Root [HOW TO]: Root, Install a Custom ROM, Fix the Market, and Add Flash

[LisaBoban]

Solid Orange, you are a master!

I spent the last 2 days searching for instructions to root and flash a new g tab. Yours are by far the most complete, the most thorough, and the easiest to understand. I thank you!

I'm new to this forum, so I won't post a link to the YouTube vid I used to walk through the install of the clockwork mod. But there are a couple of really good ones that got me through the reboot process. You have to hold the volume and power buttons longer than I thought. Go find a video for that.

Follow these instructions exactly. Because my version of the G tab UI was 1.1, I was able to use the Vegan ROM (latest stable version 7). (If you are unsure, google around and find the article from Roebeet about which ROMS work with which UI builds. It will keep you from making a serious error which can brick your device.) This also eliminated the need to fix the app store - everything worked straight away. I was able to get the Flash install and pdf reader from the app store.

This tablet is blazing fast now and I'm so proud that I was able to do this myself.

But again, your clear directions gave me courage to proceed. Many many thanks!

 

[cray91]

I cannot find the file with the update.zip in it in the VeganTab thread on xda--I've downloaded a bunch of .zips, but none of the folders contain an update.zip.

I've decided to join the non-oem rom cool crowd...can someone take pity on my ******ation and post the link to the download in all caps, so I can follow the instructions in the first post?

Thanks, and I'm so sorry...

 

[xmr405o]

I cannot find the file with the update.zip in it in the VeganTab thread on xda--I've downloaded a bunch of .zips, but none of the folders contain an update.zip.

I've decided to join the non-oem rom cool crowd...can someone take pity on my ******ation and post the link to the download in all caps, so I can follow the instructions in the first post?

Thanks, and I'm so sorry...

here you go. This is direct from the vegan tab site. You'll find the gingerbread and froyo versions of the vegabtab.

Downloads VEGAn-TAB

 

[cray91]

Which of those do I d/l?

I've got "VEGAn-TAB ROM BETA 5.1 FINAL" from that page, there's no update.zip in any of those downloaded folders/files.

Clearly I'm missing something.

Wait...is the initial downloaded folder ("gtab.VEGAn.1.00.beta5.1.user.final") the 'update.zip' folder? So it's just not called 'update.zip'?

I'm so confused...

 

[xmr405o]

Which of those do I d/l?

I've got "VEGAn-TAB ROM BETA 5.1 FINAL" from that page, there's no update.zip in any of those downloaded folders/files.

Clearly I'm missing something.

Wait...is the initial downloaded folder ("gtab.VEGAn.1.00.beta5.1.user.final") the 'update.zip' folder? So it's just not called 'update.zip'?

I'm so confused...

Hi Cray

Not sure where in the process you are at.

The only update.zip and recovery folder you'll need is for CWM. Did you get that installed already because that is the first step. If you did, then there is no need to rename or find an update.zip for Vegan 5.1. Vegan should already be in a zip file. All you have to do is follow the CWM process which starts at step 7.

Good luck!

 

[Pitamakan]

Hi Cray

Not sure where in the process you are at.

The only update.zip and recovery folder you'll need is for CWM. Did you get that installed already because that is the first step. If you did, then there is no need to rename or find an update.zip for Vegan 5.1. Vegan should already be in a zip file. All you have to do is follow the CWM process which starts at step 7.

Good luck!

Yep ... when you're in CWM, you'll see both an option to flash "update.zip," as well as to choose a zip file from the SD card (which in this case, is the tab's internal memory posing as an SD card). So you just choose the latter option, navigate to the Vegan zip file and select it, and you're on your way.

Remember to wipe the data, cache, and Dalvik Cache, as well ... always good practice when you're starting a new ROM. (The latter one is in the advanced submenu.) Finally, after you're got 5.1 working, you should download and install the Vegan 5.1.1 update ... do it the same way as 5.1, except that you can skip the data wipe.

 

[cray91]

Finally, after you're got 5.1 working, you should download and install the Vegan 5.1.1 update ... do it the same way as 5.1, except that you can skip the data wipe.

So just to make sure--from 5.1 to 5.1.1 doesn't require me to wipe data, cache, or Delvik (providing I just did it for 5.1 and 5.1 installed okay)?

Thanks.

 

[Pitamakan]

So just to make sure--from 5.1 to 5.1.1 doesn't require me to wipe data, cache, or Delvik (providing I just did it for 5.1 and 5.1 installed okay)?

Thanks.

Definitely no need to wipe data or cache. As for the Dalvik cache, I always erase it whenever I upgrade any Android ROM ... it may not be necessary (including in this case), but it's a painless step and a good general precaution.

 

[cray91]

Definitely no need to wipe data or cache. As for the Dalvik cache, I always erase it whenever I upgrade any Android ROM ... it may not be necessary (including in this case), but it's a painless step and a good general precaution.

Thanks man (and xmr too)! I got it!

Um...but Market stopped working (it did last night...now it won't). I'm force closing and clearing the cache of Market and Google Services Framework (and re-booting), but it's not coming back. The 'look' in Vegan is a little different than TnT--any help?

Thanks again! I'm going to sound like everyone else, but Vegan is pretty sweet.

 

[hanriels]

Installed V tab Gingerbread last night and WOW - the G-tab really competes now! Initially had boot loop, but wiping data, cache & re-install sorted that.

Thanks for all the useful posts, and XDA developers.

 

[Pitamakan]

Thanks man (and xmr too)! I got it!

Um...but Market stopped working (it did last night...now it won't). I'm force closing and clearing the cache of Market and Google Services Framework (and re-booting), but it's not coming back. The 'look' in Vegan is a little different than TnT--any help?

Thanks again! I'm going to sound like everyone else, but Vegan is pretty sweet.

I'm not running Vegan anymore (G-Harmony, at the moment), but when I was on Vegan I remember needing to initially do a market fix ... after that, though, the market vas very stable.

About the only advice I can offer is that you work your way through this thread for ideas, if you haven't already done so. And if all else fails, you could always reflash.

 

[cray91]

I'm not running Vegan anymore (G-Harmony, at the moment), but when I was on Vegan I remember needing to initially do a market fix ... after that, though, the market vas very stable.

About the only advice I can offer is that you work your way through this thread for ideas, if you haven't already done so. And if all else fails, you could always reflash.

I'll give it a shot, thanks. How would you compare G-Harmony to Vegan? I was going to go with G-Harmony, then Vegan-Ginger, but from the forums, it seemed like original Vegan was more...developed, maybe? Or more easy for a newb (uh...me ) to deal with, I guess.

 

[Pitamakan]

I'll give it a shot, thanks. How would you compare G-Harmony to Vegan? I was going to go with G-Harmony, then Vegan-Ginger, but from the forums, it seemed like original Vegan was more...developed, maybe? Or more easy for a newb (uh...me ) to deal with, I guess.

The two are actually very similar ... minor UI differences. Vegan 5.1.1 is Froyo, and so has the more solid hardware acceleration. G-Harmony is plenty fast, though, and has a couple of nice UI features designed for the Tab. And it's very solid.

If you decide you want to try reflashing, I'd suggest loading either G-Harmony or Vegan Ginger. With an overclocked ROM either will be extremely snappy, and neither presented me with any Market issues.

 

[cray91]

I have no idea why, but it (Market) just started working again. I went to turn it on to move Vegan-Ginger onto the sd card...and I tried Market first. It works.

Guess I'll call that a win...

 

[chknhwk]

So I've been playing around with my Gtab and it's pretty sweet, way better than the stock ROM. However I have two quick questions, how do I get swype and how do I access my yahoo mail? When I search yahoo in the market it doesn't show up (I did the market fix). Any ideas? I want to be able to use my tab the same as my DroidX. Thanks!

 

[cray91]

I haven't tried Swype on the gTab, so I can't help with that one. Yahoo wouldn't install with the OEM gTab email reader (and won't with the Vegan-Tab (Froyo) either--at least as far as I've gotten so far). I think the only one I found in Market that claimed to deal with Yahoo mail was Mail Droid. I didn't care enough to install it, I've just been checking my Yahoo mail online.

No idea why Yahoo mail doesn't show up in Market, but I'll bet the geniuses here do--these guys are on top of All Things GTab.

 

[cray91]

Okay, I've now worked through G-Harmony, Vegan Froyo, and Vegan Ginger, with the two Vegans being tied for my favorites, I think. I'd like to try CM, but I find two 'groups' (I guess) on the CM site--"nightly"s and "stable"s. There seem to be different ones for different devices. I am assuming I want the one for 'Harmony', but I don't know why I'm assuming that. I also assume the 'nightly's are updates?

So:

1) Do I want the 'Harmony' downloads? And,

2) DO I need to flash a 'stable' then a 'nightly'? Can I just go with a 'nightly'? Do I need (or want) a 'nightly' if I have the 'stable'?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pitamakan]

So:

1) Do I want the 'Harmony' downloads? And,

2) DO I need to flash a 'stable' then a 'nightly'? Can I just go with a 'nightly'? Do I need (or want) a 'nightly' if I have the 'stable'?

1. Yep, you want the Harmony downloads.

2. Both the "stable" and "nightly" ROMs are full versions, so you just need to flash one or the other. The stable releases are more heavily tested, and thus less likely to have issues ... but they're less frequently updated, so if you want the very newest changes to the ROM you should go with the nightly. Because the nightlies are cutting-edge and not tested, there's a chance that they'll exhibit some instability ... but in my past experience they generally work well. If you flash the nightly and it exhibits issues, just wait until the next nightly comes out and flash it, and the odds are that you'll be good. Or you can always go back to the most recent stable version.

 

[cray91]

I think I decided I like Vegan-Ginger the best, if only just. But there are a few apps I can't find in the Market (eBay and Amazon). It's not so much that I can't live without those apps, really, as it is I wonder if I did something wrong because I could get them on Vegan-Froyo, and it seems like eBay and Amazon would certainly have their stuff working on Gingerbread. I have Amazon Apps app, and Kindle, just no 'generic' Amazon app.

Can anyone confirm it's the ROM (or that it's not something I'm doing wrong)?

Thanks.

 

[unclebuck48]

well, somebody had to make the first post! i have already put this info in the general tablet forum, but there are new ROMs out there and i know this is the first thread any g-tab owner will be looking for. if someone can sticky this, i will try to keep it as up to date as possible.
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.This is fantastic
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**COMPLETE OVERHAUL, 3/9/11**
I have edited these instructions to simplify. Rooting before installing a custom ROM is NOT necessary on the g-tab as long as you can get ClockworkMod working.

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HOW TO: Root, Install ClockworkMod, Load a Custom ROM, Fix the Market, and Add Flash


1. install ClockworkMod Recovery with the instructions in posts #34(internal SD card) or #35(external SD card) of this thread. There is more info here if you need it.
2. choose a ROM from the thread here. Make sure to do your reading on them, as there are benefits and issues with each.
3. download your ROM of choice to your desktop/laptop.
4. if the file is in .RAR format, you will need to extract it on your computer (resulting in an Update.zip and Recovery folder). if it is a .ZIP file, it usually does not need to be renamed or extracted. (ROMs using .zip files can actually be downloaded straight to your tablet, forgoing the need for steps 5 & 6)
5. connect your gTab to your computer, turn on usb storage, and move the update.zip or ROMname.zip to the internal memory. you may put them in any folder you want (except the root) since you are using ClockworkMod. I prefer using the "Android" folder as it is easy to find.
6. turn off USB storage, disconnect from your computer, and power down the gTab
7. hold the volume + button and the power button to boot into ClockworkMod recovery. you can let go when you get past the white viewsonic bootscreen.
8. use the volume rocker to move up/down in the menu and select "backup and restore" with the home button. once in the menu, select "backup". this will create a copy of your current ROM to fall back on should any issues arise in the future. it will take 5-10 minutes.
9. when you are returned to the main menu, select "wipe data/factory reset" and then scroll down to yes.
10. next, select "wipe cache partition", scroll down and select yes.
11. now choose "install zip from sdcard" -> "choose zip from sdcard" and scroll through the list until you find the folder containing the update.zip or ROMname.zip you saved in step 5. (If you downloaded the file directly to your tablet, it will be located in the "download" folder.) once you find it, select the .zip file and scroll down to yes.
12. your new ROM should now install, it will root your tablet in the process. when it is finished, return to the main menu and select "reboot now". you will know it has worked as soon as it reboots because your bootscreen/homescreen will be different and you will now have a SuperUser icon in your app drawer.
13. go here and follow the intructions to fix the android market. (the stuff you need is 3:30 in if you want to start there)
14. go here and download the Adobe Flash update. since it is an apk file, you will also need to download Astro File Manager and use these instructions to install.
15. ENJOY! (and click thanks. )

This post is great, I am a noob when it comes to Android, some others that give instructions on installing ROMS, must assume that we all know how to hack into an Android, such as "copy the update and recovery files", what do you do when you unzip the file and it has META-INF, system and boot files?, I guess copy those files as if they were "update, recovery", who knows, didn't matter with your instructions because clockwork mod unzips them. Anyways, I did exactly how you explain and it worked perfectly. Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[edisin]

Hello - I have been studying this thread - I just got a galaxy 10 inch gtab - and before I go any further I had a couple of questions I had hoped the more knowledgeable experiencedd users here could answer -
1) I have a moto droid (first version) I luv it - and I have many apps I love including ones I can not live without - tethering with pdanet - google voice, google talk, audible and few more that are not so popular - if I use the updates listed here - will I be able to do use all that - will I be able to tether my gtab to my phone for mobile use? will I be able to use google voice? to make phone calls and google talk to message?
2) I have a netflix streaming account and was really disappointed when I found they did not support the first droid - did I read correctly that upgrading the tablet will get me netflix?
3) finally - I got mixed messages on the board about adobe flash - does adobe flash plugin work after upgrading software (clock mod - rooting)??

thanks in advance for reading - please reply to board - (or message me)

 

[xmr405o]

Hello - I have been studying this thread - I just got a galaxy 10 inch gtab - and before I go any further I had a couple of questions I had hoped the more knowledgeable experiencedd users here could answer -
1) I have a moto droid (first version) I luv it - and I have many apps I love including ones I can not live without - tethering with pdanet - google voice, google talk, audible and few more that are not so popular - if I use the updates listed here - will I be able to do use all that - will I be able to tether my gtab to my phone for mobile use? will I be able to use google voice? to make phone calls and google talk to message?
2) I have a netflix streaming account and was really disappointed when I found they did not support the first droid - did I read correctly that upgrading the tablet will get me netflix?
3) finally - I got mixed messages on the board about adobe flash - does adobe flash plugin work after upgrading software (clock mod - rooting)??

thanks in advance for reading - please reply to board - (or message me)

Hi Edisin

Welcome to the forums! Are you sure you're in the right forum? You mentioned galaxy tab and the galaxy tab is made by samsung. This the viewsonic gtablet forum and the instructions here are for that tablet.

If you're in the right forum, then here are the answers to your questions.

For the gtablet,

Wired tethering such as pdanet doesn't work on the VS gtablet. Wireless tethering does work. If your droid can wireless tether than you can use that. Google voice works only for messaging. Google talk and all the other google apps work when you install a custom rom on the gtablet.
Netflix works but only on one custom rom. CM7 has netflix working. Flash works regardless if you are running a custom rom or if you are stock.

Hope I answered all your questions.

 

[unclebuck48]

I have VEGAn 7.0.0 ginger edition, I would like to play around with some different ROMs, do you know where or if I can find a download for Honeycomb? I have a viewsonic g tab. Thanks

 

[xmr405o]

I have VEGAn 7.0.0 ginger edition, I would like to play around with some different ROMs, do you know where or if I can find a download for Honeycomb? I have a viewsonic g tab. Thanks

The honeycomb rom for the viewsonic gtablet is called Bottle of Smoke. The dev is Roebeet. If you google around, using keywords Bottle of smoke gtablet, you should be able to find it.

You gotta read the instructions very carefully when installing the HC rom. It uses a different bootloader than Vegan GB.

 

[Pitamakan]

You gotta read the instructions very carefully when installing the HC rom. It uses a different bootloader than Vegan GB.

Yep.

Unless you're pretty hardcore in this department, I'd probably recommend holding off on the Honeycomb thing for just a little while. The ROMs are still alpha-quality builds, with missing features and other issues, and they're a bit more complicated to install. And since they use a different bootloader from Vegan and most of the other ROMs, it makes it more complicated to go back and forth.

I would expect that many of the Honeycomb stability and feature issues will be resolved in the next couple of weeks, and so I would probably wait for a little while.