Intermediate To Advanced PDN User Hacking Guide

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The hacks below are all for the White PDN. Pandigital is also selling a Black Model and a nearly identical version in Black, Red, Blue and Purple. Read more about hacking it here: The Black One (QVC & BPDN)

PDN Wiki Index
Introduction to the Pandigital Novel
Pandigital Novel Hacking
Pandigital Novel Software
Pandigital Novel Hardware Modification
Pandigital Novel Version


Contents

Intermediate to Advanced User Method

Disclaimer & Warnings

  • THIS DEVICE IS A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED PIECE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT.
  • ALTERATIONS FROM IT'S INTENDED PURPOSE COULD VOID ITS WARRANTY.
  • HACKING THIS DEVICE COULD PERMANENTLY DAMAGE IT TO THE POINT WHERE IT BECOMES UNUSABLE FOR ANY PURPOSE.
  • Doing any of these hacks, of course, is AT YOUR OWN RISK and could brick your device! You have been warned!

Neither authors of this Wiki nor of the various modifications referred to and linked herein shall be liable for any damages to your device resulting from following their instructions (correctly or not).

Intermediate Users

Method
Attaching PDN via USB to your computer and using ADB (Android DeBugging Bridge) Command-Line Tools.
Hardware Required
  • Windows 7/Vista/XP
  • Linux (32 bit Ubuntu, Mandriva as well as Dapper and Drake known to work)
  • Intel-based Mac running OSX 6 (Snow Leopard)
Limitations
  • Your computer expertise
  • Your imagination

Intermediate Level Hacks

Consolidated Script

Apply all hacks and apps (via adb) in one shot
This was an early .bat file type script to install multiple hacks apps into /system/app/ all at once. (System apps like the PDN eReader and many of the files required for the Google Experience do not install to /data/app/ like normal programs you acquire at the Marketplace, but must be unpacked to the system itself. This was a forerunner to the all-in-one modified firmware flashes now used by most of the community developers.
Please read through the developer's thread for instructions and updates before installing.
ConsolidatedHacks.7z Direct Link

Google Experience Alpha (nearly everything but Market)

Just what it says on the tin.

Software Buttons

The Open Platform systems have functional software buttons, often eliminating the need for the original volume key hack which remapped the physical volume buttons on the side of the PDN. Now these software buttons are available even in pre-2011 stock systems on the notification bar, giving you a Back, Menu and Home button on the touch screen. With the use of a custom app, the size and behavior of the software buttons can be changed.

You can also configure the physical volume buttons back to their original function or reconfigure them to do something else entirely, like show recent apps. Dual functionality is also an option where (for example) a short tap on the volume key adjusts the sound volume while a long press can trigger the Menu.
Configurable Soft Button app w/Volume and D-Pad plus more. (Stand-alone app requires Root Access)

Firmware Modification Patches 2011 ONLY

These "one-shot" hacks enhance individual features of the White PDN's capabilities much the same way you flash a firmware update like the Beginner's Hacks, but only address one specific function, leaving the rest of your system alone.
Please read through the developer's thread for instructions and updates before installing.
Includes Root, Ad Hoc, Google Experience and Market, Vol Key Hack. Rather than listing the individual patches here, you can see them all on the first posting in the above thread. These are flashable and OK to use on the 2011 firmware versions, and contain the reboot command to avoid flash loops on 2011 firmware.

Firmware Modification Patches PRE-2011 ONLY

These "one-shot" hacks enhance individual features of the White PDN's capabilities much the same way you flash a firmware update like the Beginner's Hacks, but only address one specific function, leaving the rest of your system alone.
Please read through the developer's thread for instructions and updates before installing.
  • Available Patches
Installs Panda Homescreen and Apps Installer
Volume Keys remap to menu/back
(Restore Volume Keys to original function)
Properly Enables "Root" and includes JacPal Terminal Emulator for installation via SD Card.
Notification Bar enabled on Boot Fix for
FW 7-24 based OS
FW 8-6 (and 8-20) based OS
enables ad hoc wireless
Installs Busy Box Tools for terminal commands
All of the above for 7-24 FW ONLY in one shot
  • More
Installs Default Android Launcher and Apps Installer
Rotation Fix for 7-24 FW ONLY
Rotation Fix for 8-6 and 8-20 FW]
Notification Bar fix for Firmware 9_23
Rotation Fix for Firmware 9_23
Partial System Upgrade
This is a patch only of the kernel and bootloader from PD's offical 9/23 FW, not a full firmware installation. It adds improved wifi connectivity and has been tested to work only on the 8/20 and PDCruzN FW installations. You flash this after you have completed another full FW installation.
Android Modification Resources

Market Access Hacks

Intermediate

Intermediate - Not Ugly Hack obtains a working Marketplace Android-Id and installs it directly on device
Supplemental layer 1.3 - The latest MarketPlace Vending app (discussed here) fixes the issue where not all available apps are displayed in portrait mode. This was designed for the Cruz/PDN Hybrid firmware, but should work in any of the other altered firmwares without making any other unintended modifications.
  • Installation of Google Experience is still required for Market access. This has been tested to work on mod'd FWs based on 8/20 and 9/23 OEM FW ONLY.
  • From the developer: "supplemental layer adds back the PDN music/games/photo apps, Contacts, and a new Android font taken from Ubuntu. It also corrects an issue with calibration not "holding" after a reboot. Also new to 1.3 is a Marketplace update to fix searching in portrait mode)"
Quick access to Accounts & Sync Settings for White PDNs with GAPPS
Android Market update for 1.6 to 2.1 systems

Advanced

The New MarketPlace Vending app can be installed by itself via ADB or a Terminal Emulator into /system/app/ by extracting the vending.apk from the .zip file in this link. As a system app it cannot be installed in the normal manner.

Troubleshooting

If you've installed Google Experience (GE) and performed the ugly or non-ugly Market Hack, or GE and Market Access is included in an Altered Firmware installation, but you cannot access the Marketplace or apps will hang or not download/install at all, try some or all of the following.

  1. For those using the non-ugly hack, there are two versions of the market being used in the current modified firmwares. Consult the developer's thread for which one you have. One version (current roebeet) works with no further fiddling, but you must download your first (free) app immediately after you enter your google account. Once you do that, it will continue to work afterwards. The other version (mac v5, retired roebeet v4) requires you to be to simply add a second account to the device, and there is no time limit. This second account does not have to be created on the device. Enter your main account first, go to the market, and you will likely see a server error. Then go to Settings, Accounts & Sync, and add a second google account, then try market again. It will probably work. Both versions will update to the new market once you exit, and may be unavailable for a couple minutes. Once market is working, you can delete the second account if it was required. Both versions work with the new web market.
  2. Make sure your date/time are set correctly. OR set them to Eastern Standard Time. Some have found setting their time ahead 12 hours works.
  3. Uninstall some of your previously installed apps, especially if the notification bar indicates the device's storage space is low.
  4. Clear your Market cache, Checkin Service data and Download Manager data via Settings/Applications/Manage Applications (filtered for Running Apps), then reboot.
  5. Create a new Google ID/account (Create a new dummy Gmail account from the device). (Step-by-Step)
  6. Try the Titanium Backup Solution.

Solutions 2-6 above are probably obsolete now, but are listed just in case.

Can't see all your apps? Occasionally the market cache can become corrupted. Run market. Then go to Menu/Settings/Applications/Manage Applications. Filter to show running apps. Find market and clear cache and then force stop. Now find Google Services Framework. Clear Data and then Force Stop. Reboot. Watch how it's done on Youtube!

Note - market has been updated and it is getting harder and harder to see all the apps. The market is checking more than just the SDK now, so some apps just are not going to show up.

STUCK IN A FLASH LOOP? LOOK HERE.

Advanced User OS Modification

(I know what I'm doing, I'm comfortable using ADB and command line)


Rooting

If you don't understand this or why you need it, you probably shouldn't try it. ADB already has root level access. This just lets the android system and apps have root level access.

Note: it is NOT necessary to root your PDN in order to hack it into an Android tablet.

Update: Some firmware versions have a shell (/system/bin/sh) that will not allow the user ID (UID) to be elevated to zero (0). Elevating the UID to 0 is required to be properly rooted. If the following procedure does not allow you to elevate the UID to 0, then you need to find a different sh or su file to use from somewhere else. The below procedure does not work on 11/19 based firmwares, for example.

  • ADB Shell
    1. mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
    2. cat /system/bin/sh > /system/bin/su
    3. chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
  • sync
  • reboot

Alternatively, rooting can also be done via this automated zip file mod that is downloaded to your SD Card, following the same instructions as flashing the firmware.

Here are two suggestions to test if you are fully and correctly rooted (both require busybox):

1. Install titanium backup and see if it can obtain root rights.
2. Install an android terminal and type in the following:
su
busybox whoami

If you do not receive a reply that indicates your user ID (UID) is 0 (zero) you are not yet fully rooted.

Experienced Developers Only

This should be a lesson for all prospective FW Devs

Modifications for improving performance and graphics.

Android 2.1/2.2 (Eclair/FroYo)

Currently the PDN runs on the short-lived Android 2.0 operating system, which was quickly replaced by 2.0.1, which was quickly replaced by 2.1. All three are technically are referred to as Eclair, though in the wider Android community "Eclair" generally refers to 2.1.

These projects are for EXPERIENCE DEVELOPERS ONLY
While we welcome informed and knowledgeable input, this software is more than merely a work in progress. Understand that if you post questions/comments to these threads and it is clear that you do not have more than a basic fundamental understanding of the inner workings of the Android Operating System, you may be subject to the wrath and ridicule of the community. You have been warned!
Current Status
Complete OS replacement Android 2.1, Eclair - Pre-Alpha NO NOOBS ALLOWED
Overlay of Android 2.2 on stock PDN 2.0 system/kernel, FroYo - Working Beta
Port of cyanogenmod to the PD novel (White) from source. Have implemented all the features of the other froyo beta ROM. Cyanogenmod 6.x (beta)

Add a Functional Recovery Image with ADB

You can easily add the clockwork recovery image to an existing WPDN using ADB.

Read this thread to get started.

Download one of the firmware images, and extract only the recovery.img file from it. Put it in your adb directory, and use these adb commands to flash the new recovery image:

adb remount
adb push recovery.img /data/misc
adb shell flash_image recovery /data/misc/recovery

Reboot, and start the flash process by holding down the on slide and the volume up button. Instead of flashing, you will see the clockwork recovery image in action. Ignore any E:/not found errors. Select the option you want with the volume up/down keys, and tap the screen anywhere to select the option you have chosen.

Be careful about tapping the screen, tapping it anywhere will select the highlighted option.

If you don't like it, you can un-do it by flashing the old recovery image back in from your current ROM. Look for a flashable version of this soon to use if you can't or don't know how to use ADB.

As always, YMMV and use of this is at your own risk. But it looks real good so far.

Hardware Modification

If you can think of it, there's probably someone already here at Slatedroid trying to figure out exactly how to get it done. Not just software, but there are serious investigations going on to enhance, change and insert physical upgrades to Guts of the Beast.

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