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Root [Guide] How to return to stock/upgrade stock to B&N 1.2

colchiro

Extreme Android User
I didn't see any step by step guides so decided to create one. :D

Warning: I have not tested this so proceed at your own risk. :eek:

With this guide you should be able to:


  • Return any version of a NC to stock 1.2 software version (the latest version as of this writing).
  • Update an older version of stock to stock 1.2
  • Repair an unbootable stock rom
  • Replace a custom rom (ie. CM7/Phiremod/whatever) with the stock 1.2 rom.

Here's the original post on XDA by Nemith: [UPDATE ZIP] Stock 1.2 update.zip flashable from CWM - xda-developers

Nemith posts two files, one that keeps your CWM (ClockWorkMod) recovery partition, the other eliminates it. I see no reason to keep recovery because we can always boot off our recovery disk or flash a new one Rom Manager.

As of this writing, I'm not aware of a pre-rooted 1.2 rom so, if you want root, you'll need to do the manual nooter process to attain root.

FORMATTING DATA: only format data if you want to delete all your apps and return your NC to the way it was when you purchased it. Google will still remember your purchased apps and will attempt to download the ones you've downloaded, when you root again.


  • It shouldn't be necessary to format data if coming from the B&N 1.1 software version, unless you really screwed it up. :D
  • If you're coming from a custom rom like CM7, formatting data is highly recommended.
  • Format data if you want to erase it to prepare it for a new owner. (Note: this can also be done under settings... location/security, which is much easier)
  • You'll want to format data if coming from a newer version (or if it's really screwed up).

What you'll need:


Directions:

  1. To maximize battery performance, make sure your battery is charged to 100% before flashing. I prefer to let it charge during the flashing process.
  2. Create the bootable CWM recovery sdcard from the directions above.
  3. Plug your bootable sdcard into your computer and copy the 1.2 update file (you downloaded previously) to it. When it finishes copying, safely unmount it from your computer by clicking on the "safely remove hardware" icon by the clock in the lower right corner of your screen. This prevents causing file system problems and should always be done when removing a usb drive.
  4. Remove the sdcard, plug it into your powered-down NC, press the power button and it should boot into Recovery
  5. (To use recovery, up/down volume buttons are used to navigate up and down, press the power button to go back, and press the "n" button to do the highlighted task. Only briefly press the buttons since it's easy to skip a step by holding down a button too long.)
  6. Press up or down volume button until "mounts and storage" is highlighted, press "n" button.
  7. use up/down to highlight "format /system", press "n"
  8. highlight "yes - format", press "n" (always watch for errors)
  9. when that finishes, highlight "format /cache", press "n"
  10. highlight "yes - format", press "n"
  11. IF FORMATTING DATA (see above description), highlight "format /data", press "n".
  12. press power button briefly to return to previous menu
  13. select the advanced menu, press "n"
  14. select clear Dalvik cache, press "n"
  15. highlight "yes - clear Dalvik cache", press "n"
  16. When it finishes, press the power button until "install zip from sdcard" is visible
  17. select "install zip from sdcard", press "n"
  18. select "choose zip from sdcard", press "n"
  19. select your update-nc-stock-1.2-signed.zip, press "n"
  20. highlight "Yes - install... update-nc-stock-1.2-signed.zip, press "n"
  21. Make sure your rom completed successfully (about 5 minutes) and watch for errors.
  22. When it finishes, press the power button until "reboot" option is visible. Remove your sdcard, then select "reboot system now", press "n"
  23. Let your nook sit for 5 minutes to settle
  24. If you formatted data, you'll need to do these steps:
    • Connect to your wi-fi.
    • Activate your NC with Barnes & Noble
  25. After installing a new rom, expect it to be sluggish for a day or so.
  26. enjoy
 
Short version: :D


  • copy file to sdcard
  • boot your NC with bootable sdcard
  • format system (formats and storage menu)
  • format cache (formats and storage menu)
  • format data (formats and storage menu)
  • clear Dalvik cache (advanced menu)
  • flash back-to-stock
  • remove sdcard
  • reboot

The above directions also work with back to stock 1.3
 
I didn't see any step by step guides so decided to create one. :D

Warning: I have not tested this so proceed at your own risk. :eek:

With this guide you should be able to:


  • Return any version of a NC to stock 1.2 software version (the latest version as of this writing).
  • Update an older version of stock to stock 1.2
  • Repair an unbootable stock rom
  • Replace a custom rom (ie. CM7/Phiremod/whatever) with the stock 1.2 rom.
Here's the original post on XDA by Nemith: [UPDATE ZIP] Stock 1.2 update.zip flashable from CWM - xda-developers

Nemith posts two files, one that keeps your CWM (ClockWorkMod) recovery partition, the other eliminates it. I see no reason to keep recovery because we can always boot off our recovery disk or flash a new one Rom Manager.

As of this writing, I'm not aware of a pre-rooted 1.2 rom so, if you want root, you'll need to do the manual nooter process to attain root.

FORMATTING DATA: only format data if you want to delete all your apps and return your NC to the way it was when you purchased it. Google will still remember your purchased apps and will attempt to download the ones you've downloaded, when you root again.


  • It shouldn't be necessary to format data if coming from the B&N 1.1 software version, unless you really screwed it up. :D
  • If you're coming from a custom rom like CM7, formatting data is highly recommended.
  • Format data if you want to erase it to prepare it for a new owner. (Note: this can also be done under settings... location/security, which is much easier)
Directions:

  1. To maximize battery performance, make sure your battery is charged to 100% before flashing. I prefer to let it charge during the flashing process.
  2. Create the bootable CWM recovery sdcard from the directions above.
  3. Plug your bootable sdcard into your computer and copy the 1.2 update file (you downloaded previously) to it. When it finishes copying, safely unmount it from your computer by clicking on the "safely remove hardware" icon by the clock in the lower right corner of your screen. This prevents causing file system problems and should always be done when removing a usb drive.
  4. Remove the sdcard, plug it into your powered-down NC, press the power button and it should boot into Recovery
  5. (To use recovery, up/down volume buttons are used to navigate up and down, press the power button to go back, and press the "n" button to do the highlighted task. Only briefly press the buttons since it's easy to skip a step by holding down a button too long.)
  6. Press up or down volume button until "mounts and storage" is highlighted, press "n" button.
  7. use up/down to highlight "format /system", press "n"
  8. highlight "yes - format", press "n" (always watch for errors)
  9. when that finishes, highlight "format /cache", press "n"
  10. highlight "yes - format", press "n"
  11. IF FORMATTING DATA (see above description. Most people can safely skip this step), highlight "format /data", press "n".
  12. press power button briefly to return to previous menu
  13. select the advanced menu, press "n"
  14. select clear Dalvik cache, press "n"
  15. highlight "yes - clear Dalvik cache", press "n"
  16. When it finishes, press the power button until "install zip from sdcard" is visible
  17. select "install zip from sdcard", press "n"
  18. select "choose zip from sdcard", press "n"
  19. select your update-nc-stock-1.2-signed.zip, press "n"
  20. highlight "Yes - install... update-nc-stock-1.2-signed.zip, press "n"
  21. Make sure your rom completed successfully (about 5 minutes) and watch for errors.
  22. When it finishes, press the power button until "reboot" option is visible. Remove your sdcard, then select "reboot system now", press "n"
  23. Let your nook sit for 5 minutes to settle
  24. If you formatted data, you'll need to do these steps:
    • Connect to your wi-fi.
    • Activate your NC with Barnes & Noble
  25. After installing a new rom, expect it to be sluggish for a day or so.
  26. enjoy


Reserved +1000

Thank you will begin the process. Outstanding work sir!
 
TIBU has a setting where you can specify the backup location. (Press menu button... preferences... "Backup folder location"). Make sure this still exists. On my DroidX, it is /mnt/sdcard/TitaniumBackup. I would think the Nook would be the same or /sdcard/TitaniumBackup, but either way, when I tap the backup location button, I see the location and info like "this folder contains 782 backups" and it lists all 782 files below it.

If you plug your sdcard (or Nook) into your computer, you should see the TitaniumBackup folder on it, and hopefully a bunch of "gz" files.
 
thank you, thank you......thought i'd hosed my 2 week old NC...ur OP worked perfectly. as a novice noob (cant be redundant enuff), i just wanted FREE angry birds, so first did a cwm 3028 to emmc, couldnt get gapps to work, so figuring i,d lost warrenty i would try phiremod over write and hung on the boot, had perviously sideloaded cm7 and it worked fine but no gapps. i,ll keep breaking, er testing til i get it thanks to ur good work to get me back to bluedot stock. next test will be emmc overwite with cwm 3201 maybe some bluedot partition sizing thing, cocomm :D
 
It's a learning curve and you're building good skills.

Now if you can just improve quality control, you'll be a Jedi. :D
 
+1 (nice catch) :D

3.0.2.8 doesn't work with the new NC's.

If you still have it, you can update your bootable CWM sdcard with the directions from post #3 here.
 
Thanks for this great how to. I managed to completely mess up my Nook by not reading enough and knowing the difference between the green and blue. then using all the wrong instructions to un-brick it from some you tube post. This was a life saver.
 
thanks a lot! a total life saver... really great instructions... i was on the verge of rage smashing my nook after several unsuccessful attempts while watching youtube videos.
 
Hi colchiro, you seem to be the person to ask for help. I followed your instructions and am now on stock nook 1.3; Which I am very appreciative of. Great guide.

I have a couple of questions, I see you're totally like a guru with this stuff, so I'm really hoping you can help me out.

1.)As of right now,what is the best option as far as rooting? All these guides confuse me so much. I would very much appreciate some guidance on which ROM's/Root to go with.

2.)If I should partition my SD card or not?

3.)If I should dual boot, or do an internal install over the stock firmware?

Also, am i assuming correctly when I think that emmc basically means internal memory?
It's all so very overwhelming. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :) Thanks so much for in depth guide, very easy to follow! :)
 
Most of my experience is with CM7, not rooting the stock B&N rom, but I hope to get into that tonight.

You should partition your NC if you intend to not read books. If you read a lot of books, I'd leave it as-is.

The main reason for dual boot is to try something while leaving your NC stock (for warranty reasons-- I didn't) or if you need the couple features (read to me books) that the Android app in Market doesn't have. If you bought if for a tablet, then I'd install CM7.1 on it and forget rooting/dual boot.

Yes, EMMC= internal ram. :D

I hope to get some info on rooting soon, just was busy the last couple days when I actually have a NC to play with again.
 
Most of my experience is with CM7, not rooting the stock B&N rom, but I hope to get into that tonight.

You should partition your NC if you intend to not read books. If you read a lot of books, I'd leave it as-is.

The main reason for dual boot is to try something while leaving your NC stock (for warranty reasons-- I didn't) or if you need the couple features (read to me books) that the Android app in Market doesn't have. If you bought if for a tablet, then I'd install CM7.1 on it and forget rooting/dual boot.

Yes, EMMC= internal ram. :D

I hope to get some info on rooting soon, just was busy the last couple days when I actually have a NC to play with again.


Thankyou so much for the response! I bought this Nook Color for my GF who is going to school in another state right now. So I'm trying to find the best option for her, and easiest one, so nothing goes wrong when she gets it. She's even more un-tech savvy then I am. :D

Anyway, at this point I tried the manual nooter method just because I was waiting on your response, and dual booting kinda scares me. haha

I know she's going to use this thing as mostly a document editor, and a web surfer. She will hardly use it for reading books.

Now I thought I wanted to stick with this Manual Nooted 1.3 firmware. But I'm really tempted to try the dual boot cm7 now. Can you tell me which is the best up to date guide to follow if I want to restore to stock rom on my emmc, and then Dual Boot CM7 on an SD card?

Thank you again, I really appreciate the help! :)
 
My opinion of sdcard installs:

Difficult to make, fragile (the card will eventually fail), easy to corrupt (most guides assume a rom is installed on emmc, not sdcard), slow (card are slower than internal ram, esp if you don't have the right speed).

If she won't be reading books, my recommendation would be to install CM7.1 stable on it and stick a 8-16 gb Sandisk sdcard on it for data and let it go. It'll be faster, more reliable and much easier to setup and use.
 
using this method to go back from 1.4.1

would go cm7 but too many steps for me (im lazy)

prolly just gonna manualnooter again
 
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