yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Shield Tablet General] jigar7:
CAUTION: NO MATTER WHAT - AT NO POINT SHOULD YOUR TABLET BE ALLOWED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET UNTIL YOU ROOT AND REMOVE THE OTA FILE.

You will have to remove the TegraOTA file twice. Once after restoring to 5.0, second time when you upgrade to 5.1 using the 5.1 OTA.

As for the various apks that you need to install during the restoring process, please google the apk. You fill find all of them (superSU, Root checker etc) online. Because you won't be able to use Google Play Store without connecting to the internet. And if you do connect, you'll kill your old tablet. Use apkinstaller (for windows based PC/laptop) to install these apks.

Please follow this step-by-step guide that was uploaded by gamerslovco@hotmail.com here http://xdaforums.com/shield-tablet/help/qa-root-shield-tablet-2-0-lollipop-t2945163/page13

It is quite self explanatory. Probably you'll find all the links in them too for whatever you need.

It is a .doc file attachment. I did face a few issues while getting the windows ADB & Fastboot drivers to work properly on Windows 8.1 Pro but I googled and watched youtube a bit and found the correct drivers.

Pre-requisits:

1. ADB & Fastboot Drivers 1.3 (needed so you can access your tablet via the PC. The doc explains it all and it is well written)

2. CWM Recovery Image.

3. SuperSU

4. RootChecker

5. Stock nVidia Shield Tablet firmware (Lollipop 5.0. After rooting, i later downloaded the OTA (not full stock 5.1) & upgraded from 5 to 5.1)

(Note. Under 'Flashing SuperSU & Rooting, 'Step 4: Put boot-root.zip into ADB & Fastboot folder' is not required, you don't need the boot-root.zip file... probably you won't find it either.)

(Also check this video out (2 parts and I didn't use kingroot when upgrading from 5.0-5.1. If you have a rooted 5.0, you can use TWRP/CWM to upgrade to 5.1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocar8LJZlt0. This is for after you are rooted on 5.0. In this video he connects to the internet for the various APKs... you shouldn't do that. Because after restoring stock 5.0, it will also restore the tegraOTA file onto your device that will kill the tablet as soon as you connect to the internet. Root it, delete the file, upgrade to 5.1 (which will again install TegraOTA which needs to be removed again. I do not know if there is a way to directly restore stock 5.1 and root it, but this is how I rooted and removed the OTA file.)

P.S.: Unlocking your bootloader may void your warranty. But since nVidia has officially given the steps to unlock the bootloaded on their official website
[Shield Tablet General] Ezekiel3:
Help needed

Hello guys,

I've just got my hand on a nvidia shield tablet which the serial number in list for the killer OTA according to the bogdacutu website. It didn't run for a long time because the previous owner just used his replaced tablet and let the old one in a drawer, I don't know if the OTA have been downloaded on the tablet or not by Android.

I can access to the bootloader menu, the tablet is still not completely dead and i'd like to flash it to keep using it.

The problem is, the bootloader is still locked, the tablet is not rooted and I won't try to turn it ON to avoid the OTA from applying if it's already on the tablet. Right now i'm just in bootloader mode (detected on my computer).

How can I save this tablet without playing russian roulette by switching it on to root it.
[Shield Tablet General] topcat36:
[MENTION=4692735]jigar7[/MENTION]: You can flash any Android version directly. Just search for the full OTA 5.1.1 (update 3.1.1).

[MENTION=5152725]Ezekiel3[/MENTION]: Look one post above yours... Jigar7 just gave you all you need.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] Ezekiel3:
Yeah I've seen this, but as I said, I don't know if the OTA is already downloaded on my tablet and waiting to boot to apply.

If I follow this tutorial I will need to start Android to activate usb debugging and root it and if so, the OTA may kill the tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] indigob0y:
Bricked with nomoreota.zip installed....

Everything was going good. I unlocked bootloader, installed CWM bootlader, rooted the tablet, installed nomoreota.zip and I made sure TegraOTA was gone. Yesterday I replaced the battery, and everything was working as it should. I charged the tablet overnight, got it down to about 90% during the day, charged it for one hour, and I left the device connected to WiFi. Some hours later I find the device bricked. Nothing shows up. When I connect the charger, the screen will flash (it will flash everytime I press power button). When I connect it to pc, I can hear a sound of new device connected, but device manager shows nothing new. I can go into APX mode but not into ADB/Fastboot.

What could have happened? Did I kill it by replacing the battery, or did nomoreota fail to work?

On a side note, some android devices can be unbricked by booting from sd card. Could it work here?
[Shield Tablet General] topcat36:
You don't have the killswitch downloaded otherwise the tablet was killed as soon as it reached recovery.

The TegraOTA app needs internet to download the killer OTA so you just keep the tablet offline.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.

---------- Post added at 08:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------

Try keeping the power button pressed for 10-15 sec. Maybe is just frozen. Could also be from battery incompatibility.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] indigob0y:
Somehow I managed to fix it by just checking battery connectors inside. Whatever the reason was, it allowed APX connection and nothing else.
[Shield Tablet General] Whiplash707:
Can I ask where you got the new battery and maybe a link to a tutorial? Thanks in advance
[Shield Tablet General] Ezekiel3:
You were right, the tablet didn't get the OTA, I'm now safe on Blisspop with only minor issue (Steel01's controller app won't work) but the everything else is perfect.
[Shield Tablet General] indigob0y:
I got the LG 238 battery this guy is talking about:

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View...placement+battery+for+my+NVidia+Shield+tablet

I bought it on aliexpress and so far everything works. I think any properly sized battery with correct specs will work.

Disassembly:

https://youtu.be/BJfV5Dr1UTk
[Shield Tablet General] igeigeige:
Hi, thank you for posting the link for the battery, though it is 5000mah (lesser than the original battery) you're assured of the safety of your property from this. anyway, i'll also help keep searching for other identical battery units.. :)
[Shield Tablet General] indigob0y:
I don't mind this slightly lower capacity, I'll probably just connect it to my TV and leave it there.
[Shield Tablet General] Brigadir120370:
Thank you very much for your work and care about us. I deleted Tegra OTA apk through the file manager in TWRP. And now the update button is not on the path: Setup / a tablet. Once again, thank you for saving our tablet !!!:o
[Shield Tablet General] AshtonKlutcher:
Is there any solution for deactivated tablets atm ?? I still didnt receive my new tablet (shiping problems) but my old one has been deactivated and i cant do anything to it, it gets recognized as apx by windows, wondering if anyone found a solution meanwhile
[Shield Tablet General] Jarita:
Hello! Yesterday I changed the battery on the old tablet (on the service) and turn it on. There was stock android system (but I deleted tegraota.apk earlier). I switch off wi-fi, but some minutes it was switch on. Question: is it enough for killing new tablet or it's necessary to download next OTA for killing? I did not do it. Thank you!

PS my old serial number shows "next ota - st -yy urgent"
[Shield Tablet General] chapas:
Don't worry, you are safe, if you really deleted the "tegraota.apk".

You won't receive a new OTA by the same reason (deleted tegra apk) .

I think in a near future we all should be carefull when downloading other NVIDIA apps, cause it could also contain the kill switch for our tablets.
[Shield Tablet General] Jarita:
Ok, it's good :) But! I deleted tegraota.apk, after that was hard reset (and this deleting was cancelled, right?), after that with tegraota.apk was connecting to the internet (about 5 minutes without downloading OTA) and after that second time was deleting tegraota.apk... I'm afraid!
[Shield Tablet General] Brigadir120370:
Set custom rom for example Blisspop!:)

And do not worry Never!!!: D
[Shield Tablet General] igeigeige:
You're right on there buddy. I'm also wary of updating my nvidia native apps specially if there is an additional permission on the update. Im not using them anyway, that's why they're all disabled except the apps for drawing.. :good:
[Shield Tablet General] P00r:
Do not think that switching the battery for different one is totally safe, The tablet has a charge plan designed for the original battery ( current charge rate vs voltage step etc) It will still use this plan for the new battery and it may not be ideal since the replacement battery is not 100% identical.

Monitor the battery temperature when charging especially if you deep discharge it (bellow 30%) if you do not notice any overheat when charging after a few charges then all should be good.

You better monitor the charges for a while, ideally after a few cycle inspect the new battery for sign of bursting...

if the old tablet battery is overheating it is definitely an interesting direction to take!
[Shield Tablet General] c5satellite2:
If the voltage is the same and the battery chemistry type is the same, there should be no problems. Mah(capacity) difference should not matter.
[Shield Tablet General] MrHollow:
Thanks B for the solution. I assume that for future reference it's OK to delete the /system/app/TegraOTA on future updates directly from the TWRP File Manager.

got the ST - yy switch on the old tablet that i kept. It's safe for now. I sold my recall tablet a few days ago, it's totally not worth the hassle and my old one works just fine on 5.0.1 (Version 2.2 - the best battery update ever)...
[Shield Tablet General] Keithn:
Also you'll want to make sure there is some charging/protection circuit and may need to use the one from the original battery.

Also you may have yo do like I did and connect the original battery circuit in parallel with the new battery. The tablet wouldn't read the battery properly without the green/white and would shut down.

Also yes mAh shouldn't matter since the voltage will drop with discharge and will just limit how long it can push a current without loosing voltage. Also the internal resistances of the tablet won't change and I doubt it pulls enough current to cause problems. I found a cheap 4000mAh and tossed it in with no problems except a lesser capacity.
[Shield Tablet General] johnyquad:
Hello my Name is John from Germany,

at first I want to say "Thank you " for all your help and I´m sorry for my next ugly questions and miss understandigs.

I don´t understand anything of this thread.

I checked my Tablet on shield.bogdacutu

The Result is Next OTA: None.

What is the meaning of that?

And how should I start with my old tablet?

I have the Version 5.1.1.

Should I only copy the files from " nomoreota.zip " into the Folder?

I hope anybody has the time to help me.

Thank you very much and I´m sorry about my english.

Best regards

John
[Shield Tablet General] tedaz:
Is it possible to backup the blob before Nvidia kill a tablet, and then rescue this tablet with the backup blob? Or even with the backup blod still cannot rescue the tablet from apx mode? Or there is no way to backup the blob?

Another question, does the blob only exists in Nvidia tablets or exists in all other brand tablets, I.e. Samsung tablets?

It sounds like a very powerful way to destroy tablets if make a virus with this super official "backdoor", quit like the CIH virus, it is so cool!
[Shield Tablet General] topcat36:
The blob has data for writing a number of partitions. I guess you could back them all up (or you can get them from a fullOTA) but that is not the main issue. Is necessary a special key code to unlock the chipset for flashing and that only Nvidia has.

The "vulnerability" (if I can call it like that) is only in the updater from Nvidia (TegraOTA.apk). Other phones/tablets don't have this file, so there is no backdoor in other devices that would update them without the users knowledge.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] tedaz:
After the CIH virus, all motherboard venders are trying to prevent this "vulnerability" of hardware, however the Nvidia just goes to the other side - implanted this terrible feature to enable hardware could be destoried so easily!
[Shield Tablet General] johnyquad:
Ok, nobody ride an answer, but I got everything and it works.
[Shield Tablet General] topcat36:
In Settings -> About tablet , what is the first option in the list ? "Send feedback to Nvidia" or "Check for updates" ?

On Bogdacutu webpage you can see if the killswitch has been activated for your tablet. None means your tablet is not targeted yet. If you turned on the new tablet without running nomoreota.zip (and having TegraOTA.all removed), you will soon be seeing the killswitch there.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] P00r:
It does matter... charge rate is what is important, lipo as any other rechargeable need some specific charge step unless using a very slow charges, this is why smart rechargeable battery charger exist, they analyses the battery and provide a good charges rates.

In a cell phone the charger is dumb, however the manufacturer of the battery pack provide with the correct parameter for a specific battery (it is usually inside an eeprom soldered on the actual battery or sometime simply a files inside the devices.

Using a different battery may or may not create issue, as long as the original battery was charging relatively slower (this is called "C", 2C charges mean the battery can take a charges at twice it's output current) If you charges a battery at 5C when it is designed to charges at 2C it will bust (exactly the reason why NVIDIA is doing a recall)

The NVIDIA Tablet can fast charges, this is usually anything above 2C, so depending of that Chinese replacement battery capacity it may or may not be happy with the

charges rates of the shield.

Personally my old unit battery behave fine, so I prefer to live with it than exchange it for a product I can't get the specification...

This is why if people decide to change the battery they need to monitor them for a while not leaving them untended, but if you feel you "there should be no problems" then just do it. But the new battery may not be safer than the old one. Just monitor the unit whatever you decide to do...
[Shield Tablet General] roelibex:
So I see now there is a new update 3.1.1. Is this an essential one? Can I still update this if I have removed the file (via rooting and es explorer I think) on my old tablet (I haven't even turned on the new one, I am a bit afraid, is it safe now?)
[Shield Tablet General] ecargeinna:
Hi. So I dont really mind not using the wifi. However, unfortunately this morning I accidentally turned it on. And I think it downloaded the killer app. The tablet is not dead yet though. But Im hoping that if it did download the app, is there any way I could stop it from deactivating the tablet? Like an app that i should stop. Or reset? Pls I really need some help here.

Ok. So I checked. And the tablet is already waiting for the deactivation. Unfortunately, everything is so foreign here. Are there any videos on how to kill the kill switch?
[Shield Tablet General] fbo83:
If I install a ROM the tablet will not be disabled?

has anyone tried ?
[Shield Tablet General] DreadApex:
This thread explains everything at least a dozen times.

Just read it, read it again, then read it one more time and go for it.

Deactivating will allow you to use your wifi without worry.

using a custom rom will stop the killswitch since custom roms don't include the TegraOTA.apk

Choose one, flash, enjoy!
[Shield Tablet General] jean_jf:
So anyone using the old Tablet with Original ROM and the "killed" kill switch ? so far so good?

And there's any chance NVIDIA starts to send the kill switch among the APK updates like Shield HUB for example ?
[Shield Tablet General] 0mn1us:
Yes, it is ok. It works. I think if somethink similar happens the app will need at least root permission so I think we're ok for the time being.

Odesláno z mého SHIELD Tablet pomocí Tapatalk
[Shield Tablet General] Evil_Sephiroth:
Being with stock but with unlocked bootloader allow me to recover from nvidia mistake by fastbooting a new rom true?
[Shield Tablet General] igeigeige:
You can even use the stock rom without worry of being killswitched, just make sure it is rooted, so you can remove the tegraota folder/apk. :)
[Shield Tablet General] Bogdacutu:
no, you won't be able to use fastboot anymore
[Shield Tablet General] Evil_Sephiroth:
ok...damn that's heavy...then only way is remove OTA then
[Shield Tablet General] Keithn:
Yes, your bootloader is gone and you need it to use fastboot.
[Shield Tablet General] ST37:
Great Work, THX ;)
[Shield Tablet General] dna556:
Were there cases of tablet being deactivated even with TegraOTA deleted?
[Shield Tablet General] drewski_1:
Not that i've seen
[Shield Tablet General] bangbangg:
Any way to get the old shield back to life can't turn it on any more or R.I.P?
[Shield Tablet General] Evil_Sephiroth:
Can you acces fastboot mode, recovery or sideload?

If the answer is no I think all is lost, except you can use a nand flasher and hex reflow like on ps3 and 360...but you need a sorta of reverse Eng. and soldering
[Shield Tablet General] c5satellite2:
Moot points and very flawed.

Instead of a long winded response, I will just leave you with this:

The reality is that if you continue to use the tablet, knowing that the battery can go on fire and has been recalled, and your house burns down and god forbid someone gets hurt or dies it's now your responsibility. Legally and morally.
[Shield Tablet General] topcat36:
Any battery can go on fire. So we stop using them ?

If we are carefully, use temp. monitoring software, will never happened. Are a lot of warnings anyway before it ends up in flames.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] Cedric1127:
Thanks

I just registered to say thank you.

A friend gave me his old shield tablet, lost for lost, I wanted to save the tablet.

After a lot of complications : tablet not seen, by my comuter, can't find nvidia ADP drivers, find a good recovery.

I managed to go through all this and now the tablet have not the kill switch anymore.

The first idea was to install cyanogenmod but, I didn't want to lost some native features of the shield.

Thanks to you for killing the kill switch.

Hope the 6.0 update will be available on this tablet without the kill switch.
[Shield Tablet General] indigob0y:
I did a few charging cycles since changing the battery and everything seems all right. I do monitor voltage, current and temperature and nothing seems out of ordinary. I'm not so sure about the possibility of 5C charging, that is a lot. I don't have any experience with those fast chargers you speak about, but standard nvidia charger is 5.2V and 2.1A, for a 5000 mAh battery (the one I got) that is not even close to 1C.

Is it confirmed what the real reason of the old shield tablet malfunction was?
[Shield Tablet General] dmb4444:
Cracked Screen on NEW Shield Tablet

I got a replacement shield tablet, and dutifully returned my old one. BIG mistake.

I dropped the new one, and the screen is cracked, to the point that it's non-responsive to touch over most o the screen.

I would pay to get my hands on an old tablet now, even a bricked one, so I could use the screen to repair my sad tablet.
[Shield Tablet General] bung-koe:
hey my tablet was bricked yesterday like what had happened a month ago no sign of life when plugged to the computer it says apx but i manage to turn it on and its perfectly working again. i just wanna share this maybe it might work with yours too

just what i did was charge it until the light turns yellow then i opened the back cover

then disconnected all the black wires from the tablet then i press the on and off for like 10sec at first try it didnt work then i tried it again i just press on/off and suddenly it opened and then i connected all the wires again then it booted up and works fine again

well i dont claim it that it will really work on urs but just try it guys

PS: sorry for my english (asian here) hahahaha
[Shield Tablet General] voshashz:
i can acces fastboot but cant unlock the bootloader - by "acces" i mean tablet is looping to bootloader all the time.

when unlocking i get that msg.

(bootloader) Showing Options on Display.

(bootloader) Use device keys for selection.

(bootloader) erasing userdata...

FAILED (remote: (Unknown error code))

finished. total time: 4.571s

any help with that ?
[Shield Tablet General] Evil_Sephiroth:
Istalled correct adb driver?

Try with minimal ADB
[Shield Tablet General] Seba112PL:
If im using my new tablet in my home/trusted wifi network do i have to install this Fix to my new tablet too ?

Or is there a chanse anyway to get this "killing update" regardless if im using home or untrusted/public wifi?
[Shield Tablet General] Bogdacutu:
you don't have to do it on the new tablet too, it depends on how much you trust your home network
[Shield Tablet General] 0mad:
Thanks for all your work.

Very foolishly was messing around after rooting my device and deleted system/app/TegraOTA directly via ES file explorer after granting it access through SuperSU. Then reread your note to do it BEFORE booting into Android (*facepalm*).

I then re-did as I should of originally in recovery mode. The zip ran successfully.

Should I be safe? Would it make any difference if you manually did it opposed to running the zip?

My serial number has the ST-yy update waiting for it next time it connects to a network. Kind of nervous to test it...

Much appreciated.

PS. Can't see any TegraOTA in TWRP file manager
[Shield Tablet General] Bogdacutu:
it can make a difference, the update can get downloaded and installed while you're using Android until you delete TegraOTA and reboot (some people apparently got their tablets bricked by not rebooting after deleting it from Android). but if nothing happened yet, you're probably fine
[Shield Tablet General] 0mad:
Thanks.

I've kept it off-line since starting my replacement tablet up, so there was no risk of getting caught out while mucking around with either of them.

Have now rebooted, rechecked, ran the .zip provided, rebooted, rechecked.

Now for the moment of truth.... logging back into the network...

Appears successful. :)
[Shield Tablet General] Wulfsted:
So theres is no hope in hell that i can now fix my Shield? Locked right away yesterday, and now it wont turn on. :(
[Shield Tablet General] Cer3alKiller:
Kill switch Update never rolled out for me

Got replacement about two weeks ago (it got stuck in customs and i simply forgot about it) deleted tegra OTA in old tablet and turned on the replacement, set it up, didn't configured a google account, just wifi and surfed the web. For the record, replacement came on 3.1.1 out of the box, so no update there.

Been monitoring the update checker with old tablets serial number, still hasn't triggered, maybe new one didn't had the time to call home ? I'm guessing.
[Shield Tablet General] etaigil:
Newbie

Hi so nooby question here!

I rooted and removed tegraOTA from the old tablet (with the battery problem) before opening my new one. After multiple factory resets with the old tablet (still haven't open my new one mind you) I kept checking to make sure that the tegraOTA file was gone and it is. My question now is, is it safe to turn on/use the new unopened tablet yet? I definitely need to be able to use it soon so the sooner the answer the better :)

It works out perfect because I can give the old one to my mom, she enjoys the little things in life :angel:
[Shield Tablet General] topcat36:
If TegraOTA.apk is gone (check the first option in Settings -> About tablet to be "Send feedback to NVidia" ) then you can turn on the new tablet.

Sent from my old SHIELD Tablet.