a used one? I am actually hoping that it's used. If it's NEW, then VS needs to explain how it came with a redacted update AND a custom kernel...
THANK ROEBEET FOR THIS:
Since I can't link to another forum, I decided to copy and paste. If people are going ot come ot XDA with issues involving the now taboo 1.2 bootloader, then they'll need to admit that the only way to help them is to link to a forum that everyone is migrating to.
Download
clockworkmod v3.0.2.8 (1.2 branch / NIA rev5) Link: http://www.mediafire...2flqn8b10ebcq44
md5sum: ac4d728d74a6b608cce588d2649e79f3
(updated on 5/15/2011)
clockworkmod v3.0.2.8 (1.2 branch rev2) Link: http://www.mediafire...x61q8jlu2dx8i9u
md5sum: 48c0c40175ab38cebc1199f9d3be8a7d
(updated on 5/05/2011)
THIS REV2 VERSION HAS BEEN TESTED MORE, but nandroid restores are not working properly. Rev5 corrects that, but I need more testers to confirm stability, please!
Many thanks to bekit and rothnic, for their work with clockworkmod!! Their documentation is what assisted me to get this functioning.
NOTE ON CWM: Do not use the Android GUI tool to wipe user data, or else cwm will get stuck in a reboot loop! If this occurs, there are two ways to fix this:
1- ADB required
In clockworkmod, go to mounts and storage and mount /system. Then, run this on your local PC:
adb shell
cd /system/bin
./fixrecovery.sh
Then reboot. What should occur is that standard recovery should pop up and complete the data wipe. On the next reboot, you should be able to get back into the GUI.
2- nvflash required
Using the 4349 nvflash image, run this:
nvflash --bl bootloader.bin --download 9 part9.img
Then reboot. What should occur is that standard recovery should pop up and complete the data wipe. On the next reboot, you should be able to get back into the GUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TJEvans (is it ok if I call you TJ for short?) thank you very much for your help, I appreciate it very much. I'm sorry if confuse some terms here as I try to address your posts inline below, but I would definitely still consider myself a novice at this process of installing custom roms.
TJEvans said:
EDIT:
I also find it interesting, it appears that pershoot's kernel has been installed already? Was this a brand new out of the box G-Tablet, or a used one? I am actually hoping that it's used. If it's NEW, then VS needs to explain how it came with a redacted update AND a custom kernel...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a brand new G Tablet. I litteraly got in the mail today from Tiger Direct. I'm wondering if the Clockworkmod I tried to install is responsible for the custom kernel.
TJEvans said:
If you need CM7, then I suggest that you follow the "foolproof flash to stock 4349" thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039000) but STOP once you've successfully flashed STOCK 3588.
3588 is on the 1.1 bootloader required for CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't necessarly need CM7, but that is what I have on my Nook Color, and I really like it.
The main question I have is that right now, I cannot get into clockwork or stock Recovery at all. I do have adb working, so I would think my next steps will require me to use adb.
At the moment since I can't get to recovery I seem to be stuck. Is there a process somewhere I can get recovery working again using adb?
OK...let's try something. It looks like you may actually be in stock recovery, but there's nothing for it to recover.
do you know of a way to get a file and a folder onto your internal SD?
if so, let's edit the instructions to be able to flash to 3588 stock...
What you need:
1. A stock 3588 image renamed to 'update.zip' (http://tapntap.http.internapcdn.net/...-3588-user.zip)
2. A folder called recovery with a file in it called COMMAND inside it with the following line of text:
Code:
--update_package=SDCARD:/update.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if yo ucan get those on the SD, then when you reboot, the stock recovery will run and install stock 3588 1.1 based rom and recovery, then you can install your CWM .8.
I have never used NVFlash or ADB, or APX...I have no experience with them. I'm just here helping people that have compatibility issues between 1.1 and 1.2 bootloaders.
After all, the key to fixing problems, is to first find out what the problem is...
I wish I could help more, but I've seen more and more people softbrick their g-tabs by using NVFlash than anything else. I'm not ready to go messing around with my own root files, yet.
If you can get that file, and that folder onto your SD, then stock recovery will automatically recognize it and run it...
I may have just really screwed things up. I ran 'adb reboot recovery' and I gets to the Splash screen with 'Booting recovery kernel image' and gets stuck. Now, I can't get into the device at all.
Also, none of the links in your posts seem to work for me.
try them from the original post, then:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1039000
sorry, like I said, I'm not a techy...just a guy that doesn't like to see people suffer...
TJEvans said:
THANK ROEBEET FOR THIS:
Since I can't link to another forum, I decided to copy and paste. If people are going ot come ot XDA with issues involving the now taboo 1.2 bootloader, then they'll need to admit that the only way to help them is to link to a forum that everyone is migrating to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's far from being taboo since it's the honeycomb bootloader... their recovery was blue for a reason...
maybe they pulled those OTA update because they had not licensed honeycomb anyhow, 1.2 is perfectly good to install as long as you use a 1.2 compatible kernel you can even use non 1.2 rom!
Ok, I was able to get the device working again using NVFlash. (http forum,xda-developers,com/showthread,php?t=861950 replace commas with periods).
Now, I have the following:
Tap UI:1,1-3588
Kernel is still: 2,6,32,9-00001-g0e0c333-dirty
I don't know anything about this kernel, or how I got it, other than maybe it came with my first errant clockwork install.
Can you give me some pointers on how I should proceed? (I would still like to get to CM7 at some point, but I don't know if I should get a different kernel or go back to the stock kernel as well)
GREAT NEWS....glad you god it running so far.
OK, that may be the stock kernel...the numbers looked familiar to me, and I've never seen the stock kernel on that report...so, I may be mistaken.
in any case, you are now back on stock 3588 1.1 bootloader...
Now, you should be able to install the CWM .8 that you tried before, and flash CM7 from there...basically, follow the guide you followed before. but this time, it should work fine, since you are on the right bootloader.
Just remember, research ANY new roms you want to try to make sure what bootloader they are on.
to P00r:
as long as you use a 1.2 compatible kernel you can even use non 1.2 rom!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see, I didn't even know that...
The thing I'm seeing, is that Clemysn posted the BOS infromation here, and tried to emphasize that it's a 1.2 Rom...The 1.1 rom's though, do not indicate that they are 1.1 Roms. when 1.1 was all that existed, it made no difference, but now that there is another option, they should at least make sure to add "PLEASE BE SURE YOU ARE USING A 1.1 BASED BOOTLOADER BEFORE FLASHING THIS ROM!!!"
As you can see from Imarikinrat's post, he bought a supposedly factory G-Tablet with 4349 prepackaged on it...now, granted, you and I both know that it's more than likely a refurbished one, as I can't see Viewsonic intentionally releasing product with a bootloader and firmware that was pulled from their updater...
in any case. Roebeet kinda predicted that this would happen a bit. Since most moderators on XDA downplayed the impact of 1.2, it's gone fairly ignored. Think about Imaricanrat's post for a second. Had he not posted his system information there is no way that we would have known that it was a bootloader conflict. It would have been assumed that he was on 1.1 bootlaoder with a "brand new" g-tablet (seriously, man, I'd check that thing with a magnifying glass to make sure that there are no scratches or anything that would indicate that it was anythign other than BRAND NEW)
anyway...had he not posted that he was on 1.2, then who knows what advice he would have been given.
Well, now I'm back to my original problem. I cannot get into Recovery. When I start holding Power and Vol+, I see 'Recovery key detected Booting recovery kernel image' it then goes to the 'gtablet' splash screen then quickly into a screen with a box with an arrow and a progress bar (the progress bar has the candy cane animation and nothing happens for all of 3 seconds) then the device reboots.
I have tried putting the recovery folder and update.zip in the internal memory, and on an sd card to no avail. Any other suggestions?
that most certainly sounds like stock recovery to me...
I'm at a loss...it worked fine for me when I flashed to 4349 from stock 3588...just ran and installed, then I ended up on 4349 stock...
you're following the CM7 install guide? Or are you trying to install CWM at this point? I never installed CWM myself, as mine came with it on it.
I'm trying to install clockworkmod so that I can install CM7. Is that the right way to do it? I know there was a stock recovery gui that I cannot get into now.
as long as the recovery folder is on the SDcard, it will automatically attempt to run it...
picture it this way...remember back in the day of windows 3.1 In some cases, if you inserted a floppy disk with a boot file on it, it would check there first, then boot from internal memory...
So, the recovery folder is telling it to run the file in it, which unpacks and installs the update.zip.
once again, though, I never installed CWM myself, but from what you're saying, it should be working.
what happens if you remove the folder and file (after running it), and attempt to go into recovery again?
When I remove the file, folder, and SD card and try to get into recovery, I see 'Recovery key detected Booting recovery kernel image' it then goes to the 'gtablet' splash screen then quickly into a screen with a box with an arrow and a progress bar (the progress bar has the candy cane animation and nothing happens for all of 3 seconds) then the device reboots.
hmm...the box with the arrow and progress bar indicates that it's trying ot run something from recovery...weird..
ANYONE ELSE???
I'm not experienced enough to help...anyone else know enough about flashing CWM from stock, or flashing CM7, that can help out, please chime in.
thanks.
and sorry Imarican...I tried, but once again, no techie here.
No worries man, thanks for your help. Have a good night.
Update: Ok, I think somehow this whole process messed up the 'Recovery Partition' on my G Tablet for whatever reason. When I performed the NVFlash back to stock, it managed to 'fix' the majority of the device, allowing me to boot normally into Tap UI:1,1-3588. However that flash did not fix my Recovery Partition.
With all of that in mind, I found instructions on XDA to install 'clockworkmod via nvflash' (Since I still cannot post links, just google that and it should be the first link, also it's XDA thread 1058649).
After following those steps, I am now able to boot into Recovery which is now Clockwork Mod Recovery, and hopefully *crosses fingers* be able to flash CM7.
Given that I will probably never go back to stock anything on this device, does anyone know where I can download the 'Stock Recovery' for the G Tablet?
so is the point of this article Tiger direct sell used products as new?
so is the point of this article Tiger direct sell used products as new?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unconfirmed...what we know is that he had 1.2 4349 out of the box, stock firmware. There are a few possibilities. This could be a Tiger Direct return that was repackaged and sold as new. It could also be a direct from VS return that was repackaged as new, OR, VS actually sent a stock of G-Tablets to Tiger Direct that were packaged with the 4349 firmware on it.
Either way, people need to be careful when flashing roms and such. XDA has not, so far, made it clear which roms, kernels, and CWM versions are good on which bootloader. Some have been asking that devs start exiting posts to indicate which bootloader is needed for each mod, to attempt to avoid confusion.
We must also realize that new G-Tablets are being bought every day, and not every owner is knowledgable of the issues of the recent past, with VS, NVidea, 1.1, 1.2, etc. Most people probably, reasonably, assume that they can open it, root it, and start flashing whatever they want, not even aware that there is a difference.
I'm fairly experienced at flashing various roms. I've done it with G Harmony Gingerbread, Vegan 7.0 Gingerbread and TNT Lite 4.x. All were successful. Sometimes I used NVram (1.2), sometimes not. I always wiped user data etc.
When I try to flash Android Illuminate Alpha 2.1 or Bottle of Smoke 6.0 all I get is stuck at the VS splash screen. I've tried everything and no matter what I do the end result is the splash screen.
I know I'm not doing the process wrong and it's a pretty good coincidence that the only ones that freeze are honeycomb based. So my question is, is there something I could try different or are some G Tablet's hardware such that honeycomb simply won't flash?
1) What ROM are you flashing from?
2) Which bootloader is it based on?
3) Are you using CWM or stock recovery (or, god forbid, ROM Manager)?
The symptom you have is common for someone trying to flash directly from a 1.1 bootloader ROM to a 1.2 bootloader ROM using CWM. Since CWM doesn't update the bootloader the new ROM can't load.
Honeycomb has a different data structure than everything else. If you want to flash into or flash out of a honeycomb rom, you need to follow my code red in the "start here" page of my website. Link in signature. Even experienced users will brick their gtab if they don't follow my instructions there.
The bootloader ROM i'm flashing from is 1.2 (I think). Before I flash, I do an NVflash 1.2. Then flash to the new ROM. I use CWM and have the NVflash setup where it automatically installs CWM.
My Kernel version is 2.6.32.9 so I'm pretty sure my stock bootloader ROM is 1.2, hence the NVram 1.2.
However, when I bought this tablet, it already had TNT Lite on it, so I really have no idea what the stock ROM was 1.1 or 1.2. I'm doing an NVflash 1.1 now and am going to try to flash Honeycomb Flashback. Fingers crossed.
goodintentions,
Problem solved because of your fantastic website. I really appreciate the hard work you put into it. When I looked at your ROM compatibility page and saw that TNT Lite was only compatible with 1.1, I new I had 1.1. So...I did a 1.1 NVflash and flashed GtabComb. I followed your instructions to the letter and it worked perfect. Man is Honeycomb nice.
I'll probably partition my SD card and upgrade to bootloader 1.2 so I can try BoS etc.
Thanks again. You rock!
tevamarc said:
goodintentions,
Problem solved because of your fantastic website. I really appreciate the hard work you put into it. When I looked at your ROM compatibility page and saw that TNT Lite was only compatible with 1.1, I new I had 1.1. So...I did a 1.1 NVflash and flashed GtabComb. I followed your instructions to the letter and it worked perfect. Man is Honeycomb nice.
I'll probably partition my SD card and upgrade to bootloader 1.2 so I can try BoS etc.
Thanks again. You rock!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you know, you don't have to stay with 1.1. You can nvflash to either branch. That's the purpose of nvflash, to allow you to jump branch the easy way. There's another way to jump branch, but I've decided that that way is a bit too risky for beginners and so I have not mentioned it at all.
You are indeed right. I did that and it works great. I've tried Illuminate, BoS, and Flashback. I found Flashback to be the most stable with very few lockups compared to the others.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I'm getting my viewsonic g tab tomorrow and have been reading the threads about nvflashing bootloaders. My question is (if my tablet comes with bl1.1) can I just nvflash from bl1.1 to bl1.2? I ask this because it seems some of the folks here either don't want to upgrade their bootloaders to 1.2 because theyre either too scared of bricking or "like" (?) bl1.1 but I like the rom branch and veriety of the 1.2 bootloaders. Thanks in advance folks.
BTW, I have read the guide on nvflashing (very great write up and summary of nvflashing the g tab) and it covers everything except if you can nvflash back and forth between the 2 bootloaders. This is my first tablet and please excuse my noobness on the subject of nvflashing. I know most topics regarding cwm and how to use it and have owned, rooted and flashed MANY ROMs on a total of 4 android phones. Thanks again.
You should be just fine to nvflash to 1.2. Many consider it "safer" to flash to the stock 1.1 TnT first but if your tablet comes with 1.1 you will already be there. Once you are on 1.2, you probably will not want to go back, but it is possible.
However, if your tablet comes with 1.1 you could also just take the OTA update to get to 1.2 and not have to nvflash. Then you can install CWM and a rom. Check out this site for lots of good info if you decide to use nvflash, and also make sure you read this thread. Backup your .bct file and use it any time you use nvflash. Some roms will require you to nvflash to change the size of the system partition (ICS for example).
Also, be sure to use the correct version of CWM:
CWM v08 - use for bootloader 1.1 only
3028 rev.5 - use for bootloader 1.2 only
5504 touch - use for ICS rom only (is included in the nvflash file found in the ICS thread)
BTW - if you do take the OTA update to get to 1.2 make sure you have the stock recovery installed NOT CWM.
OK, so my understanding here is; tab comes with 1.1-update to 1.2 with ota (no cwm, install after update)--> tab comes 1.2-downgrade with tnt 1.1 tool then nvflash back to 1.2 w/cwm? Hope that sums it up. And my whole point here is to end up with 1.2 w/cwm so I can start flashing bl1.2 branch ROMs. I think I'm pretty sure what I'm doing now. Thanks bud.
Yep, except that if the gtablet comes w/ 1.2 already there is no need to downgrade, and you only need to nvflash if you are going to use a rom that requires it. Just install CWM and then your rom of choice.
Thank you again daggerdave. My g tab didn't show up today. Tracking says tomorrow. Excited to have my first tablet!!!!