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Bishop of Technology » Featured, GTab, How To's » NVFlash for Dummies

NVFlash for Dummies

January 1st, 2011 | 43 Comments

Use NVFlash to UN-brick your GTab!

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NVFlash for Dummies!

Introduction:

Updated August 11, 2011: If you will (ever) be flashing HoneyComb on your GTab, then you need to complete the process included here (for flashing 1.2-4349) which will

create a system partition of 250meg – Even if you already have the STOCK 1.2-4349 Tap-n-Tap. The stock version has a 200meg system partition. Some of the newer HoneyComb

ROMS exceed that.

Updated July 24, 2011 by Ray: Changed linked files to the most current versions. Also edited the guide to make it compatible with upgrading bootloader as well as

downgrading and added instructions for both Windows and Ubuntu Linux users. If you are a Windows user and a section starts “If using Linux….” then just skip that

step (reverse, if you are using Linux).

START HERE:

This is the PRIMARY Starting Point for any major changes to your GTab. NVFlash - also called “APX mode” can be used for several essential functions. Regardless

of your previous configuration, by using this guide, you should be able to perform any of the following operations:

To regain control of your GTab after it is “bricked” or otherwise unresponsive.

To increase the size of the system partition from 200Meg (stock) to 250Meg (this may explain some failed ROMflashes.)

To set up your GTab to a STOCK configuration with the 1.1-3588 Tap-n-Tap.To set up your GTab to a STOCK configuration with the 1.2-4349 Tap-n-Tap.

To change the bootloader version on your GTab from 1.1 to 1.2 or visa versa.

If you have previously used NVFlash, you MAY skip to “Using NVFlash” and begin there. However, to assure that youhave the most recent files, continue reading the entire guide.

An article by Roebeet describes the process to install & use NVflash on Ubuntu Linux systems. Roebeet also created some of thefiles that we use – We are very appreciative of his work! His article is the source for these instructions. You are welcome to followRoebeet’s guide but these simplified instructions should work for either Windows or Linux users and give you a choice of theresulting boot loader version.

—————–

Prepare to use NVFlash

Download the Files

1. Create a folder on your computer and name it NVFLASH_prep (preferably, in your HOME folder)2. Create a second folder called NVFLASH3. Visit the Dropbox site at https://www.dropbox.com/s/wrcd87u1iy31u4e download the file in the next step…

4. If using Windows, download the “nvflash_windows_20100500.zip” (also available HERE) and save it to theNVFLASH_prep folder.

5. If using Linux, download the ”nvflash_linux_2010110500.tar.gz“ (also available HERE) and save it to the NVFLASH_prep

folder.6. If using Windows, Download the APX drivers for Windows at http://www.myadventvega.co.uk/ – Click on downloads –

click on USB System Driver. (Also available HERE) Open/un-zip the file to find the /Flash USB driver/ folder inside. Open that

folder and copy the folder named USB to the NVFLASH folder that you created.7. Download the Tap-n-Tap UI image: Roebeet has created TWO versions: One for bootloader 1.1 and the other for bl 1.2.

Download which ever is appropriate for the custom ROM that you wish to use later. (CM7 currently uses the 1.1 versionand Zyhong’s GTabComb and other versions of Honeycomb ROMs generally are built for the 1.2 branch.

1.1-3588 based image: http://www.mediafire…mw1mmifazhmvoeh (updated 4/22/2011) (also available HERE)1.2-4349 based image: http://www.mediafire…2o6ucnxdc8xh51c (updated 6/17/2011) (also available HERE) NOTE: This version will INCREASE

the system partition from 200meg to 250meg.

UN-zip the Files

1. If using Windows, open (un-zip) the nvflash_windows_20100500.zip and copy all the files to the NVFLASH folder.2. If using LINUX, open (un-zip) the nvflash_linux_2010110500.tar.gz and copy all the files to the NVFLASH folder

3. Open the image file (either gtab.nvflash.1.1.branch.20110422.zip or gtab.nvflash.1.2.branch.20110617.zip) and copy

the contents of the folder nvflash.1.x (which is inside the zip file) to the NVFLASH folder.

—————-

CHECKPOINT: The NVFLASH folder should contain the following,

A folder named USB (with its contents) (NOT included if using Linux).

All the files from nvflash.1.x folder inside the gtab zip.

All the files from nvflash_windows (or) linux zip.

————-

If using Windows, install the APX drivers: (Linux users can skip to “FLASH TAP UI” section.)

1. Hold down the “power” and “volume - (minus)“ buttons simultaneously until your GTab comes up and the goes back to ablack screen. The black screen means it is in APX mode and it is waiting to display the flashing process.

2. Connect the GTab to the PC via the USB cable.

If your PC loads the USB driver and connects to the GTab, SKIP to the “FLASH TAP UI” section.If the WINDOWS PC fails to load the driver, just click through Start/Control Panel/Device Manager and find “APX” listed in the devices

with a yellow “!” (exclamation point) on the icon.Select the APX item and find the “Update Driver” button and click it.When it asks where to search, choose the “local computer” manual selection choice and tell it to Browse to the USB folder in NVFLASH.If you go back to Device Manager after the Windows install has completed, it will show the nVidia USB drivers near the top of the USB device

list.

—————

Using NVFlash

Check the battery level on the GTab before continuing.

There is no absolute value required but the GTab must have enough battery power to complete the process or it could shut down in the middle ofthe flashing process causing irreparable damage. Alternately, you could connect the GTab to its AC source.

Also, this may be the last chance to backup any data on the SD Card(s).

If you are going to CHANGE the version of bootloader on your GTab, be certain to visit “Format the GTab?” before you continue. Thisis a good idea even if you are NOT going to change bootloader.

————-

Flash Tap UI to the GTab

1. Turn off the GTab. If you have an EXTERNAL SD Card in the device – REMOVE IT!2. Connect the tab to the PC via the USB cord.3. Hold down the “power” and “volume - (minus)” buttons simultaneously until your GTab comes up and the goes back to a

black screen. The black screen means it is in APX mode and it is waiting to display the flashing process.

4. NOTICE: The next step will wipe (erase & repopulate) the device back to a stock Tap-n-Tap user interface. Your userdata should be retained – but it is not guaranteed. Be ABSOLUTELY certain that you want to do this, there is no turningback once you begin.

5. If using Windows, run the nvflash_gtablet.bat file (double click the file - which is in the “NVFlash” folder6. If using Linux, open up a terminal window in the NVFlash folder, and enter the command, “sh ./nvflash_gtablet.sh”

(without the quotes. – note the space between the 2nd & 3rd characters.)7. EITHER Windows or Linux, the file should take about a minute to run and then the device will reboot itself automatically all

the way to the main screen of Tap-n-Tap. 8. If you get the T-n-T main screen, SKIP to the “It WORKED!” section below9. If the screen goes blank or if it gets stuck at the T-N-T logo, just hold the power button until the GTab powers off. Then

follow the next step “Reset to Factory.”

Reset to Factory

1. If you are NOT in a boot loop, SKIP to the “It WORKED!” section below2. If you ARE in a “boot loop” (either stuck in a blank screen or stuck at the logo), and you did NOT skip the previous step, then continue

with this section. If you did skip to here, then go back and complete the previous section (Flash Tap UI) – which will likely clear the bootloop.

3. Power off the GTab.

4. Disconnect the USB cable.5. Hold the Power button and the Volume + button until ”recovery key detected” is displayed in the upper left corner – then release both keys.

(Actually, you can release the power key when the screen comes on but the Vol+ key should be held until the note is displayed.)6. NOTICE: These functions WILL erase all previous settings and configuration.

7. Use the volume keys to select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” – Use the POWER key to select – use the volume keys to select “Yes” and thenpress the POWER button again. (a moving green bar will display below the tools to show that it is working.)

8. When it reports “Data wipe complete”, select “Wipe Cache Partition” and press the POWER button.9. When it reports “Cache wipe complete”, assure that “Reboot System Now” is selected and press the POWER button again.

10. The GTab should now reboot into the T-n-T interface. If not, repeat this section.

It WORKED!

1. If you downloaded the 1.2 branch image file, then you are finished with NVFlash! Your GTab has the most recentversion of Tap-n-Tap. Remove the USB Cable and you can begin using Tap-n-Tap. If you wish to flash Or, you can visit our“ClockworkMod 1.2bl & Honeycomb on GTab” to flash the Honeycomb or any other 1.2-based ROM.

2. If you downloaded the 1.1 branch image file, Turn on WiFi: When your G-Tablet has booted back to the main screen,check Settings – About Tablet – Tap UI Version. It should report: 1.0-2638. If so, you need to allow the Over-The-Air (OTA)update to version 1.1-3588.

Turn on the wifi and connect to the Internet. Almost immediately, you should get a notice (in the header, next to the time)about an OTA (over the air) update. This is the OTA Update to software version 3588. If it does, go ahead and have it do theupdate. Click on the notification and click on DOWNLOAD. After it is downloaded, click your AGREEment with the license

and APPLY the update.

Your G-Tablet now has a “Stock” bootloader 1.1, with build version 3588. If the upgrade completed successfully, you can skip to the Next Step:

“Installing ClockworkMod Recovery“

If you don’t get an automatic OTA notification, you can go the to manual “Update” icon on your tablet and have it check forupdates — and it should find OTA 3588. (For manual update: Tap on More – TapUI Network – Download update.) When the

download completes, ACCEPT & APPLY the update. It will reboot into recovery and complete the update.You can download the 1.1-3588 update here: http://tapntap.http….2-3588-user.zip and run it manually.

If an update fails – you will see an explanation mark inside a triangle. You could either try to flash again – or just skip theupgrade. I don’t think it will matter anyway. You will be at bootloader 1.0 but it worked fine for me to continue with the next

step using the 1.0-2638 firmware.

Next Step: “Installing ClockworkMod Recovery“.

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

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Viewsonic GTab Android TabletUpgrade to 1.2 Bootloader?New Version ROMHoneyComb on GTab!How to Flash Honeycomb on a GTabTraveling with the gTabClockworkMod 1.2bl & Honeycomb on GTab

Installing Honeycomb (Users Perspective)GTabComb vs Illuminate HC vs Flashback HCFormat the GTab?

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This entry is part 4 in the series GTab. Click on the title to read this entire article. Check the "SERIES" item in the right-hand column to read morefrom this series. Other articles will likely follow periodically. Check back often to read everything.

Add your comments in the box at the bottom of this article.

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Downgrade GTab BootloaderInstalling ClockworkMod Recovery

Filed under: Featured, GTab, How To's · Tags: 3588, 4349, apx, apx drivers, format, NVFlash, rr5678, stock rom

43 Responses to "NVFlash for Dummies"

« Older Comments

1. Krieger says:

September 8, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Awesome guide. I just used it to switch to the 1.2 dev tree and to install Flashback 8.0. I got worried for a second when my tablet rebooted to

only a black screen but I quickly found your steps on how to reset it and was back on track. Thank you for taking the time to make your guidesand sharing your knowledge.

God Bless.

Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

Reply

1. Ray Waldo says:

September 8, 2011 at 5:55 pm

September 8, 2011 at 5:55 pm

Always pleased to hear a positive report! If there was anything that was, at first, confusing but you were able to overcome it…. Please

comment about it and how we can make it clearer.

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

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