[Nook Touch General] nmyshkin:
The Phoenix Project--Phase 2--The stock B&N system, registered, rooted, with new UI and more

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Nook Simple Touch (BNRV300)

NST-US-newUI-Reg.zip (250 MB)

[MD5: 7691cfa6741bf509264ae332e777b0f5]

Nook Simple Touch w/Glowlight (BNRV350)

NSTG-US-newUI-Reg.zip (250 MB)

[MD5: bd0f9a36cbd1d0d9d6dc4624c6509eed]

NST User Guide

NSTG User Guide

Note: while the User Guides actually look rather good in EBookDroid, they contain some embedded hyperlinks which EBookDroid can't handle. Also, they were made with interaction in mind, so better to display them on your PC with your device near at hand.

"What are these?"

The download zip contains three components:

1) a CWM backup of a pre-configured NST/G

2) the contents of an sdcard used for storage

3) the contents of the /media partition (i.e., the "Nook" drive).

The pre-configured NST/G was made by performing a factory re-image on the device and updating to FW 1.2.2. The device was registered to a new account opened solely for this purpose and then rooted with an updated NookManager card ("Traditional" version). The kernel was updated for multi-touch, NoRefresh, and USB Host (including Audio). Finally, custom applications were added to create the new UI. Once all the configuration was done, a CWM backup was created (/boot, /system, /data, /cache). Restoring this backup to another device leaves the /rom partition untouched so device hardware information (serial #, MAC address, etc.) remains unchanged. Since CWM cannot backup /media or /sdcard, separate folders containing those files are in the zip along with the backup (

an sdcard is required for all of this to work properly

).

I have cautious optimism about these backups. Years ago I cloned a device when I was having trouble with a particular app that was fine on one NST but refused to work on another. I used the cloned device for quite awhile, including accessing WiFi. I never had any trouble with it. Eventually I went back to the original and found that I could not "purchase" free books from B&N, although the device continued to function in every other way locally. At length I had to ask B&N to delete the account because I could not. But none of that matters in 2024. The only thing that does matter (I think) is having a valid "key" on the device as far as the B&N servers are concerned. Time will tell.

This build is based on earlier work of mine to update the UI of the NST/G and deploy a number of custom apps which (hopefully) enhance the capabilities of the device. You can take a look at a video of this build in action in that post. In the video, USB Audio is part of the build, but I did not include it in this version. However, all the needed software is in place and the User Guide contains detailed information regarding the required setup for those who are interested in this feature. While similar to my earlier work, this build contains more custom software developed for this project.

Additional reader apps include customized versions of Amazon Kindle, EBookDroid and Perfect Viewer. The "reading now" button in the status bar will open

any

reader currently in use, not just the stock B&N reader.

It is possible to use the current book cover as a screensaver image.

Additional dictionaries may be added for the stock reader (and the Kindle app, for that matter).

Most apps have been lightly pre-configured to make for a better first experience and reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to get up and running. There are a few exceptions and this information is covered in more detail (along with initial setup instructions) in the "User Guides" for each version (separate download above).

Unfortunately it is not possible for you to add additional or alternative reader apps to this build and not break the UI function with regard to the bookcover homescreen image/screensaver image and the "reading now" button. Other apps will work, of course, but only as stand-alone entities.

"Who are these for?"

People who do not have a B&N registration for their device and want more than the stock system has to offer may find these useful. Also, people who do have a valid registration for their device but don't see the point in that without actual B&N services yet like the basic B&N reader/library/dictionary combination might want to try these out to see if the new UI and added functionality suits them. A backup prior to trying these will ensure an easy return to the previous state in the event of buyer's remorse.

"Why is there no UK version?"

I could have made one but did not see the point. This build can do everything that the UK version can do and more (there is an Oxford English dictionary included as an option). I'm sorry for the folks who are attached to the multilingual splash screens, but this package really is more versatile when based on the US version.

Warnings

I cannot guarantee that these will work for you until I have gotten some useful feedback. They work for me. I cannot guarantee that these will work once a sufficient number of people are using them. I

can

say that they will definitely work if you

never

access WiFi, no matter how many people decide to avail themselves of these backups. I

think

they will also be fine with WiFi.

"What do I have to do?"

The briefest possible description is: make a backup, wipe your device, restore the custom backup, reboot. Here's a little more detail, followed by a lot more detail (real instructions!):

1. Download the zip package of your choice and unzip

2. Delete the

contents

of the "Nook" drive (/media) and copy the

contents

of the "media" folder to the "Nook" drive

3. Copy the

contents

of the "sdcard" folder to a clean, formatted sdcard

4. Copy the

folder

with the long name (like "NST-US-newUI-Reg") to the /clockworkmod/backup folder on your CWM card (didn't make a card? go back to post #1)

5. Backup your device (CWM)

6. Wipe the device (CWM)

7. Restore the custom backup (CWM)

8. Reboot!

Note: there is no specific preparation required to use these backups. As long as the device is in working order and has about a 60% battery charge, you're good to go. It doesn't matter whether the device was currently registered in some older firmware, rooted, skipped OOBE. None of that matters as everything will be wiped.

To Restore an NST/G backup (the deets!)

1. If your device is in a state where you can make a USB connection with your PC and see the "Nook" drive, connect the device and backup any files present that you may want (books, etc.) then delete the contents of the "Nook" drive (this is /media). DO NOT delete the drive itself, just the contents.

There is sometimes a "System Volume Information" folder in /media which appears to Windows to be read-only. Rather than mess with that, just ignore it if Windows cannot remove the folder. When you copy the new contents onto the card you will be asked if you want to replace the files in that folder with new ones. The answer is "yes".

2. Copy the contents of the "media" folder from the zip you downloaded to the "Nook" drive. Eject from the USB connection.

If your device is not in a state where you can get a connection to your PC, wait to do this until the very end.

3. Power down.

4. Remove the storage sdcard (if there is one) and insert it (or a new one) into your PC.

5. Back up any books or other files you want elsewhere for now, then delete all files on your storage sdcard .

There is sometimes a "System Volume Information" folder on sdcards that have been used in the device which appears to Windows to be read-only. Rather than mess with that, just ignore it if Windows cannot remove the folder. When you copy the new contents onto the card you will be asked if you want to replace the files in that folder with new ones. The answer is "yes".

6. Copy the

contents

of the "sdcard" folder that you downloaded onto your clean sdcard and set aside.

7. Copy the backup

folder

from the zip you downloaded (named like "NST-US-newUI-Reg") to /clockworkmod/backup on the CWM card. Remove the CWM card from your PC and insert it into the device.

8. Power up.

If CWM fails to reach the first menu screen (i.e., is stuck on the splash screen), press the lower right hardware button.

To navigate in CWM: Upper Left hardware button > previous menu, Upper Right hardware button > move up, Lower Right hardware button > move down, "n" button > select

9. Select backup/restore.

10. Press "n" to backup your device as it is now.

View attachment 6108032

Backups end up in folders with dates for names, inside /clockworkmod/backup. You can rename these folders with the card in your PC. For example, you might rename this folder as "original" or similar (no spaces allowed in folder name). At the conclusion of the backup you should be returned to the main menu.

11. Select wipe data / factory reset.

12. Confirm.

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If after any wipe or restore operation CWM freezes, repeatedly press and hold the power button until the device reboots back into CWM. Don't panic. Hold the power button while counting to ten. Release it. If nothing happens, count to ten and try again. Eventually the device

will

reboot. This is the tool we have and it's not perfect, but it does work.

Spoiler content hidden.

13. Select advanced.

14. Select Wipe Dalvik Cache.

15. Confirm.

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If CWM has frozen after the wipe, repeatedly press and hold the power button until the device reboots.

16. Select backup and restore.

17. Select restore.

18. Select folder to restore (you copied one onto the card, remember?).

19. Confirm.

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20. When restore is complete, remove the CWM card from your device and replace it with your regular storage sdcard (with the new files/folders)

21. Press the "n" button to reboot.

If CWM has frozen after the restore, repeatedly press and hold the power button until the device reboots.

22. Once the device begins the boot sequence, swipe the screensaver unlocker when you get to that screen. When boot is complete your screen should look like this:

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If there are messages about not being able to load the widget image it's because you have not restored the contents of /media yet. Do that next. Otherwise, skip to #27.

23. Attach the device to your PC via USB cable.

24. Backup any content you want from the "Nook" drive, then delete all files/folders in the "Nook" drive (not the drive itself!!! just any random files/folders).

25. Copy the contents of the "media" folder that you downloaded to the "Nook" drive.

26. Eject your device (i.e., disconnect USB properly)

The messages about the widget should cease. If they do not, power down and up again.

27. Refer to your "User Guide" (separate download above) for initialization instructions and other information about your version.

You're done!