yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Epic 4G Themes] ptfdmedic:
You are the man. QUick question. Did you notice the power off menu icon for the airplane mode was still in color? Thanks for all you hard work.
[Epic 4G Themes] J3COMPUTERSERVICES:
Cant wait for the port to DK28 lol
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
This is not knocking our heavy-duty modders and developers, but it seems like in lots of threads folks ask questions and the answer always is to go to the custom ROMs. (Yes, I know they are good and do a lot!)

Could we maintain this, or another thread -- or could the admin set up a section for folks who have stock G-Tablets who want to improve and get the most out of them without ROMs?

I got my tablet 11/25 and when I turned it on, the first thing it did was download two updates. I have not had a lot of the really bad problems some of you earlier adopters had. So I would like to try a stock machine with program improvements before deciding whether to go custom ROM.

That said, I would like to install the Google Market, Contacts, Gmail, Calendar, etc. I am willing to root the tablet if that is needed to get all the software working.

Any suggestions -- references to non-ROM upgrades -- recommendations on how to accomplish the above will be appreciated. And I suggest there probably are a lot of other folks out there who would like to do the same thing. (If I'm right, post and speak up so the people with knowledge will know helping us is worth their time and effort.

Rev

P. S. -- Sorry this got so long. If a different thread is needed to get this done, someone feel free to get it started.
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
I don't find the stock g-tablet as horrible as many are reporting. It is not the same as an Android phone, and I guess that is what most people object to. I have installed the ViewSonic 1.01 update.

Here is what I have done:

1) Root it using Z4root. You can find it here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=833953

2) Installed Android Market:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=827209

EDIT: This version of Market does not work on the firmware update version 4349. For that use the package that Roebeet has supplied to us:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=12939008&postcount=40

It is installed as an update package, where you first unpack it, then place it into the /sdcard folder. Reboot holding both the Power and Volume+ button. Then select "Apply Internal update.zip", using the volume rocker to select, and the power button to enter the selection.

3) Do the Market fix to get access to all apps:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=845175

4) Also install the AndRootFile app, available here:

http://www.getjar.com/mobile/39778/androotfile/

5) Install LauncherPro or ADW.Launcher

EDIT: This is no longer needed, as there is now a "Classic" home screen in the firmware update. But it can still be done if you want to try it.

6) Install Flash:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=9172522&postcount=2058

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=842040

7) Install OpenGL fix, so then you can install Angry Birds from Market:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=846463

This is no longer needed. The OpenGL update is included in the firmware update.

I think that is about it. If I think of something else, I'll add it.
[G Tablet General] Sprdtyf350:
Not giving you a hard time but for someone who doesn't mind the stock interface everything you have done is pretty much the same as just installing TnTLite...
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
It may be true that "Waterhead" had done most of the same things some of the ROM mods do ---- BUT, he didn't have to flash anything like TNT or cwm, etc.

For those who don't want to flash, what he has provided here is a less risky path to decent performance.

Or for those who are less experienced and want to start out "lite" on their modding experience, this gives them a chance with less opportunity for making a fatal mistake.

I think there probably are a lot of folks who will own G-Tablets who will fall into this category.

And with a route to learn modding and work their way up to really serious modding, I think we will have done them a big favor.

Thanks for the posts. I think we have started a good thing in this thread. And thanks to you more experienced folks who are willing to help get those folks started.

And......it just could be that if we provide an opportunity for the unexperienced folks to make their tablet right -- more people will buy them. IMHO. :)

Rev
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
What I did is no different than what a person does to a PC. You install the needed programs and drivers. And maybe customize your desktop.

As a long-time Linux user, I am fully capable of installing from scratch. I just see no need to do that with the g-tablet. I actually like the weather app as a homepage.
[G Tablet General] xmr405o:
So you have the TnT UI (Stock 3 Homescreen UI) and Launcherpro/ADW? If people are going to go this route, then I would suggest installing home switch app from the market.
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
xmr405o,

Two things:

(1) My model with updates has a three-screen "Home" already -- one with weather/clock/news, one with "To-Do" lists, and a third I use so little I have forgotten what is on it.

(2) I have installed Launcher Pro and when I choose a task that will require launching, my firmware gives me a choice of the regular "Home" or LP to do that job.

What would the app you are recommending do beyond this??? More info??!!

Rev
[G Tablet General] rayden25:
Seriously, what is so intimidating about installing a rom? You cannot brick these things, it's impossible to do.
[G Tablet General] Lnin0:
Thanks for this thread.

My wife picked one of these up at Office Depot the other day. She knows I have been waiting on Adam and thought I might like this instead. I have yet to open the G Tablet until seeing what the supposed Dec 19th update brings. I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with modding a $399 toy on day one.

From all the reviews it sounds like a solid piece of hardware and that most issues are with TnT and the lack of Google support for tablets. Do you think this device will get Gingerbread and full support from Google eventually?

My only other concern is the LCD, which is turning out to be hard to judge without having seen the demo unit.

Ideally I just want a clean Android 2.2 experience with the ability to install and use the typical apps (gmail, flash, twitter, facebook, angry birds, etc). If this thing can be made into a solid purchase maybe I would just skip Adam and wait for a next gen tablet like Eve which should be on Tegra3/honeycomb.
[G Tablet General] jfholijr:
If this is true, that's awesome!
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
This quote from an earlier post answer the question asked as well as I ever could:

"I am new to android and hesitant to start at the deep end of the pool with

modding a $399 toy on day one."

I've already said I have no problem with the people who want to go the ROM flashing direction.

But there are people who would like to be more conservative while they learn something new.

Would it be such as bad thing to just help them?

Rev

P. S. -- And, personally, the first computer I ever built I soldered and put evey part together. I have been doing hardware and programming since 1979. But still, I am new to Android....and the documentation is lacking...and somethings are not explained well in the threads....so like the person I quoted I would like to move a little slower and not take chances until I am ready. And eventually I may get a second G-Tablet I can afford to mess up. But right now I want improve my tablet without the risk. IMHO.
[G Tablet General] Sprdtyf350:
Nothing is impossible.. We just haven't found the person to do it yet:eek:

It is pretty forgiving though. And I have been able to get going again every time I have gotten into a crazy spot.
[G Tablet General] Sprdtyf350:
As I said in my earlier post... I am not trying to give anyone a hard time and understand people wanting to keep them stock. You should be able to and have a useful tablet. When they first came out it wasn't so easy, and still isn't. Programs would not install because of memory mapped wrong, wifi disappeared after waking from sleep, time would reset every boot. The latest Viewsonic update has fixed some of those things, but not all. I flashed mine because I knew I was driving a Z06 Corvette with a Vega motor in it that had power windows that didn't work. I wanted the capability I knew was under the hood and the only way to get it was to flash a new rom. Or wait, and hope that Viewsonic eventually did it in an update.

I picked up my tablet back when they first came out. Seems like a long time ago but was really only a month. I read read all the pages in the original huge thread that existed before the G Tablet received a home of its own here. I would read what people were doing, read what they were breaking, and then when I felt comfortable enough that success was a possibility I would give it a shot. I have worked with computers myself since the early 80's and am comfortable building, installing, breaking, etc. Android is definitely different, but mostly to have fun with your tablet you don't have to know much more than how to flash a rom. Back before there was a recovery path things were pretty spooky and I did a lot of reading and waiting to see what worked. Things have progressed now to where if you can unzip a rom package to your internal SD card so you end up with an update.zip file, and a recovery folder all that is left is to hold the volume up button while pressing the power button and about 2 minutes later you are all done. And your Z06 will actually have power windows, and the right engine..

The specs on this tablet are probably the best out there right now. The software chosen just doesn't properly utilize most of it. Maybe the December 19 update being talked about will make it right out of the box. I hope so...

And no matter which path you take, stock, or modded... If trouble comes the answers so far have all been here in the forums...
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
I only installed LauncherPro. When I want to bring up the original TapnTap UI, I use the icon in the app list.

If you install both LauncherPro and ADW, then the home switcher app would be a good idea.
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
I have a ZT-180, and have flashed it several times. You had to mess with it just to get it to a useful state. But eventually you want to stop re-installing things and just use it. The stock g-tablet is wonderful compared to the stock ZT-180.

I guess that I come to this with a different perspective.
[G Tablet General] csurfer:
Great post! I've done exactly what you've done and am pleased with the result.

Thanks :D
[G Tablet General] adhuc0214:
z4padroot

trying to root g tablet with z4padroot.1.3.0.apk, answer: could not parse.

please advise.
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
I don't know about the program you used, but I used z4root as mentioned in the second or third post in this thread. It installed flawlessly and all I had to do to root was click one icon! Good luck!

Rev
[G Tablet General] jae-v:
thank you very much, have you tried vimeo?
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
What is vimeo?
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
The Android Market Installation linked to at the beginning of this thread doesn't seem to work on the latest firmware update (1.2-4349).

I did the install using the regular instructions. Upon reboot, it was stuck at the Tap'nTap "paw" logo. Fortunately, the new firmware has a restore option in the boot loader. I pressed the power & volume+ buttons to boot into it, and selected to clear the data. Of course, this wiped out the few apps that I had already installed.

It may be best just to use the Amazon App Store. But I really miss my Gmail app, which is weird considering that I hated it at first.
[G Tablet General] asusdvdr:
KEYBOARD

Hi all i was wondering if its possible to change from the stock keyboard to an another one. i live in denmark you see and i need a danish keyboard. Is it possible to do that without rooting the tablet?

thanks
[G Tablet General] NinetyWt:
Here is one for 3588:

http://tapntap.http.internapcdn.net/tapntap/viewsonic/update-smb_a1002-3588-user.zip

There are some other ones floating around for the older versions. I've forgotten which thread they're in.
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
To change keyboards on a stock firmware, you need to root it first. You can always un-root it when you are done.

I know that this thread got off-topic (I am guilty of that too), but Badtypist summed up the process in post #164.

If she can do it (eventually), so can you. You first need to find and install the keyboard app that you want to use.
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
Roebeet has posted a package that seems to work for installing Market and other Google apps on version 4349. This is the "new" version of Market, and has a different look than the original version. You can download the package, attached to this post:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=12939008&postcount=40

I did have some trouble with the initial setup. It seemed to get stuck at the "contacting Google servers" page. I rebooted, and then selected to set up later. The info seemed to be there when I started up Market.

I also had to do the Market Fix that was linked to in the second post of this thread.
[G Tablet General] Phoenix84118:
Weird, I didn't have any problems installing the Google apps on 4349 (except recovery). I used the tegra gapps from CM6, flashed using CWM (stock wouldn't flash it for some reason), then I was up an running.
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
I think that may be what Roebeet has in his Market package (see my post before yours). This thread is about keeping stock firmware, but modding it to make it more useful. Therefore using CWM wouldn't fit the bill.
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
wasserkopf,

Using CWM v.8 -- the old standard -- will do bad things to 1.2.4349. Don't do it.

I don't remember exactly what was said, but it was something CWM doesn't install

and therefore it won't work right.

Just so you know.

Rev
[G Tablet General] Phoenix84118:
Yeah, CWM doesn't flash the bootloader. There's a version that works with 1.2 based firmware. As long as you stay to either 1.1 based mods, or 1.2 based mods, then there won't be a problem. It's just switching between 1.1 and 1.2 where the problems happen. Of course, YMMV.

I personally love CWM. Which is why I continue to use it. However with that, I realize I must be extra careful when I flash a mod, to make sure it's compatible.
[G Tablet General] carolferg:
definitely a n00b question

I am a 53 yr old female and I am really trying to work with this gtab for fun, and to work my brains with something new. I want to try working that tnt lite but I am not sure how, do I download to this gtab the information stated or do I use my computer then put it on my SD card this is not stated, Please be patient with me I think I can be a good student
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
I haven't had a g-tablet in a long time, so I have forgotten most things. But, it depends on what you have on it now. They originally came with version 1.1 bootloader software. Updates later changed this to version 1.2. TnT Lite is 1.1 (I think) and old and unsupported.

You may find more help and information at this forum: http://www.slatedroid.com/forum/102-viewsonic-viewpadg-tab/

That is also where the originator of the TnT lite version used to hang out.
[G Tablet General] JoTeC:
Enjoy your GTab Carol. I think several of us cut our Android teeth with this device. You have come to the right place to learn your device and step by step directions with You Tube videos to personalize your device. Just spend a couple of hours reading the ROM posts. Just search for ROM and there will be hundreds of posts with different opinions. You'll have fun learning. Good luck!
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
wasserkapf,

Obviously, I started this thread because I wanted to keep my G-Tablet as stock as possible. But it seems like the further I got, the harder it was to find all the patches, programs, procedures, etc.

I finally just plain got tired of trying to do the impossible. But I love the hardware.

So I have joined the Dark Force. It took some doing -- and that's another story -- but I now have installed CWM and have TnT 2.2.0 running fine. Everything I have checked and installed so far works fine.

Now that I know I can change things around, I will do my experimenting in the mod world instead of the stock world. After all, playing around and enjoying it was why I bought the thing to start with!!!!

I read something somewhere where you entertained similar thoughts and actions. If you decide not to stay stock -- or just want more information -- let me know.

Meanwhile, at least now I am up and running and having fun!!!!

Rev
[G Tablet General] TeamSpeed:
I would love to know what all should be installed first before installing roms since I see Rom manager, clockworkmod, and a couple of other tools. Like what this list is, what they do, and how. :)
[G Tablet General] billflick575:
Paul, your solution seems more appealing to me, since I don't have a lot of experience in this area. I do have two questions: 1) do your mods result in a performance increase as I have read for other mods? and 2) Will future Viewsonic updates work? Thanks.

billflick575
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
I really haven't measured performance. Either things work, or they don't. I really haven't had too many things that don't work, except for playing of High Quality H264 video.

There has been only one official update. It downloaded and updated just fine. It was a system update, and I needed to do a "Factory data reset". This will wipe out any changes and apps installed, so I had to do all of the changes again. The next update may not be so drastic. You may want to keep notes of what you did, and how you did it. It will make doing it much easier the next time.
[G Tablet General] jae-v:
hey been asking around but have you tried vimeo on the device? just wondering if its capable of buffering the hd content and playing
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
Someone asked me about vimeo before. I have no idea what vimeo is. Please explain.
[G Tablet General] butchconner:
billflick575,

I tried AndRootFile as some have suggested here. I didn't have a lot of luck with it. Then someone suggested Root Explorer.

RootExplorer for me is much easier to use and worked great. I have been using the free version, but likely will buy the full version.

Rev

P. S. -- After the modding, regular updates from Viewsonic will not work. But as of the now the only big thing I have heard coming in the next update is Flash, and most of us already are running Flash! I am sure VS's version will primarily catch up with where a lot of us are now, and if something important does come out someone will come up with an equivalent patch for us. IMHO.
[G Tablet General] jae-v:
its basically like youtube but with mostly content from inspiring movie editors and such...the site is vimeo.com they have an hd section.
[G Tablet General] Lnin0:
Anyone care to take a stab at updating this guide. The instructional threads all seem to be convoluted and very unclear if they are talking about a stock tablet or not.

Assuming stock with latest ota update I would like to get Flash, Gmail, Maps, Market and Calendar all working. Is it possible to do? Can it be done without using CWM ?
[G Tablet General] MSU_Sparty:
Curious but Scared

I really want to take advantage of the modifications that others have written about but haven't read any instructions that make me feel confident I can do so. Part of the reason is that the experts understand it so well they use technospeak that I cannot follow. I have spent literally hours reading the posts and come away feeling that I'm not sure what I need to do and how to undo what I've done if needed.

I decided to use Nitrodesk's Touchdown for email and calendar as it syncs well with my corporate Outlook Exchange server on my Droid X. It works fine on the GTab too. I used the Viewsonic Favorites page to download Adobe Flash and that works fine too. I installed the paid version of Documents to Go, because I wanted to be able to edit documents and it already works well for me on the Droid X. Maybe I'm one of those people who doesn't know what I'm missing by staying with stock?

I would really like to have the Android Market and a faster user interface but between the discussions of rooting and modding, I'm lost as to what I have to do. Some of the explanations that are written in a step by step fashion come pretty close but they also include steps that assume you have experience that I just don't have. I'm not looking for anyone to hold my hand in this but saying that if there was an application I could download that would install TnT Lite and then let me restore to the pre-install point later, I'd pay for it. I would guess there are other users out there who are in the same boat, but maybe I'm wrong.

I think there is great potential in this product and I purchased it because I don't believe in the Apple philosophy and it was the first decent sized Android tablet on the market. I really do appreciate the time and effort that so many developers and users put into this forum. Maybe I'm an example of the truth in the old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
[G Tablet General] wasserkapf:
There is a learning curve to Android, as with anything new. If you have questions about any of the mods that I linked to in my post, then ask the questions IN THAT MOD'S THREAD. Try to make the questions as specific as you can. It's hard to read someone's mind.

As for re-writing a guide of some kind, If I did it would come out the same. Maybe a newbie's perspective is needed.
[G Tablet General] Neoprimal:
This is going to be a very, very noob post so I apologize if you all know this already. But since this thread is focusing on people who'd rather have the stock experience for the most part - I've avoided installing the market completely or doing anything outrightly technical by using Astro to backup all the apps on my MT4G and then just installing them on the G Tablet. It's nothing permanent but works if you'd rather not root/etc. I got tired of using websites to get the apks and I know Astro does a backup, so I figured I'd try it. I think the only app I have tailored for the MT4G is Qik so I didn't think anything detrimental would happen, and it didn't!

Of course by doing this you're more than likely missing daily/weekly updates etc. but in my case, it's better than going through the trouble of rooting, installing the market and editing the files necessary, and then getting the reported FCs and such happening to people right now. This was the lesser evil for me. At least until I see what comes on Friday.

Note: I have not attempted to install anything that Google has made, as I imagine they all depend on the framework which lies in the root. I also stay away from applications that may in an obvious way, tie in or depend on Google Maps or the GPS in any way...I have no proof that they do, but I figure they might since they use the GPS hardware - stuff like Loopt, Foursquare, Glympse etc. I have no use for them on the tablet anyway.

Using this method I don't think I'll ever use an unofficial ROM unless for some unforeseeable reason I need to down the line. But here's to hoping this thing gets some official Google love with 2.3 or Honeycomb. My Gtab is sufficiently quick, I mean - it's pretty damned fast. It's playing audio, video and I'm streaming from Orb.

So far I haven't gotten any looping or permanent FCs. 1 or 2 with Winamp when I hit the Wifi option, that's it.

Good Luck.