[G Tablet Android Development] roebeet:
MANY THANKS TO REV FOR RE-WRITING THIS FOR ME!

(Post was updated on 3/23/2011)

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This post is to provide a template for using NVFlash to restore/recover your G-Tablet after suffering some kind of malfunction. Specifically, this document tries to provide ALL the information you need to use the NVFlash tool to recover the bekit 1105 software version, which has been found to be safe as a starting point for rebuilding your tablet after having a problem. This post does not include other methods of setting up NVFlash (such as installing the SDK, etc.) because this method is proven and can be easily supported.

I use Ubuntu Linux and know that the Linux instructions below are correct. Others have written Windows instructions and those too have been checked carefully and have been used before successfully.

A WARNING IN ADVANCE: NVFlash makes changes to the partition structure of your device. You should tread carefully and understand the risks. (MOD EDIT Note: It also has been noted a bunch of times that even NVFlashing your G-Tablet will not completely overwrite everything on it.)

The NVFlash setup process begins with a visit to:

http://db.tt/Wm25t7U

(Note: Sometime this DropBox is cranky. If you have trouble with it, check back later.)

Linux users: You want to get "nvflash_linux_2010110500.tar.gz" and "nvflash_gtablet_2010110500.zip "

Windows users: You want to get "nvflash_windows_20100500.zip" and ""nvflash_gtablet_2010110500.zip"

Note: The above "nvflash_gtablet_2010110500" is commonly referred to as bekit version 1105 in many posts relating to nvflashing (especially my posts).

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Installation

First, create a folder named "NVFlash" on your PC to put the needed files into and to work from. (Note: You can call it something else if you want to; we're just using "NVFlash" to keep all of us on the same page.)

Next, extract the files you downloaded from the DropBox above into the "NVFlash" directory. The files with linux and windows in the middle of then are the files for setting up NVFlash. (The are taken from the SDK and do not install the whole SDK -- just a simple, operable NVFlash for us to use here.) The files with gTablet in the middle contains the .img files with the software to go on your G-Tablet.

Third, for Windows users, you'll need to have an APX-specific USB driver for the next steps. (The Windows package bekit supplied has an .inf file in it, but the actual drivers are not there). For Linux users, you don't need an extra driver.

One source for the Windows drivers is at

http://www.myadventvega.co.uk/

Find the "Downloads" tab in the middle of the page and click on "USB System Driver" to get the files. Extract them and go down two levels to the "USB" folder -- and move that into your "NVFlash" directory. The USB folder has the .inf file for installation in it along with two other directories with drivers for the various operating systems. (Note: These drivers, which are the same as the drivers in the SDK, are proven to work with Win 7 64-bit and have the setup include to load into other versions of Windows.) Follow this narrative for actual installation of the drivers.

CHECKPOINT: At this point, you should have the nvflash files, .img files, and USB directory (and files) in you "NVFlash" directory and are ready to begin the recovery process.

Now, you will need to boot into G-Tablet APX mode: hold down the power and volume - button simultaneousl until your G-Tab comes up and the goes back to a black screen. The black screen means it is in APX mode and it is waiting to display the flashing process. In Linux, type "lsusb" in a terminal and you should see this "0955:7820 NVidia Corp.". 7820 means the device is in APX mode.

Connect your G-Tablet to your PC using your miniUSB to USB cable that came with your tablet.

Linux users: At this point, open up a command window to the folder you created, and run this script:

./nvflash_gtablet.sh

This will wipe the device back to bekit's original TnT stock image, except for user data which is retained. Should take about a minute to run and the device will reboot itself automatically. If the script does not work, make sure that the shell script and nvflash binary are set as executables.

Windows users: When you connect to the PC, the PC immediately tries to load a driver -- but since it doesn't know where the USB driver files are it will fail. Click through Start/Control Panel/Device Manager and find "APX" listed in the devices with a yellow "!" (exclamation point) on the icon. Select the APX item and find the "Update Driver" button and click it. When it asks where to search, choose the local computer manual selection choice and tell it to Browse.

Point the Browse (and the USB install) at the "USB" directory under the "NVFlash" folder. When pointed at the "USB" directory, the driver installed and I was ready to nvflash. If you go back to Device Manager after the Windows install has completed, it will show the nVidia USB drivers near the top of the USB device list.

Again, for Windows: Run this script which is in the "NVFlash" folder:

nvflash_gtablet.bat

This will wipe the device back to bekit's original TnT stock image except for user data, which is retained. Should take about a minute to run and the device will reboot itself automatically all the way to the main screen.

POST NVFlash:

When your G-Tablet has booted back to the main screen, you will have to check and make sure everything is set up. Particularly, get the wifi on and connected to the Internet. Almost immediately, you should get a notice about an OTA (over the air) update. This is the OTA Update to software version 3588. If it does, go ahead and have it do the update. From there, you can begin using your "stock 3588" G-Tablet.

If you don't get an automatic OTA notification, you can go the to manual "Update" icon on your tablet and have it check for updates -- and hopefully it will find OTA 3588.

Or, if neither of the above happen, you can download 3588 at the following link and install it manually:

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

Note: Following is a STICKY from General Forum on the stock recovery process:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=892090

NOTICE: There are many threads out there with tell how to do this process. Others tell individuals' problem solving experiences. A few of them may not be right! The above process is not the only way to do this -- but it is fairly straightforward and it is proven. It is recommended for anyone who does not have experience with nvflashing.

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Further references (since I'm not a Windows user): http://xdaforums.com/show...0&postcount=28

and http://forum.tegratab.com/viewtopic....bbde76184e550a and http://wiki.tegratab.com/index.php/Nvflash_FAQ

An additional suggestion if you also want to tack on bekit's clockworkmod recovery versus standard recovery: http://xdaforums.com/show...3&postcount=17

Hope this helps!

03/2011 update -- I've been told that this tool has been useful to erase ALL partitions, including user data. I believe you need to re-flash with the bekit 1105 above, AFTER you use this: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=974422

04/22/2011 update -- I've built out both 1.1-3588-based and 1.2-4349-based versions that have effectively replaced bekit's 1105 image ("nvflash_gtablet_2010110500.zip"), at least on my own device - I'm also addding a clockworkmod recovery option. It is being hosted in the same location as my 1.2-based mods - I will be making updates there, from this point on (as I might update them from time to time).

(you'd still need bekit's Windows or Linux tools, keep in mind) I've been able to bring back my device back from a soft-brick several times, so I feel they are usable.

05/09/2011 update -- A reminder that these images are not being updated, here. I have a newer nvflash post over in the same site where I have my 1.2-based mods. The 1105 bekit image mentioned here is still relevant for 1.1-based ROM users, or you can use my 3588 ot 4349 solution at the other site.

05/10/2011 update -- I have PM'd the moderator to either unsticky this post and / or assign it to someone else, as I do not plan on updating it, here. I believe that there is a 3588 image in the TegraTab IRC that someone created, for example.